Bob Odenkirk and David Cross changed the landscape of alternative comedy with their brilliant, subversive sketch series Mr. Show, which ran from 1995 to 1998 on HBO. A critical hit with a small but rabid fan base, it’s often been labeled a “cult show,” and Odenkirk gave that term new – and literal – meaning during the duo’s Thursday’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “Definitely a cult show,” he said. “People who loved us would drink Kool-Aid if we asked them. And a lot of tattoos of the show for those fans. That’s hardcore stuff.”
Cross, sporting a broken arm, also reflected on his awkward first meeting with Odenkirk, around the time they became writers for MTV’s short-lived The Ben Stiller Show. Introduced by mutual comedian-actress friend Janeane Garofalo, Odenkirk shot down Cross’ invitation to play basketball.
“It’s like a screen door. It’s open, and he didn’t even come to the door,” Cross said. “He’s just sort of watching TV, eating a sandwich. I remember that distinctly – eating a sandwich. And then, ‘Hey, Bob, it’s Janeane [Garafalo]. I brought my friend David. I think I told you about him. He was wanting to meet you, whatever, play basketball.’ … ‘Nah.'”
Cross and Odenkirk visited Kimmel to promote their new sketch series, With Bob and David, which premieres November 13th on Netflix and features a bulk of the writing-acting team from Mr. Show.
