Last week, we got some possible news on what we hoped and dreamed when Paul F. Tompkins hinted at a Mr. Show reunion by posting a group shot on Twitter — which David Cross later confirmed with his Kickstarter campaign for Hits. Some form of reunion will be taping in March/April and we will once again have the seminal sketch show back in our lives. This is clearly a sign that 2015 will be an incredible year and that, truly, life is precious (“and God, and the bible.”)
As we head into this new Mr. Show-having world, here are the 13 sketches you need to adequately prepare you for the greatness to come.
The Story of Everest
This Jay Johnston brainchild could have gone on five more minutes and it would still be funny. But the studio audience — along with the crew, who had to pick up every piece after every fall — probably would have rioted.
Fuzz: The Musical
Ronnie Dobbs may not have made for a perfect movie, but the sketches the character appeared in were always fantastic, especially this one.
Three Times One Minus One, “The Greatest Love in History”
Yes, I know I literally just said Run, Ronnie, Run wasn’t a perfect movie, but this part made it all so worth it. “Erotic tangerines,” anyone?
Three Times One Minus One / The White People Co-Opting Black Culture Network
Of course, we can’t include Three Times Minus One without including their first appearance. Damn.
Lie Detector
“It’s great. It’s crack. It gets you really high.”
The Mayostard/Mustardoaynnaise/Mustmayostarayonnaise Trilogy
Never again miss your daughter’s childhood/graduation/death again.
John Baptiste Philouza
You didn’t know marching band music could be so dramatic, intense and filled with ghosts, did you?
Pre-Natal Pageant
A lot of Mr. Show’s sketches were oddly prescient and this is no exception. We wouldn’t be surprised if this was on TLC’s fall line-up.
Mom and Pop Porno Shop
Just honest hardworking Americans doing honest American work.
Josh Fenderman
In the show’s fourth season, they added a young writing team — B.J. Porter and Scott Aukerman. This sketch, inspired by Corey Feldman, is one example that proves that was a great idea.
Young People and Their Companions
This is probably my personal favorite. The companions probably are the ones responsible for this whole thing.
Adam Jimmy Meets Titannica
Did you know this sketch is where Blink 182 got the name for “Adam’s Song,” which is a serious song about suicide?
Pre-Taped Call-In Show
According to the DVD commentary track (by the way, listen to the DVD commentary tracks — they’re absolutely golden and you too will develop an even deeper adoration for Paul F. Tompkins, Jay Johnston, and Scott Aukerman), this was a really complicated sketch to write, and you can tell. That’s what makes it both hilarious and impressive.
