Get ready for a wild new HBO project that’s bringing together some seriously unexpected collaborators. Larry David—the curmudgeonly genius behind Curb Your Enthusiasm and co-creator of Seinfeld—is teaming up with none other than Barack and Michelle Obama for a fresh sketch comedy series centered on U.S. history. Yeah, you read that right. The usually grumpy Larry David is stepping into the nation’s 250th birthday party with his trademark awkward humor and sharp wit. And HBO just dropped the news on Thursday.
The series is shaping up as a limited run, with six half-hour episodes produced by the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground. While HBO hasn’t announced an official premiere date yet, the plan is for it to coincide with the country’s big 250th anniversary celebration next year. It’s a pretty cool way to honor the milestone with a blend of history and comedy—and you know Larry David’s take won’t be anything like your typical history lesson.
What’s especially exciting is that Larry isn’t just starring in it; he’s also writing and executive producing the show. And to make things even more interesting, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s longtime showrunner Jeff Schaffer is on board to co-write and direct episodes. This pairing promises a perfect blend of that classic Larry awkwardness and smart comedic timing we’ve come to love. The team-up definitely sounds like a recipe for some hilarious, thought-provoking sketches.
Now, the series doesn’t have a title yet—though it does have a killer logline that gives us a peek at the tone: “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.” Honestly, that sums up the vibe perfectly. You can almost hear Larry’s dry sarcasm already disrupting the usual patriotic fanfare.
Larry David himself gave a pretty hilarious statement about his return to television after Curb wrapped up its 12th and final season just over a year ago. He joked about throwing a three-day foam party to celebrate ending Curb, only to have a violent allergic reaction to the suds. From there, he whimsically talked about retreating to a quiet life as a beekeeper, harvesting organic honey in his meadow. But, in classic Larry fashion, his bees mysteriously disappeared, and with a “heavy heart,” he’s coming back to TV. If that doesn’t set the stage for the kind of offbeat humor we expect, I don’t know what does.
And then there’s Barack Obama’s reaction. The former president, known for tackling some of the world’s toughest problems and dealing with hard-to-handle world leaders, said bluntly, “Nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David.” That’s pretty much the ultimate endorsement for Larry’s unique brand of comedy—and a teaser that working with him is its own kind of challenge.
For those unfamiliar, Higher Ground—the Obamas’ production company—launched back in 2018 with a mission to amplify new and diverse voices in entertainment. They quickly signed deals with big players like Netflix and Spotify, aiming to broaden conversations and representation in the industry. Since then, they’ve been behind some high-profile projects including the Oscar-winning documentary American Factory, the kid-friendly series Waffles + Mochi, and films like Rustin and Leave the World Behind. Their portfolio shows a wide range of genres and themes, but this new Larry David collaboration is definitely one of their more unexpected and comedic ventures.
Speaking of Larry David’s comedic chops, while he’s best known for his iconic sitcoms and stand-up comedy, he’s no stranger to sketch comedy either. Back in the early ’80s, he was a writer and performer on ABC’s Fridays, which was a sort of Saturday Night Live knockoff. Later, he briefly wrote for SNL itself. So, this HBO sketch series feels like a natural extension of some of his earlier work, but with his signature sardonic twist.
Here are a few exciting highlights to keep an eye on for this upcoming series:
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Larry David’s Return to HBO: After Curb Your Enthusiasm wrapped, Larry stepped away from the small screen, but this new project marks a big comeback for the 78-year-old comedy legend.
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The Obamas as Producers: Higher Ground’s involvement means the show will likely have sharp social and cultural insights, balancing humor with thoughtful commentary.
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A Unique Historical Spin: Unlike typical history shows, expect this to be irreverent and hilarious—a comedy that pokes fun at American history while celebrating it in its own quirky way.
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A Limited Series Format: Six episodes, each around 30 minutes, make it a neat and digestible binge with plenty of room for creative freedom.
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Creative Team Reunion: Bringing Jeff Schaffer back from Curb to co-write and direct means the show will likely keep that same smart, awkward comedy style fans adore.
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No Title Yet, But a Perfect Logline: The tagline alone sets the tone, blending presidential gravitas with Larry’s classic awkward charm.
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Behind-the-Scenes Chemistry: Larry’s playful jab at his own “beekeeping” dreams and Obama’s admission about working with Larry hint at plenty of behind-the-scenes fun and genuine chemistry.
This collaboration between a comedy legend and one of the most influential couples in recent history has serious potential to shake up the way we think about sketch comedy and historical storytelling. It’s rare to see a partnership that combines such wildly different voices, and that alone makes this series something to watch for.
As the country gears up to celebrate 250 years, HBO’s new show promises to be a standout part of the festivities—offering laughs, surprises, and maybe a little bit of that classic Larry David cringe we all secretly love. Whether you’re a history buff, a comedy fan, or just curious about what happens when Larry David meets the Obamas, this series is shaping up to be a must-watch.
Keep your eyes peeled for more details, including the title and premiere date. But for now, just imagine the hilarity of Larry David awkwardly stumbling through iconic moments of U.S. history—with Barack and Michelle Obama in the producer’s chair cheering him on. It’s the kind of unexpected mash-up that could only happen in today’s entertainment world.
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