In this SmartLess episode, Larry David opens up about his unconventional path to comedy stardom, from early standup gigs and writing for others, to creating the groundbreaking hit Seinfeld. The conversation delves into David's creative process, his determination to push sitcom boundaries, and the improvisational freedom behind his long-running Curb Your Enthusiasm.
David also shares amusing anecdotes about his quirky personal habits and preferences, such as finding solace in the bathroom, disliking dogs near his food, and avoiding social obligations. The episode offers a candid glimpse into the mind of the iconic comedian as he reflects on his acclaimed career and potential future endeavors, even jokingly pondering becoming an NFL coordinator.
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Larry David, before gaining fame as a comedian, earned a bachelor's degree in history without any initial intentions to enter showbiz. It wasn't until he started doing stand-up comedy in 1980s New York clubs with the humble financial goal of making $200 per week that his path to entertainment began to take shape. David also honed his skills by writing for other comedians such as Gilbert Gottfried and eventually met and collaborated with Jerry Seinfeld on comedic premises, setting the stage for their future successful partnership.
In 1988, Jerry Seinfeld brought Larry David on board to develop a television pilot for NBC named "The Seinfeld Chronicles," which later became "Seinfeld." The show, centered around a stand-up comedian's life experiences, was groundbreaking due to the creative freedom the duo enjoyed from the network, allowing them to push the boundaries of traditional network television. Larry David's determination to resist conventional sitcom formats and studio notes led to a new era of television comedy that thrived on originality and the unexpected.
Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," originally a one-off special, evolved into a series that enjoys significant longevity in television. David prefers to keep children out of the show, finding that their absence from the narrative structure is beneficial. He relishes the improvisational style of the series, playing a semi-fictional version of himself that is allowed to be cranky, a characteristic that he seems to enjoy both on and off-screen. The freedom to express unfiltered thoughts during improvisation has been both enjoyable and cathartic for David.
Larry David's personal life is marked by unique habits and strong preferences. He prefers to eat without dogs nearby and expresses a broad dislike for holidays, especially Halloween, and social obligations including birthday dinners and parties with guests he does not know. When at home, David resorts to sneaking snacks into the bathroom to avoid dogs, an anecdote revealing his desire for uninterrupted tranquility. Additionally, although not detailed in the provided text, David's disdain for repetition likely impacted his experience with performing in Broadway shows.
Larry David humorously contemplates becoming an offensive coordinator for an NFL team despite his lack of football experience, suggesting his creativity could translate to game strategy. Currently, he is enjoying a mostly relaxed retirement lifestyle, engaging in leisure activities like reading, watching TV, and playing golf, fitting for someone of his humor and unconventional outlook.
1-Page Summary
Before Larry David became a household name in comedy, he pursued a bachelor's degree in history during his college years.
David had no original plans to enter the showbiz industry. He studied history in college, not with any intention of becoming a historian or a professor, but simply as a means to complete his college education.
Despite not having showbiz ambitions initially, Larry David aspired to be a stand-up comedian. By 1987, he was performing in New York clubs with modest financial aspirations. Content with the idea of making just $200 a week from his stand-up acts, he had no grand plans to expand his career beyond the New York club scene.
Larry David also took up writing comedy, and he crafted material for other comedians like Gilbert Gottfried. His involv ...
Larry David's background and early career
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The history of "Seinfeld" not only showcases its transformation into a television staple but also reveals the groundbreaking elements that shaped sitcoms for years to come.
Larry David was approached by Jerry Seinfeld in 1988 to collaborate on a television pilot for NBC, which would develop into "The Seinfeld Chronicles." Seinfeld had been impressed by a screenplay by David and believed together they could create a unique show. The premise centered on a comedian, played by Seinfeld himself, gathering experiences from his everyday life to fuel his stand-up routines.
Will Arnett notes that the show originally bore the longer title "The Seinfeld Chronicles," before eventually being shortened to "Seinfeld." The pilot aired in the summer of 1989, with the initial episodes following in June 1990.
Larry David vividly remembers the astonishment he shared with Seinfeld about the level of creative freedom granted to them by the network. They felt they were bending the rules of what was traditionally acceptable on network television, introducing a novel approach to sitcom storytelling. Jason Bateman and Will Arnett acknowledge David's role in crafting what would become one of the greatest American television shows by pushing these boundaries.
The endeavor did not proceed without tension, as David recalls a particularly contentious meeting ...
The creation of Seinfeld and why the show was so groundbreaking
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" has enjoyed a long run, bringing laughter to audiences through its unique brand of humor. One significant aspect of its success is the improvisational format that allows for organic, often unexpected comedic moments.
Initially, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was not planned as a series. The first special was merely a one-off centering on Larry David's return to stand-up comedy and happened to include children. However, Larry David found the inclusion of children to be limiting.
After the first special, Larry David made the creative decision to avoid featuring children in future episodes. He preferred the show without constant justification of the kids' whereabouts, finding it funnier and more convenient for the narrative structure.
Larry David personally enjoys playing a version of himself that is perpetually cranky on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." He has indicated that the improvisational nature of the show, particularly not aiming for humor but achieving it organically, is what renders the process enjoyable and even cathartic. The freedom to express whatever comes to mind during improvisation adds another layer of enjoyment to his performance.
Moreover, David appreciates the blurred lines between his real-life persona and the curmudgeonly character he portrays. This blending of realiti ...
Long run and longevity of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry David reveals his unique personal habits and preferences, ranging from his struggles with dogs during mealtime to his disdain for social obligations.
Larry David enjoys the tranquility of eating without the presence of dogs, finding it relaxing to dine when they are not around. He is unable to eat with the dogs nearby, as they bother him for food—a behavior he blames on his partner, who started feeding the dogs from the table.
David has a strong aversion to holidays, describing them as detestable, and cites Halloween as particularly loathsome due to costumes, kids, and disturbances like door knocking—so much so that he keeps his house dark to avoid participating. He also shows no affection for Thanksgiving and Christmas, though he finds New Year's slightly more tolerable as it marks the end of the holiday season.
When it comes to birthdays, David is overwhelmed by the task of replying to birthday emails and is uncomfortable with the practice of having "Happy Birthday" sung to him. Furthermore, he loathes dinner parties, partly due to the secrecy of guest lists and the anxiety of spending time with unknown individuals. David asserts his preference for transparency, stating that he would inform his guests who else was attending if he were hosting a dinner party. Fellow actors Will Arnett and Jason Bateman share similar sentiments, discussing their reluctance to attend events like one-year-old birthday parties, weddings, and bar mitzvahs.
Within the dynamics of his household, David takes snacks into the bathroom to avoid the dogs ...
Larry's personal habits and preferences
Larry David, known for his humor, shares his unconventional future aspirations and current retirement activities.
Larry David humorously expresses his desire to become an offensive coordinator for an NFL team even though he lacks experience in football play-calling or strategy. He jokes that if he were to dedicate time to studying and had the right mentorship, he could excel at creating plays, believing play-calling aligns with creative tasks which he is familiar with.
Larry David's future plans
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