Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
In the midst of Netflix's new series Master of None last week, they unleash something that seems even more peculiar: W/ Bob and David. For starters, the show is hosted by Bob Odenkirk and David Cross; two performers whose profiles have only risen in the 17 years since their previous sketch series, Mr. Show, was on TV. In fact, it doesn't make sense how Netflix came to the agreement considering that they don't have rights to reruns of HBO shows. However, it's more interesting to note that in the time since we've last seen this gang doing outrageous comedy, Cross has gone onto a great stand-up career, and Odenkirk had an iconic character in Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and it's spin-off Better Call Saul - both of which have received Emmy nominations and critical praise.
As much as this is a celebratory experience, the bigger question is why now? Why is the series only four episodes, plus an hour-long "Making Of" featurette? Even Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp had eight episodes. While it isn't answered, Odenkirk and Cross pretty much make up for lost time by doing what Mr. Show did best: poking jabs at common sense. In the case of their first episode, they tackle a 21st century pope, vegetarians, jury room shows, slavery, and time travel. In keeping with their old format, the segments generally glide into each other before ending with Paul F. Tompkins passed out in front of a monitor presenting the episode's credits. It's a surreal image that shows that even if there's less to love, they have packed it with enough shocks to make up for it.
It's also a relief, because offensive humor feels like it's been at an all time low in TV for the past few years. While it is likely that the first episode will get flack for its depiction of a "pope who does most of his poping at home," it's not without just cause. In a society that has grown sensitive, to see Mr. Show's staff come back with a fury is something welcoming. Their satire may not be deep, but it definitely feels stronger, largely thanks to the lack of acidity in comedy. Speaking as there have been constant debates on whether The Wolf of Wall Street glorified Jordan Belfort or served as a cautionary tale, it's a relief to have a series play out without a care of what you think. Even if the joke's not funny (which is rare), it's still great to see someone dedicated to the gag.
In what is likely to be the first great sketch from the series (given that there's more coming soon), is what can be referred to as "Better Roots." In what is clearly a subversive knock on modern P.C. culture, David Cross plays a director who turns the famous miniseries Roots into a more whitewashed story where the plantation owner (Odenkirk) is seen as a hero at every turn. Along with Cross being insulting to his interviewer, it shows how absurdly modern audiences want to imagine a more unified and peaceful world where everyone works together. There are no slaves in Cross' Better Roots. They're simply "helpers." It may not get past the surface of racial sensitivity, but it does enough to highlight just why P.C. culture needs to chill out. It may never get as bad as Better Roots, but it feels like it could.
There's not really any major selling point here. If you liked Mr. Show, you'll love W/ Bob and David. No exceptions. With a lot of the same actors and writers, the shows pretty much follows suit into the same demented minds who created one of the most iconic sketch shows of the 90's. It seems strange that there's so little after almost two decades absent. But then again, that just means that the jokes present are funnier and more precious. Well, that and Odenkirk and Cross now being stars of the alternative comedy world. That cannot undermine their business. Still, I hope that the rest of this is as good as this and that there's more to come soon. It's wonderful to have these merry pranksters back to rile up audiences who take comedy to very safe places.
As much as this is a celebratory experience, the bigger question is why now? Why is the series only four episodes, plus an hour-long "Making Of" featurette? Even Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp had eight episodes. While it isn't answered, Odenkirk and Cross pretty much make up for lost time by doing what Mr. Show did best: poking jabs at common sense. In the case of their first episode, they tackle a 21st century pope, vegetarians, jury room shows, slavery, and time travel. In keeping with their old format, the segments generally glide into each other before ending with Paul F. Tompkins passed out in front of a monitor presenting the episode's credits. It's a surreal image that shows that even if there's less to love, they have packed it with enough shocks to make up for it.
It's also a relief, because offensive humor feels like it's been at an all time low in TV for the past few years. While it is likely that the first episode will get flack for its depiction of a "pope who does most of his poping at home," it's not without just cause. In a society that has grown sensitive, to see Mr. Show's staff come back with a fury is something welcoming. Their satire may not be deep, but it definitely feels stronger, largely thanks to the lack of acidity in comedy. Speaking as there have been constant debates on whether The Wolf of Wall Street glorified Jordan Belfort or served as a cautionary tale, it's a relief to have a series play out without a care of what you think. Even if the joke's not funny (which is rare), it's still great to see someone dedicated to the gag.
In what is likely to be the first great sketch from the series (given that there's more coming soon), is what can be referred to as "Better Roots." In what is clearly a subversive knock on modern P.C. culture, David Cross plays a director who turns the famous miniseries Roots into a more whitewashed story where the plantation owner (Odenkirk) is seen as a hero at every turn. Along with Cross being insulting to his interviewer, it shows how absurdly modern audiences want to imagine a more unified and peaceful world where everyone works together. There are no slaves in Cross' Better Roots. They're simply "helpers." It may not get past the surface of racial sensitivity, but it does enough to highlight just why P.C. culture needs to chill out. It may never get as bad as Better Roots, but it feels like it could.
There's not really any major selling point here. If you liked Mr. Show, you'll love W/ Bob and David. No exceptions. With a lot of the same actors and writers, the shows pretty much follows suit into the same demented minds who created one of the most iconic sketch shows of the 90's. It seems strange that there's so little after almost two decades absent. But then again, that just means that the jokes present are funnier and more precious. Well, that and Odenkirk and Cross now being stars of the alternative comedy world. That cannot undermine their business. Still, I hope that the rest of this is as good as this and that there's more to come soon. It's wonderful to have these merry pranksters back to rile up audiences who take comedy to very safe places.
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