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The Pandemic Cries Out For More Larry David (Or Not)

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In times of crisis, especially this one, we must be on our best behavior. We need to act with generosity, show respect, and act with compassion.

And watch Larry David. What? Isn’t he the guy who does none of these things? He’s a sandwich board walker for self-absorbed behavior.

Larry David is the co-creator of the series Seinfield and the creator and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also “plays” Senator Bernie Sanders on Saturday Night Live. The character Larry David observes no social niceties. He prefers the company of himself to others. As a result, he can be disrespectful, uncaring, and certainly not generous. And hilarious!

Larry David is the antidote to social norms and niceties. Seeing Larry do his thing is a reminder that “Hey, that’s pretty rude” and “I would never do that.” Watching Larry David can release some of the tension we feel at this time of the pandemic. We are treading cautiously because we must be physically distant, but at the same time act courteously and warmly to our loved ones.

Curb Your Enthusiasm revolves around Larry’s life as a television writer and producer. While we see little of him working, we see him interacting with his manager (Jeff Garlin) and his wife (Susie Essman) and Larry’s former wife (Cheryl Hines). Leon (J.B. Smoove) lives in Larry’s guesthouse. Comedian Richard Lewis and actor Ted Danson frequently appear as themselves (sort of).

Here are some just some of Larry David’s character’s doings in the past two seasons, after its return from hiatus.

·      Upset his friend’s girlfriend

·      Make his mailman hate him

·      Incur the wrath of his yoga teacher

·      Attempt to fire his secretary

·      Provoke a fight with the manager of a coffee store

Larry vs. Larry

So just how well does Larry David the character match Larry David, the person?

Maureen Dowd of the New York Times stepped out of her traditional role as a columnist and did a lengthy profile of David. Dowd was able to get past the veneer of David's curmudgeonly exterior to get him to reveal more of what "the real Larry David." For example, Larry David doesn’t like conflict so much so that his two daughters would “whisper-fight” so they would not upset their father. 

Larry’s daughter, Cazzie, told Dowd that "[Larry is] super against any self-pity. He thinks it's the most disgusting thing in the world. So, there's no wallowing allowed, even when we were growing up. In the house, you're not allowed to feel bad about yourself or be depressed. He has no sympathy for it." His admonition to those who get down is "to take a shower. That's like his cure for mental stress. And if it doesn't work, he'll be like, 'Just take another one.'" 

“If anyone can make you feel stupid for complaining, it’s him,” Cazzie says. “If I complain even a little bit about anything, he’ll ask me ‘How old are you?’ and I’ll be like, ‘25,’ and he does that thing all parents and grandparents do and be like ‘You want to know where I was at 25? In a subway station selling magazines. In the Army reserves.’” Ms. David adds, “He cannot stand hearing complaints of any kind, especially right now when a lot of us are lucky enough to be cozy in our homes.”

Making laughter

His daughter's description is, of course, the opposite of Larry David, the character who is forever complaining about one thing or another—restaurant service, inedible food, other people—all of which make us laugh.

A prescription for laughter must be filled by sources that prompt laughter. For some people, cat videos provoke laughter. For others, laughing baby videos induce laughter. Others find laughter in the company of family and friends. Recently, at the request of Governor Newsom of California, David did a humorous public service announcement, advising (or more correctly admonishing) people to keep their social distance. Perfect theme for David’s character and personality, as his co-star Cheryl Hines told Maureen Dowd.

“The human race has only one really effective weapon,” said Mark Twain. “And that is laughter.”  Laughter affirms the fact that we are humans capable of seeing the humor in the simplest things. Larry David certainly keeps us grounded. His character embodies the cultural effluvia that are one part annoying but another hilarious. David makes us laugh, and that's a good enough reason for me.

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