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Monday, October 20, 2008
10/20: Frank Caliendo’s “Frank TV” is back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last year, Frank Caliendo and his various impressions were promoted endlessly during TBS’s baseball post season games for his new show “Frank TV.” But because of the writers’ strike, only five episodes aired.
With the writers back and decent ratings in tow, Atlanta-based TBS gave the comic a second season with 10 episodes. The half-hour comedy sketch show debuts Tuesday night at 11 p.m. It’s a bit tighter now, packed with more skits and a bigger cast of comics for Caliendo to play off of.
“The sketches are the meat and potatoes of the show,” Caliendo said in an interview. “But I needed more help. I do 50 impressions. That could take up four shows. This enables me to spread out repeats of characters.” Among the characters that pop up: his signature John Madden (in a “Bachelor” takeoff), David Letterman, James Gandolfini and John McCain.
The show was taped months ago, so timely commentary about, say, Sarah Palin wasn’t possible. But he said it’s just as well, given “Saturday Night Live’s” ubiquitous parodying of her. “At this point, the only person people care less about is Joe Biden,” he joked.
