“We approach it the same way we do Curb,” Schaffer confirms. “We have outlines, we improvise, we find the comedy in the moment.”

Larry David Gets Historical: ‘Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness’ Arrives June 26

Longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm collaborator Jeff Schaffer has pulled back the curtain on HBO’s upcoming sketch comedy series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness. The show—premiering June 26, 2024—sees Larry David playing selfish, petty versions of iconic historical figures.

A Presidential Commission from Higher Ground

The project was initiated by the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. While the premise might sound like a high-concept satire, Schaffer assures fans that the creative DNA is pure Larry David.

“The outlines are tight, but the dialogue is alive. We set a scene, let Larry be Larry, and the anachronistic tantrums write themselves.”

The Curb Your Enthusiasm Blueprint

Schaffer confirms the show’s production mirrors the process behind Curb Your Enthusiasm:

• Outlines replace scripts, giving performers freedom to improvise.
• Scenes are shot multiple times to capture the best comedic rhythm.
• David’s signature bite is directed entirely at history’s sacred cows.

What to Expect

The series will lampoon figures from George Washington to Sigmund Freud, with David embodying their most recognizable flaws—amplified through a modern, neurotic lens. The result, says Schaffer, is a “revisionist history where nobody learns anything, and everybody is annoyed.”

The Future of the Partnership

Schaffer also confirmed that he and David are already working on future projects, though he declined to offer specifics. “We never really stop,” he noted. “Larry has a lot of grievances left to air.”