Larry David teaming with the Obamas for first show since 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator, 78, is set to star in a new HBO "American history sketch comedy" series, which will be produced by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama with their company Higher Ground, the network announced Thursday, July 10.
The six-episode limited series will also be written and produced by David.
"I've sat across the table from some of the world's most difficult leaders and wrestled with some of our most intractable problems. Nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David," Barack Obama joked in a statement.
In his own statement, David quipped that it is "with a heavy heart that I return to television." The show is timed to the United States' Semiquincentennial, which is in 2026. "President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America's 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion," the official logline said. "...But then Larry David called."
Amy Gravitt, head of comedy programming at HBO and HBO Max, said the series will "give us a glimpse at our shared history as we celebrate our Semiquincentennial," while executive producer Jeff Schaffer said, "The characters Larry is playing didn't change history. In fact, they were largely ignored by history. And that's a good thing."
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The project marks David's first new television show since his long-running HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," on which he starred as a fictional version of himself, ended in 2024 after more than two decades on the air. David previously created "Seinfeld" with Jerry Seinfeld.
According to HBO, the new show, which does not yet have a title or release date, will feature some actors from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" mixed with "noteworthy guest stars."
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On "Sunday Today" in 2024, David joked he was ending "Curb Your Enthusiasm" because he's "too old to really be on camera every single week" — especially playing someone like his "Curb" character, who was known for his constant social faux pas.
"To act the way I do on this show, how can I continue to act like that? It's insane," he said. "Yeah, I can do it in my 50s and 60s to mid-70s. I'm not going into the 80s acting like that!"
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Boston Globe
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