Created by Larry David
Starring: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman
“Hear the birds? Sometimes I like to pretend that I’m deaf and I try to imagine what it’s like not to be able to hear them. It’s not that bad.”
Larry David as Larry David
Either you find Larry David funny, or you don’t. There doesn’t seem to be much gray area. I am one of those that find him funny. Some hate his character on Curb Your Enthusiasm stating that he is a pompous, selfish, neurotic self important jerk. But, if you watch the show, you see that Larry gets his comeuppance on a regular basis for his behavior and that once and awhile, Larry shows that he has a heart. So, where do we find Larry and the gang in the seventh season of the series?
The Series
Just in case you aren’t familiar with the series, let me catch you up to speed on what the show is about. Curb Your Enthusiasm stars Larry David (Seinfeld writer, co-creator, and executive producer) playing himself. Well, an extreme version of himself. Larry is accompanied by fictional re-creations of his ‘real friends’, usually played by themselves. Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Wanda Sykes, and Richard Lewis all have recurring roles as characters based upon themselves. Cheryl Hines stars as Larry’s wife, although she is not his wife in real life. Also, comedian Jeff Garlin plays his agent and friend.
The show is set after Seinfeld has been on the air and has run its course. Most of the episodes revolve around Larry’s interactions with his friends and neighbors, with Larry often at odds with the other characters, usually to Larry’s detriment. Believe me when I say that you haven’t seen someone socially misstep as consistently and as severely as Larry does.
The episodes included in this set are Funkhouser’s Crazy Sister, Vehicular Fellatio, The Reunion, The Hot Towel, Denise Handicapped, The Bare Midriff, The Black Swan, Officer Krupke, The Table Read and Seinfeld.
The seventh season of the series finds Larry putting together the old Seinfeld gang for a reunion show, which presents a rich ground for Larry’s mode of operation for making things difficult and socially awkward for those that surround him.
There are some funny appearances by Christian Slater, Sherry Stringfield, Rosie O’Donnell, Meg Ryan and Sharon Lawrence this season. Catherine O’Hara turns in a hysterical performance as Larry’s friend Funkhouser’s mentally unstable and eccentric sister.
Even though the season relies heavily on the audiences memories of their appreciation of Seinfeld and its characters, I still think this is a great season of the show. Not my favorite perhaps, but a strong entry.
One of the funniest episodes of this season, if not possibly one of the most “politically incorrect” is “Denise Handicapped” Larry, dating a wheelchair-bound woman mostly out of guilt, realizes he gets to take advantage of the perks society affords her as well. Meanwhile, following an argument over picking up a lunch check, he hopes to end a rumor that Rosie O’Donnell can beat him up.
The episodes based around getting the Seinfeld reunion on the air and the interactions between the former castmates are pretty funny.
I still can’t get used to Cheryl and Larry not being together in these later seasons. Perhaps next season will find them happily reunited. Well, this is Larry David, so it will be only mildly happily reunited.
So, if you are a fan of the show or a big Seinfeld fan, you will enjoy this. I am anxious to see what havoc Larry has in store for next season.
7/10
Video
The episodes are presented in 16:9 aspect ratio. The black levels are good and the overall transfer is very respectable. The colors are vibrant and I did not notice any instances of grain or artifacts.
7/10
The Audio
The episodes are presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1. The dialogue is crystal clear and well mixed with the ambient and background sounds in each episode. There are also audio and subtitle options in French and Spanish
6.5/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
The series is presented in a multi disc case with Larry David’s mug on the cover.
There are a few bonus features on this release and if you are a Seinfeld fan, you will be happy because they are really concentrated on that subject. The Seinfeld Reunion: It could on happen on Curb Your Enthusiasm is self explanatory. Rebuilding the Seinfeld Set: again, self explanatory.
Next up is Larry David as George Constanza which shows Jason Alexander coaching Larry on how to play his character.
Finally, A Seinfeld Moment on Curb Your Enthusiasm is interviews with Larry and the Seinfeld cast.
5/10
Overall (Not an Average) 7/10
The Review
The Series 7/10
The Video 7/10
The Audio 6.5/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 5/10
Overall (not an average) 7/10