Spy vs Spy: MADtv (1995) & MAD (2010) versions

List of episodes:
Bomb
Microbombs
Splitting Torpedo
Jail Break: Part 1
Basketball Hoop
Shadow
Pogo Stick
Mouse Trap
Handbag Bomb
Who is the best version?
MADtv version or MAD version

[@rrrailroad6888]

While the 2010 shorts have a sorta charm, the 1995 shorts have much better animation and are overall less rushed.

[@dereknight861]

Aside from the stop motion ones. They get a blue ribbon for even bothering going that extra step.

[@buildertherobloxian4731]

Agreed.

[@wxkat]

I might be in the minority, but I like the music from the MADtv versions better.

[@MIGUELDELLVALLE06-jv1sw]

They rehatch the jokes 15 years later for the cartoon network version of show I Do saw some of it but i know they do it for this 15 years later I preferred the original or the newer one because of the music of this one 0:38.

[@shelbybunny]

the cartoon network version of Spy vs Spy felt like a flash cartoon from newgrounds, which isnt necessarily a bad thing

[@Gojirawars03]

Repetitive or not, I fucking love the music from the 2010 shorts.

[@EdgarTheFan]

Same

[@cartooncentral263]

Me too. So nostalgic.

[@zagoleo7732]

Yes the music is way better

[@ELEcomments]

It sounds so cool. Instantly recognizable whoever came up with that tune was a marketing genius lol

[@NilsonSeiza]

​@@ELEcommentskzbin.info/www/bejne/b2XJi5xtlJuqiKcsi=c583cO0swT975VGa

[@VinCactus]

I personally don't think the newer ones were rushed. I think they just made them faster paced.

[@bgoinsowo1277]

I'd say they also made them a little more simplified so the joke could be more easily digested

[@frostech3149]

@@bgoinsowo1277 Agreed. You have to remember, the newer Spy vs. Spy was aired on Cartoon Network, and their target demographic is kids.

[@lightgivemepower6425]

@@bgoinsowo1277 not really, it's just the same except the old version just had more effort in the animation/drawing

[@AlastorAltruistGaming]

Agreed. And they were put on a very tight time limit when it came to the runtime of each episode; MADtv was not the case because the episodes were longer. As for MAD when it aired on Cartoon Network, each episode only lasted 11 minutes!

[@laptopybfdi]

But they fell more lower budget

[@crystl035]

Both have their advantages. The rudimentary style of the 2010 version does have it's charm but the 95 version clearly has more time put into it.

[@jamesesterline]

The animation in 95 is amazing but in my opinion 2010 has better music and I prefer their chipmunk laughs to their snickers in 95, plus the stop motion segments in the later seasons are cool and impressive and they do pretty cool title cards for each segment compared to 95 where it's just the same one every time.

[@TheLastRaven6]

Well yeah.... 95 had more air time. 2010s was a 15 minute show about 4 minutes for commericals leaving 11 minutes for show, so they had to crunch em down as short and quick as possible

[@spyvsspybro2036]

Mad TV's Spy Vs Spy Has Always Been More Dramatic With There Scenes

[@nailuj7121]

True

[@Renzo-cn4zw]

old cartoons are the best

[@evadelgado3641]

the 1995 one were produced by Klasky Csupo.

[@flapjack0925]

I’m glad they switched to claymation for season 2

[@Kevin_A]

I like the newer ones better. It’s funnier when it’s more fast paced like that

[@mechajay3358]

MAD TV's Spy vs Spy were a bit more graphic with it's violence than CN's MAD. Also pretty neat how in the CN'sz version of the pogo stick trap they swapped Spys

[@Maxi-Gonz.]

Actually, MADtv swapped the spies. In the comic, the White Spy is the one using the pogo.

[@Maxi-Gonz.]

@The Krookodile Hunter In the pogo short? Technically yes.

[@AntasmaTheBatKing]

I *still* like the graphics on MadTV's Spy vs Spy.

[@yourtypicalcupoftea]

pretty much because CN MAD was supposed to be for kids

[@MIGUELDELLVALLE06-jv1sw]

But it had guns.

[@Liquidity624]

Even tho I grew up with 2010 Spy vs Spy shorts, I absolutely prefer everything about the 1995 shorts more. The music, the sound effects, the pacing, the animation, etc.

[@stomper1232]

The music fits the tone of the series better too

[@CheeseMiser]

2010 music >1995

[@rotemplatino91]

​@@CheeseMiser Hell no 😂

[@CheeseMiser]

@@rotemplatino91 good for you.

[@rotemplatino91]

@@CheeseMiser just spitting facts 😉

[@Dj.D25]

Like others say, I prefer the 1995 version. The art style looks just like the original comics. Some of the artwork on MAD was clearly rushed; mainly on season 1, other times it looks fine.

[@dereknight861]

True. But I’ll say the later season Spy vs spy Dont feel rushed. Not to mention mixed with plenty stop motion versions which I think are better. Definitely made it stand out more

[@OldCouches]

MAD used several different animators when working on the show, the SpyVSpy segments used at the very _least_ 4 different animators in the first season. It's clearly stylistic decision, not because they were rushed.

[@testaccount4830]

The only thing the 2010 version has over 1995 is that outright iconic backtrack.

[@AlastorAltruistGaming]

The only reason Spy Vs. Spy’s skits were “rushed” is because a majority of MAD’s episodes (all episodes of MAD, in fact, when it aired on Cartoon Network) lasted for 11-12 minutes, so they couldn’t do anything about it. As it stands, MAD’s version tries its best & does what it can. And MADtv clearly lasted longer when it aired on public broadcast networks in the past.

[@Doodle1678]

After season two things were way better the stop motion looks great and works really well for the short Spy vs Spy segments

[@SmashupMashups]

I hadn't noticed these skits were from the original MADtv series. MAD definitely had a way of reintroducing these skits in its own way.

[@mdalsted]

I wonder if anyone's ever gambled on which of the Spies would win? On another subject, out of the Cartoon Network Spy vs. Spy shorts, I prefer the stop-motion ones.

[@tannerbutternjelly5473]

I bet my sister my 20 bucks if the white spy lost in the first one . She bet her soda . Guess who got a box of coca cola??

[@supahcomix]

i would always do that

[@parker-jet]

@@tannerbutternjelly5473 OH MY GOD IM GOING TO DO THAT WITH MY BFF

[@quinnramirez5907]

Me and my siblings don’t really bet. But we did usually guess which one would win. If you’re willing to bet, remember this. The one who makes the first more is bound to lose. This may not work all the time, but it works just fine the rest of the time.

[@sarahsea1]

1995 felt better.

[@supahcomix]

well the 2010 version had shorts every episode of mad, so it had to be rushed

[@The-official-knudschannel]

I agree the animation is a bit better

[@marthaferrara8858]

More less but yes 🥶

[@lesclochesdusud4713]

Yes

[@cartooncentral263]

I like the Cartoon Network version better. Especially because if the music.

[@DHAdArchivez]

Sometimes I regret seeing CN's spy vs spy before this MadTv kind

[@Maxi-Gonz.]

Untill you watch the stop motion shorts

[@rynemcgriffin1752]

I don’t, the CN’s Spy vs Spy was what introduced me to the characters in the first place and even if they look worse than the original cartoons, it’s also understandable given this was a weekly cartoon that had to contend with at least 10-15 other segments in the show and even then, they still have their charm especially when they get to using stop motion.

[@imjaden1655]

5:25 When I first thought white spy was reading his top secret paper, After black spy falls in white spy's shadow trap, White spy throws it onto the ground which shows what it looks like. I forgot to mention: *_WHITE SPY'S TOP SECRET IS JUST THE WORD TOP SECRET_*

[@Medi-mo2nh]

super secret

[@MaxBunny7902]

I love how he spent a long time reading it, like he was very interested and it was a super important and detailed message, but it turned out to just say "TOP SECRET."

[@ObsoIeteQuality]

In defense of some of the 2010 episodes, things were explained better for the jokes to land. Episodes like Splitting Torpedo, Basketball Hoop, Shadow, and Pogo Stick are good examples. Splitting Torpedo: The split is shown long enough to explain why this is funny and clever. Basketball Hoop: Black Spy celebrating his "victory" with his arm in the hoop gives more time to show why White Spy's trap is funny. Shadow: In the 1995 version, Black Spy's club is only shown for less than a second, so we wouldn't have much time to process what Black Spy was going to do. In the 2010 version, it's explained better by showing the club for a moment before Black Spy charges. The brief pause before he falls helps with the explanation too. Pogo Stick: In the 1995 version, the picture on the wall diverts attention away from the spikes (which are already out of view and also make it a little less clear that the ENTIRE ceiling is full of them) and the spy dies too quickly before we could look at the ceiling. The 2010 version instead directs the attention to the ceiling spikes by removing the picture, having a wider view of them, and waiting a bit before the spy enters.

[@GameIdiots69]

Very true

[@funnyusername4774]

At least for the splitting torpedo I think the nature of how quick it is makes it way funnier than giving it time to show what’s going on clearly. Leaving it the old way you get the same gag with just enough time to be understood, plus added surprise, seems better to me

[@ejelecflametails6657]

Not to mention the 2010 version of the Pogo Stick skit, it follows the original comic exactly, unlike in the 1995 version where it was reversed

[@zagoleo7732]

Yes fully agreed

[@OpiupAlmaManiac]

Don't forget in the Basketball skit that White Spy in the 2010 version is actually shown trying to defend his ground on the court to not make Black Spy suspicious that it's a trick by just watching him.

[@thepatriotsfan7127]

Fun Fact: Klasky Csupo Is The One Behind The 1995 Spy Vs Spy Shorts, At least a few of them

[@PabloToonimations]

The home of RoboSplaat

[@ogreadius824]

Yeah the rest was done by Rough Draft Animation

[@TheRealBatabii]

Why did you keep capitalizing random words?

[@robbiewalker2831]

I think the exception where the 2010 version was better is the Mousetrap one, because the original Spy vs. Spy Sketch was not from MADtv but from an old TV special. The TV special has the sketch take place in the daytime, but the new version took place at night.

[@FlashBW98]

That explains why it doesn't have the MADtv background music

[@arueshalaetablebuildingsociety]

And the vocalization style. I like the newer weird giggle better than the old hiss laugh.

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@arueshalaetablebuildingsociety Actually the old Muttley-like laugh was better, because the laugh was meant to be more of a snicker.

[@I_HAVE_MOVED_ACCOUNTS]

Where is it from?

[@GoosyGooseMX]

You're right, that one looks more like a failed reboot, the new one fits better with the actual Spy vs. Spy kits.

[@chopper7867]

6:13 looks like a fever dream

[@superacidyoshininja_yoshi]

MAD's version is rushed

[@mdalsted]

They're both MAD, though? Do you mean the original, or the Cartoon Network version?

[@superacidyoshininja_yoshi]

@@mdalsted MADtv

[@wtfkidproductions]

SuperAcidYoshiNinja #Yoshi I agree, I also really prefer the originals sound track to that really annoying one on mad

[@imjaden1655]

No Wonder Why Old School Stuff Are My Favorite Thing In Earth.

[@anonymous_192]

the original is way more better

[@parkersandahl3949]

Oh yeah now I see the difference

[@TUM_Toons]

I grew up with the 2010 version, but the 1995 version is much better

[@LinStuffs]

5:38 they legit swap black spy defeat to white spy defeat on this episode

[@yaaasKerchow]

6:13 the only one in color

[@rj_c2571]

While I like both versions, the old one on mad tv has so much more fluent animation than the reboot of mad

[@rj_c2571]

And that was the 90s where Hannah Barbara cartoons did walk cycles with repeating backgrounds so this was a step up

[@fredyrodriguez8881]

7:21 I prefer this laugh

[@jospantostado5406]

Same

[@GothLady1987]

Love it! Makes them both sound more devious. Plus it's fun to imitate.

[@dereknight861]

Though it does seem like Muttly from Wacky races might Sue

[@jungvxyy]

it’s iconic asf to me

[@colestrawn4304]

If you ask me, comparing both versions is like comparing a cartoon made on go animate to a cartoon made on source film maker.

[@joseserrano9058]

4:51 Shadow Trap (original) 5:11 Shadow Trap (remake)

[@RenTimH]

6:15 is probably like the oldest one. It's not the 1990's version, we know that for sure.

[@g-forcefgt323]

Correct, its from a 1974 failed pilot

[@Bimshwel]

I initially thought it was odd that with a few hundred comic strips this many would be reused but apparently 103 cartoons were made for the second "MAD" series in three years, a far greater number than appeared on Madtv (from my recollection) so it is probably inevitable that some would be reused and that they would have a relatively low budget.

[@ZeepTheWocky]

Even though I grew up with the Cartoon Network version, the 1995 ones were better. The CN versions were kinda stiff.

[@PacGuy765]

These guys are like the Kings of April Fools Day

[@triplecrosscounter]

I love how much more angular 2010 spy vs spy was

[@Kohchu]

Honestly, there are some aspects to both that work. I will say, in terms of the music track, the original one is way better; that little bit of Spy music massively beats out, just the same few notes being played over and over. In terms of the punch-line, most of the jokes are supposed to be rapid, so the payoff is funnier. Part of what makes 1995's entries so funny, is you were never sure who would win. So many of the jokes build up a plan one Spy makes, only to then discover the other had a plan to counter that exact plan ahead of time. It really fits into the theme of tactical espionage because "how would they know?" They are Spys, their whole job is learning the secrets of their opponent before they can do it, and finding ways to stop it. 2010's versions have a unique artstyle, drawing closer to the comic sketches, but I find that often times, some of the jokes are way too obvious in them. The speed of the shorts has also been revved up, destroying the buildup and humor a lot of the jokes have.

[@joaquinm9148]

I was today years old when I learned Spy Vs Spy came out in the 90s

[@andrewb4999]

60s, actually. Spy vs. Spy was a comic strip in Mad Magazine starting in 1961.

[@stomper1232]

The 2010 versions music sounds like it came out of Homestar Runner

[@internetdingus]

While the 2010 versions have a sort of rudimentary charm to them the MadTV versions clearly have more time and effort put into them

[@FreddyFernandoGonzalez1987]

Me I love the original and the Cartoon Network version

[@samueldiaz4550]

Mad 2010 has a new grounds style that’s why I like it and it’s evolución true the internet

[@kagechu2005BISVG]

I don't mind both. Even though I watched the MAD variant of those, I never knew I might've remembered the ✌😁. You know?

[@enricodimarzo6183]

Spies In Their Characters: Foes Spies Out Their Characters: Friends

[@The-Ink-Dragon97]

I didn't even know there was a 1995 version of Spy vs. Spy.

[@Fionacle]

That stop-motion (or maybe it’s digital and supposed to look stop-motion?) one was pretty cool tho, I don’t like the laugh but I’ve always liked that animation style

[@GameIdiots69]

It’s stop motion not digital… I think

[@larrylaffer3246]

It is stop motion. Starting in Season 2 of the CN Mad, they started animating them in that style. They were done by Stoopid Buddy Productions, the same people who did Robot Chicken.

[@JulesHinmon]

The spiked celling cartoon in the magazine also has Black winning.

[@SDS2017]

1995 has animation and pacing, but 2010 Has the music

[@IzzyCrafted]

@Madoka Agreed, it feels repetitive after a while, and the original's music fits in with the sfx better imo

[@samirakhalid1480]

@@madoka4218 It's still pretty catchy tho

[@samirakhalid1480]

@@IzzyCrafted true but it's still good music on its own.

[@ameliawarfield5637]

The 2010 version of Spy vs Spy was what I saw. True to the magazine.

[@coosarider5990]

Never new MAD was a kid version of MADtv

[@redbot.3090]

Meh, both were interpretations of MAD Magazine, just one was live action, the other was animated.

[@leonardonavarretex1967]

I hope they made a live-action/animated sketch comedy variety show also called MAD.

[@Bran615]

So it’s the comparison of the MAD from 1995 and 2010 Sadly, I miss MAD 2010 😔

[@ndhart3213]

OFFICER DOXXER MP5K TGTT ikr

[@Freddy_22]

If you notice from minute 5:40 to 5:54 the spies change roles

[@zachyogus742]

Revenge!

[@TowneCentreThundraTaurus_2024]

5:58 I prefer this camera zoom.

[@Poloman1026]

3:11 wow he was in the wrong field Fr. Vince Carter arm in the rim basket without a running start. Bro coulda been the next kobe

[@briansheil9763]

Eek! I didn’t know Cartoon Network did a take on clip from “The Mad Magazine TV Special” from 1974.

[@u121386]

The 1995 ones are obviously better quality animation wise, but I personally prefer the music and faster paced nature of the newer ones. Also, and I cant really explain it, but the worse quality of the newer ones somehow makes the jokes even funnier.

[@chickenman-kf5qs]

What's interesting is that almost every short episode uses cartoon-like sounds and noises.

[@ariesjay8176]

I personally like the music and animation of the 1995 version over the 2010 version. Also, the spies laughs I think were better in 1995. The 2010 version sounds too much like a chipmunk laughing or something silly

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

I think the pacing is better in the newer ones, but the quality is indisputably worse and the sound effects are grating.

[@DavidMcCarthy08]

I'd say before the stop motion style happened for MAD, the original Spies felt a little rushed and sloppy.

[@bw-leftturnracing7779]

Can we just agree that both versions are good

[@rj_c2571]

Old White spy: *cuts every bar a little in his jail cell window and it breaks because it makes sense* New white spy: *cuts one bar and it somehow breaks them all*

[@jennifersaechao18]

6:13 mad max sine speaks 0:00 madtv 1:45 mad Spy vs spy history

[@15098D]

Interesting how they switched roles in the Pogo Shtick one

[@Victini862]

The thing I like more about the cn ones is that boppin tune

[@francoanimations5503]

i love spy vs spy stop motion style

[@Sibaspapu]

Oh hey

[@francoanimations5503]

@@Sibaspapu que onda xd

[@Brainmelt427]

it would be perfect if it kept the animation effort from 1995 and the catchy ass music from 2010

[@CallMeTama]

Okay Some of the 1995 versions are better, but actually quite enjoy the later 2010’s versions, I just think they’re a lot funnier. The best one is honestly the pogo one. It’s far funnier with that close up “oh shit” reaction

[@joshuacrow5642]

The music from the newer ones are infinitely better

[@samirakhalid1480]

@@madoka4218 low effort to just you lmao.

[@masterdrewt6698]

I always wondered if Spy vs Spy from 1995 was animated by

[@masterdrewt6698]

Cus I always wondered if Hanna Barbera animated it or another animation studio did

[@CarbyGuuGuu]

The 1995 shorts were animated by Klasky Csupo, the studio behind Rugrats.

[@masterdrewt6698]

@@CarbyGuuGuu o.o Wow…..Really?….huh…..I always thought that Hanna Barbera animated this seeing how it’s animated

[@phantomzone2725]

@@CarbyGuuGuu And Rough Draft Studios

[@withoutname517]

I really prefer the old version as the cartoons was better before

[@samuelbetunias]

I grew up with the MAD 2010 version

[@elvondrago96]

1995's version has much more appeals rather than the ones from 2010.

[@marshallgraham2178]

2010's cartoons looked heavily rushed, no charm to them at all. 1995 ones look like they had faith in them, well drawn and little to no rush.

[@systemshocker2875]

bruh. the mouse trap cartoon was from the 70s MAD special

[@MrPhantaze]

Some unmentioned: Target Jigsaw: Originally Spy VS Spy VS Spy strip The camp dig: Inspiration from Mountain Dew commercial starring these guys.

[@youraveragespongebobfanchannel]

Those both are right, but in the second one the roles are reversed. Mad Men is also kinda similar to one of the mountain dew ones, as it ends with Black Spy falling and crushing White Spy who didn't fall, but the roles are reversed and White Spy crushes Black Spy and unlike Mad Men, White Spy (who fell) is hurt when falling as well, also in another mountain dew commerical, while it's mostly it's own thing, the part where White Spy tries to hit Black Spy with a box glove out of a helicopter, Black Spy uses a spring on his head which was under his hat and the box glove went into White Spy's face, this is very to similar to how in "White Flag" and another episode (forgot the name), But it's a role reversal Black Spy tries to kill White Spy with a bomb, and White Spy uses a spring and the bomb explodes near him. And more episodes are based off comics .

[@Pajanimations]

6:25 How did that wall get LONGER when it falls down?

[@paklee5640]

Cartoon physics, just cartoon physics

[@bigsof7381]

Because it was from 1974

[@TowneCentreThundraTaurus_2024]

6:27 How many stars?!?!?!?

[@datmooshroomguy4653]

Spy vs spy be balling 4:03

[@Unknownuser-ik1nj]

I think the old ones just had a particular charm that is unmatched

[@vivianherrmann2946]

Thirty minutes time slot vs. fifteen minutes time slots. Makes a bit of a difference eh?

[@HoodGoblin]

Sorry, but the nostalgia around that old theme is always going to make it a preference for me. Oh, how I wish you could find thank you a high quality MP3 of the original theme without background noise.

[@EnderArlo]

Madtv Mouse trap spy vs spy is actually a magazine from the 1970s

[@juiuice]

I prefer the madtv overall tbh

[@logan17880]

The old version is better

[@imjaden1655]

But Longer.

[@DHAdArchivez]

@@imjaden1655 but makes sense

[@Multiryerson]

The New One is Cooler.

[@imjaden1655]

@Madoka yes i do

[@MIGUELDELLVALLE06-jv1sw]

Me too

[@arkarnyeinoo4998]

When I was younger, I used to play spy vs spy PS2 game with friends and we had fun doing random things and killing each other

[@ToonZTZ]

1995: more effort into the animation, giving people enough time to understand what one of the spies plan is. 2010: faster and less care in the animation to keep time for the other skits on the episode.

[@thecoldbrandon]

True but u gotta admit later on they improve it, making them a bit longer and with stop motion animation

[@maverickhunterstupidiocy7779]

I'll admit the MADTV versions are much better animated, and that second intro they used in the shadow one is unironically phenomenal, I must say the handbag one was done a lot better by the MAD version. It's done in one shot, it gets to the payoff quicker, and the stopmotion style far outdoes MADTV's animation.

[@DoctorTex]

The 95 versions feel like something youd see in an actual cartoon, while the 2010 versions look like old school flash animations. Both are good though.

[@daleschroeder-jm9gu]

I love the music and there laughs spy vs spy is great😁

[@Adrians_Ideas]

Lol when it would become stop motion in 2010 was when it beat the original. But the original will always look better than the 2010 cartoon versions.

[@GUGAMINECRAFT]

the pogo stick episode swapped roles in 2010

[@XxKatakurixX43]

It's good to hear Antonio Prohías again

[@cartooncentral263]

I like the Cartoon Network ones better. Especially the music.

[@amog8235]

The 1995 ones kinda remind me of Season 1 Spongebob Because the sounds and art

[@ultramatt9562]

Is it just me or does the 1995 version eerily resemble the original sonic the hedgehog cartoon? Like with the sfx, animation, and the music even. Who knows this could have been made by the same people.

[@melnikhoogland7545]

So this is Spy vs Spy vs Spy vs Spy, cool.

[@lilchip3280]

i like the old one more funny enough i grewup with the 2010(new one) and this is the first time i'm seeing the old version the one thing i like about thw newone more is the laughs and sound effects the two spies make as well as the more iconic new theme not that the old one isn't good

[@TheRealBatabii]

I don't see a single one of these that looks better in the 2010s

[@WesleyTRVOfficial]

Classics reborn.

[@TheOneFreakservo]

You'd think that, by 2010, accomodating lower dial-up speeds by compressing flash-animation file sizes would no-longer be necessary.

[@dimples9746]

Animation-wise, the OG is better but the new one wins me for the music

[@jeremykrane4855]

the 2010’s one was the one i most remember so it has it’s charm, but there’s no denying the original is the superior version.

[@MrVariant]

That music was great

[@jordandill7863]

we can all agree this was the best part about Mad

[@EdzonDeLaRosa]

I like both the original and the remake of them.

[@Alius78X]

A mi me gustan los dos

[@jospantostado5406]

X2

[@francoanimations5503]

X3

[@edwardquinonez-musica4228]

X4

[@s-pidycatcher291_belle_reve8]

Si te fijas bien algunos de esos remakes cambian a los espías de muertes