 The show is based on a short film  _Tom Goes to the Mayor (2002)_ (qv) by Tim Heidecker (I) (qv) and  Eric Wareheim (qv) which appeared in independent film festivals as  well as on Tim and Erics website. Tim and Eric sent copies of the  short to a few of their favorite comedians including  Bob Odenkirk (qv) who liked it so much he showed it to  David Cross (II) (qv). Cross later made a cameo in the sequel  _Tom Goes to the Mayor Returns (2003)_ (qv). Odenkirk later worked  with Tim and Eric to develop the short into a series.