America can, should, must, and will blow up the moon.
June 24, 2013 3:08 PM Subscribe
The 24 best Mr. Show sketches, in order (with video). The influential sketch comedy show is 20 years old this year, but has generally aged surprisingly well (and has been remarkably prescient about blowing up the moon). Topless Robot has a different top 10, so does Cracked. A great AV Club interview with David Cross, Scott Auckerman, and others details how one complex sketch came together.
Wow, that is a great list. IMHO "that guys taint" is still the best sketch I've ever seen. Hilarious, spot on parody, technically excellent, ect.
...but, "Kiss the pan, pan kisses you!" has made me laugh more in my life than any other.
posted by lattiboy at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
...but, "Kiss the pan, pan kisses you!" has made me laugh more in my life than any other.
posted by lattiboy at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
Ironically, does not include 24 is the Highest Number . Which is obviously the best Mr Show sketch.
There's gotta be a million better... uh... er... 24 better sketches.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:16 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
There's gotta be a million better... uh... er... 24 better sketches.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:16 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
'Have you ever eaten a train piece by piece after you derailed it with your penis?'
'....It was for charity!'
posted by shakespeherian at 3:18 PM on June 24, 2013 [14 favorites]
'....It was for charity!'
posted by shakespeherian at 3:18 PM on June 24, 2013 [14 favorites]
By the way the Megaphone Crooners sketch has the best intro of all time:
I don't watch television. I don't even own a television. Notice I didn't say 'teevee'; 'teevee' is a nickname and nicknames are for friends and television is no friend of mine.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [7 favorites]
I don't watch television. I don't even own a television. Notice I didn't say 'teevee'; 'teevee' is a nickname and nicknames are for friends and television is no friend of mine.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [7 favorites]
Pre-taped Call-in Show is not the best Mr Show sketch. It is the best sketch EVER.
posted by DU at 3:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [27 favorites]
posted by DU at 3:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [27 favorites]
It's crack. It's great. It gets you really high.
posted by dismas at 3:38 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by dismas at 3:38 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
The first time I watch Mr. Show all the way through (college, naturally), I was pretty sure "Oh You Men" (otherwise known as "The Lost Episode") was the perfect encapsulation of a Mr. Show episode. Also, the titular line is quite possibly the best line delivery of the entire show. Over time, other sketches have caught my fancy, and the open/cold tag hook of this episode loses it's charm with repeat viewings, but I still think it's one of the most consistent episodes, start to finish. This would be the episode I'd make people sit down and watch, if they'd never seen the show before.
I probably couldn't rank my top 24 sketches.
posted by muddgirl at 3:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
I probably couldn't rank my top 24 sketches.
posted by muddgirl at 3:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
The term "I nearly shit myself laughing" is often overused, but that is EXACTLY how I felt watching this show.
/Y'all are brutalizing me
posted by Renoroc at 3:44 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
/Y'all are brutalizing me
posted by Renoroc at 3:44 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I was getting all clenched in anticipation of not seeing Fairsley Foods in a top spot.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
blahblahblah: "The influential sketch comedy show is 20 years old this year,"
------------------
My first reaction is "fuck me, no way, really?" Then I thought about it and it didn't seem right, so then I read the article...
Believe it or not, the cult favorite sketch series Mr. Show will be having its 20th anniversary in 2015.
Which still is getting to "fuck me" territory, but crisis averted... for now.
posted by symbioid at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2013
------------------
My first reaction is "fuck me, no way, really?" Then I thought about it and it didn't seem right, so then I read the article...
Believe it or not, the cult favorite sketch series Mr. Show will be having its 20th anniversary in 2015.
Which still is getting to "fuck me" territory, but crisis averted... for now.
posted by symbioid at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2013
Any ranked list like this will necessarily fail to strike each of us as accurate and complete. But COME ON, no Wycked Scepter? That, with its Underground Tape Railroad lead-in, always made me the most happy.
posted by damehex at 3:52 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by damehex at 3:52 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Wanna make a phone call? You can if you want."
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:54 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:54 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I often say that the Tibetan Monks V. Fat Kids Camp is one of the best. But this is wrong.
It is impossible to make a top X list of best Mr.Show sketches where X < almost every sketch they did.
posted by munchingzombie at 3:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
It is impossible to make a top X list of best Mr.Show sketches where X < almost every sketch they did.
posted by munchingzombie at 3:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
As mayor of the altered state of Druggachusetts, I declare this post to be: Awesome!
posted by porn in the woods at 4:01 PM on June 24, 2013 [12 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 4:01 PM on June 24, 2013 [12 favorites]
No Philouza & Salini?! Methinks these writers have had a few too many of Mr. Graham's crackers.
"Woman, you WILL bear me a marching band!"
posted by dialetheia at 4:02 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Woman, you WILL bear me a marching band!"
posted by dialetheia at 4:02 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I often say that the Tibetan Monks V. Fat Kids Camp is one of the best. But this is wrong.
Rap, rap, rappity rap rap.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:03 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
Rap, rap, rappity rap rap.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:03 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
"Hi, I'm Carl Bellflower, the 'Singing' 'News' Reporter."
posted by Iridic at 4:07 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by Iridic at 4:07 PM on June 24, 2013
I was getting all clenched in anticipation of not seeing Fairsley Foods in a top spot.
This thread is not constantly on fire.
WHO SPEAKS ILL OF PORNOGRAPHY???
A magical, pan-sexual, non-threating spokesthing! "Take it from me: I love you!"
posted by JHarris at 4:12 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
This thread is not constantly on fire.
WHO SPEAKS ILL OF PORNOGRAPHY???
A magical, pan-sexual, non-threating spokesthing! "Take it from me: I love you!"
posted by JHarris at 4:12 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!
It actually doesn't hold up, but I will honor its memory forever. I love you, me.
posted by yerfatma at 4:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
It actually doesn't hold up, but I will honor its memory forever. I love you, me.
posted by yerfatma at 4:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yeah, missing out on Wyckyd Sceptre is a big mistake, but in my mind the best Mr. Show sketch was it's following sketch: RACIST IN THE YEAR 3000.
When I saw it, I'd known for a while that racism was stupid and wrong, but Mr. Show was the first to show me that it was also losing and increasingly irrelevant.
"You can't trust a man what's made of gas!"
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:15 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
When I saw it, I'd known for a while that racism was stupid and wrong, but Mr. Show was the first to show me that it was also losing and increasingly irrelevant.
"You can't trust a man what's made of gas!"
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:15 PM on June 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
The Everest one still makes me laugh like an idiot.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 4:16 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 4:16 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Look, lady, I don't come down to where you work and slap the dick out of your mouth.
posted by kickback at 4:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by kickback at 4:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
Where the fuck is Pit Pat?!
posted by Navelgazer at 4:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 4:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
So many:
"Where are the films that teach about our Lord? Kimberly?"
"Why can't you let me be me WHOOO!"
"I ain't afraid of no rolly coaster!"
"We have a saying around here, all right? 'Get used to it, Hitler!'"
"Extra cheese, if you please. I'm on my knees!"
"How's the house, Finn?"
posted by droplet at 4:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Where are the films that teach about our Lord? Kimberly?"
"Why can't you let me be me WHOOO!"
"I ain't afraid of no rolly coaster!"
"We have a saying around here, all right? 'Get used to it, Hitler!'"
"Extra cheese, if you please. I'm on my knees!"
"How's the house, Finn?"
posted by droplet at 4:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
My favorite is "we make the news" when Tompkins hits the cop with the rock but it ricochets off his head and nails an extra and he falls to the ground. Even the extras were great in this show.
posted by any major dude at 4:48 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by any major dude at 4:48 PM on June 24, 2013
It's so big. It's fuckin' great.
Best. Sketch. Show. EVER.
posted by mintcake! at 4:55 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best. Sketch. Show. EVER.
posted by mintcake! at 4:55 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
My favorite is "we make the news" when Tompkins hits the cop with the rock yt but it ricochets off his head and nails an extra and he falls to the ground. Even the extras were great in this show.
Yes! Sarah Silverman saves the take in 'Jeepers Creepers' when she gets bonked in the head and collapses in stride. So amazing.
The 'Mr. Show: What Happened?' book is amaaaaaazing and full of stories like this. Wow should y'all find a copy.
posted by mintcake! at 4:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes! Sarah Silverman saves the take in 'Jeepers Creepers' when she gets bonked in the head and collapses in stride. So amazing.
The 'Mr. Show: What Happened?' book is amaaaaaazing and full of stories like this. Wow should y'all find a copy.
posted by mintcake! at 4:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I came to Mr. Show completely by accident. I was dreadfully ill back in 1995 or 1996 with a bad kidney infection. I slept on the couch and ran a fever of 104 degrees for what seemed like days. As I lapsed in and out of sleep, the "Taint" sketch was on in the background. I thought I was having a weird dream. From then on, I've been a hardcore fan.
I think it would be easier to do a list of sketches that didn't work so well. It would be a short list, mind you, but it would emphasize just how awesome Mr. Show was.
Hitler Cloning was just perfect from beginning to end.
McHutchence vs Greeley III was perfect because political ads have not changed one bit.
"Amazing Miracles" is just such a dark, twisted sketch and one of my all-time favs.
The New Ku-Klux-Klan is another.
The Civil War Re-Enactments encapsulates everything I love about Bob Odenkirk.
Ah fuck it, can I just send y'all my DVDs? I'll trade you for some fake poo.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 4:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think it would be easier to do a list of sketches that didn't work so well. It would be a short list, mind you, but it would emphasize just how awesome Mr. Show was.
Hitler Cloning was just perfect from beginning to end.
McHutchence vs Greeley III was perfect because political ads have not changed one bit.
"Amazing Miracles" is just such a dark, twisted sketch and one of my all-time favs.
The New Ku-Klux-Klan is another.
The Civil War Re-Enactments encapsulates everything I love about Bob Odenkirk.
Ah fuck it, can I just send y'all my DVDs? I'll trade you for some fake poo.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 4:57 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Also, a question for those of you who listen to Comedy Bang Bang, with Scott Auckrtman, who got his start with Mr. Show: Do you get the feeling that the entire cast of Mr. Show was terrified of Bob Odenkirk? Whenever he is on the podcast, everyone seems nervous, or is that just a bit?
posted by blahblahblah at 5:00 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by blahblahblah at 5:00 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Date With The Queen is a sketch that seems to be universally loathed by anyone involved in it. David Cross talked about it in detail on Chris Hardwick's podcast.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:01 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:01 PM on June 24, 2013
The best Mr Show sketch is actually called UCB Supercool Episode but I digress.
That said: #1 is correct. The Audition is pure poetry. It's better than a sketch should be allowed to be.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:04 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
That said: #1 is correct. The Audition is pure poetry. It's better than a sketch should be allowed to be.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:04 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Founding fathers cuts off all of my lower G.I. functions.
posted by any major dude at 5:05 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by any major dude at 5:05 PM on June 24, 2013
It's so big. It's fuckin' great
I still chuckle every time I hear the name "Ding Dong King Kong Sing Song Burger". It is so spot-on 6-year-old humor it's brilliant.
posted by Hoopo at 5:08 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I still chuckle every time I hear the name "Ding Dong King Kong Sing Song Burger". It is so spot-on 6-year-old humor it's brilliant.
posted by Hoopo at 5:08 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
That said: #1 is correct. The Audition is pure poetry. It's better than a sketch should be allowed to be.
I think Pre-Taped Call In Show should have been #1. The way it builds and ends is perfection.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:12 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think Pre-Taped Call In Show should have been #1. The way it builds and ends is perfection.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:12 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
For a very good history of Mr. Show, the David Cross interview on The Nerdist gives a lot of juicy background stuff.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, a question for those of you who listen to Comedy Bang Bang, with Scott Auckrtman, who got his start with Mr. Show: Do you get the feeling that the entire cast of Mr. Show was terrified of Bob Odenkirk? Whenever he is on the podcast, everyone seems nervous, or is that just a bit?
One does get the impression that Odenkirk has a temper, actually. And I think he was the authority figure on the show. Certainly he was the one with the deepest resume. (I mean he wrote Happy Fun Ball and Van Down By the River).
posted by Bookhouse at 5:17 PM on June 24, 2013
One does get the impression that Odenkirk has a temper, actually. And I think he was the authority figure on the show. Certainly he was the one with the deepest resume. (I mean he wrote Happy Fun Ball and Van Down By the River).
posted by Bookhouse at 5:17 PM on June 24, 2013
I have it on good authority the Bob Odenkirk can be difficult. He's a perfectionist, and a bit of a hardass, who does not suffer fools gladly. Comes with the "genius" territory, I suppose.
posted by Optamystic at 5:21 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by Optamystic at 5:21 PM on June 24, 2013
The Pre-Taped Call In Show was so good it could easily have been a Monty Python sketch. That said, where's the Hail Satan Network?
I got the devil in my feet!
posted by irisclara at 5:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I got the devil in my feet!
posted by irisclara at 5:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
My wife and I constantly say "more $X equals better than" to each other.
posted by DU at 5:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 5:25 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
TROY turn that god damn camera off, this is about FUNNNN.
posted by en forme de poire at 5:28 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by en forme de poire at 5:28 PM on June 24, 2013
The Burgundy Loaf made me laugh so hard I thought I was going to die.
"Rudy will await your fundament!"
posted by Aubergine at 5:28 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Rudy will await your fundament!"
posted by Aubergine at 5:28 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I still can't go through Hollywood without hearing David Cross yelling "DeLongpre! DeLongpre!" And I still always feel a vague twinge of embarrassment when I do.
posted by scody at 5:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by scody at 5:30 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
FUCK YOU GWINNETT!
Who would shit on a flag made of shit? It would be an empty gesture!
posted by Brak at 5:33 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Who would shit on a flag made of shit? It would be an empty gesture!
posted by Brak at 5:33 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I've got a naked puppet doin' a lewd, lascivious Fandango on the lap of a full-grown man!
posted by Brak at 5:35 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Brak at 5:35 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
In my personal favorite, heavy metal band Titannica visits their biggest fan. The reveal gets me every single time.
posted by vverse23 at 5:36 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by vverse23 at 5:36 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
(I may have to pace myself.)
I don't really agree with the number of sketches on this list that appear in Season 4. Though every season was brilliant, Season 4 was my least favorite, and I'm not surprised it was the last one.
posted by Brak at 5:37 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't really agree with the number of sketches on this list that appear in Season 4. Though every season was brilliant, Season 4 was my least favorite, and I'm not surprised it was the last one.
posted by Brak at 5:37 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I hear the name "Ding Dong King Kong Sing Song Burger". It is so spot-on 6-year-old humor it's brilliant.
I totally lost it with the "It's Punkinniny!" thing.
posted by LionIndex at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013
I totally lost it with the "It's Punkinniny!" thing.
posted by LionIndex at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013
DON'T FORGET CARROT-TOP'S BROTHER BLUEBERRY-HEAD!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've always thought of the brilliant pretaped call-in show sketch as a spiritual cousin to the Robot Repair sketch from SNL.
One of my favorite Odenkirk moments is in The Joke: The Musical, when he sings the "I'm the hated milk machine" song. I still laugh out loud every single time I think of it.
posted by dialetheia at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
One of my favorite Odenkirk moments is in The Joke: The Musical, when he sings the "I'm the hated milk machine" song. I still laugh out loud every single time I think of it.
posted by dialetheia at 5:39 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
Man, how great is Jay Johnston? He never really gets the top billing (in the many many many projects he's in), but he's like a guaranteed excellent cast member who makes everything gel. Often as a cop or other authority figure.
posted by jason_steakums at 5:47 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 5:47 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
Monsters of Megaphone needs to be much higher. Coupon the Movie needs to be just below it. Ventriloquist Feud should be somewhere in the top half.
Actually, this list is pretty unnecessary. The hit-to-miss ratio of Mr. Show is unprecedented for sketch comedy. It's like DiMaggio's hitting streak-- effectively untouchable. You could make an argument that 65% of their sketches belong on this list, which is just incredible.
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Actually, this list is pretty unnecessary. The hit-to-miss ratio of Mr. Show is unprecedented for sketch comedy. It's like DiMaggio's hitting streak-- effectively untouchable. You could make an argument that 65% of their sketches belong on this list, which is just incredible.
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Often as a cop or other authority figure.
"Dead... All dead."
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Dead... All dead."
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Here's Paul F. Tompkins interviewing Bob Odenkirk recently...
posted by mosessmith at 5:55 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mosessmith at 5:55 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I can't get enough of Change for a Dollar
posted by porn in the woods at 6:10 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 6:10 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
DON'T FORGET CARROT-TOP'S BROTHER BLUEBERRY-HEAD!
He's a college favorite!
posted by Spatch at 6:12 PM on June 24, 2013
He's a college favorite!
posted by Spatch at 6:12 PM on June 24, 2013
Other favorites that aren't on the list:
Third wheel legend
I like to masturbate in a closed room while waiting for pies to cool!
The yellow ribbons are for the young people, to show we care, and the orange ribbons are for the companions
Horny sluts hotline, this is Peppermint
posted by dialetheia at 6:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Third wheel legend
I like to masturbate in a closed room while waiting for pies to cool!
The yellow ribbons are for the young people, to show we care, and the orange ribbons are for the companions
Horny sluts hotline, this is Peppermint
posted by dialetheia at 6:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
The pre-taped Call In show gets my vote. The increasingly unhinged David Cross had me weeping with laughter and the final moment is comedy gold.
Someone mentioned Monty Python and it did strike me that the setup was similar to that of Fawlty Towers. Put a man in a position for which is he eminently unsuited and then create a scenario in which he can not win.
posted by ambivalentic at 6:19 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Someone mentioned Monty Python and it did strike me that the setup was similar to that of Fawlty Towers. Put a man in a position for which is he eminently unsuited and then create a scenario in which he can not win.
posted by ambivalentic at 6:19 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
All these years later, thanks to Space Ghost Coast to Coast, I can't not think of him as "Bah Bodenkirk".
posted by jason_steakums at 6:21 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 6:21 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
I use "Pre-Taped Call-in Show" as an example of how to structure a sketch when I teach sketch writing. Its perfect all the way through.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:47 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:47 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Founding Fathers" rivals "Clayton Bigsby" (partial clip) for sheer educational show-it-in-history-class value.
posted by kurumi at 7:17 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by kurumi at 7:17 PM on June 24, 2013
i like to think that the seed of the Founding Father's sketch came from a school aged Georgia native who forged his sense of humor when he found out that one of his state's signatories to the Declaration of Independence was named Button Gwinnett.
posted by any major dude at 7:25 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by any major dude at 7:25 PM on June 24, 2013
Christ, do I annoy colleagues and friends with my constant Mr Show references. Because I have come to find that for every aspect of life, there is a relevant Mr Show sketch. I can't possibly rank any one above the other, as the whole thing was pretty much perfect. But if there is any one quote applicable to all possible life events it would be: "Cock rings ... cock rings ... cock rings."
posted by stargell at 7:27 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by stargell at 7:27 PM on June 24, 2013 [6 favorites]
Dammit, how the hell do you overlook the Limits of Science. It's masterful if not for the comedy but for the shaky voice and lines.
posted by any major dude at 7:38 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by any major dude at 7:38 PM on June 24, 2013 [4 favorites]
This thread reveals it's been too long since I watched m Mr. Show DVDs from beginning to end. (In fact, I think a few were stolen by a former roommate, damn him to Detroit.)
posted by JHarris at 7:50 PM on June 24, 2013
posted by JHarris at 7:50 PM on June 24, 2013
(I mean he wrote Happy Fun Ball and Van Down By the River).
Happy Fun Ball is a Jack Handy sketch.
posted by Green With You at 8:04 PM on June 24, 2013
Happy Fun Ball is a Jack Handy sketch.
posted by Green With You at 8:04 PM on June 24, 2013
Oh god, I just realized The State is already 20 years old.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:17 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 9:17 PM on June 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
And Kids in the Hall is almost 30! Jesus christ.
posted by dialetheia at 9:31 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by dialetheia at 9:31 PM on June 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Kids in the hall was still on TV 20 years ago!
I'm not that old
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 9:54 PM on June 24, 2013
I'm not that old
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 9:54 PM on June 24, 2013
"The Pre-taped Call-in Show" is a work of genius, a bit of comedy I actually have to wrap my head around. And, like Airplane!, even though I've seen it many times, it cracks me up every time.
posted by zardoz at 10:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by zardoz at 10:23 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was 15 when Mr. Show came out. It was one of those late night HBO curios I remember running across when I was surfing for Real Sex or Taxicab Confessions, and filing away in my head as weird and funny and worth revisiting. But I think I only saw a couple of episodes during the original series run (for some reason, the sketch where David is trying to shit on the American flag, so they make a shit proof flag that's made out of shit - "Who would shit on shit?" stuck with me.)
In the intervening five or so years, I had a friend who was much more clued in to comedy than I was, who bought a VHS tape off of eBay (!) that was a collection of Mr. Show sketches, Bob & David stand-up, and interviews with both of them. I remember finding it hysterical (especially Bob and Andy Dick playing Norma Jean and Marilyn Monroe, and Bob as Abraham Lincoln) and at some point making the connection that "these were the same guys as that crazy HBO show I saw 5 years ago!"
HBO started releasing the Mr. Show seasons on DVD in the early 2000's, and I bought them as soon as they came out. I watched them incessantly, and came to find even the audio commentary hilarious. If you have the DVDs and you haven't seen the audio commentary on "Horny Sluts Hotline," I recommend you go watch it now.
The strange thing, is that I don't find them as funny as they used to. I honestly think that comedy tends to reflect pretty strongly the era in which it was made and removing it from that context robs it of a lot of its power. Comedy is a continuum and it builds upon the things that came before it, and a lot of times the older something is, the less funny it feels to me. The Ministry of Silly Walks, for example, is still funny to me, but the mountains of current political and social satire that is taking place on Monty Python is completely lost on me. Likewise, Mr. Show's humor no longer feels contemporary - the setups feel a little contrived and predictable, and even the turns some of the sketches take feels a little hackey. I find this especially true with The Kids In the Hall. That is not to say that I fault the creators, comedy is just a hard thing to revisit.
But Mr. Show has rightfully earned its place in the pantheon of sketch comedy, and as someone said upthread, it is instructive on how to compose good comedy. Mr. Show, along with, I think, the Stella Shorts went on to influence the current generation of young comedy writers, people who have seen the jokes and ideas that have become cliche in the intervening years, and have continued to hone the formula, updating it for the present day and discarding the stuff that is, by now, hack. And, thanks largely to the ongoing efforts of Mr Show albums (Bob and David, of course, but notably Scott Auckerman, Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, and even some of the infrequent guests - Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Jack Black) the comedy scene has metamorphosed from an island of performers in cultural isolation relegated only to the world of comedy clubs, to a vibrant, and truly omnipresent thing that feels as active and interesting as the world of music.
I was listening to a podcast of Jeff Garlin interviewing Conan O'Brian the other day, and Conan noted that everyone he meets now does improv, and most of them aren't doing it as a career, but just as a hobby. Because comedy fills the same niche now that learning to play the guitar did for the previous half century. That's Mr. Show's doing. In short, we have a saying around here, alright? 'Get used to it, Hitler.'
posted by to sir with millipedes at 4:03 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
In the intervening five or so years, I had a friend who was much more clued in to comedy than I was, who bought a VHS tape off of eBay (!) that was a collection of Mr. Show sketches, Bob & David stand-up, and interviews with both of them. I remember finding it hysterical (especially Bob and Andy Dick playing Norma Jean and Marilyn Monroe, and Bob as Abraham Lincoln) and at some point making the connection that "these were the same guys as that crazy HBO show I saw 5 years ago!"
HBO started releasing the Mr. Show seasons on DVD in the early 2000's, and I bought them as soon as they came out. I watched them incessantly, and came to find even the audio commentary hilarious. If you have the DVDs and you haven't seen the audio commentary on "Horny Sluts Hotline," I recommend you go watch it now.
The strange thing, is that I don't find them as funny as they used to. I honestly think that comedy tends to reflect pretty strongly the era in which it was made and removing it from that context robs it of a lot of its power. Comedy is a continuum and it builds upon the things that came before it, and a lot of times the older something is, the less funny it feels to me. The Ministry of Silly Walks, for example, is still funny to me, but the mountains of current political and social satire that is taking place on Monty Python is completely lost on me. Likewise, Mr. Show's humor no longer feels contemporary - the setups feel a little contrived and predictable, and even the turns some of the sketches take feels a little hackey. I find this especially true with The Kids In the Hall. That is not to say that I fault the creators, comedy is just a hard thing to revisit.
But Mr. Show has rightfully earned its place in the pantheon of sketch comedy, and as someone said upthread, it is instructive on how to compose good comedy. Mr. Show, along with, I think, the Stella Shorts went on to influence the current generation of young comedy writers, people who have seen the jokes and ideas that have become cliche in the intervening years, and have continued to hone the formula, updating it for the present day and discarding the stuff that is, by now, hack. And, thanks largely to the ongoing efforts of Mr Show albums (Bob and David, of course, but notably Scott Auckerman, Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, and even some of the infrequent guests - Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Jack Black) the comedy scene has metamorphosed from an island of performers in cultural isolation relegated only to the world of comedy clubs, to a vibrant, and truly omnipresent thing that feels as active and interesting as the world of music.
I was listening to a podcast of Jeff Garlin interviewing Conan O'Brian the other day, and Conan noted that everyone he meets now does improv, and most of them aren't doing it as a career, but just as a hobby. Because comedy fills the same niche now that learning to play the guitar did for the previous half century. That's Mr. Show's doing. In short, we have a saying around here, alright? 'Get used to it, Hitler.'
posted by to sir with millipedes at 4:03 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh man, I can't forget Popemobile Chase, for the phrase "brutally excommunicated" and the ending:
"Still, 56% of people polled said the Pope didn't do it, even if he did."
"Numbers don't lie."
"They can't."
posted by Brak at 8:53 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Still, 56% of people polled said the Pope didn't do it, even if he did."
"Numbers don't lie."
"They can't."
posted by Brak at 8:53 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The yellow ribbons are for the young people, to show we care, and the orange ribbons are for the companions
Oh god the young people & companions sketch is amazing. It goes from 'what the fuck are they talking about' to 'oh this is kind of funny, poking at this weird bit of language' to 'okay jesus shut up already we get it' to 'GOD LET THIS SKETCH NEVER END'
posted by shakespeherian at 9:00 AM on June 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
Oh god the young people & companions sketch is amazing. It goes from 'what the fuck are they talking about' to 'oh this is kind of funny, poking at this weird bit of language' to 'okay jesus shut up already we get it' to 'GOD LET THIS SKETCH NEVER END'
posted by shakespeherian at 9:00 AM on June 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
to sir with millipedes: I find that moreso with The Ben Stiller Show. Mr. Show, on repeated viewing for me, seems to stand the test of time better. Ben Stiller seemed to rely mostly on parodies and some now-tired premises (thinking of the vocal group sketch and the 90210 parody). Not arguing with you, just my observation.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 9:03 AM on June 25, 2013
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 9:03 AM on June 25, 2013
I ain't afraid of no ROLLY-coaster!
posted by muddgirl at 9:12 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 9:12 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Hi, I'm Carl Bellflower, the 'Singing' 'News' Reporter."
A reference, of course, to Chicago legend Harry Schmerler, Your Singing Ford Dealer.
posted by stargell at 9:26 AM on June 25, 2013
A reference, of course, to Chicago legend Harry Schmerler, Your Singing Ford Dealer.
posted by stargell at 9:26 AM on June 25, 2013
to sir with millipedes: I find that moreso with The Ben Stiller Show. Mr. Show, on repeated viewing for me, seems to stand the test of time better. Ben Stiller seemed to rely mostly on parodies and some now-tired premises (thinking of the vocal group sketch and the 90210 parody). Not arguing with you, just my observation.
Part of that is the BSS skits are purely of their time (oh, the 90s; you're so quaint), but much of Mr Show is more timeless by comparison. They're more parodies of concepts than specific things in popular culture.
posted by grubi at 9:29 AM on June 25, 2013
Part of that is the BSS skits are purely of their time (oh, the 90s; you're so quaint), but much of Mr Show is more timeless by comparison. They're more parodies of concepts than specific things in popular culture.
posted by grubi at 9:29 AM on June 25, 2013
The great thing about the Mr. Show DVDs is that for those rare sketches that miss, you can turn on the commentary and hear Jay Johnston and Paul F. Tompkins improvise a funnier sketch over it.
posted by cottoncandybeard at 9:30 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cottoncandybeard at 9:30 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
And Jill Talley - talk about a workhorse. It feels like she was in more sketches than anyone but Bob and David, and she just disappeared into her roles. This Splitsider article from 2011 really gets at both the quality and quantity of women's contributions to the show.
posted by palindromic at 9:55 AM on June 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by palindromic at 9:55 AM on June 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
I liked how they had so many sketches that were really just short films, like Recruiters, Dream of a Lifetime, the Nostradamus sketch or my favourite: The Pre-Natal Pageant. And a lot of these were towed to greatness by virtue of Bob Odenkirk's performances as the well-meaning loser. He's just so good at those types of roles. I mean, he can play the heck out of an asshole and Robert Evans too, but to be able to tap the funny out of essentially pathetic characters? Love it.
I think of Mr Show the same way others think of late-60s FM radio. They had the freedom to create longer pieces, and to address issues that SNL would never touch, especially about racism and sexism in America. Can you imagine Bill Hader and the (white) guest host of the week singing a song about how blacks ought to thank white people for freeing their ancestors ("And we'd just like to say, 'You're welcome!'")? Or Confederate bucks with the pass for black people to get out of town? Or the Mr. Show Boys Club? They even joked about child abuse and tweaked HBO at the same time! Can you imagine the uproar if any of these were on network TV? But Mr. Show got away with all those and made their points while making us laugh. Love these guys.
Terra Delu!
posted by droplet at 12:13 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think of Mr Show the same way others think of late-60s FM radio. They had the freedom to create longer pieces, and to address issues that SNL would never touch, especially about racism and sexism in America. Can you imagine Bill Hader and the (white) guest host of the week singing a song about how blacks ought to thank white people for freeing their ancestors ("And we'd just like to say, 'You're welcome!'")? Or Confederate bucks with the pass for black people to get out of town? Or the Mr. Show Boys Club? They even joked about child abuse and tweaked HBO at the same time! Can you imagine the uproar if any of these were on network TV? But Mr. Show got away with all those and made their points while making us laugh. Love these guys.
Terra Delu!
posted by droplet at 12:13 PM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Oops! Sorry for the Spanish version of the Popemobile Chase above. Here's the whole damn episode (of which the pope sketch is first) for your viewing pleasure.
posted by Brak at 2:16 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by Brak at 2:16 PM on June 25, 2013
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posted by Apropos of Something at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2013 [11 favorites]