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| MADtv Cast Brings Los Angeles, CA -- On Tuesday, February 4, 7 p.m., California State University, Los Angeles presents a Homecoming Comedy Show, featuring MADtv cast members Aries Spears, Bobby Lee, and Jill-Michelle Melean at the Luckman Theatre on the Cal State L.A. campus. Chicago native Aries Spears discovered his comedic abilities at the young age of 14, when he started doing his own comedy routing around his hometown. By the age of 17, he landed a part in the movie, ÂHome of Angles, starring Abe Vigoda, Sherman Helmsley and Joe Frazier. Spears additional film credits include ÂJerry Maguire, ÂMalcolm X and ÂWhy Do Fools Fall in Love. Spears first television appearance was cableÂs ÂRussell Simmons Def Comedy Jam, followed by ÂShowtime At The Apollo. He moved to Los Angeles in 1992, landed a recurring role on ÂA Different World and became a regular at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and The Laugh Factory. Shortly thereafter, Spears was cast in a starring role opposite Glenn Frey in ÂSouth of Sunset. Bobby Lee, a native of San Diego, was expected to follow in his fatherÂs footsteps running the family clothing store, but he had other ideas. After stints in a local rock band and at the local community college, the legendary manager Fred Burns of La JollaÂs Comedy Store spotted Lee. In 1995, Pauly Shore spotted Bobby on stage and asked him to open for him in Las Vegas. It was at that point that Lee met PaulyÂs mother, the celebrated owner of the Comedy Store, Mitzi Shore. Lee became a regular at the Club as well as on the road with the Hispanic Comic sensation Carlo Mencla. Lee has appeared in more than 20 national commercials, and has performed stand-up on NBCÂs ÂLate Friday, Comedy CentralÂs ÂPremium Blend, and on ÂThe Tonight Show. Jill-Michele Melean is the MADtv showÂs first Latina cast member and was chosen after performing in a Fox network showcase last January for African-American, Asian American, Latino and Native American performers. Melean has also been doing some punch-up writing for NickelodeonÂs hit series ÂTaina recently. She sharpened her comic chops beginning at a very early age. Once in Los Angeles, she quickly became a paid regular at the world famous Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory comedy clubs. She started doing stand-up comedy at age 19. Melean performs nationwide in the ÂLatinos Locos stand-up tour. She is well known for her comedic send-ups of celebrities like Drew Barrymore. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Luckman Box Office. Admission: CSULA students, $8; CSULA faculty/staff/alumni, $10; and general public, $15. For more information, call the Associated Students, Inc. at Cal State L.A., (323) 343-4780.
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