Neurotic. Stubborn. Bald. Larry David is many things, but above all he’s hilarious.
Last Sunday David’s hit series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” began its highly anticipated sixth season, after much speculation that the show would be ending after last season.
Since the series debut in 2000, “Curb” has steadily grown into one of the most popular television shows on the air, garnering numerous Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series.
The premise of the show is simple; David plays himself, the semi-retired co-creator of “Seinfeld.” Despite having money, a loving wife and famous friends, he can’t seem to avoid making a mess of his life.
Each episode features David getting into everyday confrontations and predicaments with fictional and real-life personalities. With him are his beautiful wife Cheryl David (played by Cheryl Hines) and his loyal, portly manager Jeff Greene (played by Jeff Garlin), who help to bring about David’s socially inept side.
What makes “Curb” so funny is how David handles the most trivial of situations. For David, a phone call can turn into a nightmare. A run in with an acquaintance can become a fiasco.
Time after time, David gets caught in the most uncomfortable situations, allowing the audience to both laugh and cringe at his misfortune.
“Curb” is produced in a fairly unconventional manner: the show is entirely unscripted. David writes outlines for the episodes, but it is up to his fellow actors to improvise their dialogue.
They must act according to the events in the scene and feed off one another in order to make the moment funny. This allows for more realistic reactions to David’s discomfort.
Furthermore, the show is shot with hand-held cameras to create a documentary feel, something other television series like “The Office” and “Arrested Development” have since attempted to imitate.
The sixth season seems to be the most daring and daunting for David, as was evident in the premiere episode.
After a major hurricane leaves thousands homeless, the Davids take in a displaced Black family, whose lives have been destroyed by the storm.
In the ultimate sense of irony, the head of the Black family (played by Vivica A. Fox) improperly disposes a cigarette in David’s house, causing a fire and leaving both the Davids and the Blacks without a home.
It appears that David’s trademark style of ironic and cringe-worthy humor will be returning in full swing for season six.
Fans and newcomers to the show can rest assured that the new season of “Curb,” as Larry would say, is looking pretty, pretty, pretty good!
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