Barack Obama has appeared in the trailer for Larry David's upcoming sketch show, 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,' drawing a humorous comparison between the comedian and some of the world's most challenging leaders.
Obama's Cameo in the Trailer
In the newly released teaser, the former U.S. president states: "I've sat across the table from some of the world's most difficult leaders and wrestled with some of the globe's most intractable problems. Nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David." He adds: "I'm just a producer on the show, so I don't have to deal with him day-to-day but still, it's a lot."
Following Obama's remarks, David appears on screen and asks if he can list the former president as his medical emergency contact. "Because if they see your name, they'll be more inclined to help," David quips.
About the Show
The sketch comedy series is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States and will debut on HBO on June 27. New episodes will air weekly, with the season finale scheduled for August 8. The show is written by David and his 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' collaborator Jeff Schaffer, who also directs. Several stars from David's hit HBO sitcom are expected to reunite for the series, along with "noteworthy guest stars."
Official Logline
The show's logline reads: "President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion.... But then Larry David called."
Higher Ground Productions
Barack and Michelle Obama founded their production company, Higher Ground, in 2018. Previous projects include the 2023 films 'Rustin' and 'Leave the World Behind,' as well as the documentaries 'Crip Camp' (2020) and 'American Symphony' (2023). The company also produced the Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Proof,' starring Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri, which runs through July 19.
Larry David's Return to Television
In a statement announcing the show, David said: "Once Curb ended, I celebrated with a three-day foam party. After a violent allergic reaction to the suds, I yearned to return to my simple life as a beekeeper. Alas, one day my bees mysteriously vanished. And so, it is with a heavy heart that I return to television, hoping to ease the loss of my beloved hive."
HBO’s head of comedy programming, Amy Gravitt, added: "It’s hard to remember a time before Curb, or without Larry David’s perspective on modern life. We’re thrilled that Larry is coming back to HBO, this time with Higher Ground, to give us a glimpse at our shared history as we celebrate our Semiquincentennial."
Schaffer hinted at the series' direction: "The characters Larry is playing didn’t change history. In fact, they were largely ignored by history. And that’s a good thing."
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' ran on HBO for 12 seasons from 2000 to 2024, following a fictionalized version of David, co-creator of 'Seinfeld,' and is widely regarded as one of the funniest sitcoms of all time.
