Commentary: ‘Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness’ Is Just Historical ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
by Frank Martin
It’s not uncommon for actors and comedians to have similar styles across projects. Often, stand-up comics will produce a sitcom based off of their on-stage material. Writers tend to do something similar. In terms of Larry David, the kind of comedy he was writing for Seinfeld eventually evolved into his HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. He played an exaggerated version of himself who winds up in ridiculous situations that he approached with sarcasm and skepticism. That character has lived on in his new show, Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness, which pretty much takes the same approach to history.
The series essentially has no story. It is more akin to sketch comedy or an anthology as every episode features short vignettes that take place across various points in American history. It touches upon everything from the founding of the United States, to the Wright Brothers’ first flight, to the Great Depression, the McCarthy hearings, and even President James Buchanan‘s mishandling of the years leading up to the Civil War.
A very interesting point about the show is that David doesn’t exclude himself from playing nameless figures. Although he portrays famous historical people like Buchanan and Senator Joseph McCarthy, he also embodies everyday citizens, such as a generous host harboring runaway slaves during the time of the Underground Railroad. What links all of these different portrayals together is the same kind of humor David has made himself famous for. In every single role, regardless of the time period or if it’s a famous figure, he still has his trademark pessimism and sarcasm that annoys everyone around him. Of course, if you’re not a fan of Larry David, then you won’t be a fan of this show. But since he has made himself such an integral part of it, it’s fair to say that fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm will most definitely get a kick out of this historical take on his comedy.
Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness is now streaming on HBO Max.