In this seventh season (10 episodes/2-discs) of the popular cable series, Larry David attempts to dump his current girl friend (Vivica A. Fox) and to win back the affections of his ex-wife (Cheryl Hines) by producing a Seinfeld reunion special and casting Cheryl in a key role.  As might be expected, the show does not come off without a myriad of problems, mostly of David’s own making.

CRITIQUE

Watching Curb Your Enthusiasm is like viewing a train wreck.

You’re shocked.  You’re appalled.  But, you can’t turn your head away.  You just have to see what is going to happen next.

As anybody who has been following this show knows, Larry David’s television persona is that of a “world class shmuck”.  He always seems to be saying or doing the wrong thing, which gets both himself and others into some very uncomfortable, “painfully” funny, situations.

The primary plotline for this season is, of course, the Seinfeld show reunion.  Thus, all the key cast members of that iconic series (e.g. Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) appear as both themselves (or as how David has written them) and also their Seinfeld characters in multiple episodes of Curb.

It’s very enjoyable to revisit these popular television characters after ten years, yet the Seinfeld episodes are not the funniest, most outrageous segments of this season. 

I found myself laughing out loud at the controversial “Denise Handicapped” episode, which not only had Larry dating a lady in a wheelchair (actually two of them), but also getting into a wrestling match with Rosie O’Donnell. 

I also enjoyed “The Hot Towel,” an episode that had Larry “stalking” his poor doctor (Philip Baker Hall).

Then, of course, there is “The Bare Midriff” episode, which also caused a considerable controversy because it had Larry accidentally urinating on a picture of Jesus.

If there is a weakness to this series, it’s that some of the predicaments that Larry finds himself in seem forced, totally unbelievable.  For example, in one sequence, a take-out restaurant owner has him arrested for “stealing” a few extra paper napkins.  Seriously, would the police even take a report for such a “crime”? 

Thankfully, missteps like this are few and far between.

David’s real-life friends, Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen, plus Richard Lewis continue to be semi-regulars on the series, and Shelley Berman and Richard Kind are back as David’s father and cousin respectively.  There are also guest appearances by Meg Ryan, Christian Slater, Elisabeth Shue and Catherine O’Hara.

THE VIDEO

The widescreen presentation is sharp with no issues.

THE AUDIO

The 5.1 Sound is excellent.

THE EXTRAS

Four short featurettes in which Larry David and the Seinfeld cast discuss how this reunion show was made possible. 

FINAL THOUGHT

This is an excellent season for one of television’s funniest comedy series.