We all love Amy Schumer , everyone knows how brilliant Key & Peele are, and you’ve watched Will Ferrell’s classic SNL sketches countless of times. But in this weekly column Sketchy MVPs, The Laugh Button shines a light on comedians from our favorites shows and troupes who don’t often get rightful credit for their contributions to sketch comedy.
After running a 20th anniversary special back in January, CW announced plans to reboot MADtv with a crop of new faces. Unsurprisingly, though, the network teased that a few familiar faces would pop up after the revived sketch comedy show airs on July 26th. Thankfully, one of those faces will be Will Sasso, who was essentially the show’s go-to cast member for physical humor and over the top impersonations (and rightfully so, that is).
Sasso appeared on the show from 1997 to 2002. Since then, he’s made appearances on numerous TV shows since leaving MADtv, even nabbing the role of Curly in the 2012 film reboot of The Three Stooges. Lately, though, he’s become beloved for his contributions to social media and his Ten Minute Podcast. But in honor of his return to the sketch comedy show, take a look back at a few of our favorite moments from Sasso’s time on MADtv.
“Kenny Rogers on Jackass”
Many of Sasso’s impersonations were so over the top that they often transformed into an identity completely different from the celebrity being impersonated. Best example: Kenny Rogers. Granted, we don’t know that much about the real life Kenny Rogers, but we don’t think he’s as much of a drunken mess Sasso made him out to be… yet Sasso makes us wish he was (especially in this Jackass parody).
“Sopranos on PAX”
Imagining what The Sopranos would be like if aired on PAX, this sketch is proof that Sasso did a fantastic impersonation of Tony Soprano… even with most of his lines being cut out due to censorship.
“Michael McLoud and Jasmine Wayne-Wayne”
Sure, the fact that all of Michael McLoud and Jasmine Wayne-Wayne’s songs sounded the same was funny. But what made Sasso and Alex Borstein’s Adult Contemporary singing duo great was the two character’s strained relationship (or more specifically, Sasso’s McLoud trying his hardest to put up with his singing partner’s behavior and snide comments). As an added bonus, watch McLoud and Wayne-Wayne attempt to record with Master P and the Insane Clown Posse.
“The Hustler”
Could watching Sasso suck at playing pool in an effort to “hustle” someone ever get old? No… no it could not.
“Gay Dating”
Watching Sasso and Bobby Lee together was always fun, especially when one of them essentially tricks the other into a long-term relationship… keep your eyes on the prize little lotus flower! (Just watch the sketch to see what we mean.)
“Blind Man and Faulty Voice Box Boy”
Plenty of shows have parodied the Adam West-era of Batman. But Sasso’s physicality and timing makes this sketch about a blind superhero and his sidekick with a faulty voice box an underrated gem.
