Just a reminder: New season begins this Sunday, 1/4 and HBO will be running a CYE marathon (I think it's the entire 3rd season) on Friday 1/2.

Good theme songs are so important. I saw the original ep of I Dream of Jeannie yesterday and was horrified by the bland chords that were thrown together. They obviously fixed the situation with one of the most memorable. However, you are right, the music sets you up for Larry!

New episodes of Curb to ring in the new year and all is right with the world.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that this will be the funniest season yet. There's no way the fertile comedic mind of Larry David will disappoint - after all, they've only done 36 episodes of this show. No shark close to these parts.

I wonder if Larry will still have the restaurant.

the is a review from the Boston Globe/
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2004/...its_4th_season/
is it me or does this reviewer have no clue what the show is about. Call me crazy but I don't see it.

It's great to have Larry and the gang back! However, this episode felt like a bit of a let down to me. I don't think there was any moment where I laughed outloud, as per my usual CYE experiences.

It felt a little too Hollywood for me, much more so than usual. Mel Brooks pushing "The Producers" (was it just me, or did they show way too much of the play?). Not good. I do love Ben Stiller though!

I'm not complaining, but I think after over a year's anticipation, it fell a bit flat.

I don't disagree Ethel. I am glad to have Larry back though. I think they are setting up the story arc for the season and I am looking forward to it.

Yeah, I'm feeling the same way. I LOVE LD but this episode was less than meh. And after a year, you really are kinda expecting to see something earthshattering. Well, it's only the first one. Let's hope he rebounds next week.

The entire first season is coming out on DVD this week!!!

I loved the ep and it was worth the wait. The exchange about the use of the telephone in the examining room is a classic. There are so many unquestioned rules in our lives! The countdown to adultery is hilarious and every guy is saying, "Don't cheat on her!"

I agree, Ethel. I'm hoping he's planning great things, but this episode had too much of LD, Star and not enough of LD, Everyman. The latter is what makes him hysterical.

And wait, is that Crazy Eyes I saw on Vanessa Williams' infomercial? I didn't linger, since I can't stomach her, but I swear I saw Crazy Eyes pushing her crap.

I thought it was great. Larry was a little more of an asshole than usual in some parts, which I questioned. Usually someone has to mess with his take on life before he freaks out. With the lesbian secretary, it seemed like he was being annoying to her without any cause. Don't get me wrong, I was still laughing the entire episode, but something did seem . . . different.

Compared to the snooze-fest of a season premiere for Sex and the City, I thought the premiere of CYE was riotous. However, I agree that it wasn't as funny as previous episodes. I am really enjoying the stuff with Ben Stiller though, and from the look of things, the next episodes will be more amusing. I think this episode mainly served to set the 'stage' for the upcoming season. Plus, so many great cameos--the afore-mentioned Mel Brooks, as well as Phillip Baker Hall, and Paul Mazursky (from Once and Again and the Sopranos).

Good point, elf. The previous season wasn't GREAT, but the finale had me falling on the floor. I expect the same from this season. David said there may be one more season in him, it takes a lot out of him. $242 million can make you tired, I guess.

Oh, and S&TC..........yikes, GET OFF THE AIR and take Frasier and Friends with you. Amazing how a show as brilliant as this has become hum....drum.

Smart of Larry to see the end in sight.

I think he took that attitude with her from the get-go because she was somewhat unfriendly towards him from the get-go. When he presented her with the wallet he'd found, she didn't say the normal thing like "thanks, oh, that was nice of you to pick it up, Bob will be so glad you found it." She hardly said anything. In fact, she practically made a point of withholding the normal pleasantries. I think Larry wanted just a little acknowledgment for his good deed, and maybe just a little sense of welcome as a guest in Mel's office. So would I, if it were me. So Larry decided to be a bit of an ass in return.

Chris Williams (Crazy Eyez) is Vanessa's brother. I know when I saw the infomercial I freaked too! The Crazy Eyez episode and the one when Larry's mother died and his dad didn't tell him are my two favorites.

Wasn't Philip Baker Hall the Library Cop on Seinfeld?

So one of the story arcs for this season is Larry playing Max Bialystock? I don't know I think I have to agree with Mr. Mazursky on this one.

Oh man, how funny. Is ANYONE buying Vanessa's crap? She kisses Madonna's you-know-what, literally, and then kills 'Boomtown' with her piss poor acting and intrusive personality a la Seda, and THEN she brings on her brother Crazy Eyez to shill her product??? Meanwhile, he was brilliant in the part on CYE.

How absolutely Hollyweird funny. Do these people LIVE on the same planet as the rest of us???

They do think they're above it all, don't they?

Yup, he (PBH) was Library Cop.

I loved the episode. Larry's riff on Karaoke and bowling balls trying to pick up that woman had me rolling. And his smile, thinking that it went well, was a gem.

And Philip Baker Hall's delivery of "a little prick" was hilarious. The entire ensuing conversation was funny, I suppose, but PBH said it all with the delivery of the first line.

I was grinning like crazy when Philip Baker Hall walked through the door. His Detective Bookman is one of my absolute favorite Seinfeld guests. The "little prick" exchange with Larry had me in hysterics last night. It just kept going and going, back and forth. Too funny.

I think the 10th Anniversary present plotline is quite ridiculous, but they'll get some good mileage out of it. It was hilarious watching Cheryl try not to laugh at Larry as she agreed to it.

I have reservations about the Mel Brooks story arc, too, but I will love watching Larry continually piss off Ben Stiller.

I didn't like the scenes with the secretary, it seemed like her, her lover, the guy in the chair, and LD were all acting like jerks for no reason, none of the usual set-ups or justifications, however minor, for his run-ins with people. Wonder why the scene they showed from "The Producers" was filmed in NY rather than LA (with Jason Alexander)?

I was wondering about those scenes as well. I figured Cady Huffman was in the show in LA now, but were those the replacement B'way guys? The credits went by too quickly to check. By the way, I'm hating HBO's split screen for credits/previews now. They may do it horizontally and not vertically, but it's a very TV thing to do, and not very HBO.

I agree that this episode was more of a set-up for the entire season. It's clear Stiller will be fuming at Larry throughout the rehearsal process.

I was roaring at Larry's phone call, because a couple of years ago I was kept waiting in the big waiting room of a doctor's office for a half hour, and then another 20 minutes in the examination room. After 20 minutes, I called my friend in Germany to catch up. We spoke on the phone for an additional 15 minutes until I was finally seen by the doctor. I did hang up when I heard him coming in, so I wasn't caught. Maybe I'm the reason for the rule.

Was the doctor's receptionist Rachel Harris? I think that's her name - she was on The Daily Show for a while, and does some of those I Love the 70s/80s comments on VH1.

I think Cady's still on Broadway, and Jason & Martin Short are/were doing the LA production. I have no idea who those two guys on stage were.

The look on Jeff's face during the baby naming conversation, and then Larry suggesting the name of "Tang" had me on the floor.

I do not like the credit/preview split screen. I'm paying $15+ a month for HBO, show me the whole damn screen for credits and then show me the previews!

And proves what Cheryl knows (which is the only reason I can think for her to agree to this "gift"): that Larry has no game when hitting on women. I love that everyone in the world is all "Bad idea, Larry! Don''t do it even if Cheryl says it's okay." Except Jeff, who is all "Sweet!"

I love that we all remember Philip Baker Hall as Det. Bookman, rather than from his roles in, say Boogie Nights or Magnolia!

The receptionist's girlfriend thing was weird, but she did get Larry to apologize. No small feat, that.

Is there a way we can have Angry!Ben!Stiller! without a "Larry Does Broadway" arc?

I am soooo happy that this show is back. With a vengeance.

Jeff Garlin stole this show for me. His facial expressions when Larry does something stupid just slay me. He looks at him like he can't believe anyone could be so whacked. (The baby names, the "bowling ball" pickup lines....) I also enjoyed the opening scene in the restaurant when the waiter was speaking in Italian and Larry was just like, "WHAT?!?!?" That was damn funny. How many of us have wanted to do something like that but are too scared? That's what I love about Larry. Yeah, he's an idiot, but he does things that most of us only wish we could do. Like yell at a guy in a wheelchair.

My BIL (also in a wheelchair) loved that bit! He said it was sort of like Larry treated him like any other moron with wheels (car) than a handicapped person...like the secretary in Mel Brooks' office who kept reiterating to Larry, "But he's in a wheelchair." Ick.

I loved how the guy kept calling Larry a douchbag!

Yep. And I believe that the actors from The Producers were the NY actors. Don't know why they didn't just use the LA production.

Cheryl Hines' subtle deliveries are getting better and better. And I can't wait to see more of Jeff Garlin and Christine Taylor (Ben Stiller's wife). For all you twenty-somethings, she was really funny on "Hey Dude!" back in the day. I hope she gets a chance to prove that she's a gifted comedienne.

I just read in Entertainment Weekly that in a few weeks, Cheryl will appear in an I Dream Of Jeannie outfit..

Saints above. My hormones are amassing in numbers comperable to the Orcs in The Two Towers.

For those who are interested:

Jerry Seinfeld will be making an unplanned cameo in a future ep in a blink-or-you'll-miss-him scene set in Manhattan

My God, I do remember "Hey, Dude!" I forgot how funny she was.

Love the new season so far (much better than SATC, which was a disappointment.)

I've got to say, the thing that had me laughing the loudest was Larry telling the receptionist that the kid's name would be "the least of his problems." So over-the-line, and yet it was just a throwaway. Gotta love that insensitive bald asshole.

And beyond Hey, Dude, Christine Taylor was really funny in both the Brady Bunch movies as the narcissistic Marcia. (Also, she was a Seinfeld guest-star, too, so Philip Baker Hall wasn't the only one this episode.)

Actually, she played Mel's assistant, not the doctor's receptionist.

And while I found this a less than stellar episode, after watching the third season marathon, I realized that he uses the first episode as a way to set up the themes for the season. There were some funny bits, but the payoff will come later in the season.

And to me, the all-time, hands-down funniest episode was "The Corpse-Sniffing Dog". Between the visual gags of the dog morosely riding in the car with Larry and Susie standing in Larry's driveway, or the battle with Susan Braudy over when it's appropriate to thank someone, and of course, Jeff's tirade against the dog, I laughed from beginning to end.

vallegirl I have to agree with you that "The Corpse-Sniffing Dog" is the funniest one yet. I can't believe how much I still crack up whenever I hear Jeff yell "What the fuck is wrong with that fucking dog?!"

I stand corrected, valle - she was indeed Mel's receptionist. At least I got her name right.

I'm thinking maybe Cady Huffman will be in some of the episodes interacting with Larry, so maybe that's why they used the B'way footage. Also, although they were clearly supposed to be seeing the show in LA, they are being rehearsed to take over on Broadway. I think it would have made more sense for them to take over in LA, especially with Larry's past relationships with Jason Alexander (not the former Mr. Spears, the real one) and Martin Short (I loved the scene on the street when Larry tried to do Jiminy Glick to Martin and got it all wrong).

All of that being said, I've seen the Producers twice on B'way with Nathan & Matthew and never considered seeing a replacement cast, but I would actually pay $100 to see Larry and Ben do the show.

Complete with hand gestures and Larry having to grab Jeff's hands to calm him down. Larry's cracking up the whole time at Jeff, and Jeff keeps ratcheting it up.

sigh...

I love Jeff Greene.

This cracked my shit up. That poor dude is going to have to live with being called this for the rest of his days.

Great season opener. It was more of a setup for the upcoming episodes, but hilarious nonetheless. Best moments were the opening dinner scene, Larry's "bowling" pick-up line at the karaoke bar, the argument with the guy in the wheelchair, choosing baby names for the lesbian couple ("I guess it'll kinda be the least of his problems..."), Larry trying to take the painkiller without water and a funny as hell conversation with Ben Stiller at the end. Ben Stiller is at his funniest when he's angry and it looks like he's going to be pissed all season long. Note the use of "You're fucking with me, right?" - I thought that was a slight nod to Cameron Diaz's catchphrase in There's Something About Mary. Also, I noticed the subplot about who gets credit for returning the wallet was similar to the one about the "big salad" in an old Seinfeld episode. More similarities between Larry and George.

"Corpse Sniffing Dog" was definitely a winner, but can the ending of "Club Soda & Salt" ever be topped (I guess maybe "The Grand Opening" - hmm tough one)?

I am excited about the upcoming LD/Ben Stiller bi-play too, but is it just me or is anyone else getting a little bored with BS playing the same hard-luck, bad things happen to character over and over and over. His latest movie might as well been titled: "There's Something About Polly - The Annoying Sequel". Let's face it, the guy doesn't have a lot of range, but he is pretty damn good about selecting scripts (Flirting With Disaster, Reality Bites, Mary, Meet The Parents, Etc.). I think they should of cast someone else. We've all seen Stiller get frazzled on numerous occasions.

The flashback to Cheryl's marriage proposition reminded me of two things: Larry's days on Fridays (ABC's early 80's answer to Saturday Night Live), and how old I am to even know about that show.

I love the ending shot of "Club Soda & Salt." The look on Larry's face is priceless. I also like the ending of "The Doll," when Larry realizes he's about to be accused of child molestation and bolts for the window to escape.

But "The Grand Opening" takes the cake. My favorite outburst is Jeff's: "Cock! Cock! Jism! Grandma! Cock!"

I think it's interesting that it's Larry's tenth anniversary. That puts his getting married (in the Curb universe, at least) right at the height of Seinfeld's popularity; 1993-94 was the year it took over the Cheers spot anchoring Thursday nights, and was officially NBC's biggest sitcom. I was thinking about that as they showed the "ten years ago" clip with him having dark hair and bigger glasses, and basically looking more like George Costanza.

I agree [/b]Sean C[/b], Grand Opening's ending is ridiculous. Between Jeff and his wife, I was still laughing ten muinutes after the credits rolled. Best. Ending. Ever.

I, too, remember the show Fridays existed, but I didn't remember LD was on it. I wonder if it still exists in some viewable form available to the public.

Word.

"Carwash c#nt." Heh heh.

Shelley Berman. Rightio, best...ending...ever.

That, and the "WHAT'S IN HERE? COFFEE? MILK?" shoutout in the Starbucks takeoff.

Brilliant man.

LD was on FRIDAYS. Along with Julia Louis Dreyfuss. Stand out most funny on that show was, of course, Michael Richards. Hilarious. (and what was that guys name who played Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde in the movie?)

His name is Mark Blankfield. He is now playing the Bluth family doctor on Arrested Development.

Actually, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was on Saturday Night Live during the Murphy/Piscapo era. She was never on Fridays.

She was great, too. Though apparently a victim of SNL's notorious anti-woman corporate phiolosophy.

My favorite SNL memory of her was a sketch where she and Mary Gross were on a very high-brow newsy talk show, analyzing something of national importance.

But every time they both said the same thing at the same time, they would launch into a song and dance:

"Jinx! Buy me a Coke! Inky-dinky-pinky-winky! Flush it down the kitchen sinky! Yodleayheehoo! Yodleayheehoo! Nee nee nee ne nee nee neee ne nee nee nee nee. Huh!"

Larry David worked at SNL briefly, too (in the writers' room), though it didn't go that well. I can't recall exactly when it was, but I think it was during the Billy Crystal/Martin Short/Christopher Guest "established comedians swoop in to save us from obscurity now that Eddie Murphy's gone off to be a movie star" season, and there wasn't much for Larry to contribute. It's mentioned in the book Live From New York (a great read, by the way).

Yes! And while Larry was at SNL, apparently he quit one Friday and then had second thoughts over the weekend and showed up again on Monday like nothing happened. And, of course, George does the exact same thing in an early episode of Seinfeld.

Riiiiight. I'm thinking of Melanie Chartoff.

I loved last night's episode. The funniest thing to me is how Larry is such a crab about some things but willingly befriended Michael the blind guy. The montage of him doing the chores was great. The last scene, with everyone pissed off about the beaded sweatshirt was classic! And the "no gifts" conversation was so true.

I love Susie Essman but she should not wear low rise pants. She is too old for them.

I'm one of those who thought that Larry's assholiness toward Mel Brooks' receptionist in Episode One was justified, but last night's assholiness came out of nowhere for me. Usually he needs to be provoked to bring out his inner asshole. But holding onto the satay stick for no reason? Not singing happy birthday? Directly going against Richard Lewis' wishes and making the young actress feel bad about her small breasts? Telling the blind guy his girlfriend is ugly when he didn't have to? What's all that about? I don't know. That last thing (the blind guy thing) especially seemed like something Larry wouldn't do. He'd lie to spare the guy's feelings and then the lie would get him into worse trouble somehow. Something was off last night.

Flash back, 'Seinfeld', last two seasons.

Come on, Larry, try harder.