David Cross Shares His Thoughts on His New Comedy Special, Returning to Clubs After 20 Years, and Live Nation’s DOJ Settlement on the Comedy Means Business Podcast
Over the past four decades, David Cross has established himself as a versatile force in the entertainment industry. An Emmy-winning comedian and two-time Grammy nominee, he played a pivotal role in the rise of alternative comedy during the 1990s, beginning his stand-up career in late ’80s Boston as a teenager.
While Cross’s extensive body of work spans various mediums, he is perhaps best known for his contributions to television. His iconic HBO sketch series Mr. Show, co-created with Bob Odenkirk, remains a seminal work in the comedy genre. Cross is equally recognized for his unforgettable portrayal of Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development and for creating cult favorites like The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret. Additionally, he has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films and has directed and starred in several major music videos, collaborating with artists such as Yo La Tengo and Modest Mouse.
Despite this expansive portfolio, Cross views himself primarily as a stand-up comedian. He returns this month with The End of the Beginning of the End, the ninth special of his career. In this new material, he addresses a range of topics, from sneaker hoarding to recent rollbacks on reproductive rights. The special is currently available on his website, with a streaming release on YouTube set for April 7.
In a recent appearance on the Comedy Means Business podcast, Cross delved into his creative process and discussed how the landscape of political comedy has evolved from the George W. Bush era to the current age of Donald Trump. He reflected on his journey from personal challenges in his 20s to his breakthrough as a writer on The Ben Stiller Show. Cross also shared insights into his preference for performing in music-oriented venues, his long-awaited return to comedy clubs this year after decades, and even his hopes for resurrecting an unproduced television series. Furthermore, he offered his thoughts on Live Nation’s recent antitrust settlement with the DOJ.
For those interested, the complete conversation is available to listen to through the provided link.
