‘Am I just being me or am I acting?’ An oral history of HBO’s ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

Interviewing Larry David at his Santa Monica production offices comes with photographic documentation of the entrance and a note to pull in and park as straight as possible in order to be courteous to the building’s other residents. Before the sun sets on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” one last time, David, Schaffer and some of the series’ most prominent cast members shared the backstories behind a handful of “Curb’s” greatest moments. Or, if the scene calls for it, slightly oblivious Larry who’s gonna keep pounding and not knowing he’s stepping in it further.” Robert B. Weide, who was “Curb’s” principal director and an executive producer on its first five seasons and still directs episodes of the show, admits that he will “occasionally give somebody a line if I thought it was funnier.” While directing this episode, he gave Paul Dooley, who played Cheryl’s father, the line “I’m just glad you weren’t in charge of the headstone.” Larry trips Shaq “Curb’s” knack for showing how easily an innocent interaction can devolve into mob rule is epitomized by the Season 2 episode “Shaq.” There, Larry and his best friend Richard Lewis have floor seats at a Los Angeles Lakers game. Susie’s standoff Susie Essman in “The Doll.” Susie Essman started on “Curb” as a supporting player, appearing in the first season as the wife of Larry’s manager Jeff Greene. So David’s friend and frequent “Curb” guest star Ted Danson returned to play a heightened version of himself as the titular “Anonymous Donor” during the show’s sixth season.