'MadTV' to return to prime time after 9 years

HOLLYWOOD, April 12 (UPI) -- The CW is bringing former FOX sketch comedy show MadTV back to primetime after a nine-year absence.

The network has ordered a total of eight hour-long revival episodes of the series, which originally starred Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Michael McDonald, Bobby Lee and Mo Collins.

Deadline Hollywood broke news of the reboot, reporting it's part of a strategic move by the CW to beef up its late-night comedy alongside Whose Line Is It Anyway?

David E. Salzman will again serve as executive producer. The series will reportedly reminisce about its 14-season history and feature guest appearances by the show's alumni. Neither the network nor the studio, Telepictures, has released a list of returning stars.

"The MadTV franchise is as vibrant as ever thanks largely to social and digital media appealing to a fan base numbering in the millions that relates to the show's brand of authentic and irreverent cross-cultural comedy," Salzman said in a statement to Deadline Hollywood.

"We will continue to present the hard-hitting, laugh-out-loud, wall-to-wall pop culture parody our fans expect, but in a fresh, new way."

News of the revival comes shortly after the CW aired a 20th anniversary special of MadTV that included 19 of the show's alumni.