At the start of 2008, you could have made a killing via Ladbrokes if you had bet that Andrew Daly would become perhaps the most sought-after "MADtv" alum in motion pictures this year. Who, besides family members, close friends, and household pets, saw this one coming? Well, brethren, get ready for scoops on not one, not two, not three, but four movies that feature Mr. Daly. If your salivary glands are not already wet with anticipation, then you are either clinically dead or just really smart. Anyway, let us get this show -- rather, these shows -- on the road.

We begin with perhaps the most notable of the four films (at least in terms of theatrical release), The Informant, which is not scheduled to swarm into theaters until March 2009. The dramatic film's plot, based on a true story, involves a whistle blower (Matt Damon) who wears a wire and steadily builds a federal case against a major corporation that fixes the price of the food additive lysine. Price fixing and lysine? I smell Oscar! While The Informant may be the biggest of the Andrew Daly films that will be coming out, suffice it to say that Andrew's role in it seems to anything but big. In fact, from what we can gather (not much), his character does not even have the dignity of a name. (Ah, the post-"MADtv" plight of a third-tier cast member!) At any rate, if you want to read more about The Informant, then this article is sure to, uh, inform you. Keep some tomatoes in those buckets, folks; the bad jokes are just getting started.

Next, we catch up with Andrew as he thumbs through The Post Grad Survival Guide. As expected, his character, Lloyd Hastings, plays tenth banana in a plot (found here) that is straight out of the Bush era handbook:

"Eternal optimist Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel) has the most brutal of wake-up calls when she graduates from college and can't find a job, forcing her back home to live with her oddball family. Frustrated and confused about how her life is supposed to turn out, she soon realizes that her longtime platonic best friend is the only one who makes everything in her crazy life make sense."

Will Andrew's character (not the "platonic best friend," we rightly assume) get more than three milliseconds of air time in Guide? Will movie theaters be able to contain the hordes of maniacal, gun-toting Andrew Daly fans who simply will not rest until they have witnessed the aforesaid three milliseconds of brilliance? The answers to these questions and more will be revealed some time in 2009, when the comedy film makes its highly anticipated debut.

The third of Andrew's cinematic wonders up for discussion is She's Out of My League. While I try to decide if this comedy/romance is my biopic or just a home movie that somehow found its way into director Jim Field Smith's grubby paws, read this plot description from hollywood.com:

"An airport security man meets a girl described as a perfect 10. However, his own lack of confidence and the suspicions of his friends and family begin to sabotage the relationship."

Again, to no one's amazement, Andrew's League character customarily lacks a name, let alone an indication of exactly how he factors into the plot. Still, if the movie's title and story resonate with you as much as they do with me, then you will be on the lookout for She's Out of My League as it hits theaters some time in 2008. If not, then I do not even know you.

Finally, as if your penis liquid or vaginal fluid is not already gushing over the aforementioned titles, we submit Tenure for your disapproval. Although we still cannot come up with the damn name for Andrew's Tenure character -- seriously, what gives? -- we at least know that of the four films mentioned in this post, Tenure is the one which will feature Andrew most prominently. Check out this hot-to-trot plot description:

"In Mike Million's Tenure, [Luke] Wilson will play a college professor who battles for tenure with a formidable colleague ([Gretchen] Mol) and competes for her affection with her blowhard boyfriend (Daly)." David Koechner also stars in the Blowtorch Entertainment film, shooting this month [April 2008] in Philadelphia. Paul Schiff, Tai Duncan and Brendan McDonald produce; and Kelly Rodriques, Richard Hull and Dominic Ianno executive produce."

Am I the only one who is struggling to picture Daly as a blowhard, or is there an implicit double-entendre that is somehow eluding me in that character description? Well, fortunately for us, we have the rest of the year to contemplate these matters; for Tenure will not (forgive me) blow into theaters until some time in 2009. If, by some miracle of self-restraint, you discover that you still have some tomatoes left in your baskets after all of these rotten jokes, then fire away -- I certainly have them coming.

With that deserved onslaught of red spheres and seeds, we wrap up this Andrew Daly quadruple-feature. Break your piggy banks; hunt couch change; turn tricks; auction off your souls; and humiliate yourselves for cash in any other ways you see fit. Faster than you can say, "'MTV Diary,'" these movies from the bespectacled "MADtv" alum will be crying out to you for your overly generous financial support. (They will haunt your dreams -- trust me on this.) Catch Andrew Daly's rising, tin foil-covered star if you can!

UPDATE (08/20): My creative muse, Arden Myrin, has been added to the Informant cast in the role of Sarah Scott. Special thanks go to nick for the information.

Andrew Daly is now officially my favorite "MADtv" cast member of all time. If you have not already called for emergency psychiatric assistance on my behalf, then at the very least, you must be asking yourself what has brought about this drastic and totally inconceivable change of allegiance. Two glorious words, the most beautiful in all the English language when placed side by side, are all I need to declare by way of an answer: "Match Game." It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Andrew will be hosting the pilot for an updated edition of this classic game show, the most legendary version of which was hosted by Gene Rayburn from 1973 to 1982. Just as I make that statement, I can already hear the deafening cries of diehard "Match Game" and "MADtv" fans alike, all of whom are surely ready to burn their Miss Swan dolls and "Dumb Dora" T-shirts in protest at the very suggestion that Andrew will be anything more than Rayburn lite. (And even that suggestion is perhaps far too much of a mental stretch for most.) Hey, no one will ever replace Rayburn; however, the fact the Andrew is even willing to try is enough to declare him my new hero. Nicole Sullivan, agree to become a guest celebrity panelist if the show is picked up; and I will gladly move you back to the top of my "MADtv" favorites list. If not, then you leave me no choice but to stick with Andrew, at least until I know for sure that "Match Game" will not be picked up or until I see the issue of Playboy with your luscious, whipped cream-covered body as the centerfold. The choice is yours, my dear.

For those who are not familiar with the concept behind "Match Game," please crawl out from the half-ton boulder you have been living under; and follow along as I explain the basic idea of the game. The contestants are given a number of fill-in-the-blank questions, and the answers they give must match those written by the various celebrities on the panel. Normally, to make the show more exciting (and thus to increase the ire of network executives), the questions are often clever double entendres that encourage off-the-wall answers from the celebrities and contestants alike. It is a dog-eat-hot-dog fight to the finish; and only the strong (in armpit odor) survive. Got the Daliesque picture? Cool beans and wienies! Let's move on.

The pilot for the updated "Match Game" was shot earlier this week in Los Angeles, CA. Among the celebrities on the panel were "Saturday Night Live" alumni Sarah Silverman and Norm MacDonald, as well as former "Kids in the Hall" cast member Scott Thompson. Incidentally (or coincidentally), the executive producer of the updated "Match Game" is none other than Robert Smigel, also of "SNL" fame. A quick recap shows that we have here three celebrities with ties to "SNL" and another star with ties to a show ("Kids") that itself has indirect ties to "SNL." It's a conspiracy, man! Andrew, as the sole representative of "MADtv" who is involved with this "Match Game" revival, you must fight the good fight against the evil "SNL" empire. We have the utmost faith in your ability, don't we, guys? (Just say "yes," even if you don't mean it -- and you don't.) As a boost to your confidence, as well as an incentive for the show to succeed, might I recommend that you nudge Smigel into bringing aboard other "MADtv" alumni as guest panelists? I feel positive that a bikini-clad Nicole Sullivan would love nothing more than to support her fellow Season 6 cohort in his hosting endeavors; and you would be doing me -- ahem, I mean yourself -- a great favor. (Yeah, yourself, right, right.) Anyway, with or without the ultimate fulfillment of my whipped cream-filled fantasies, the celebrity panelists are sure to bring the goods to the new "Match Game." Whether they will bring good answers to match the contestants remains to be seen.

For more information on Andrew's revival of "Match Game," follow this link -- that is, if you did not already do so when I provided it above. If the series is picked up, then it will air on TBS; however, for obvious reasons, we cannot yet say when it would debut. All we can do in the meantime is to thank our lucky stars (pun intended) that the most amazing game show ever -- nay, the most amazing show ever (at least among those not named "MADtv") -- could well be returning to a boob tube near you. Andrew Daly, bless you, kind sir!

Watch Comedy Central tonight at 10:30pm EST as Andrew Daly simultaneously dons beer goggles and sticks it to the suds. On tonight's episode of comedian Lewis Black's new series, "Root of All Evil," Andrew will debate beer's evil influence with fellow comedian Paul F. Tompkins, who in turn will advocate that weed, not beer, is indeed the true root of all evil. Which would-be attorney will win his case, thereby sentencing his choice of the evil substances to the slammer, where it will have to endure numerous anal atrocities from heroin and the like? The honorable judge Lewis Black will hear both sides and reach a verdict, one that will certainly have a direct bearing on the United States judicial system for years to come. If you miss the premiere of tonight's episode, then you will have to wait a whole hour and a half to catch the re-air on Thursday morning at 12:30am EST. After that, you will have to content yourself with the infinite re-airs that are sure to follow. Poor you!

Although we do not yet know whether Andrew Daly will appear on future episodes of "Root of All Evil," do not rule out the possibility. According to this article, the series is employing several comedians as "advocates" for various episodes, including Comedy Central regulars and semi-regulars such as Tompkins, Greg Giraldo, and Patton Oswalt. Since Andrew himself was also a regular on a not-too-dissimilar Comedy Central series, the short-lived "Crossballs," it would not be unreasonable -- or maybe it would be, depending on one's perspective -- to suggest that we could very well see old Andy pop up on a future "Evil" episode. In the meantime, go here if you would like to see a preview clip of tonight's substance-slanted verbal slaughter. If Andrew has his way, then beer is so getting life. Case closed.

UPDATE (07/23): As I am sure you have surmised by now, Andrew Daly is now a regular "panelist" on "The Root of All Evil." Well, prepare for more doses of Daly debate, as Comedy Central has picked up Lewis Black's faux court series for a second season. For all of us crazy Americans, Season 2 will premiere on Wednesday, July 30th, at 9:30pm EST. Our Canadian friends will have to wait until Wednesday, August 6th, to join in the second-season fun. The time listed here for Canada's Season 2 premiere, on the Comedy Network, is 10:00pm, which I assume is EST. (I guess whoever wrote the article just assumes that all of its readers are psychic.)

Aw, have you been missing your "Rapid-Fire Apperances"? Well, rest assured that "RFA" has been missing you too. Its life as a recurring Front Page News thread would be so empty if you, dear "MADtv" fan, were not a major part of it. Now that we have blown this rather bizarre personification completely out of proportion, let us now find out where some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) "MADtv" cast members will pop up next in the magical world of film and television.

We will commence this edition with some Phil LaMarr movie news. Frankly, your chances to catch Quid Pro Quo at your local theater may prove to be slimmer than Mischa Barton; still, the independent film merits mention, if only for its bizarre premise, as stated in this review:

"An exceedingly odd meeting of the minds (and bodies) occurs in Quid Pro Quo, a strikingly original and provocative first feature from scribe-helmer Carlos Brooks. Touching on one of New York's weirder subcultures -- perfectly mobile, able-bodied people with paralysis envy -- this very funny two-hander has the wit to treat potentially offensive material with an offhand drollery that is immediately disarming, even as it builds a disturbing level of intimacy between its excellent leads, Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga."

How Phil's supporting character, Barry, factors into the whole, crazy scheme is something you will have to figure out when and if you get a chance to see the film, which has already premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Keep an eye and two able yet wheelchair-envious legs out for it.

Do you remember Andrew Daly? Will Ferrell does. In addition to Andrew's starring role in HBO's "East Bound and Down" TV series, he is now brushing shoulders with the "SNL" alum in the upcoming comedy film Semi-Pro, scheduled for a Friday, February 29th, release date. The film's plot involves the dissolution of the American Basketball Association (ABA), a real league which eventually merged with the NBA. The fictional ABA team managed by Ferrell's character attempts one last shot at glory, hoping to become one of only four ABA teams that the NBA chooses to bring into its fold. Andrew plays Dick Pepperfield, who, according to the promotional photos found here and here, is a reporter and sports show host of some kind. At any rate, go here if you want to read more about the film. Here, here!

How much personal pride must one sacrifice to be a supporting actor in a Paris Hilton movie? Ask Kathryn Fiore, who has nabbed that glorious honor in an early Oscar favorite for 2008 entitled The Hottie and the Nottie. This work of Thespian wonder centers around Paris's character -- ah, oxymorons! -- and an old flame, Nate (Joel Moore), whom she will agree to date again only if her ugly best friend, June (Christine Lakin), can be hooked up with someone too. For the benefit of anyone who has not already moved on to the next paragraph, Kathryn plays Jane, the angry ex-girlfriend of the aforementioned old flame. This lovely review is probably just the first glowing example of the praise-filled press which is such to follow as Hottie retches its way to theaters on Thursday, February 21st. Missing it would be so not hot -- not!

Now that we have ably summarized "MADtv" cast members' latest forays into motion picture immortality, we will now move on to some truly good news (for a welcome change) regarding a couple of noteworthy television series. Both Frank Caliendo's impressionfest, "Frank TV," and Simon Helberg's geekfest, "The Big Bang Theory," have been picked up for the fall. We at Planet MADtv would sincerely like to congratulate these two "MADtv" alumni on their good fortune and wish them continued success. Many thanks go to blackwind for the 411 on this story.

Uh-oh, has the "Rapid-Fire Appearances" well run dry again? Never fear, dear readers; for before you know it, that well will be overflowing with the "water" of more news concerning "MADtv" cast members' movie and television appearances. For all of our sakes, I hope that water will not consist of only tears.

Welcome to another fun-filled, fact-filled installment of "Rapid-Fire Appearances," the new Planet MADtv feature that dispenses with most of the usual journalistic brouhaha in order to bring you the straight scoops on the latest television and movie appearances of your favorite "MADtv" cast members. Since Christian Duguay, Dannah Feinglass, and Andrew Daly are almost certainly the three "MADtv" alumni whose career tracks most often fall under fans' microscopes, suffice it to say that there's much to be excited about right now.

First comes directorial news regarding Christian Duguay. The Season 6 luminary (if there ever were such a thing) will step behind the camera for the pilot episode of "Cane," the new CBS drama about the various rivalries and power struggles within a large, highly successful Cuban-American family. In the series pilot, Pancho, the ailing family patriarch, decides to name one of his two sons a successor to take over the family business, Duque Rum and Sugar. Meanwhile, Pancho's son Alex, played by "NYPD Blue" luminary Jimmy Smits (if there ever were such a thing), confronts the family's adversaries, the Samuels, on their less-than-honest business practices. Will Christian do justice to the director's chair, thereby giving "Cane" a sugar rush in the Nielsen Ratings? To find out, you must tune in to CBS on Tuesday, September 25th, at 10:00pm EST; however, for now, read here to find out more.

As for Season 6 of "MADtv," does anyone remember Dannah Feinglass? No? Well, perhaps her voice-over work as the title character of PBS's animated series "WordGirl" will help jog your memory, if not your vocabulary. Ah yes, all the loquacious superhero has to do is to shout out twenty-five-cent words like preposterous and cumbersome; and her enemies, including the notorious Chuck the Evil Sandwich-Making Guy, succumb immediately. All right, so admittedly, "WordGirl" is designed to appeal to children aged four to nine; however, if you have children, know someone who has children, or just want to relive your own childhood in a beneficially lexicographical and potentially encyclopedic fashion, then investigate your local television listings for the appropriate broadcast times in your particular vicinity. Ask your neurologist to investigate your cerebral cortex with an electroencephalograph if your viewing experience is anything less than supercalifragilisticexpialadicious.

Those who simply cannot get enough of Dannah Feinglass's voice-over work in children's animation may also want to check out her role as Zaria in "Tak and the Power of Juju." The show's plot involves Tak, a student shaman for the Pupununu tribe who communicates with the Juju, omniscient yet devilish supernatural beings. With the help of the Juju and his various animated friends (including, one presumes, Dannah's Zaria), Tak fights off rival tribes and engaging in various other misadventures. The computer-animated series is based on the identically titled video game from THQ, the three incarnations of which have sold over three million copies so far. Ah, commerce meets art! Although air times vary, new episodes of "Tak" normally air at 10:00am EST on Nickelodeon. The very, very, very young-at-heart who are so inclined may wish to check out this article for more information. Pupununu, Juju, and you--together, they are a true-blue coup!

Finally--last but least?--Andrew Daly, yet another Season 6 legend, will have a guest-starring role in HBO's "East Bound and Down." As befitting "MADtv" alumni in small roles, Andrew's character does not appear to have been given the dignity of a name or even a description; it's this kind of injustice that (almost) makes one wish that "Crossballs" were still on the air. At any rate, HBO has picked up six episodes of the comedy series, which features as its chief protagonist a washed-up baseball player who goes to work as a substitute gym teacher. It's the kind of instant classic that one would expect from Gary Sanchez, which is a new production company owned by Second City alum Adam McKay and "Saturday Night Live" luminary Will Ferrell (if there ever were such a thing). However, there is such a thing as this article, where you are hereby directed for further reading. Apparently, no air times have yet been announced; still, once we know, we will gladly pass on this information to diehard Andrew fans everywhere. Try not to crowd one another while you wait.

Well, sports fans, I'm afraid that will wrap up this episode of "Rapid-Fire Appearances." Tune in next time, when perhaps someone other than a Season 6 cast member will star in something noteworthy. So long for now!

UPDATE: As this article in The Hollywood Reporter makes clear, the Christian Duguay who directed the pilot episode of "Cane" is actually this guy, not the "MADtv" alum. Who could have possibly known that there is more than one Christian Duguay in the world, let alone in showbiz?

Also, as this article makes clear, Andrew Daly's role on "East Bound and Down" is more significant than we had originally thought. Andrew plays the principal who is engaged to the substitute gym teacher's former high school girlfriend, who is now a teacher at the school. We apologize for the earlier misinformation on both counts.

The season 12 cast of MADtv returns this year to the Chicago Improv Festival for another hilarious live ensemble improv show, along with the MADtv Writers on Hiatus, who will serve once again as the opening act. This year's performers are Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caeti, Crista Flanagan, Michael McDonald, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker and Jordan Peele. The show is at 8pm next Saturday, April 28th, at Park West on 322 W. Armitage. Tickets are $37.50 and are available at the Park West box office, at Ticketmaster by calling 312-902-1500 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

In addition, many of the star cast members will perform in their own shows. Nicole Parker will star in her own one woman show, Suitcase Full of Lies. She will also appear onstage with Baby Wants Candy. Frank Caeti will appear with ComedySportz, Ike Barinholtz will appear in Messing With A Friend and alumni Andrew Daly will appear with The Upright Citizens Brigade. Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele and Ike Barinholtz will also be featured in the Boom Chicago Alumni Jam.

Sounds like another great year at CIF. For more information, visit www.chicagoimprovfestival.org.

Former castmember Andrew Daly has secured a pilot with the TBS network.

From thefutoncritic.com:

OFF THE ROAD WITH ANDREW DALY takes the traveling reporter format made famous by Charles Kuralt and turns it on its head. Comic Andrew Daly (MadTV) is a likeable, earnest, folksy guy next door who seeks to do respectful, on-location reports from small-town America. Hitting the back roads of the country, he and his correspondents seek out unique people and special stories that make America great. Unlike Kuralt, however, Daly approaches the stories from a completely humorous angle. OFF THE ROAD WITH ANDREW DALY is being co-executive-produced and written by Daly, with Hugh Fink (Saturday Night Live) serving as writer and executive producer.

Andy has had a fair amount of small screen success in the past few years, first with a regular role on "Crossballs" and then on David Spade's "The Showbiz Show with David Spade." His own show seems like the next logical step.

Andrew Daly and Nicole Randall Johnson (who will be playing "Shanice") will appear in the upcoming comedy "School for Scoundrels". From IMDB:

Jon Heder plays an unlucky meter reader who enrolls in a confidence-building class so he can win the love of the girl of his dreams. The class turns out to be something quite different when it becomes clear to the young man that his professor (Billy Bob Thorton), has his sights set on the same girl. The film is set for release on 14th July, 2006.

Andrew will also be playing "Wayne" in another comedy, "What Is Love" which is scheduled to air later this year.