David Cross has a knack for getting involved with deeply beloved but underwatched projects. All three of the TV shows he’s starred in have been labeled “cult classics”: Arrested Development; Mr. Show With Bob and David, currently revived for Netflix as With Bob and David; and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (he also had a hand in the creation and writing of the latter two programs). But now, thanks to two decades of appearances on television, in movies, and in comedy clubs around the world, he’s turned into something of a household name. To further assert his presence, he’s hitting the road with the most stand-up dates he’s ever performed on a single tour, visiting cities he’s never been to, on his “Making America Great Again!” trip.
A lot of things you work on recently came back from a long hiatus: Arrested Development, Todd Margaret, Bob and David. Is that your MO?
I have no set formula. But this set that I’m doing and as it’s shaped up to be and is shaping up to be—it’s always changing, it’s pretty amorphous: I would say it turns out to be about a third anecdotal stuff, things I’ve observed and things that happened to me on a plane. Then a third of it is some kind of political or topical zeitgeisty stuff with religion thrown in. And then a third is just pure silly, stupid jokes—dumb stand-up goofy jokes.
What was it like going to work on Bob and David after 20 years?
Do it! You know more about that world than I do. Get on it.
Wed 3/16, 7:30 and 10 PM, the Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, jamusa.com, $39.
