Can you write a sketch using the humor one would find on Mr. Show?

Are you familiar with the sketch show, Mr. Show? Tell me about it.


Mr. Show with Bob and David is an American sketch comedy series starring and hosted by Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. It aired on HBO from November 3, 1995, to December 28, 1998. Cross and Odenkirk introduced most episodes as semi-fictionalized versions of themselves, before transitioning to a mixture of on-stage sketches performed in front of a live audience and pre-taped segments. The show featured a number of alternative comedians as both cast members and writers, including Sarah Silverman, Paul F. Tompkins, and Brian Posehn.

Each episode of Mr. Show consists of a series of sketches, at times surreal, each one transitioning to the next by a link in a manner reminiscent of Monty Python's Flying Circus or The State. For example, a minor character in one sketch might return as the major character in the next. Often, common themes or storylines are returned to at different times throughout an episode. As a premium cable show, its audience was limited. DVD editions, however, opened the show to a broad new audience. Every episode begins with an individual introducing the hosts.

The show was praised by critics for its originality, humor, and writing. It was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song "The Ballad of Sexual Harassment".

Mr. Show was a cult hit, and its influence can be seen in later sketch comedy shows such as The State, Stella, and Reno 911!. It is considered one of the best sketch comedy shows of all time.


Can your write a sketch using the humor one would find on Mr. Show?


Scene: A man is sitting in a chair, watching TV. A woman enters the room.

Woman: What are you watching?

Man: I'm watching the news.

Woman: Oh, what's it about?

Man: It's about a new study that says that people who watch the news are more likely to be depressed.

Woman: Really? That's interesting.

Man: Yeah, I guess it makes sense. The news is always full of bad news.

Woman: Yeah, I know. It's hard to stay positive when you're constantly bombarded with negative stories.

Man: Exactly. But I guess it's important to stay informed.

Woman: Yeah, I guess so.

Man: Well, I'm going to go watch something else.

Woman: Okay.

The man gets up and walks away. The woman watches him go, then turns back to the TV. She sighs and shakes her head.

Scene: The same man and woman are now in a therapy session.

Therapist: So, how are you both feeling today?

Man: I'm feeling pretty depressed.

Woman: Me too.

Therapist: Can you tell me what's been going on?

Man: Well, I've been watching the news a lot lately, and it's really been getting me down.

Woman: Me too.

Therapist: Can you give me an example of a story that's been affecting you?

Man: Sure. There was a story about a school shooting, and it really shook me up.

Woman: Yeah, that was a tough one.

Therapist: It sounds like you're both feeling overwhelmed by the amount of negative news that you're seeing.

Man: Yeah, it's hard to stay positive when you're constantly bombarded with negative stories.

Woman: Exactly. But it's important to remember that the news is just a snapshot of what's happening in the world. There are still a lot of good things happening out there, even if we don't see them on the news.

Man: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Woman: And it's also important to remember that we can't control everything that happens in the world. We can only control our own actions.

Man: Yeah, I guess that's true.

Woman: So, maybe we can start by focusing on the things that we can control.

Man: Like what?

Woman: Like our own happiness. We can choose to be happy, even if the world around us is not.

Man: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Woman: And maybe we can also focus on helping others. When we help others, it makes us feel good, and it also makes the world a better place.

Man: Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea.

Woman: So, let's try to focus on the positive things in our lives, and let's try to make a difference in the world.

Man: I think I can do that.

Woman: Me too.

The man and woman smile at each other.