The 21 months or so it's been since the last new "Curb Your Enthusiasm" aired may have seemed interminable, but it will be worth the wait.
I watched the first three episodes of the new season (OK, more like 2 1/2 since the sound on Ep. 3 was wonky) and Larry David hasn't missed a step.
David, of course, has already given us nearly a decade of comedy gold ("It's gold, Jerry! Gold!") as co-creator of "Seinfeld." "Curb" has picked up the baton of "Seinfeld" since it started airing on HBO several years ago and has been one of the most creative sitcoms on TV.
But David's humor goes back further than "Seinfeld." You catch glimpses of everything from "Fawlty Towers" to the yesteryear of vaudeville in an episode of "Curb."
The new season kicks off with Larry and Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) taking in a family of hurricane victims. Predictably, this doesn't go smoothly as Larry continues to outsmart himself, making every wrong decision possible from trying to skip a couple of parties to not paying for flowers. And, Larry should keep a better watch on his Joe Pepitone jersey.
In the first three episodes alone, "Curb" has a great group of guest stars like Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen and Sen. Barbara Boxer portraying themselves, and Vivica A. Fox as one of the hurricane refugees.
It may have been a long wait, but "Curb" will prove worth waiting for.
24 ADDS TWO MORE: Perhaps copying the trend of large ensemble shows adding cast members at a seeming exponential rate, "24" announced it is adding John Billingslea ("The Nine") and Jeffrey Nordling ("Once and Again"), joining the likes of Janeane Garofalo and others. Which show will end up with the largest cast on TV? Cast your vote now!
WEEKEND'S BEST BETS: With the holiday weekend and the U.S. Open going on, everything is pretty much repeats. Other than the Falcons' final preseason game tonight (Fox, 7:30 p.m.) against the Baltimore Ravens, my advice would be to get out and enjoy the final weekend of summer.
See you Tuesday!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Curb My Enthusiasm? Heck No!
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3 comments:
I love how much you laud "Heroes" for their 85 cast additions, and "24" has maybe added 5,6 people and they get made fun of. Classic Phillip.
But I do love John Billingsley and he keeps popping into shows I watch: first he was Dr. Phlox on "Enterprise", then he was the original actor to portray President caroline Renolds' brother on "Prison Break". Then he left "Break" after getting cast as one of "The Nine". And now "24".
With people like Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars") and David Anders (Sark on "Alias") showing up on "Heroes", it's clear a lot of people making shows I like, watch one another's shows.
In fact, the "Mars" team, the "Heros" team and the "Lost" team have all admitted crossover fandom of eachother's shows and have had wirters leave one show for another. And all of 3 of those shows have former "Buffy" writers.
And let's face it..."Buffy" will always have history on its side as the best team of writers ever assembled, bar none.
"Mad Men" was once again absolutely fantastic last night. I just hope the Emmy voters remember them for next year.
And not just the show--in particular, the acting performances by Jon Hamm (Don Draper), John Slattery (Roger Sterling), January Jones (Betty Draper), Maggie Siff (Rachel), Christina Hendricks (Joan - in performance that should get her a spot on "Ugly Betty") are all Emmy worthy. Hamm, in particular, as the star, should get a lead actor nod.
This show is leaps and bounds the best show of the Summer (far superior to "Rescue Me" even) and possibly the best show of the year.
I think I poked fun at all three shows. All three have large casts, and all three have added a lot of big names in a very short amount of time without cutting many people.
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