2007 flashback: Frank Caliendo tries out sketch comedy on TBS

"It hurts a little when someone makes fun of you, but I have to be able to take it," Caliendo said earlier this month while in Atlanta. "That's part of the fun of it."

He admits his impressions aren't always spot on, but it's the humor behind it, not necessarily the accuracy of the look, that matters. For instance, during the first episode, his drag-look Elaine (from "Seinfeld") is so broad, the only way a viewer could tell it's her is via context that it's a "Seinfeld" sketch.

"My Elaine is the least funny impression in my mind, but it gets the biggest laughs," he said.

As a cast member of Fox TV's "Mad TV" sketch comedy show earlier this decade, Caliendo broke through the pack with his spot-on impression of football commentator John Madden. That led to regular spots on NFL's Fox pre-game show.

And Madden fans will be rewarded tonight during the first episode. Caliendo 's Madden will be making a turducken, a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey.

While in Atlanta, Caliendo continued with sports caricatures by shooting a sketch as Charles Barkley, a former NBA star and commentator on the show "NBA on TNT."

"I need a sedative," he said, playing Barkley, who has a penchant for going on tangents. "Anybody got any Ritalin?"

Caliendo often seems like he could use Ritalin himself. He frequently plays himself frenetically reacting to himself, as in the "Seinfeld" sketch.

With " Frank TV," Atlanta-based TBS is entering very risky terrain. There are only two established sketch comedy shows on TV right now: Caliendo 's former employer "Mad TV" and the venerable NBC show "Saturday Night Live."

But TBS is trying different ways to expand original content within its "Very Funny" motto beyond recycling old sitcoms such as "Seinfeld" and "Friends." About three years ago, TBS first attempted reality shows such as "Outback Jack" and "The Real Gilligan's Island," which were critical and ratings failures. But it's had more success recently with original sitcoms including "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "The Bill Engvall Show."

Unfortunately for TBS, the writers' strike has cut short " Frank TV," which was supposed to air eight episodes but may end up with only five for now.

"We're playing it by ear," Caliendo said. "I have no idea how to weigh this strike. I care about the writers on our show. They're friends, too. It's just hard."

TV TONIGHT

" Frank TV," TBS 11 p.m.