Q&A with Bob Odenkirk: 'Mr. Show' lives again with 'No!'
Rob Odenkirk Credit: Rob Odenkirk (Getty)
Thanks to the talent assembled (Sarah Silverman, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Paul F. Tompkins were all regulars) and its memorable characters and sketches (redneck criminal Ronnie Dobbs, who later got his own spinoff film), “Mr. Show with Bob and David” has joined the pantheon of great sketch comedy TV shows, deservedly mentioned alongside programs like “SCTV” and “Kids in the Hall.”
The brainchild of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross has now also spawned a book, “Hollywood Said No!” composed of two unproduced screenplays and bonus unaired material.
amNY caught up with the Bob of “Bob and David” to talk about the beginnings of “Mr. Show,” his “Breaking Bad” character, sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman, and more.
When putting together the “Mr. Show” ensemble, did you know at the time just how much talent you had in the room? I knew these were really good people from the best that was happening in the underground scene in L.A. … They’re not all from the same place, either. Lots of times on a sketch show, the writers all have the same backgrounds and are similar kind of people.
What do you hope fans of the show get out of this unreleased material? I feel like we were a kind of intense satire, and satire just isn’t that popular. That was something that we were able to do that others couldn’t, because “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show” have to respond to the news of the day and the week. We were able to talk about... the delivery systems of art and opinion.
Could Saul Goodman help Ronnie Dobbs? The problem is that I don’t know if Saul would help Ronnie, because I don’t think there’s a lot of money in [it]. I think Saul would smell trouble in Ronnie right way. It would be the smell of Ronnie’s crack pipe. I think Saul could get Ronnie out of any trouble he had, but who’s gonna pay Saul? Ronnie wouldn’t.
Bob Odenkirk, David Cross and Brian Posehn will be at PowerHouse Arena Tuesday night at 7:30, 37 Main St., DUMBO, 718- 666-3049, sold out.
They will be at Town Hall on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., 123 W. 43rd St., 212-997-1003, sold out.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
