*CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM* (2 Viewers)

[biggamer3]

That was the triumph dude who was Yari btw

 

[Snickers]

The shrink was gold last night, I wonder if Larry gave George Lucas a heads up that he would be mentioned as frequenting prostitutes and only lasting 4 minutes.

Best episode of a very strong season.

 

[Raider Nation]

The shrink was gold last night

"Don't worry, I never mention your name."

"I NEVER MENTIONED GEORGE LUCAS!"

 

[Raider Nation]

Alan Sepinwall's review if anyone cares:

"Mister Softee" was only a few minutes longer than a normal "Curb," but it felt epic, like "Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Motion Picture." I've watched it several times since HBO sent the screener out a few months ago, and I'm convinced it's one of a handful of the show's best episodes ever.

There have been times in the series (including this season) where it's felt like Larry and the other writers tried to cram too many ideas into a single episode, but "Mister Softee" just felt richer, rather than overcrowded. It's an episode that gave Larry a semi-serious girlfriend in Ana Gasteyer's character, a new pal in Bill Buckner, a new enemy in Robert Smigel as the Steinbrenner-identifying Yari, and, of all things, a therapist in the form of Fred Melamed as Dr. Arthur Thurgood. (Plus a cameo by Jerry "Hesh" Adler as the man who tries to recruit Larry for the minyan.)

Now, because HBO sent out a trio of out-of-sequence episodes, I assumed that the explanation for Larry going into therapy was introduced in a previous New York episode. Instead, he's just here, and while I don't love Larry taking such an out-of-character step without some kind of build-up (or ridiculous excuse, like why Larry's in New York in the first place), his actual encounters with the blabby shrink were marvelous, a rare case of Larry going toe-to-toe with someone who simultaneously has much to teach him and is just as smug and obnoxious in his own way as Larry. And the therapy provided a setting for a kind of Larry David origin story in the flashback to the original Mister Softee trauma, which explains not only where "Pret-tay, pret-tay good!" comes from, but why Larry in general is so chatty and casual during sex (it's a defense mechanism). The idea of Larry giving therapy a try is such a rich vein that I'm shocked it took so long to do it. Hopefully, this won't be the final appearance of the good, if unconfidential, doctor.

Speaking of which, I should note that many of this episode's stories were done before in some form on "Seinfeld." Substitute Keith Hernandez for Buckner, David Puddy (or the Brad Garrett character) for Yari, the blabby rabbi for Thurgood, etc., and you've seen Larry David do some version of these jokes before. (There was even a quick joke about his pride in finding a great parking spot, which was a familiar George Costanza refrain.) And you know what? I don't care, because the execution was so good - and in the case of Buckner, magnificent.

Buckner's had a lot of time in the last 25 years to take grief over letting Mookie's grounder roll between his legs, and he's become a very good sport about it. (It helps that the Sawx have since won two World Series and exorcised the ghosts, of course.) But this was just marvelous, from the zen-like way he lets all the attacks(*) wash off his back to the gag about him dropping Larry's horse#### throw to, of course, his ridiculous and yet awesome moment of triumph in saving the falling baby.

(*)One small nit-pick: while it made sense that the grieving Jewish nephew was mad at Buckner, I don't know that I'd buy that every single person in New York would be cursing him out. Mocking? Sure. But in a friendlier, "Hey, thanks for the World Series, pal!" kind of way. He's on the Mets' home turf, after all.

And what was especially great was how all the different plot threads kept layering on top of one another. Larry blows the play at first because of the Mister Softee truck, which leads him to befriend Buckner and also keeps Yari from fixing the vibrator chair in his car. Then the brilliant idea of having Leon put on glasses to become more popular with white people gets him a second Mookie ball, which then leads to him having to give Suzy a horrifying ride in the vibrator-mobile (the kind of gag where you know exactly what's going to happen and that only makes it funnier), which then puts him in a slight fender-bender with another Mister Softee truck, which puts him right in position to witness Buckner's miracle redemption.

This hasn't been a perfect season of "Curb" overall, but the episodes that have been good have been really, ridiculously good, and "Mister Softee" was the best so far. Wow.

 

[Snickers]

Every knowledgable Sox fan knows that Buckner wasn't the goat in Game 6. Calvin and Steamer blew the lead as the game was tied at the point the ball went through Buckner's legs. Those two along with McNamara and his questionable moves have always deserved more heat than Buckner.

 

[Raider Nation]

Every knowledgable Sox fan knows that Buckner wasn't the goat in Game 6. Calvin and Steamer blew the lead as the game was tied at the point the ball went through Buckner's legs. Those two along with McNamara and his questionable moves have always deserved more heat than Buckner.

Not to mention that Dave Stapleton should have replaced Buck for defensive purposes.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

This season is

It just keeps getting better. Larry is ten times funnier in NYC.

 

[Mister CIA]

"We will #### their sisters in their ####s"

I hurt from laughing at that line.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

"We will #### their sisters in their ####s"

I hurt from laughing at that line.

Finally this show is fulfilling it's potential. It's better than Seinfeld.

 

[Raider Nation]

Somebody PLEASE get a screen cap of Larry's face as Susie was having an orgasm!

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Somebody PLEASE get a screen cap of Larry's face as Susie was having an orgasm!

The scene with the gf felt a tad long but the one with Susie was spot on.

 

[biggamer3]

Rewatched the ep, this is going to go down as a top 5 Curb. So many funny parts.

I totally missed this Leon gem from the first watching

Leon: How was the game?

LD: I made an error in the last inning with two outs last out of the championship game

Leon (totally ignored whatever Larry just told him) Meanwhile I am standing the F out here counting my mother effin nuts, no why? because I cant get in the ####### building. This mother effer in the glass tube, the dude right here, the gate keeper wont let me in the building!

LD: Thats totally unacceptable

Leon: Thats unasseptable!!

LD: On behalf of all Caucasians, I apologize for the Caucasian race

 

[Reginald Cornsilks]

Ok

I'm just going to say it.

This was my favorite episode of the entire show I think.

My previous favorite was the Korean Bookie when they were on the beach and Larry thought everyone was eating dog-meat (Oscar).

This replaces it - so many great one liners

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Somebody PLEASE get a screen cap of Larry's face as Susie was having an orgasm!

Link

 

[Kevrunner]

Can't wait to see how the storyline with Michael J. (Shakes) Fox plays out.

 

[Raider Nation]

Somebody PLEASE get a screen cap of Larry's face as Susie was having an orgasm!

Link

Awesome. Hope someone makes that their avatar. I've been with this one too long to change now.

 

[azgroover]

Some random thoughs, most have already been mentioned in one form or another though. I just got around to watching the episode last night, so I'm admittedly late to the party.

[*]"#### their sisters in the ####" is up there with the show's all time classic one-liners.

[*]I loved how they found a kid that looked just like Larry for the flashback sequence.

[*]I think the bit about the glasses on the black man is somewhat true. It's another great life observation by Larry.

[*]Susie kills it every time she's on. Hilarious how she was riding Buckner just moments after meeting him.

[*]Liked how nobody was in line to meet Buckner and he was excited about the free lunch at the minyan. The guy did great for being a non-actor.

[*]The shrink was a great character. I hope we get to see him again, but I doubt we will. It cracked me up how Larry got sidetracked from his original problems for the moment whenever the guy would name drop.

 

[shadyridr]

agreed, the therapist was a classic character!

 

[Righetti]

Some random thoughs, most have already been mentioned in one form or another though. I just got around to watching the episode last night, so I'm admittedly late to the party.

[*]"#### their sisters in the ####" is up there with the show's all time classic one-liners.

[*]I loved how they found a kid that looked just like Larry for the flashback sequence.

[*]I think the bit about the glasses on the black man is somewhat true. It's another great life observation by Larry.

[*]Susie kills it every time she's on. Hilarious how she was riding Buckner just moments after meeting him.

[*]Liked how nobody was in line to meet Buckner and he was excited about the free lunch at the minyan. The guy did great for being a non-actor.

[*]The shrink was a great character. I hope we get to see him again, but I doubt we will. It cracked me up how Larry got sidetracked from his original problems for the moment whenever the guy would name drop.

one very small nitpick.. I think it would have been better if set in Boston.. with the whole inventor thing going on the last episode they could have tied a trip to Boston into it to go meet that guy.. I don't think the average guy on the streets of NY would recognize Buckner let alone yell at him.

 

[Righetti]

agreed, the therapist was a classic character!

fantastic

 

[azgroover]

agreed, the therapist was a classic character!

fantastic

You remember how you'd see your teacher while you were out shopping with your mom, then you realized your teacher doesn't live at school? Larry, I don't live at school.(turns around)

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Mister Softee is definitely a top 5 Curb episode of all time.

This season has been great. The car periscope episode was weak on the first viewing, but when I watched it a second time, it had be

 

[shadyridr]

agreed, the therapist was a classic character!

fantastic

You remember how you'd see your teacher while you were out shopping with your mom, then you realized your teacher doesn't live at school? Larry, I don't live at school.(turns around)

You forgot the part where Larry was like I dont know what youre talking about and just kept talking to him.

 

[shadyridr]

My favorite Curb episodes ever:

1. Krayzee Eyes Killa

2. Ski Lift

3. HOV Lane

4. The Bisexual

5. Palestine Chicken

Mr Softee is ahead of all of them IMO. 3 of my top 6 episodes ever in one season is impressive.

 

[crewmember]

Alan Sepinwall's review if anyone cares:

"Mister Softee" was only a few minutes longer than a normal "Curb," but it felt epic, like "Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Motion Picture." I've watched it several times since HBO sent the screener out a few months ago, and I'm convinced it's one of a handful of the show's best episodes ever.

There have been times in the series (including this season) where it's felt like Larry and the other writers tried to cram too many ideas into a single episode, but "Mister Softee" just felt richer, rather than overcrowded. It's an episode that gave Larry a semi-serious girlfriend in Ana Gasteyer's character, a new pal in Bill Buckner, a new enemy in Robert Smigel as the Steinbrenner-identifying Yari, and, of all things, a therapist in the form of Fred Melamed as Dr. Arthur Thurgood. (Plus a cameo by Jerry "Hesh" Adler as the man who tries to recruit Larry for the minyan.)

Now, because HBO sent out a trio of out-of-sequence episodes, I assumed that the explanation for Larry going into therapy was introduced in a previous New York episode. Instead, he's just here, and while I don't love Larry taking such an out-of-character step without some kind of build-up (or ridiculous excuse, like why Larry's in New York in the first place), his actual encounters with the blabby shrink were marvelous, a rare case of Larry going toe-to-toe with someone who simultaneously has much to teach him and is just as smug and obnoxious in his own way as Larry. And the therapy provided a setting for a kind of Larry David origin story in the flashback to the original Mister Softee trauma, which explains not only where "Pret-tay, pret-tay good!" comes from, but why Larry in general is so chatty and casual during sex (it's a defense mechanism). The idea of Larry giving therapy a try is such a rich vein that I'm shocked it took so long to do it. Hopefully, this won't be the final appearance of the good, if unconfidential, doctor.

Speaking of which, I should note that many of this episode's stories were done before in some form on "Seinfeld." Substitute Keith Hernandez for Buckner, David Puddy (or the Brad Garrett character) for Yari, the blabby rabbi for Thurgood, etc., and you've seen Larry David do some version of these jokes before. (There was even a quick joke about his pride in finding a great parking spot, which was a familiar George Costanza refrain.) And you know what? I don't care, because the execution was so good - and in the case of Buckner, magnificent.

Buckner's had a lot of time in the last 25 years to take grief over letting Mookie's grounder roll between his legs, and he's become a very good sport about it. (It helps that the Sawx have since won two World Series and exorcised the ghosts, of course.) But this was just marvelous, from the zen-like way he lets all the attacks(*) wash off his back to the gag about him dropping Larry's horse#### throw to, of course, his ridiculous and yet awesome moment of triumph in saving the falling baby.

(*)One small nit-pick: while it made sense that the grieving Jewish nephew was mad at Buckner, I don't know that I'd buy that every single person in New York would be cursing him out. Mocking? Sure. But in a friendlier, "Hey, thanks for the World Series, pal!" kind of way. He's on the Mets' home turf, after all.

And what was especially great was how all the different plot threads kept layering on top of one another. Larry blows the play at first because of the Mister Softee truck, which leads him to befriend Buckner and also keeps Yari from fixing the vibrator chair in his car. Then the brilliant idea of having Leon put on glasses to become more popular with white people gets him a second Mookie ball, which then leads to him having to give Suzy a horrifying ride in the vibrator-mobile (the kind of gag where you know exactly what's going to happen and that only makes it funnier), which then puts him in a slight fender-bender with another Mister Softee truck, which puts him right in position to witness Buckner's miracle redemption.

This hasn't been a perfect season of "Curb" overall, but the episodes that have been good have been really, ridiculously good, and "Mister Softee" was the best so far. Wow.

Larry wants to discontinue his counseling when he sees his therapist (John Pleshette) in a thong; Rob Reiner convinces Larry to do a lunch as a prize in a "Groat's syndrome" charity auction, only for him to annoy the winner when he starts eating first.

 

[Major]

My favorite Curb episodes ever:

1. Krayzee Eyes Killa

2. Ski Lift

3. HOV Lane

4. The Bisexual

5. Palestine Chicken

Mr Softee is ahead of all of them IMO. 3 of my top 6 episodes ever in one season is impressive.

One of my favorites as well. I hope we see him again. Crazy Eyes interacting with Leon would be gold.

 

[azgroover]

How about the one where Larry sees the guy getting baptized in the river, but he thinks that the guy is being drowned by the others. Turns out, it's Cheryls cousins Jewish fiancé. The guy was going to convert to Christianity and everyone thinks Larry stopped it in order to not lose a Jew. The other Jews view him as a hero, the rest of the family holds a grudge. If I'm not mixing up episodes, it starts off with Larry having lost the plane tickets and he goes around the airport accusing everyone of stealing his tickets and subsequently getting cussed out.

 

[Raider Nation]

My favorite Curb episodes ever:1. Krayzee Eyes Killa2. Ski Lift3. HOV Lane4. The Bisexual5. Palestine ChickenMr Softee is ahead of all of them IMO. 3 of my top 6 episodes ever in one season is impressive.

No "Mary, Joseph and Larry?"

It's December 23rd, and Larry gets up to get a midnight snack. He eats some cookies in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, those cookies were a nativity scene that Cheryl's devoutly religious sister was preparing, and being Christmas Eve, it's too late to get a replacement. Larry scrambles to find a replacement, which he does in the form of a live nativity scene at a local church. But a pubic hair stuck in Larry's throat means no nativity scene.

 

[jplvr]

I actually snorted while laughing tonight. I'm only halfway through the episode.

Gotta give a lot of credit to Michael J. Fox, period... for a lot of reasons.

edit: I've been underwhelmed with most of the episodes since the Palestinian restaurant, so I've kept quiet during a lot of the praise for the season, but that was prettty awesome from start to finish.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Michael J. Fox is just awesome. Great episode, great season.

 

[Raider Nation]

SO many killer lines.

"Well... I can't get him a baseball. Or a football."

And Leon with "Thank God he didn't hand you his ####. He coulda shook that #### up and the #### would shoot sperm in your face!"

 

[bills025]

How about the one where Larry sees the guy getting baptized in the river, but he thinks that the guy is being drowned by the others. Turns out, it's Cheryls cousins Jewish fiancé. The guy was going to convert to Christianity and everyone thinks Larry stopped it in order to not lose a Jew. The other Jews view him as a hero, the rest of the family holds a grudge. If I'm not mixing up episodes, it starts off with Larry having lost the plane tickets and he goes around the airport accusing everyone of stealing his tickets and subsequently getting cussed out.

I was about to post this same episode. One of the funniest 30 minutes I've ever seen.

 

[azgroover]

Michael J. Fox is just awesome. Great episode, great season.

What a way to finish, what I believe is possibly the best season yet in terms of laughs per episode. I haven't inventoried each season, but I'd put this one up against most others.

[*]Larry trying to get everyone in the bar to quiet down for the piano.

[*]The elevator scene got a little out of hand, but it was funny.

[*]"Pre Gay"..I finally have the term I've been looking for regarding feminine kids..Kid's favorite show was "Project Runway" and the hand gestures when describing the swastika.

[*]Cameo by Mayor Bloomberg was a nice nightcap to an unfunny anniversary day (9/11).

 

[Dentist]

How about the one where Larry sees the guy getting baptized in the river, but he thinks that the guy is being drowned by the others. Turns out, it's Cheryls cousins Jewish fiancé. The guy was going to convert to Christianity and everyone thinks Larry stopped it in order to not lose a Jew. The other Jews view him as a hero, the rest of the family holds a grudge. If I'm not mixing up episodes, it starts off with Larry having lost the plane tickets and he goes around the airport accusing everyone of stealing his tickets and subsequently getting cussed out.

excellent episode

 

[Raider Nation]

"Pre Gay".. I finally have the term I've been looking for regarding feminine kids..Kid's favorite show was "Project Runway" and the hand gestures when describing the swastika.

Phenomenal LOL moment.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Great season finale.I don't think Susie Essman gets enough credit. She has great skill with profanity. Her f-bombs come from somewhere deep in her soul.Jeff: I took a bullet for you.Susie: Meh. It was a bike

Michael J. Fox is just awesome.

He seems to be having a blast at this stage of his career.I've seen him interviewed recently. He has no bitterness, no self-pity. Really upbeat about his life.He mentioned that he would love to return to a full-time sitcom, but he just can't do it physically. He also can't go on location for a movie shoot because he can't be away from his doctors. So, he told his agent to put out the word that if some show could let him come in for a couple hours a day for a week or so, that he would love to come in and bang out a few scenes.Fox killed on"Rescue Me"; he was great on "The Good Wife" and now Curb.I look forward to seeing him in something new.

 

[Daywalker]

What I loved most about the Buckner episode is that it will actually change his life. Buckner made a major error but that series was far from over.

You know Buckner will forever hear "great catch" as often as all the disparaging things he probably hears on a normal basis. Great for him. He was a terrific player. Bravo to L. David for actually changing that guys life. Unique moment in television history.

How do you not love Buckner now? He's now more beloved then a random first baseman who makes that play to win the W.S.

 

[Daywalker]

Great season finale.I don't think Susie Essman gets enough credit. She has great skill with profanity. Her f-bombs come from somewhere deep in her soul.Jeff: I took a bullet for you.Susie: Meh. It was a bike

Michael J. Fox is just awesome.

He seems to be having a blast at this stage of his career.I've seen him interviewed recently. He has no bitterness, no self-pity. Really upbeat about his life.He mentioned that he would love to return to a full-time sitcom, but he just can't do it physically. He also can't go on location for a movie shoot because he can't be away from his doctors. So, he told his agent to put out the word that if some show could let him come in for a couple hours a day for a week or so, that he would love to come in and bang out a few scenes.Fox killed on"Rescue Me"; he was great on "The Good Wife" and now Curb.I look forward to seeing him in something new.

Curb could go on forever. Why not? This season had no arc yet one of best of the series. The middle part of season was amazing. The last few were ok.How did they cast that kid? Seriously when you talk about emmy's and those categories that are like "special guest appearance" that kid was amazing.

 

[Raider Nation]

How did they cast that kid? Seriously when you talk about emmy's and those categories that are like "special guest appearance" that kid was amazing.

I thought the same thing. Loved when he let out the little girl scream when he saw that Larry gave him a sewing machine. I kept wondering in the back of my head how Larry explained how to gay it up to an 8 year-old kid ....

I imagine that's what HUCKS was a lot like at that age.

 

[Daywalker]

How did they cast that kid? Seriously when you talk about emmy's and those categories that are like "special guest appearance" that kid was amazing.

I thought the same thing. Loved when he let out the little girl scream when he saw that Larry gave him a sewing machine. I kept wondering in the back of my head how Larry explained how to gay it up to an 8 year-old kid ....

I imagine that's what HUCKS was a lot like at that age.

Larry explaining to a child-actor how to gay it up is an episode in itself. Ha.

 

[Donsmith753]

Just got the full box set, never seen this before. What am I in for?

 

[Daywalker]

Just got the full box set, never seen this before. What am I in for?

Probably my 2nd favorite comedy of all-time. After Seinfeld, which for a network show is unparralled.Type of show that is not good for marathons though. Need to space it out. Every episode has similar humor which could get wearisome if you watch 5 episodes in a row. Once a week is a great fix though.

 

[shadyridr]

That kid was a phenomenal actor.

And maybe the funniest moment in the entire series was Larry & Jeff talking about getting the kid a slinky and describing the motion as playing with balls.

 

[Major]

Swastika pillow sham

 

[The Gator]

Swastika pillow sham

I was wondering how the swastika was going to come into play

 

[lumpy19]

How did they cast that kid? Seriously when you talk about emmy's and those categories that are like "special guest appearance" that kid was amazing.

I thought the same thing. Loved when he let out the little girl scream when he saw that Larry gave him a sewing machine. I kept wondering in the back of my head how Larry explained how to gay it up to an 8 year-old kid ....

I imagine that's what HUCKS was a lot like at that age.

Larry explaining to a child-actor how to gay it up is an episode in itself. Ha.

I kept thinking of the fact that we hear there's an outline for each episode and no lines, a lot of improv. Did they write lines for this kid?Pre-gay was the funniest line of the season for me

 

[Dentist]

to me it's just awkward watching Fox. i am one of his biggest fans from back to the future and family ties and teen wolf.

But he doesn't look good, his scenes look awkward, and it just makes me a little uncomfortable.

for that reason i wasn't a huge fan of the finale.

I wonder how those in the Parkinson's community actually received that episode... I can't imagine that was good for his foundation.

Overall i enjoyed the season though... the juicing episode and buckner episodes were great...

 

[lumpy19]

to me it's just awkward watching Fox. i am one of his biggest fans from back to the future and family ties and teen wolf.

But he doesn't look good, his scenes look awkward, and it just makes me a little uncomfortable.

for that reason i wasn't a huge fan of the finale.

I wonder how those in the Parkinson's community actually received that episode... I can't imagine that was good for his foundation.

Overall i enjoyed the season though... the juicing episode and buckner episodes were great...

How could it be bad? Publicity is publicity.

 

[belljr]

That kid was a phenomenal actor.And maybe the funniest moment in the entire series was Larry & Jeff talking about getting the kid a slinky and describing the motion as playing with balls.

 

[Raider Nation]

to me it's just awkward watching Fox. i am one of his biggest fans from back to the future and family ties and teen wolf.

But he doesn't look good, his scenes look awkward, and it just makes me a little uncomfortable.

for that reason i wasn't a huge fan of the finale.

I wonder how those in the Parkinson's community actually received that episode... I can't imagine that was good for his foundation.

Overall i enjoyed the season though... the juicing episode and buckner episodes were great...

How could it be bad? Publicity is publicity.

Pissed or Parkinson's?