Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1516 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-17
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 300 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Curb Your Enthusiasm is the brainchild of star-creator Larry David, who cocreated Seinfeld and was the basis for the easily rattled George Costanza. Like George, David has a tendency to speak too much, blow things out of proportion, and, most often, fail in the end (and often liking it that way). David's new show is also like its predecessor; it's about "nothing" except following the day-to-day ramblings of a sometime writer and comic (this time in LA). Eternal questions stemming from universal daily dilemmas are honed to perfect comedic absurdity. A notable exception is that the show is only scripted by plot; much of the action is improvised. The first season starts with a one-hour mockumentary following David's return to stand-up for the first time in years. The other 10 episodes follow a more traditional sit-com setup.

David plays "himself" (as does his friend, Richard Lewis) although his manager and wife are played by comedians Jeff Garlin and Cheryl Hines. Although this first season is a comedic gem, one can't take more than an episode or two at a time--it's caustic, biting comedy. The episodes are often built like a house of cards, which the irritable David will surely collapse by the end. --Doug Thomas

DVD Description
Episodes:

• The Pants Tent
  
• Ted and Mary
  
• Porno Gil
  
• The Bracelet
  
• Interior Decorator
  
• The Wire
  
• AAMCO
  
• Beloved Aunt
  
• Affirmative Action
  
• The Group

Special Features

• Total Running Time: 360 mins
  
• Region Code: 2

Customer Reviews

Improvised comedic gems
Larry David has a tendency to speak too much, blow things out of proportion, and, most often, fail in the end (and often liking it that way). David's new show is also like its predecessor: it's about "nothing" except following the day-to-day ramblings of a sometime writer and comic (this time in L.A.). Eternal questions stemming from universal daily dilemmas are honed to perfect comedic absurdity. A notable exception is the show is only scripted by plot; much of the action is improvised. The first season starts with a one-hour mockumentary following David's return to stand-up for the first time in years; the other 10 episodes follow a more traditional sit-com setup.


Well, Larry David, creator of the over-rated SEINFELD, plays himself in a Los Angeles version of Seinfeld with bad language and strange situations. Partners in crime include Larry's agent and best friend, Jeff Greene, and comedian-friend Richard Lewis. Other celeb's, such as Ted Danson, make an appearance. With every episode, Larry runs afoul of almost everyone he encounters, not to mention his wife, Cheryl, and Jeff's shrewish wife, Susie. In Season 1 included are many classic moments, among the best might be the disastrous "porn dinner party," where Larry is forced to do an embarrassing "double goodbye." None of the shows, however, are weak.


Having watched CYE recently, and when factoring in Larry's seven seasons on Seinfeld, I now subscribe to the Tao of Larry. What is it, you ask? Perhaps it's that people are functionally insane; that no good deed goes unpunished (or bad deed for that matter); and that we are creatures of passion and habit, not our environment. Some might find Larry the world's most obnoxious man. Others (and I'm one) might find him the funniest. If there is a "Seinfeld Curse" it certainly does not apply to Larry. While at times too confrontational, Larry is more often than not, I think, right. Some people wonder, "What Would Jesus Do?" I often wonder, "What Would Larry David do?" Spread the word.

Understandably, people have made comparisons of CYE and Seinfeld, which Larry David had a major hand in. However, in my opinion it's much better than Seinfeld. Fans of The Office will easily take to CYE, (and will be able to see where Ricky Gervais stole some of his ideas from!).


It's not a show for minors due to some of the language as well as some of the situations and themes, which are not particularly suitable for kids. However I think that this is one of the rare occasions where adult themes and strong language work well in a TV show and somewhat surprisingly, demonstrates how frequent swearing can be made to be very funny indeed!


Larry David's life, as presented in this HBO series, is one long excruciating faux pas. The plot twists in this first season sometimes come across as a bit too forced and coincidental, an aspect that was greatly improved upon in the second season, but the most important question is: Are the laughs there? They certainly are. The criticism of some reviewers that a little Larry David goes a long way is well taken--your enjoyment of this series will depend on how you feel about him. I think he's funny. The episodes guest-starring Richard Lewis are doubly funny. They should make greater use of him as a foil for Larry. They have great chemistry with natural, unforced repartee.

A little something to make you chuckle and sometimes cry with laughter
So here it is. My first attempt at a review.
I first came across Larry David being interviewed by Ricky Gervais and the two struck a chord, with outtakes from each of their programmes shown being funny and intriguing. I thought little more until late one night I came across an episode from the second series of curb. The Doll. I laughed so much I did in fact cry. So I thought I'd start from the beginning.
Larry David as a character reminds my of me, my stubborn dad, my awkward uncle and my cynical grandad all rolled in to one. Therein lies the treasure. The comedy that to which we can all relate. If only we can all tolerate the profanity and rather fruitful subject matter. Because if you can, and you begin to know Mr David you will appreciate every sneer, snop, snook, neeeeer, neaaaap or flinch, jerk and yelp he expresses. But this does not do him justice because the comedy is deeper and structured so that the slightest aspects of the 'script' will later leave you, like me, a dribbling mess of giggles and tears.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha bonk
that was me laughing my head off
The funniest stuff I've ever seen.
My wife said he was very funny, but she won't watch it because Larry is offensive and shouts argues a lot.

For me the funniest bit ever though is where his mate tells him to climb inside someone's a**ehole when they offend him.