Larry David’s new HBO show sets title, release date and cast
Larry David revealed some key details about his upcoming HBO comedy series during a talk at SXSW on Friday.
The sketch show, which premieres June 26, is titled “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America” and satirizes the United States in celebration of its 250th anniversary.
The series, directed by “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Seinfeld” alumnus Jeff Schaffer, consists of seven episodes, each containing approximately four sketches. It will feature a rotating cast with many “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alumni, including Jeff Garlin, JB Smoove and Susie Essman, who plays Susan B. Anthony.
David and Schaffer also revealed some other guest stars: Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn will play Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, Jon Hamm and Sean Hayes will play the Wright brothers, and David and Jerry Seinfeld will play Lewis and Clark. Vince Vaughn will also guest star. And even Barack Obama – whose production company Higher Ground is producing the show – will appear opposite David in one sketch.
“On ‘Curb’ and on ‘Seinfeld,’ I was the boss. I’m used to being the boss,” David said. “And Obama is also quite used to being in charge.”
In true producer fashion, former POTUS gave David notes on the first script of the series.
“I don’t think this is the right thing to do,” David recalls Obama saying, prompting David to shoot him a look: “Really?”
Obama apparently said, “When I was in the White House, I was taking notes from my advisors, and I was the President of the United States!”
And David shot back: “I’m president here.”
As with “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the show is not traditionally scripted, meaning every sketch has an outline, but most of the dialogue is improvised. Schaffer described the show as “‘Curb’ in costume.”
A short clip of “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” was shown to the audience at SXSW. In the sketch, Larry witnesses the famous “VJ Day in Times Square” moment, which became the cover image of Life magazine, in which a Navy sailor kisses a complete stranger after the end of World War II. Inspired, Larry picks up a random woman and kisses her on the lips. She is shocked and calls him a “son of a bitch,” and in classic “Curb” fashion, Larry is soon surrounded by an angry mob in Times Square.
While the series focuses on 250 years of American history, David said the current political climate is “touched upon several times.” Schaffer joked, “It’s a little strange to be celebrating our nation right now. It’s like having a birthday party for your friend in rehab.”
When asked if he ever considered retiring after “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which ended after 12 seasons in 2024, David, who is 78 years old, joked that he could never quit “because… I’m so talented.”
“Until someone can walk out of their house and not be annoyed by another human being, we will always have a job,” Schaffer said.
David added: “The only reason I ever left my house was to connect with people to have ideas. Otherwise there is no reason to leave your house.”
Watch a preview clip of “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America” below.
