Mr. Show - Season 1

My good friend was always telling me how much he loved the HBO skit show 'Mr. Show,' saying how it was the best thing HBO has ever done. He would quote it endlessly and always show me clips from the episodes. His recommendations have always been solid, for instance recently he has turned me on to great movies such as 'Whatever Works' and 'Irreversible' (one of the most powerful and well directed movies I have ever seen). So finally I decided to watch it.
The first season of 'Mr. Show' is only four episodes long, but they give a great indication as to how the show would be over the next three seasons of its run. The show consists of comedians David Cross and Bob Odenkirk doing a stage skit show, like 'The Chappelle Show'. However, this show is much different from your run of the mill sketch show. Probably the most appealing aspect of 'Mr. Show' is the seamless yet random change over from one skit to another. For example, one skit begins with a show called the 'Bible Machine,' which ends up with a salesman trying to pitch a product, which changes over to the story of the voice over man for the pitched product. The transitions are ridiculous and hilarious, where many random aspects of the show being pitched in commercials. It gives the atmosphere of a skit show but the continuity of a sitcom.
I have always though David Cross was funny, and he is definitely on his A game in 'Mr. Show.' He is a sharp, overbearing, and oftentimes creepy presence, and his ironic dialogue is assisted by his hilarious facial expressions. I never knew who Bob Odenkirk was, but now after watching the show I know he can be just as funny as David Cross. In fact, they are a perfect pair for the kind of biting satire 'Mr. Show' aims for. Bob is a jack of all trades on the show; he plays a pastor, a senator, a voice over man, a game show host, and many other random professions over the course of the season, and he excels at each point. They both work very well together, both on stage and through their writing.
Another great aspect of the show is that David and Bob are practically the only performers during the entire 30 minutes, with a few delightful supporting comedians to fill in the blanks as well as a few guest stars. It seems that at least parts of the show are performed live, and the ability for David and Bob to change roles on the fly during their skits is very impressive. Sometimes each of them can be playing up to five different characters in one sketch. Their performances and brand of humor make the skits.
Even in four episodes 'Mr. Show' has been hilarious, well written, and borderline ridiculous. Being on HBO, some of the jokes can also be slightly racist and there is no lack of colorful language, but none of it is over the top and this freedom actually gives the show more comedic value. I find myself quoting the more memorable lines from the episodes, such as 'I don't come down to where you work and slap the dick out of your mouth.' The first season was very raw and I hope that after being given another season David and Bob can write up even more slap stick comedy and biting satire. I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes, and 'Mr. Show' shows us that great TV relies on good writing and stage presence, not cliche humor and reality idiots.