Mr. Show: The Complete Third Season

Reviewed by:
Paul Ulane

Late night took a strange turn for the better in the mid-’90s, when Mr. Show surfaced from the cable woodwork like Saturday Night Live on acid. With a sense of humor. And Coke-bottle glasses. Bob Odenkirk and David Cross (glasses) took sketch comedy to new depths of absurdity with half-hour episodes of peculiar, topical, uproarious skits that were ahead of their time. Now, the third season is presented in its wandering entirety, with extravagant extras to boot! Get insightful commentary from cast and writers, including gems from Cross such as “My mom would become sexually aroused if she saw me dressed as a rabbi.” Ahem. Moving on, you can catch the fellas’ promos for the ’97 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, then watch their live performance from the show. There’s also a best-of (“Fantastic Newness”), original HBO commercials (sample title: “Bite out of Herpes”) and a “Where Are They Now?” wrap-up, which, fittingly, doesn’t answer the question. No matter. With this set, you can enjoy Bob and Dave in their prime without worrying with their whereabouts. Unless they’re outside your window. Then we’d suggest you call the cops.