by Bob Odenkirk
First published 2013
Bob Odenkirk and David Cross open their filing cabinets to reveal the comedy projects that never made it to screens. The Mr. Show creators gather their rejected pitches, unproduced scripts, and abandoned sketches into one collection. Two complete screenplays anchor the book: Bob and David Make a Movie, enhanced with new storyboards by artist Mike Mitchell, and Hooray For America, a satirical takedown of American institutions. The duo also resurrect orphaned sketch concepts from their Mr. Show era and later collaborations. These pieces showcase the same irreverent humor that made their HBO series a cult favorite, but with the creative freedom that comes from never facing network notes or budget constraints. The collection captures the comedy that exists in the space between brilliant idea and green-lit project, where writers can push boundaries without compromise.
Genres: satire, non-fiction, comedy
Vibes: fast-paced, irreverent, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-freedom, found-family
Setting: Hollywood
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
274 pages · Paperback · Grand Central Publishing