Summary of Colton Dunn & Untold MadTV Stories

Overview of Colton Dunn & Untold MadTV Stories

This episode is a loose, high-energy reunion between Bobby Lee and Colton Dunn, centered on their shared history at MADtv, later work on Key & Peele, and how both of their careers evolved into acting, writing, and producing. The conversation blends nostalgia, industry war stories, and a lot of playful ribbing about fame, credits, and who “made it” first.

Main Topics Discussed

• MADtv memories and the old comedy-TV grind

  • They revisit the chaotic, drug-fueled, high-pressure environment of MADtv.
  • Both describe the weekly table-read stress, last-minute script delivery, and the sense that the cast and writers were constantly on edge.
  • Bobby and Colton reflect on how many people from that era went on to successful careers.

• Key & Peele connections

  • Colton talks about working on Key & Peele and knowing Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele before and during that period.
  • They discuss how some sketches were built in collaborative “Dookie session” brainstorming meetings.
  • They also remember specific bits like “A.A. Ron” and other iconic sketches.

• Career evolution

  • Colton shares that Bobby once predicted he’d become a producer someday — which Colton says turned out to be true.
  • Colton says he now works as a writer/producer, including on Widow’s Bay and other projects.
  • They also mention Superstore, where Colton had a long run and played Mateo.

• Current projects and promotion

  • Colton talks about his work on Widow’s Bay, and Bobby repeatedly praises the show after realizing Colton helped create/write for it.
  • They call Katie Dippold during the episode, and Bobby enthusiastically compliments the series once he understands her involvement.
  • Colton also mentions other recent work, including producing on a Kevin Hart/Keegan Thompson Amazon project.

Best Behind-the-Scenes Stories

The table-read prank

• Colton recounts a legendary prank where Katie Dippold gave Bobby a different script at a table read.
• Bobby began reading absurd lines that no one else had, causing confusion and making everyone think he was losing it.
• The prank worked especially well because it was the final table read of the show.

The “fake South Park writer” story

• One of the most detailed stories is about a writer who allegedly claimed connections to South Park and Sacha Baron Cohen.
• Colton says the person:
  • claimed he was working with Sacha on an awards show,
  • seemed to have a fabricated backstory,
  • and was eventually exposed after people recognized stolen material.
• The episode suggests the writer was fired after multiple issues, including professional dishonesty and alleged misconduct.
• Colton also shares that he once posted about the guy on IMDb, and years later someone contacted him claiming the man had scammed a theater out of money.

The trailer / premiere / credit chaos

• Bobby and Colton trade stories about:
  • being cut from films or shows,
  • not being invited to premieres,
  • showing up to sets without proper accommodations,
  • and the weird social politics of Hollywood recognition.
• Bobby jokes about getting better seating than Colton at the Larry David premiere, which sparks a long teasing exchange.

Running Jokes and Recurring Bits

• “Incel” energy drinks joke: Bobby and the others tease a guest about drinking energy drinks and call him an “incel,” then keep escalating the bit.
• “I’m about to snap”: A repeated phrase from the conversation that becomes a joke about his intensity.
• Bobby’s chaos vs. Colton’s composure: A lot of the humor comes from Bobby doing aggressive, unfiltered riffs while Colton tries to keep the conversation grounded.
• The “producer” identity: Bobby keeps acting surprised that Colton is now legitimately a producer/writer, which becomes a running punchline.

Notable Takeaways

• MADtv had an outsized influence on later comedy TV talent, even if it didn’t always get the respect it deserved at the time.
• Colton has transitioned successfully from sketch comedy performer/writer to established TV producer and writer.
• The episode is as much about industry survival and reinvention as it is about nostalgia.
• A big emotional throughline is Bobby and Colton recognizing how far they’ve both come, even while joking nonstop about the past.

Final Note

The episode is heavy on:

• behind-the-scenes comedy history,
• rapid-fire banter,
• old Hollywood war stories,
• and a sincere appreciation for how much talent came out of the MADtv era.

It’s especially valuable for fans of MADtv, Key & Peele, TigerBelly, and behind-the-scenes comedy TV stories.