By Josh Modell November 13, 2007 Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim started making videos to entertain each other and alleviate film-school tedium, and wound up stumbling into comedy careers almost by accident. They sent some of their absurdist, uncomfortable bits to Mr. Show's Bob Odenkirk, who helped them usher the dry, divisive, often wonderful Tom Goes To The Mayor onto Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
Heidecker and Wareheim's next show, the live-action, sketch-based Tim And Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, gives the uninitiated an easier entry into their minds: Inspired by Mr. Show and Monty Python but truly original, Awesome Show mixes over-the-top absurdity with subtly weird bits and guest stars like oddly engaging senior citizen Richard Dunn and cable-access personality David Liebe Hart. In just 10 11-minute episodes, beginning early in 2007, Awesome Show introduced a slew of unforgettable characters who magnify everyday ridiculousness: John C. Reilly plays painfully uncomfortable "expert" Steve Brule on a news show starring Heidecker and Wareheim as "the only married news team"; they also play "Casey and his brother," a public-access nightmare duo whose jokes are simply horrible, wonderful songs. It's painful at times, but also some of the funniest, most innovative comedy on TV right now.
