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Eyewitness Report From Ms. Swan

Mad TV (1997) Episode 4
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Ms. Swan proves to be the world's least helpful eyewitness when she refuses to snitch on a criminal.
Character Comedy
Physical Comedy
Police Station
Recurring
Recurring
Miscommunication
Immigrant
Catchphrases
1990s
Sketch Comedy
Absurdist

Okay, I tell you everything
He look-a like-a man
Black a like a me, black a like a you
He looka like Iman

In this sketch, Ms. Swan witnesses a crime and is brought in to give an eyewitness report to a detective. Despite being an eyewitness, Ms. Swan provides deliberately vague and unhelpful descriptions of the criminal, refusing to give any useful identifying information. Her responses to the detective's questions are evasive and confusing, ultimately revealing that she won't snitch on the robber. Throughout the interrogation, she uses her signature catchphrases and comedic broken English to frustrate the detective's attempts to get a clear description of the suspect.

Ms. Swan is one of Alex Borstein's most famous MADtv characters. The character is known for deliberately giving vague answers and never giving straight responses. Ms. Swan's ethnicity is intentionally ambiguous/unclear in the show; the character was reportedly inspired by singer Björk and Borstein's Hungarian grandmother. This sketch showcases the running joke that Ms. Swan "don't snitch". The sketch was uploaded by Shout! Studios and has over 3.2 million views. Alex Borstein joined MADtv as a cast member in Season 3 (1997-98). Ms. Swan catchphrases include pursing her lips and saying "Thanks to you" after feeling helped.