Larry David, co-creator and executive producer of the hit TV show Seinfeld, is the creator and star of this straightforward yet often hilarious comedy series. Following on from the HBO comedy special Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, each episode in the series follows David in his day-to-day life and the situations that he manages to get himself or his wife, Cheryl (played by Cheryl Hines) into, that arise from circumstances that were often quite trivial to begin with.
Much of its success is due in large to the method in which the show is filmed. Verite-style, roughly defined as a style of documentary filmmaking that stresses unbiased realism. And it’s that documentary style of filming that adds reality to the reactions of the characters to the situations, no matter how superficial they may seem that makes the show so hilarious.
Although the concept of the show is quite different, the comedy at times does bear a subtle resemblance to Seinfeld, however where Seinfeld dealt with unmentionable subjects or situations through implication, Curb Your Enthusiasm handles equally uncomfortable incidents head on, often resulting in some extremely awkward and embarrassing circumstances.
Another aspect of the show is that there isn’t a set script for the actors to work with. They are given a detailed outline for each situation and are then required to improvise each scene.
Season Index:
Disc 1
The Pants Tent
Larry is concerned about the way in which his pants bulge in his groin area, and this concern is further fuelled when his wife’s’ friend mistakes the bulge in his pants for something else after she inadvertently rubs his arm in the cinema.
Ted and Mary
Larry is worried that he may have offended friends Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen after reacting rather rudely in a situation involving Mary’s mother, which could be the reason why they didn’t follow up an invitation to attend a Paul Simon concert with them.
Porno Gil
An old acquaintance of Larry’s, who was once a porno star, invites Larry and his wife to their house for a dinner party where the conversation concerns a rather inventive use for Tabasco sauce.
The Bracelet
After having an argument with his wife, Larry decides to buy her an expensive bracelet. Sounds simple enough right? Wrong. In the process he finds himself making enemies at a restaurant and in competition with his best friend for the bracelet.
Disc 2
Interior Decorator
Larry’s streak of politeness ends up back-firing on him when it involves a lawyer, a doctor, a parking lot attendant, an interior decorator and Diane Keaton.
The Wire
An annoying wire hanging across the backyard prompts Larry and his wife to take action. In order to get it buried, they’ll have to get six of their neighbours to sign an agreement, which means having to meet one of their neighbours for the first time. But he’s a lawyer and won’t sign until he gets to meet Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Elaine from Seinfeld, in person.
AAMCO
Larry gets his friend’s new Chevy rear-ended while taking it for a test drive. At a dinner party that Larry and his wife are hosting, he befriends a mechanic who happens to specialise in antique cars. But one misplaced comment could jeopardise the whole deal.
Beloved Aunt
Larry takes it upon himself to have an obituary printed in the paper for his wife’s aunt. But when a small but significant spelling mistake is found, the family is not impressed.
Disc 3
Affirmative Action
When an inappropriate joke falls flat, Larry is subjected to a series of public humiliations. The situation is not helped by his wife’s dermatitis and having to bribe his way to getting a table at a restaurant.
The Group
Larry bumps into an old girlfriend who begs him to go with her to an incest survivors group. A meeting where Larry’s uncle is later, in for a bit of a surprise.
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