Mr. Show

[Vince the Shirker]

I watched the first three seasons of this a while back and enjoyed them well enough, but just recently I felt the desire to rewatch it and I'm realising I definitely underrated it. In fact, I'm laughing at it a whole lot more than I did previously, and even when there are some sketches that don't land quite as well as others, I'm still at least amused by them. Not even the presence of an attempted insurrectionist is spoiling it for me.

I don't know what I missed the first time round, but I'm glad I've found it now.

[Ron Superior]

[Icehaven]

Watched it about 10 years ago and loved, made me want to watch Bob Odenkirk in anything. I've just read his autobiog and I'm glad there's so much about it in there, that was by far the most interesting part. I'm due a rewatch.

[The Mollusk]

One of the best comedy shows ever made IMHO. Up there with The Day Today as something which will never fail to make me laugh my fuckin head off over and over again.

So many sketches jump into my head when I think about it. Story of Everest, Mom and Pop Porno Shop, Jeepers Creepers, Travelling Salesman/Milk Machine, the Audition, Pit-Pat, the Altered State of Druggachusetts, Lie Detector, and my favourite, Third Wheel Legend.

In the final season the links between the sketches becomes tenuous and the imagination runs a little thin but it's still decent. First two seasons and much of the third however are just incredible.

I think it's highly commendable also that despite being nearly 30 years old and also one of the most antagonistic and envelope pushing sketch shows of its time (maybe of all time? alongside TDT/Brass Eye and Wonder Showzen) pretty much all of it has aged brilliantly, with maybe only 2 or 3 sketches or characters which raise an eyebrow in retrospect.

[BeardFaceMan]

The Audition and Pre-Taped Call-In Show may be the two best written sketches I have ever seen (both written by Dino Stamatopoulos, I believe).

[lauraxsynthesis]

I've been meaning for awhile to start a thread specifically about The Story of Everest. I wonder at what point other people think it hits peak funny. For me it's probably at 4.10 in this video when he falls over with no cause:

[frajer]

Yeah Mr Show is an all-timer. Definitely my favourite sketch show ever(est). Too many classics to count.

The Story of Everest is I think the closest I've ever come to dying from laughter. Think I broke a couple of ribs. Endlessly rewatchable.

That and Odenkirk as the hated Milk Machine, of course.

Where do I go now?
Where do I go NOWWWW

Creasing up just thinking about it.

[Gulftastic]

Squash is on sale...

[frajer]

We've got apples. We've always had apples.

[whatabulb]

First time I saw the audition I nearly had an asthma attack. Even when they're not funny they're still interesting.

Agree with the comment above that it's the only thing I've ever seen on a par with Morris' work

[Ron Superior]

[frajer]

Nooooo! I was on the eighteenth hole

[Cold Meat Platter]

Couldn't help but think of Mr Show when I saw this stuff:

[Famous Mortimer]

The increasingly sweary Globochem ads sketch is incredible.

EDIT: I just rewatched it and it has a not-aged-terribly-well trans joke at the end. For fuck's sake, Mr Show!

[merri]

Yeah there's some pretty awful ableist stuff in there also, but considering how long ago it was it's held up pretty well. Mad to think that Jay Johnstone got caught up in January 6th nonsense.

I've always enjoyed the Super Pan sketch "Kiss the pan! Pan kisses you" but I can't find a version online at the moment.

EDIT: here we go https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6bt1i4?start=350

[The Giggling Bean]

Add me as another huge fan of Mr Show. I used to do tape trading with a chap in the states. He used to send me various bits and pieces, mainly Family Guy S3, before it came out here. He added 3 episodes of Mr Show onto the back of one tape and I was smitten.

I've got all 4 series on DVD along with Run Ronnie Run. I really wish you could get @Bob and David, because that's just Mr Show in all but name.

There's way too many sketches that I enjoyed, most have been mentioned upthread. Likewise, it was the first thing I thought of too when I saw Mustardayonaise. There's still a few lines that have stayed with me to this day that I'll bust out when the moment is right.

To pick 3 of my favourite sketches that spring immediately to mind, The two assholes who marry each other, Megaphone Battle and the civil war reenactment. These  cracked me up and still do... honourable mention to Coupon: The Movie.

Bob Odenkirk is one of the best swearers I've ever heard. The scene where he's doing his shopping and sees Tom Kennys comedian on the TV and shouts "WHAT THE FUCK" gets me every time.

It was certainly as near to a perfect comedy show as I'd seen back in the 90s. It's a shame that the supporting cast didn't go on to bigger things. I'm thinking mainly of John Ennis and Jay Johnson. I know Johnson popped up in a few films, but the comic timing and pratfalling of the story of Everest was sublime.

It was a big surprise, and not a pleasant one, to find out Johnson was there at the Capitol Hill riots
I remember reading that he lost a lot of work because of it. I know Bob and David said they want to do more @Bob and David if they get the time, would they still include Jay Johnson though? I think it would certainly lose something if they didn't.

I've got the book "The Story of Mr Show" upstairs. I haven't read it in years, I think I need to do a big rewatch and reread.

Yes, love Mr Show.

[The Mollusk]

How could I forget the DEVASTATOR?

"A whole two minutes underwater!"

"I lived in this town my whole life, I ain't afraid a no rolliecoaster!"

[whatabulb]

it's perfect drunk/high viewing too, just put an episode on and let it take you on a weird journey, i still binge it a couple times a year.

also i love the way that it is such a "moment in time" in the 90s, JUST before the internet really took off and it's still kind of that VHS swapping/late night cable show culture where you would find the oddness.

here's a question:  which is the best episode?  (not sketch)...

[BeardFaceMan]

I know Bob and David said they want to do more @Bob and David if they get the time, would they still include Jay Johnson though? I think it would certainly lose something if they didn't.

He's been arrested and is awaiting sentencing so I doubt Johnson will be included in anything in the immediate future, at least.

Goes without saying that if you're a fan of the show it's worth getting the DVDs, lots of nice extras and commentaries, and the Mr Show - What Happened? book is well worth your time if you can find a copy at a sensible price.

[The Mollusk]

here's a question:  which is the best episode?  (not sketch)...

This double header from season 2 is hard to beat:

Episode 2:
Sketches: David Acts English, Rap (Open), Talking Junkie, New Son, Red Balloon, Mom & Pop Porn Shop, Ewww Girl Video, Video Soul, Rap! The Musical, Homage Awards, Creepy Peeping Videos (Tag)

Episode 3:
Sketches: Beating Hippie (Open), No Adults Allowed, No Slackers, New KKK (Link), Ad Awards, Mob Chase (Link), Drunk Cops, Iguana, Pet Funeral (Link), Jeepers Creepers – Semi-Star, Hippie Pie (Close), Hippie Pie (Tag)


"C3PO the snake"

[whatabulb]

This double header from season 2 is hard to beat:

Episode 2:
Sketches: David Acts English, Rap (Open), Talking Junkie, New Son, Red Balloon, Mom & Pop Porn Shop, Ewww Girl Video, Video Soul, Rap! The Musical, Homage Awards, Creepy Peeping Videos (Tag)

Episode 3:
Sketches: Beating Hippie (Open), No Adults Allowed, No Slackers, New KKK (Link), Ad Awards, Mob Chase (Link), Drunk Cops, Iguana, Pet Funeral (Link), Jeepers Creepers – Semi-Star, Hippie Pie (Close), Hippie Pie (Tag)


"C3PO the snake"

this is something else i love about it/why the episode vs sketch viewing experience is better, as there's always some sketches in each episode that i've totally forgotten about

[Claude the Racecar Driving Rockstar Super Sleuth]

Bob Odenkirk is one of the best swearers I've ever heard. The scene where he's doing his shopping and sees Tom Kennys comedian on the TV and shouts "WHAT THE FUCK" gets me every time.

That's all the excuse I need to post this compilation.

[Ornlu]

Oh, you men.

[madhair60]

the story of everest goes on way too long and the ending is atrocious

[Blue Jam]

It's a shame that the supporting cast didn't go on to bigger things. I'm thinking mainly of John Ennis and Jay Johnson.

Er, didn't most of them go onto bigger things? SpongeBob Squarepants, BoJack Horseman etc? Voice acting still counts! Jay Johnston had a regular role in Bob's Burgers until he was charged over the Capitol riot.

Incidentally both John Ennis and Jay Johnston have worked with Odenkirk in recent years as they both made guest appearances in Better Call Saul. Johnston's would have been filmed in late 2019 so it seems his descent into MAGAhat madness was a rapid one:

As was noted in the relevant BCS thread at the time, it was a joy to see Odenkirk bursting out of Johnston's face. That's a Mr. Show reunion no-one could have predicted.

[Blue Jam]

Paul F Tompkins is a rumoured shoe-in for UK Taskmaster series 19:

https://www.cookdandbombd.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=109665.0

[buttgammon]

So many of my favourite sketches from anything come from this programme, some of which have been mentioned. The pre-taped call-in, the megaphone crooners, Fairsley, rapist coming!, the hated milk machine, indomitable spirit...all of these had me choking with laughter when I first saw them (and still dozens of views later).

Er, didn't most of them go onto bigger things? SpongeBob Squarepants, BoJack Horseman etc? Voice acting still counts! Jay Johnston had a regular role in Bob's Burgers until he was charged over the Capitol riot.

Incidentally both John Ennis and Jay Johnston have worked with Odenkirk in recent years as they both made guest appearances in Better Call Saul. Johnston's would have been filmed in late 2019 so it seems his descent into MAGAhat madness was a rapid one:

I loved those appearances, particularly John Ennis. He's my favourite of the Mr Show ensemble, so I was chuffed to see him and Bob Odenkirk on screen again.

[Blue Jam]

Ha, I just edited my post GODAMMIT! Nice to have both clips of Johnston going "Yup!" though.

[The Giggling Bean]

Er, didn't most of them go onto bigger things? SpongeBob Squarepants, BoJack Horseman etc? Voice acting still counts! Jay Johnston had a regular role in Bob's Burgers until he was charged over the Capitol riot.

Incidentally both John Ennis and Jay Johnston have worked with Odenkirk in recent years as they both made guest appearances in Better Call Saul. Johnston's would have been filmed in late 2019 so it seems his descent into MAGAhat madness was a rapid one:

Oh I'm absolutely not diminishing voice acting at all. I just mean I wish they'd had more prominent roles in films, rather that supporting parts. I don't know, maybe they did in films I haven't seen.

Tom Kenny will always be Judge Sniffy Wangdoodle for me. Honestly, that's one of the things I love about the show, it has a real British aesthetic for going to joyfully silly places.

In terms of my favourite episode, I've watched "Eat Rotten Fruit from a Shitty Tree" probably more than I care to remember.

The shows were an absolute triumph but, bringing it up again, Run Ronnie Run fell far short of greatness. With that cast and director, it's hard to see how it could have failed...but I've only watched it about 3 or 4 times since it came out. I imported it from the US when it came out, but months later I saw dozens of copies in places like pound land. I believe there was a falling out between Bob, David and the director due to creative differences. They had a great movie in them...it just wasn't that one. I don't think I was even that keen on the original Ronnie Dobbs sketch...although it introduced me to the word "Roustabouts" which I still use to this day.

[The Giggling Bean]

I didn't realise Johnson was still awaiting sentencing. That's a shame, he was one of my favourite cast members.