The new sketch comedy show is not ‘Mr.
Show,also a sketch comedy, went off the air after four seasons in 1998.
But that doesnt mean this isMr.
Credit: Saeed Adyani/Netflix
The laugh is what trumps everything.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:Where are you guys calling from?
BOB ODENKIRK:Im in Albuquerque.
DAVID CROSS:Im in New York.
ODENKIRK:Wait a second.
Look outside your window, are you sure?
You know one of us is in Albuquerque, ones in New York.
What do you see when you look outside your window, David?
CROSS:I see the statue of Albuquerque?
ODENKIRK:And I see the Empire State Cactus Building.
CROSS:Im seeing a beautiful mesa.
Am I using that word correctly, mesa?
What is a mesa?
ODENKIRK:Its made of corn.
Its called a maize-a.
Everybodys booing that over here on my end.
Enough about mesas, lets get toW/ Bob & David.
When did you guys decide you wanted to do another sketch show together?
ODENKIRK:[Shouts] August 14, 1997.
[Stops shouting] Weve been talking about it for years.
CROSS:Yeah, about.
ODENKIRK:Yeah, it was like two years ago.
We did a tour with sketches, lots of sketches and some stand-up.
And we had a really, really great time, and it had all new sketches in it.
We just have always had the hardest time having our schedules match up.
So David was talking about doing something forMr.
And kind of just keep moving forward.
Were just doing new material.
Now, did you look atMr.
Showas a model of sorts for this?
ODENKIRK:I did, but not as a positive model.
[Laughs] I didnt want to have to do some of the things we did.
I just want to do funny stuff that makes me laugh.
Or execute a really funny idea.
The laugh is what trumps everything.
Show, we can do whatever we want.
This is a new thing.
And we did do like an eight-minute sketch, which weve never done before.
Its not as different as I thought it might end up being.
I think we would have gravitated toward that as we were sitting there and really building up.
But I bet you would have seen more experimental things.
Almost like we say, when we talk about a fifth season ofMr.
You would have seen that.
And thats in part because we had no constraints.
Some people are calling this a continuation or a sequel or spin-off.
What relationship do you thinkW/ Bob & Davidhas toMr.
CROSS:Its not.
Its not at all.
And thats the head of the show, the comedy mind of the show.
Were not kids anymore.
Everybody comes into it with 16 years more experience.
Its not the same.
Showso why would I like it?
I want them to be open to what were doing.
Now lets talk about some specific parts of the first episode.
Whats your deal with red meat?
So it has the unfortunate veneer of topicality in that sketch.
Its now a topical, relevant issue.
ODENKIRK:Heres the thing.
CROSS:Thats a very kind ofMr.
ODENKIRK:I dont think the sketch on its own is a great sketch.
You shouldnt eat red meat, but you shouldnt make resolutions you cant keep.
You say youre going to be the pope, become the pope.
And dont say youre going to stop eating red meat when you like red meat.
CROSS:Listen up, America.
Do you guys eat red meat?
ODENKIRK:Not nonstop, every day.
Three times a day, only.
So why should people watch this?
ODENKIRK:Because its funny.
Itll make them laugh, itll maybe make them a little upset, which is good too.
Everybody needs some good sketch comedy.
Oh, Ill tell you why!
BecauseKey & Peeleare done.
And who else has stopped?
Well, hes doing his late-night show.
CROSS:Nick Kroll.
ODENKIRK:A lot of people have left the building.
And theres empty space.
Theres room for it.
CROSS:I would say you should watch it because 10 percent of your watching goes to charity.
So its for a good cause as well.
