Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Book (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Surrounded by a mix of real and fictional friends, Seinfeld co-creator Larry David is hired by HBO to film a documentary special about his return..." (more)
Key Phrases: improv process, fat fuck, Richard Lewis, Susie Essman, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Funniest comedy on television. -- San Francisco Chronicle

Grade: A.... a neurotic thriller of epic proportions. -- Entertainment Weekly

The best comedy series on TV. -- New York Post

[Curb] wouldn’t get four; it would get four hundred. -- The Washington Post

Review

[Curb] wouldn’t get four; it would get four hundred. (The Washington Post) Grade: A.... a neurotic thriller of epic proportions. (Entertainment Weekly) The best comedy series on TV. (New York Post) Funniest comedy on television. (San Francisco Chronicle)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gotham (October 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592402305
• ISBN-13: 978-1592402304
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,821 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bible for all things "Curb", November 21, 2006

By	Bookreporter.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

Every so often, a television program weaves its way into the cultural fabric of its time. Comedian/writer Larry David has been behind two of those shows. David, co-creator of "Seinfeld" and creator of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," continues the trend of celebrating life's little eccentricities. Along with television shows and movies like "The Office" and Meet the Parents, "Curb" keenly observes human foibles to an exaggerated degree, creating its own "theater of the uncomfortable," which episodes like "The Pants Tent" and "Affirmative Action" aptly demonstrate.

Originally an HBO special, David broadened his cringe-worthy antics into a highly successful weekly show. Unlike other situation comedies, "Curb" is entirely improvised. Each season, David creates outlines for 10 shows that cover the season's arc. He writes them out longhand because he doesn't know how to use a computer. His outlines are passed to his assistant who types them up. He then clues in his fellow cast members --- or not. Most of the actors are briefly told what the scene is just minutes before they start shooting. David believes that the best comedy comes out of the more naturalistic improv process: "When I was doing "Seinfeld," sometimes I'd get to a scene and I'd go, 'Boy, this scene doesn't need me to write it...The situation is all there. You can just bring in the actors and they can do it."

But despite the kamikaze nature of the filming process, actors refer to "Curb" as "hands-down the most fun I've ever had on a set." Each actor brings his or her own experience to his or her role, but perhaps no one had a more difficult task than Cheryl Hines, the actress who plays David's wife. She had to imagine how anybody "could live with someone like Larry day in and day out. I think the only way Cheryl can have a good life is not to be bothered by most of it."

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: THE BOOK looks at this popular show from all angles, featuring interviews with David, his co-stars, the directors, his real-life manager and his real-life wife, all of whom claim that, yes, he really is that neurotic. But in the words of guest star Mel Brooks, "there's something about this middle-aged bald guy that is thrilling!" Also included are detailed episode guides and outlines for each show of the last five seasons, along with fascinating tidbits of information such as rejected names for the series ("Life be not Proud" and "No Life to Live"); his various quirks, including his dental hygiene compulsion (he flosses about three times a day); details about his days on "Seinfeld" and his altar-ego, George Costanza; and his time as a struggling comic in New York City.

This delightfully informative compendium is the perfect companion to the quirky and revolutionary show, and a bible for all things "Curb."

--- Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pretty Pretty Pretty Good Book, January 18, 2007

By	C. Brozo (New Rochelle, Ny United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great companion to watching the Curb episodes. There are some bits of dialog as well as insights into what made the scenes so funny. If you love the series, this book is for you!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOMETHING had to be written about this brilliant show!, February 28, 2007

By	Leila Wolfert (Port Ewen, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love the book because it has tons of interesting behind the scene happenings. I wish it was even more thorough being the immense fan that I am.
If you love the show, BUY THIS BOOK. I've read it twice already, its almost like the show, you need to see it more than once to fully appreciate it. Personally, I thought it was too short but at least it's here and I'm thrilled about it. Many times throughout the book, different people mentioned that there is a great reality show right there as they're all filming. I'm praying for that. I also feel like Larry David is the funniest guy on the planet and this shows needs to be promoted more. Too many people I know haven't seen it or don't give it a true chance.