But that doesn’t mean every episode is flawless. Sometimes the show really makes it hard to suspend disbelief, like when a rabbi (of all people) in “The Survivor” refers to a game-show contestant as “a survivor” without recognizing the obvious misunderstanding to come. There are also times, especially in the later seasons, when Larry does things that feel forced or out of character in order to move the plot forward. The season 10 premiere, for instance, has him dip his nose into two cups of coffee as a temperature test (something that would drive the old Curb‘s Larry absolutely insane) and open his own coffee shop to drive the next-door establishment out of business. Cartoonish exaggerations. By contrast, the show’s greatest episodes don’t feel fake at all. Everything that happens seems natural to the characters, gradually tying into a knot of miscommunication and frustration that Larry cannot untangle. There are many epiosdes that fit this description, of course, but let’s just take an unranked look at 10 of them.
10
“The Bracelet”
Season 1, Episode 4
It’s fascinating to go through the very first season and behold how well the formula was set at the beginning. In “The Bracelet,” Larry doesn’t listen to Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) during the last minutes of a football game, so he decides to get her a bracelet to make up for that. But he hasn’t shaved and wears his workout clothes to the snobby jewelry store, which doesn’t end well.
It’s really the small, random things that make this episode (and many more) so good. How priceless when he asks a guy on the street to call a number for him because he hates his friend’s girlfriend so much. Larry apparently hasn’t thanked Richard (Richard Lewis) in two years, and the way they wind up arguing about walking is classic. There’s also Larry’s theory about the male genitalia, his problem with tipping a waiter-captain, and of course the blind man who asks for help moving. The final struggle in the end makes this HBO sitcom worthy of the highest praise.
9
“The Wire”
Season 1, Episode 6
In “The Wire,” there’s a wire in the backyard that ruins the view. Cheryl wants it gone, but they need permission from two more neighbors to move it underground. Unfortunately, the lawyer husband is obsessed with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and wants to meet her in exchange for his go-ahead. Meanwhile, Larry wants Jeff (Jeff Garlin) to hire him for a lawsuit, and has to give a speech about the usefulness of pricks for Jeff to keep him.
A disagreement about the socially acceptable cutoff times to call other people is funny the first time, and it’s just as great when it every time the topic comes up again. The scene where Larry sees that he’ll have to deal with an infuriated Susie (Susie Essman) is absolutely priceless. Along with a nice connection to “The Bracelet” and a perfect final shot, “The Wire” demonstrates that this show was as strong as ever in the first season.
8
“Thor”
Season 2, Episode 2
“Thor” is sensational. Jeff has left Susie, but he doesn’t want her telling others about what he likes to do in bed. The issue of sexual deviance may sound like it’s just a Jeff thing, but just wait. Cheryl soon accuses Larry of being kinky, whose flawlessly plain sexual record is suddenly in danger. Their back-and-forth about big butts is hysterical, followed by another fantastic conversation with Wanda Sykes. Followed by an absolutely legendary confrontation with Susie, which is side-splitting on too many levels to explain here.
Meanwhile, Jason Alexander asks Larry to meet him at his place for their discussion about a new show. Of course Larry’s drive there becomes a debacle, and things only get worse. Larry’s attempt to replace his tire is delightful (with the exception of a word that wouldn’t be used so readily today), especially because people walking past him give him tips without actually stopping to help. That final scene is simple, clear, and irrefutable evidence that this show in its prime was a full-blown comedy masterpiece.
7
“The Doll”
Season 2, Episode 7
Larry’s doctor has ordered him to hydrate more. Such a simple goal, yet such catastrophic consequences in “The Doll.” Larry’s professionally obliged to go to a showing, and a woman telling him no water bottles are allowed in the theater is just the beginning of total chaos. Later, a malfunctioning bathroom lock proves an unexpectedly good cue for Vivaldi. Watching Larry try to hold a door closed and pee at the same time is so silly yet so relatable.
More comedy gold: Larry giving a doll a haircut with a Swiss Army knife while making fun of Switzerland. A headless toy leads to one of Larry’s greatest interactions with Susie in the show’s history. As the episode goes on, Larry steadily accrues a creepier and creepier reputation among the side characters—to the point where it feels like everything is set up just right for that shocking final scene. This really is one of the greatest TV comedy series of all time.
6
“The Baptism”
Season 2, Episode 9
Season two again? Yes—because this was an insanely strong batch of episodes. In “The Baptism,” Cheryl wants Larry to throw away his old maroon jacket. Her sister is getting married to a Jewish man, who is converting to Christianity exclusively for her. There is also the accusation that Larry stole Richard’s outgoing message. In classic Curb fashion, these three mundane plot threads weave together into harmonious mayhem.
We also get the concept of a man stealing tickets to Monterey, the immortal struggle to find a parking space at the airport, and Larry being the worst detective ever. As in the entry above, another Baroque master is invoked as Larry ruins the baptism to the tune of Bach‘s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” The Jewish half of the couple all secretly thank Larry for stopping this ceremony, and it’s even better that Larry loves the praise so much that he embraces it. What a catastrophe that unfolds, and the final scene superb.
5
“The Corpse-Sniffing Dog”
Season 3, Episode 7
“The Corpse-Sniffing Dog” has a strong start: restaurant-investor Larry immediately connects with a chef over being proud members of the bald community, complaining about everything from hats to minoxidil. Then we see a wine connoisseur pretentiously gargling at the dinner table, made worse by Larry’s stubborn refusal to thank the guy’s wife for the dinner. This whole conflict makes it all the more glorious when Larry has that woman’s kids thank him later in the episode.
To the other investors’ distress, Jeff’s dog Oscar smells what could be a body under the restaurant floor. Meanwhile, Jeff is so allergic to the dog that he tells his daughter she has to choose between her father and her new pet. No hesitation: the dog. Other exemplary moments include Susie just waiting outside her house, a speech impediment excuse, a disingenuous apology, and that final overhead shot with one character arriving and the other leaving.
4
“Wandering Bear”
Season 4, Episode 8
“Wandering Bear” begins with Larry watching the Girls Gone Wild commercial, and of course Jeff is watching it at the same time in his own house. Neither of their wives would approve of this, so they choose to have them ordered to Larry’s office. When Larry switches the channel from the lewd commercial to a nature show about hippos just in time for Cheryl’s appearance, we’re already fully on board for “Wandering Bear.”
Larry has no empathy for his poor assistant, whose boyfriend broke her heart out of the blue. This sets up a great dynamic: similar to how Jeff was afraid of divorcing Susie in season two, Larry is positive he can’t fire his assistant because she knows all of his dirty secrets (more than even Cheryl knows). Throw in Larry’s incompetence with a condom, Susie’s suspicions, and the deft use of old classic Western music, and you’ve got another example of why Curb your Enthusiasm was one of HBO’s most immaculate series.
3
“The Larry David Sandwich”
Season 5, Episode 1
After a near-death experience, Larry is convinced that he survived for a reason. He actually wants to go to Temple, which is so crowded that he needs to buy pricey scalper tickets. But his general demeanor hasn’t changed; he complains about such things as an impractically tiny teacup handle and an unappetizing sandwich’s ingredients. He even picks up the phone during sex: a big no-no, and an excellent set-up for the end.
Larry believes his father told him he was adopted from the hospital. This is when the episode really picks up, especially because this is when Larry’s enthusiasm picks up in response to this tantalizing possibility. Small moments include Larry being rude when someone asks if Susie is his wife and wiping his glasses with his kippah at Temple. What makes this episode really come together, though, is a dying woman’s last words. Nothing less than peak Curb.
2
“Richard Needs a Kidney”
Season 5, Episode 5
As always, things are more complicated than the title suggests. In “Richard Needs a Kidney,” Larry doesn’t want to tell his private investigator’s assistant what his call is about. This faux pas leads to an even bigger one when this situation comes up later with Richard’s assistant. Turns out Richard has basically no chance but Larry and Jeff to get a kidney; and they’re both compatible with their friend’s blood type.
A coin-flip becomes a game of eenie-meenie-miney-moe, which becomes a big fight that Susie ends conclusively. The crazy coincidence in the final scene somehow works—probably because all we need is a shot of Larry’s back to see his joy. Larry’s attempts to use a fast-food drive-thru without a car and turn snuggling into sex are very fun highlights as well. Even as late as season five, Curb Your Enthusiasm is so easy to binge.
1
“The Anonymous Donor”
Season 6, Episode 2
Presenting the very first episode with Leon (J.B. Smoove): “The Anonymous Donor.” Despite having his own place, Loretta’s brother Leon comes to stay with the family. Larry soon accuses Leon of masturbating onto a blanket, the first of many beloved arguments to come. Later, watching Leon take not one but two jerseys off of unsuspecting strangers (without Larry even asking him) is a prime example of how body language is sometimes all you need to get the laughs.
In the meantime, Ted Danson is praised for being an anonymous donor to a museum while fellow-donor Larry gets less attention. This episode also has lots of drama over a stain, two people banned from each other’s houses, and a final chase scene that brings everything full circle. Some shows can make their mark in five seasons or less, but “The Anonymous Donor” supports the case that Curb‘s sixth season might just be the best of the bunch.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Release Date
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2000 – 2024-00-00
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
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Jeff Schaffer
- Directors
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Robert B. Weide, Larry Charles, David Steinberg, Bryan Gordon, Alec Berg, Andy Ackerman, David Mandel, Barry Gordon, Cheryl Hines, Dean Parisot