Mr. Show with Bob and David ended 25 years ago this week. The cult favorite only lasted for 30 episodes and rarely got the attention it deserved. But thanks to DVDs, reruns and (eventually) streaming, the innovative series got its due. Now, feel free to tell me to “eat shitty fruit from a rotten tree.” This list does not contain “The Story of Everest.” Nor does it contain “Coupon: The Movie.” Two of the show’s most beloved and ridiculous sketches were definitely considered for this list, but ultimately I went with the ones that made me laugh the hardest.
10. (tie)
“Good News” (Season 1, Episode 2)
“Hail Satan Network” (Season 3, Episode 1)
“Swear to God” (Season 3, Episode 5)
I’m cheating right off the bat. But these three brief sketches delivered spot-on parodies of televangelists and other TBN programming, especially Praise the Lord. As someone who grew up Christian – but thankfully did not have to regularly endure shows like these – I found them all especially funny. But they made this list because of how accurately they nail the misplaced passion of these caricatures.
9. “Spite Marriage” (Season 4, Episode 7)
Gleefully skewering homophobia and macho antics, Larry (Bob) and Tom (David) refuse to back down after a barroom scuffle, leading to a decades-long marriage. Taking the joke to a new level every few seconds paved the way for other troupes like Key & Peele and Human Giant. Bonus points for having the guys wear sleeveless shirts in every scene, even at the wedding.
8. “Phone Sex” (Season 4, Episode 3)
Another brilliant example of commitment to the bit. After losing a bet, Glen (Bob) owes Mike (David) “two hours worth of phone sex.” But instead of redeeming his winnings from a qualified sex worker, he demands to cash in immediately, while Glen’s at work, in 30 second increments. The silver lining? Bob’s hidden talent makes him the biggest name in auditory fantasy.
7. “Titannica” (Season 3, Episode 10)
It may be hard to remember now, but in the ’90s pop culture was blamed just about every time a kid did something violent. Could it be unresolved mental health issues or easy access to guns? Nah, it’s gotta be the obscene lyrics or bloody video games! In this masterpiece of poor taste and puppetry, metal band Titannica pays a visit to young fan Adam (David Cross), who tried suicide after listening to their song “Try Suicide.” They hope to absolve themselves with backstage passes and merch, but grow horrified when they see Adam’s acid-shriveled body in the show’s greatest sight gag. It’s both dark and gross in a way only this show could pull off.
6. “The Fairsley Difference” (Season 4, Episode 4)
This series of fake grocery store ads perfectly mirrors ugly political attack ads. The claims grow more ridiculous and disingenuous, preying on customers’ fears. Is it any surprise that our own political candidates would use these same tactics?
5. “Pre-Taped Call-In Show” (Season 3, Episode 10)
If I was ranking this list based on set-ups, this would be No. 1 with a bullet. David’s explosive rage as host Ken Doral keeps reaching new heights, as callers chime in with questions and opinions on the current topic, not the one from the previous week. It’s the ultimate example of the show’s smartly executed stupidity.
4. “Mom & Pop Porno Shop” (Season 2, Episode 2)
“That stupid All-Anal Action paid for that precious mountain bike of yours!”
Only this show would take all the faux-heartwarming lessons from the many lame family sitcoms of the ’90s and set it here. The mom and pop (Jill Talley and Bob) who run the local sex shop that prides itself on customer service faces all the cliches: a chain store that wants to buy them out, a kid who doesn’t want to take over the family business, and a vengeful, god-like ancestor who sees the disrespect as a personal affront.
3. “Lie Detector” (Season 3, Episode 3)
This awkward job interview might have the most laughs per minute of any of their sketches. The increasingly absurd questions asked of the prospective employee (Bob) are the main source of hilarity, but the writers and performers take it to another level with a brief, dark detour when the boss (Paul F. Tompkins) tries the lie detector himself.
2. “Monk Academy” (Season 4, Episode 5)
In this surprisingly gory parody of snobs-vs-slobs comedies, the snobs are the kids at a fat camp and the slobs are the devout Buddhist monks across the lake. It’s one of the most unexpected, insane and sharply executed sketches of the show’s entire run. Its relatively high production value (bald cap notwithstanding) and detailed story could have only come in its final season.
1. “Druggachusettes” (Season 3, Episode 3)
The sketch that made me fall in love with the show. I still remember catching this on Comedy Central at some point in high school and marveling at how hilarious and weird it was, and how deeply committed the performers were (especially Tom Kenny, who would soon go on to greater fame as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants). When I later learned in college – from a roommate who also loved their off-kilter humor – that this parody of Sid & Marty Krofft’s work actually wasn’t that far off, that solidified it for me.