Larry David's latest HBO Max series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America, is a chaotic and largely unfunny collection of sketches that fails to capture the razor-sharp wit of his previous work. The seven-episode series, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions, opens with a charming cameo from the former president, but quickly descends into a repetitive and tedious affair.
Obama's Cameo Sets a High Bar
Barack Obama appears in the opening moments, walking through what appears to be the Barack Obama Presidential Center. His impeccable comic timing and composed demeanor provide a stark contrast to the chaos that follows. The review notes that Obama's performance is so masterful that it almost brings the reviewer to tears, but the subsequent episodes fail to maintain any semblance of quality.
Familiar Shtick in Period Costume
Each half-hour episode features three or four sketches starring Larry David as himself, essentially reprising his Curb Your Enthusiasm persona but in historical settings. The sketches often involve shouting and recycled jokes, such as a Continental Congress member wanting to ban sharing umbrellas or double-dipping desserts. The material feels stale and lacks the incisive social commentary that made David famous.
One sketch depicts Alexander Graham Bell's first phone call, which becomes an awkward and tedious conversation. Another, about the McCarthy hearings, drags on for what feels like an eternity. The review describes these sketches as "going on almost as long as the witch hunts themselves."
Rare Moments of Brilliance
There are occasional glimpses of David's talent, such as a scene where his character sits next to Rosa Parks on a bus and bores her with inappropriate questions. One line—asking whether she'd rather be robbed by a black or white man—captures the essence of uncomfortable social dynamics. However, such moments are desperately few, and the overall effect is one of disappointment.
The series also features a sketch about Lewis and Clark with guest star Jerry Seinfeld, which the review dismisses as relying on tired jokes about escaping wives. The familiarity of the material is the most striking flaw, with the reviewer comparing it to H.L. Mencken's definition of a hotdog as "the sweepings of the abattoir."
A Blend of Faith and Nostalgia
The series depends heavily on audience nostalgia and goodwill toward Larry David, but even that is not enough to salvage it. The review concludes that the show is worth watching only for Obama's introduction, which serves as a reminder of how far the rest of the series falls short. Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is now streaming on HBO Max.
