Larry David's new HBO series 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America' reimagines key scenes from 250 years of US history as a series of socially awkward celebrations of epic pettiness, essentially 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' in britches and bonnets. The show, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, features David playing about 25 characters, including Deep Throat from Watergate, Alexander Graham Bell, and a Great Depression-era destitute.
A sketch show draped over a history lesson
Each sketch provides a little voiceover context for historical events like the Boston Tea Party or the writing of the Constitution before David and his cast appear in funny wigs. The series likely owes a debt to 'Hamilton', with Lin-Manuel Miranda appearing alongside stars such as Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, Kathryn Hahn, and Jane Krakowski.
David's genius lifts the show above didacticism, capturing absurdities of language down to the sonic level. 'This gets up my dander,' he throws out, mostly to amuse himself. Playing Senator Joseph McCarthy, he warns 'no one sniffs out chicanery like tail gunner Joe.'
Poking holes in American lore
David has always been drawn to heresy and taboo conversations. The show zooms into historical moments involving Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, and the underground railway. Sympathetic abolitionists hiding enslaved people in safe houses is noble, but that doesn't mean both parties escape domestic friction. These sly scenes unfold unexpectedly, ending with a puce-faced David calling someone out or being humiliated.
The more unhinged his rants, the more we warm to him, because he's not actually unhinged. The Larry David persona is shrewd, pernickety, and committed to fairness. Modern life relies on swallowing indignities to get along, but he can't do it. He escalates arguments and suffers consequences, losing friends and sexual opportunities.
Audacious and biting
American history and politics are no playground, but David has the titanium balls to wade in. Anti-bully, he pokes holes in American lore, the marching band fanfare of the credits as sarcastic as anything he says. A sketch in the second episode makes the jaw drop with its audacity. Barack Obama appears like everyone's cool dad who's not angry, just disappointed.
More than old-timey fun, the show holds an antique mirror to the USA of today and finds what it sees … pretty, pretty, pretty bad.
