The Larry Sanders Show
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Season One (1992)
Rate:
5 out of 5
Viewed:
10/24
10/24:
The Larry Sanders Show is one of the greatest TV shows ever conceived.
I used to laugh hard when it ran on HBO back then. The concept is genius with high-quality writing. Garry Shandling,
Jeffrey Tambor, and Rip Torn will always be legends for playing Larry Sanders, "Hey, Now" Hank Kingsley, and Artie,
respectively. The supporting characters are well known, too, and everything is so interesting, especially when the
celebrities are being themselves behind the scenes.
Anyway, here is my analysis for some of the episodes:
The Promise: David Spade is an all-time asshole, and I hate him.
The Spiders Episode: One of the funniest ever. Actually, everybody exaggerated the danger of such creatures.
Used in the movie Arachnophobia, they're Avondale spiders which are 100%
harmless in real life.
Guest Host: Artie mentioned a guy named Rupert Pupkin; not many know this, but Robert De Niro played him in
The King of Comedy and his deeply disturbed stalker character kidnapped Jerry
Lewis so he could become a late night TV host. By the way, I hate Dana Carvey and have never thought of him funny.
Also, the black actress who replaced Melanie Parrish is Anne-Marie Johnson, and she's well known for
In the Heat of the Night.
The New Producer: Simply the funniest. That's why Jeffrey Tambor and Rip Torn are the best.
Hank's Contract: Robin Williams had the greatest line ever when he asked if he looked like an Irish pimp while
dressed just exactly like that.
The 'Hey Now' Episode: It's amazing to see the run of celebrities who have died either young or recently:
Garry Shandling (66), Rip Torn (88), Bob Saget (65), Robin Williams (63), Martin Mull (80), Richard Simmons (76),
Ray Combs (40), and Hervé Villechaize (50).
Season Two (1993)
Rate:
4 out of 5
Viewed:
11/24
11/24:
There is a huge change happening here, and it's the tone.
I find it weird because of the back-and-forth between business matters and trying to be funny.
Was I supposed to laugh a lot as intended or be impacted by the goings-on behind the scenes? At any rate,
the overall comedy is down a lot.
Another hit is the departure of two cast members: Jeremy Piven and Janeane Garofalo. They decided that they
were bigger and better than the show by leaving for PCU and
Saturday Night Live, respectively. Huge mistake. They're simply well known because of this show and had never
done anything else better since then.
Anyway, here is my analysis for some of the episodes:
Artie's Gone: The death roll continues to mount up hitherto and then afterwards: Teri Garr (79), Bruno Kirby (57),
Richard Lewis (76), Suzanne Somers (76), Alex Trebek (80), George Segal (81), Phil Hartman (49), Burt Reynolds (82),
John Ritter (54), Gene Siskel (53), Warren Zevon (56), Chris Farley (33), and Regis Philbin (88).
The Performance Artist: While I didn't think Tim Miller's skit was funny, there's a good point being made here,
and, of all people, Roseanne should know, having been embroiled in so many controversies.
The Grand Opening: You couldn't pay me to attend the grand opening of Hank's restaurant. He has always been a
loser and an asshole.
New York or L.A.: At the time, when I saw this episode, I thought the show had been canceled for good.
Season Three (1994)
Rate:
5 out of 5
Viewed:
11/24
11/24:
This one is much better than the previous season.
It's because most of the cast members are more involved this time. Plus, it helps to have Janeane Garofalo
back, but her hair...eek.
Anyway, here is my analysis for some of the episodes:
Would You Do Me a Favor?: Wow...talk about two all-time losers having a conversation: Hank Kingsley and
George Costanza.
Hank's Night in the Sun: Can you say, "Rupert Pupkin"?
Headwriter Phil: This is the number one reason why Rip Torn was the only one of the cast to win an Emmy Award.
It's because Artie is a people person, and he's so fascinating, especially the way he handles everybody.
Larry Loses a Friend: Phil Hartman was on earlier. Then, Jon Lovitz showed up which reminded me that
he replaced Hartman on the show Newsradio after he was murdered by his wife.