“This is no show, mister,” a doctor remarks to her patient in the opening sketch of the new Netflix exclusive mini-series With Bob and David.  To those unfamiliar with the comedy duo of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, this comment is a throwaway one with little importance, but to those who have seen Odenkirk and Cross’ previous sketch comedy show Mr. Show with Bob and David, the line reveals much about what this new series has to offer, and exactly what it would not be.  

Mr. Show with Bob and David, which premiered in November of 1995, is often cited as one of the most influential sketch comedy shows to air in recent history, and for good reason.  The cult following and critical acclaim the show earned at the time was mostly due to the show’s willingness to tackle any subject, despite societal taboos, and to do so in an intelligent and humorous manner.  Mr. Show ran for four seasons on the then-fledgling HBO network, and their lack of censorship or corporate involvement allowed them to push social boundaries.  Much of their comedy danced the line between being “just a joke” and outright offensive, which is exactly where the young, hip, comic sensibilities of Odenkirk and Cross, who were 33 and 31 at the time, wanted the material to be.  Mr. Show ended up being a launch pad for not only Odenkirk and Cross’ careers, who have since worked separately on shows such as Breaking Bad and Arrested Development, but those of Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, Tom Kenney, Paul F. Tompkins, Scott Aukerman, and many others who graced the show during its run.

Two decades after the premiere of Mr. Show, the four episode series With Bob and David is unleashed onto Netflix. While not necessarily billed as a continuation of Mr. Show, the new series has essentially the same cast and writers, as well as a few new faces, and carries a new, fresh feel, as well as a production value Mr. Show never had.  And, like a fine wine, or even a less-than-fine wine, the comedy has mellowed.  Odenkirk and Cross, now 53 and 51, are no longer as interested in borderline shock comedy as they were in the mid-90s.  The humor in With Bob and David is more subtle, but still criticizing.  Instead of hitting the viewer like a brick, the comedy hits the viewer like a brick inside of a down pillow; it probably will not cut your face, but there will be a bruise.  

While With Bob and David is not simply a rehash of Mr. Show, there is no doubt that it will please the most avid fans of Odenkirk and Cross, as well as audiences who have never heard of Mr. Show.