Larry David Talks 'Seinfeld' Reunion on 'Curb,' Working With Michael Richards

The 'Seinfeld' reunion on this season's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' is the only one we'll ever see, Larry David told us during a conference call. But it will last for five of the eight episodes and include a few brief cameos--Bania! George's mom!--in addition to performances by co-stars Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the embattled Michael Richards. The season will also see cameos by Meg Ryan, Rosie O'Donnell, Christian Slater, Elisabeth Shue, Sharon Lawrence and Catherine O'Hara.

Here's what Larry had to say about the 'Seinfeld' reunion, future seasons of 'Curb' and playing golf with President Obama. Season 7 begins this Sunday at 9 pm EST.

Are you happy with how the 'Seinfeld' reunion turned out?
"I'm thrilled. But then I was happy with how the 'Seinfeld' finale turned out, so maybe you've got the wrong guy."

How much have you kept in touch with the 'Seinfeld' cast, and Michael Richards in particular, in recent years?
"I've kept in touch with all of them to varying degrees. Michael went through a very traumatic experience, really. He's been quite chastened by it. What he did on 'Curb' it didn't affect him at all since he was very funny on the show. But I know it's deeply affected him personally."

How many times in the past ten years have you been approached to do a 'Seinfeld' reunion?
"It's come up quite often. People asked me and I said no. That's probably why it was in my head. I never considered it and I never will consider it. ''Curb' Your Enthusiasm' is the only way it could have ever gotten done. We didn't really do a reunion. We did a faux reunion. We're doing episodes of 'Curb.'"

How has your treatment of Jewish humor changed since 'Seinfeld'?
"It's not something I think about. My thinking hasn't changed on the matter since I started doing 'Seinfeld'. If it's something that I can use comedically, I will if I think it's funny. The more people I can offend, the better. The only difference is that on 'Seinfeld' we did have a lot of people watching who did get offended by many of the things we did because it was a network show. But the people who are watching ''Curb' Your Enthusiasm' on HBO are paying, so they want to see this kind of thing."

How much of Larry David do we really see on the show?
"I've always said that my personality is a lot truer on the show than it is in life. So you're really seeing my personality. What you're getting now and what most people get daily is a dishonest human being."

Can you give us a preview of the Larry-Cheryl relationship this season?
"A lot of the season is about that. I don't want to get too specific, but obviously the only reason I'm doing the reunion show is to try to get her back."

Does that reflect some sort of thinking that went on in your real life where you were thinking, 'what if I did something extreme like the reunion show to get my own wife back'?
"You know, I don't think I'm going to answer that question."

Can we expect to see you coming back for another season next year?
"It's possible. I'll think about it in the next couple of months. There's a couple of ideas. I don't think any will be as good as the 'Seinfeld' idea though. It's going to be hard to top that. I'll have to admit."

You were playing golf on Martha's Vineyard at the same time as President Obama this summer. Did you get a chance to check out his game?
"I was actually on the golf course at the same time he was but we didn't cross paths. I haven't seen his golf game but I don't think much of my own. It's hard for me to disparage other swings."

Would you like to challenge President Obama to a game of golf?
"I think it would have been fun. Maybe next summer."

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Comments

[LiberalBuzz]

I keep trying to like the show. I really do, but it just seems mean all the time and I have problems with dealing with a show that seems to glorify being mean far too often.

But I do check in and ever so often there are some pretty funny bits.

[RhondaLalonde]

Halarious! Jeff sexually exploits a mentally ill woman prompting her re-institutionalization. This scenario might be humorous if it were not so close to the truth. People with physical and mental disabilities are the most marginalized group in society. Like victimized children and elders, they too are targeted by those who prey the weak, they are prone to abuse – sexual, physical, verbal, emotional - by those who claim to love them or by the caretakers who society blithely assumes are kind and humane. Society often refuses to see PWDs as credible. They may have difficulty expressing themselves coherently, becoming increasingly flustered when questioned by professionals under time constraints who quickly grow impatient with their communication style. Their abuse is often overlooked in the rare event that it even makes it to the courts. Our society fosters a false belief that institutions are safe places yet this group has been intimidated, punished, abused and molested by caretakers, painfully manhandled by by aides who feel compelled to make a point about whose in charge. Caretakers may mete out discipline through neglect, leaving them to soak in their excrement or withholding meals. Since it is so easy to discredit this vulnerable population, people with disabilities often are too frightened to come forward. Let’s not let Larry David’s humor and rights to free-speech preclude us from also being aware of the bigger problems that sadly affect too many people with disabilities. Protecting the weak is the hallmark of a civilized society.

[MIKEinNYC]

One of the best individual shows that I ever saw was the Curb season finale where they did the Producers.

For a single show, that one is hard to beat.

[Bradmeister007]

I couldn't agree more. That was clearly the best individual episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm ever! Brilliant!

[v eyepete]

Larry should think of doing the cartoon version and leave the real people out of it. His genius with words made some really not so nice people look much better than they actually were. One especially who's name carries the show was particularly not very nice in real life according to my observations.

[Bulbul]

Borrowing all the past episodes from the library and almost caught up. I am on season 3, now I need to find 4th and 6th...great show, but got to watch in small doses, one thirty minute episode per day....

[Tommi2]

I freely judge peoples sense of humor on whether they like or dislike "Curb". It's a litmus test of whether they have a comedy "soul".
If they dislike or hate Curb, they have no humor core and are amongst the "walking dead".
If they love and can quote or identify a fave episode...I am their new admirer and want to know more about them.
The "salt on the carpet stain" episode is pure comedy joy.

[the964kid]

I love Curb, and I used to love Seinfeld until MR went all Mel Gibson on us. I don't think I can enjoy anything MR is apart of anymore....

[Crumbysmom]

I agree. Every time I see him my blood boils. Which a shame because I used to love Seinfeld and Curb. I can't watch Curb now because I do not believe Larry would have MR back if he said this about Jewish people and Concentration Camps. I would love to ask Larry. That would be a good episode.

[Bulbul]

Agree, but Jerry is no better...

[ImissBush]

i personally cant wait

& pleas giv MR a break

as lenny bruce said
words will nvr hurt me

unless u let them

[thebirdstheword]

did michael richards ever say he was going to stick a fork in lenny bruce's arse?

[LeeCalif]

yawn.

[mudslide]

LD is absolutely the greatest comedy mind to ever create for the half-hour TV format.

Can't wait for Sunday.

[jamiroquai0]

Best. show. on. television.

[Whycee54]

AMEN TO THAT. even the reruns make me laugh.

[CollinJE]

Can't wait for this season! This show continues to get better every season and LD is flat out the man.

Also I'm glad to not see a bunch of Mike Richards hate on here. Glad we can move on and enjoy some actual scripted (well kind of) comedy.

[progpro1]

Larry, you need to do another season next year and include an episode where you and Obama go to a "boot camp" golf school together that is run by a "Golf Nazi" - that would be me. The comedic potential would be off the charts. I think Obama would do it. He is a real golf nut, just like you. We could even set it on Oahu, so he could include some vacation time on his home turf. And of course Leon would have to be part of that show, the "Gangsta Golfer".

[sheaintsayin]

Love it!

[LogicNow]

I can't wait for this season's Curb!!! Should be a blast. Love you Larry!!!

[DixieMelody]

Jerry Seinfeld owes this man EVERYTHING!

He was just the puppet who mouthed Larry David's genius dialogue.

Curb and Larry as himself (to me) are infinitely more entertaining than Seinfeld / George / Elaine / Kramer ever were.

[johannesrolf]

a puppet? not at all, he was an actor. you don't call John Wayne or Laurence Olivier a puppet do you? perhaps you need more education.

[thebirdstheword]

nah, most puppets show more emotion than wayne did.

[rsaillant1]

Good grief,

John Wayne and Sir Laurence Olivier in the same sentence...

Listen closely and you can hear the fabric of the universe beginning to shred.

[NHBill]

The entire show was built around and based on Seinfeld hence the title.
Don't get me wrong Curb is the better show but I am very excited to see this new season!

[hess44]

I do business in the Westside, and it is a reality show. That is how these people really live their lives.