Curb Your Enthusiasm and Larry David return this Sunday, July 10 at 10 P.M on HBO and it looks like we can look forward to more awkward situations from Larry when he brings the show to New York City.
Prior trips to the Big Apple for The Producers and for a role in a Martin Scorsese film have resulted in endless problems for Larry including issues with tipping and tourist interaction (played brilliantly by Stephen Colbert). This trip looks like it will be no different as Larry David returns to our screens nearly two years after the Curb season 7 Seinfeld reunion. So why the long gap between seasons?
Favourite Curb potty mouth Susie Essman (Susie Greene) spoke to Vulture and explained David's process when it comes to agreeing to do another season:
"Well, after every season, Larry says, 'That’s it, I’m not doing another season.' After every season. And then he’ll finish editing, and the show will air, and then I’ll get a call, and he’ll say, 'I’m not promising anything, but I am letting you know I’m working on a couple of outlines. But until I get at least eight outlines, I’m not promising. I’m just letting you know I’m working on it.' And then another couple of months later I’ll get another phone call: 'I’m still not promising anything.' And then finally he’ll call me and say, 'All right, we’re doing it.' So, you know, every season he says that, and we’re the longest-running series on HBO."
The freedom to not have to come back every year with a new season is probably what helps keep Curb fresh, giving David the chance to come up with new and more outrageous scenario's for Larry to become embroiled in, even if as an audience we know that the comedy will often come from Larry breaking polite social conventions. In fact one of my favourite things about this show is that you can see how Larry will get in to bother before it has even happened, but it is watching this unfold with the knowledge of what Larry is like that makes this show a joy (albeit an awkward joy) to watch.
From the four episode descriptions you can already try and figure out what might happen in the episode, episode 3 is one that stands out as one that will see the uncomfortable humor go off the chart. Here are the descriptions for the first four episodes of season 8:
Episode 8.01 "The Divorce" (July 10):
Larry learns his lawyer isn't kosher, and rescinds a cookie order from the Girl-Scout daughter of a beleaguered sports owner.
Episode 8.02 "The Safe House" (July 17):
Larry becomes an unlikely role model for battered women; Richard Lewis' relationship with a burlesque performer is put to the test; Leon survives a case of mistaken identity.
Episode 8.03 "Palestinian Chicken" (July 24):
Larry plays 'social assassin' to the hilt at a dinner party, on the golf course, and at a Palestinian restaurant with chicken to die for.
Episode 8.04 "The Smiley Face" (July 31):
Larry vows to topple a sacred dating taboo, and regrets making concessions to his new office neighbor; Jeff's alibi to get out of a dinner backfires.
Larry is indeed a 'social assassin' who will encounter many a famous face this season, from regulars such as Wanda Sykes and Rosie O'Donnell to new members of the Curbverse such as awkward humor pro Ricky Gervais, The Sopranos Aida Turturro and legend Michael J. Fox. Fans will also be happy to know that J.B. Smoove is back as Leon and will be venturing to the East coast with the rest of the regular cast.
What we don't know is whether Larry is back with Cheryl and if the divorce in the title for episode 1 refers to them. The Seinfeld reunion special that was the focus of season 7 was orchestrated by Larry to win Cheryl back, a ploy that looked like it had worked. Unfortunately for Larry he might have ruined the whole plan by finding out the Cheryl might not "respect wood", after she left a stain on his new coffee table, did this moment remind Cheryl of why she broke up with Larry in the first place? Or is another couple getting a divorce?
Below is the promo for season 8 which shows some of the mishaps that Larry will cause and be involved in with both the general public and with those nearest and dearest to him. There is also a behind the scenes look at season 8 featuring many of the seasons regular cast and guest stars, including my own personal favourite Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein).
Are you looking forward to season 8 of Curb Your Enthusiasm? Let us know in the comments below.
Be sure to tune in to HBO this Sunday, July 10 at 10 P.M. to catch the latest Larry David antics.
