The “utterly shameful” 2003 movie Bob Odenkirk will always regret: “Shitty and not funny”

Bob Odenkirk has said he regrets the 2003 Comedy Central pilot *Highway to Oblivion*, calling its female lead “utterly shameful” and the writing “shitty and not funny”. He said the character was badly conceived despite an actress he admired, and that the project’s failure showed how a weak central role could undermine otherwise strong work.

Odenkirk made the pilot after years writing for *Saturday Night Live*, *The Ben Stiller Show* and late-night television, and after directing the cult comedy *Run Ronnie Run* in 2002. He told The AV Club that the pilot had elements he considered “genius”, but it was not picked up; he did not write or direct another project for three years.