Larry David fans still mourning the end of Curb Your Enthusiasm will be closing their spite stores early and studiously bypassing any dreaded stop-and-chats on Friday as they rush home to catch a new show created by the veteran comedian.
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America, a sketch show about moments in American history, will be released on the streaming service HBO Max this week, marking the Seinfield co-creator’s first major project since ending Curb’s run after nearly quarter of a century in 2024.
A limited series, the show features cameos from a raft of famous faces, from the likes of Jon Hamm and Jane Krakowski to former US president Barack Obama. In David tradition, the kvetching comedian will play an exaggerated version of himself – misanthropic, endlessly petty and socially inept – this time in period costume.
Other celebrity guest stars to appear include Henry Winkler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Vince Vaughan.
Viewers will also spot Jerry Seinfeld along with David’s former Curb cast mates Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman and JB Smoove.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground is producing the series.
No details of the skit featuring the former president have been disclosed, but commenting on his scene partner at the series’ premiere this week, David praised Obama’s “perfect” comedic timing, adding: “He was really good at ad-libbing.”
Speaking to industry publication Variety, David said that acting alongside the ex-president was “really trippy”.
“It was exciting. We had a great time,” he said.
Asked whether he thought Obama’s turn in front of the camera might earn him an Emmy award, David replied: “I wouldn’t go that far.”
His feelings toward the current US president were rather less warm, however. Remarking on Donald Trump’s decision to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4 by hosting an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fight at the White House earlier this month, David lamented: “It was a travesty.”
He said: “What else can you say about it? It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed to be an American.”
UK audiences will be able to stream Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on HBO Max one day after US viewers, on Saturday.
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