Here’s a MADtv’s take on the television ad of the popular US restaurant chain The Olive Garden. Now if you’ve ever eaten in this fine Italian bistro, you’ll know that it’s funny because it’s sooo true!
The Olive Garden. When you’re here, you’re like a family. A drunk loud family with taste buds dulled by cheap booze. But hey, the breadsticks and salads are pretty good!
Hit play or go to Link [YouTube] – via Dave Copeland (more fun video picks there)
Jason E.
You misquoted the announcer in the sketch. I’m not tryin to be nit-picky. Just thought you might want to know.
“The Olive Garden. When you’re here, you’re like a family. A drunk loud family with taste buds dulled with cheap booze. But hey, the breadsticks and sandwiches are pretty good!”
He actually says, “…taste buds dulled **by** cheap booze.” and “…the bread sticks and **salads** are pretty good!”
ted
Too long to sustain the miniscule bit of humour it had. And I agree, it is “salad”.
The whole “black girlfriend” thing was really kinda sad.
Alex
You’re probably right, Jason E. I wrote that while listening with volume turned low as not to wake up the babies.
MADtv is funnier to me than SNL, probably because I just don’t get New York humor (that’s also why Jay Leno’s funnier than David Letterman to me).
alison
That’s always the problem with MADtv’s sketches. They have a clever/funny idea (sometimes) and they just take it way, way too far. 5 minutes later it’s just boring.
The Manticore
the food there does suck. lol. but yes, the salad and breadsticks are pretty good. haha
biltmore
Agreed Alison. If their sketches were 2+ minutes shorter, then they would be better.
Christophe
I agree with Alison for the length : 2 mn is way too much.
And paying more than 10 bucks for a plate of pasta has always made me feel like being robbed.
sparge
I dunno, I’ve never had a bad meal there, although I’ve only been 3 or 4 times. Like any number of national chain restaurants, it may not be authentic or unique but it still tastes pretty good.
Of course, this comes from someone who grew up about as disconnected from real Italian food as possible — people who grew up in an Italian family or often went out to an Italian family restaurant have a different idea of what Italian food should be, and OG just doesn’t match that idea.
Oh, and I stopped watching SNL before MAD tv even existed.
G
Wow. Memories! Who got the video tape of the dinner when I first met my in-laws? Ha ha!
Bobby Lee’s Memoirs of a Geisha made me fall over laughing.
Kraka
Only idiots who eat shite like McDonalds eat at places like the Olive Garden, is what I hear. Never been. I tend to stay away from places that advertise this much and has chains all across the country – the food supply usually all come from the same wholesale delivery companies.
Yuk!
Thespian24601
Yeah, MAD TV tries to force laughs on people. SNL was funny back in the day because they took something that they thought was funny (not that they thought the entire US would like) then made it. And so many awesome sketches came out and were awesome because of the great acting, something MAD TV definitely doesn’t have.
rob
I haven’t watched SNL for years…it hasn’t been funny since the days of Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, etc. MAD TV though was right on with the parody of the insipid Olive Garden commercial…..I work at an Olive Garden and much of the food is pre-packaged and pre-prepared…and watch out for the mice and roaches! If you want authentic Italian food….DO NOT go to Olive Garden and for better meals in general, stay away from all corporate restaurants!
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