'MADtv' Uploads YouTube Star

Zap2It.com | January 31, 2007
Lisa Donovan, 'MADtv'
Lisa Donovan, 'MADtv'
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Lisa Donovan, a.k.a. Lisa Nova, will join the sketch cast

FOX's long-running Saturday night sketch show "MADtv" is dipping into the Internet talent pool.

The network announced on Wednesday (Jan. 31) that Lisa Donovan, known to YouTube users as Lisa Nova, will join the "MADtv" cast starting on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Donovan had apparently auditioned unsuccessfully for "MADtv" after coming out to Los Angeles to launch her acting career. Without that regular gig, Donovan started a production company, Zappin Productions, and made a number of short films before being tipped off to the advantage of YouTube.

Lisa Nova currently ranks at No. 39 among YouTube's most viewed posters, with 28 posted videos to her credit, and at No. 11 among most subscribed directors. Her YouTube popularity attracted the attention of a "MADtv" casting director and earned her a second shot.

A recent Harris Interactive study reported that 42 percent of online adults in the United States said they'd watched at least one YouTube video and that 32 percent of frequent YouTube users say they watch less TV as a result.

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