Mr. Show

Mr. Show is a sketch comedy series featuring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. It appeared on HBO from 1995 to 1998. What sets the show apart from other sketch comedy shows is the way the sketches link together, forming a smooth transition from one to the next. Also, Mr. Show's treatment of swearing, drug use and sex is much more cavalier than other shows, primarily due to the fact that it is on cable television.

Cast members on the show included Bill Odenkirk, Brett Paesel, Brian Posehn, Dino Stamatopoulos, Jay Johnston, Jerry Minor, Jill Talley, John Ennis, Karen Kilgariff, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Paul F. Thompkins, Sarah Silverman, Jack Black and Tom Kenny.

The show also included some notable guest appearances, including Ben Stiller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Dave Foley, Janeane Garofalo, Jon Cryer, Jon Stewart, Jonathan Katz, Jeff Goldblum, Julia Sweeney, Kato Kaelin, Laura Kightlinger, Maynard James Keenan, Michael McKean and Vince Vaughn.

Mr. Show also spawned a spinoff movie, Run Ronnie Run, that went straight-to-DVD.

Conventions

Almost every episode begins with an individual introducing the hosts, Bob and David; this individual always appears later in the same episode. In the opening dialogue, Bob is almost always dressed in a suit, while David is dressed down. Each show would have a recurring theme, and the last scene would usually have an overt reference to the first one.

Recurring Characters

Mr. Show has far fewer recurring characters than other sketch comedy shows, such as Saturday Night Live. Even so, there are a few characters who appear in more than one episode, although usually limited to a cameo appearance or a reference by name.

• Ronnie Dobbs
• Famous Mortimer
• Blueberry Head
• Three Times One Minus One

Catch Phrases

• "Hey everyone, it's Bob and David!"