Curb Your Enthusiasmis back, baby! And it’s pretty, pretty…pretty good. In addition to the beloved antihero that is Larry David, HBO’s acclaimed sitcom has featured a plethora of hilariousco-stars like Cheryl Hines, Ted Danson, and, more recently, J.B. Smoove — who has become Larry’s partner-in-crime in these latest seasons, to put it mildly. Given the wide spectrum of performances and very distinct, improvisation-style comedy, it’s plain to see the influenceCurb Your Enthusiasmhas had on other TV series in years past. HBO’s beloved sitcom also reminds us of hit shows that came before it. On that note, here’s a closer look at what’s out there to watch afterCurbcomes to an end this season.
15Atlanta (2016-2022)
Donald Glover’s belovedFX dramedy,Atlanta, sadly came to an end last year, but its spirit will surely live on, as future absurdist shows will undoubtedly benefit from its groundbreaking storytelling. The premise is simple enough: Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene to better their lives and the lives of their families. Glover plays Earn Marks, the manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. Alfred Brian Tyree Henry) is the rapper trying to understand the line between real life and street life. Then there’s Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), Alfred’s right-hand man who seems to live in his own little world.
How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm
Well, for starters, this latestCurbseason takes place partly in Atlanta. But on a more serious note, the single-cam sitcom nature ofAtlantamakes it a safe bet forCurbfans. The outrageous things Leon (Smoove) says inCurbcould easily be stated by an absurdist character like Darius (Stanfield) inAtlanta.Stream on Hulu.
14The Vince Staples Show(2024-)
Hip-hop fans already know the name from his vast discography of acclaimed, unique music. Now,Vince Stapleshas his own Netflix show, which is also a hit. Here he plays a less-famous version of himself as he navigates the challenges of everyday life in his hometown, known simply as The Beach in the storyline to humorous effect.
If you log into Netflix and hover over The Vince Staples Show, the tagline reads, “AtlantaMeetsCurb Your Enthusiasm.” The way Staples navigates a society where basically everyone recognizes him is similar to how David navigates a celeb-filled SoCal inCurb. Both shows lean into everyday trials and tribulations but witha unique protagonist’stake on things.Stream on Netflix.
13Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Before starring as himself in Curb, Larry David was a writer onSNL. Then, he sat down with pal Jerry Seinfeld to create arguably the best sitcom of all time.Seinfeldhas spawned some of the funniest sitcom episodes ever, even later in its run with theiconic Festivus episode. From the beginning, we’ve watched as the four single friends — Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer — deal with the absurdities of everyday life in New York City.
The connection here is obvious, and some have even usedSeinfeld’s creation as a drawback ofCurb, accusing Larry of sometimes stealing material from his first show to create episodes for his next sitcom. It’s a hoot seeing Seinfeld’s stars occasionally guest-star in episodes of Curb, so the brand of humor always remains similar between the two series. The banter between Leon and Larry in Curb often rivals that of Jerry and George inSeinfeld.Stream on Netflix.
12It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy created by Rob McElhenney. It stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. The series follows a group of friends that own and frequent the Irish bar, Paddy’s Pub, and get into all sorts of troubling adventures.
Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Frank, and Dee, a.k.a. “The Gang” own a notoriously unsuccessful pub in Philly thanks to their selfish, hard-drinking, and mischievous antics. It’s quite clear that The Gang never stoops too low for the sake of making some quick cash. Paddy’s Pub will forever serve as the basis forhilarious sitcom premises.
How It’s LikeCurb Your Enthusiasm
Put it this way: An old tagline forIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiawas, “It’sSeinfeld…on crack.” The co-creator ofSeinfeldwent on to doCurb, of course, and you can see shades of Larry David’s style all over the banter among theSunnycharacters. Just like how we often can’t stand Larry’s antics in Curb, we similarly cannot stand the behavior of the gang in Sunny — but it’s all in good fun, of course.Stream on Hulu.
11Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
Everybody Loves Raymond
He’s Ray both in real life and in hiswildly successful sitcom,Everybody Loves Raymond, that has made the comedian millions in syndication. In the show, “Raymond” is also successful, but as a sports writer. He’s also a perpetually stressed-out family man who juggles work with his immediate relatives who happen to live basically next door. Peter Boyle as his Dad is reliably hilarious, and Cloris Leachman is endlessly quotable as his mom, but perhaps it’s Debra (Patricia Heaton) who steals the show as Ray’s wife.
Sure,Curbtakes place in sunny Southern California, but thanks to Larry’s presence, the show has wise-cracking East Coast vibes all the way. Another show with this kind of vibe isEverybody Loves Raymond, particularly the banter between Ray and his dad Frank in the show. It certainly rivals the banter between Larry and his dad in the show, particularly that episode where Larry’s mom dies and no one tells him.Stream on Peacock or Paramount+.
10Cheers (1982-1993)
InCheers,Ted Danson plays Sam, a former Red Sox pitcher who now owns and runs the beloved cozy bar in Boston. Enlisted on his colorful staff are Diane (Shelley Long) and Carla (Rhea Perlman). The equally colorful cast of characters that round outCheers' clientele includes the beer-guzzling Norm (George Wendt) and postal worker Cliff (John Ratzenberger). It’s endless entertainment for a simple yet hilarious premise that ran for over 10 years.
Ted Danson fans certainly love his deadpan antics inCurbfrom time to time. But decades earlier, he was equally funny onCheers. Plus, Rhea Perlman’s Carla has similar comedic vibes as Susie Essman’s version of Susie inCurb. It’d be funny to get these two in the same room, in character, and see how it goes.Stream on Hulu or Paramount+.
9Entourage (2004-2011)
Anyone else hear Turtle saying “Previously onEntourage…” whenever the show comes to mind? HBO’s hit series follows just that: an entourage led by famous actor Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier), with his posse of East-Coast transplants now livingin sunny LAwith dreams of Hollywood and the good life. Then there’s Vinny’s agent, Ari Gold, played to hot-headed perfection by Emmy-winner Jeremy Piven. Who can forget his constant shouting of “LLOYD!!!”
It’s quite possible both Larry David and the cast ofEntouragehave frequented the same restaurants and hip locations around Southern California. Larry and the guys are all East Coasters at heart, which is whyCurbfans will catch similar vibes and antics inEntourage. Larry even has a bit of an entourage on his show, these days consisting of Leon, Jeff Garlin, and, of course, Richard Lewis (RIP).Stream on Max.
8Life’s Too Short (2011-2013)
Life’s Too Short
What a title!InLife’s Too Short, Warwick Davis plays a hilarious, fictionalized version of himself as a conning, selfish actor who will do anything to get the next big part in a movie. The mockumentary series was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and features countless cameos by celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Steve Carell, and, the best one of all, Liam Neeson.
Ricky Gervais is all overLife’s Too Shortand will also be remembered for his remarkable episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, where he plays a hilarious, kind of weird version of himself. There is a similar, palpable deadpan-comedy vibe in both these shows as well. They both thrive off the ingenuity of comedic timing in performance and should serve as inspiration for aspiring comedians everywhere, in both the U.S. and the U.K.Currently unavailable to stream.
7Hello Ladies (2013-2014)
Hello Ladies
Speaking of Stephen Merchant, there’s no Ricky Gervais by his side for this rather short-lived comedy series on HBO. InHello Ladies, he’s Stuart, a socially awkward web designer trying to score with the opposite sex in modern-day Los Angeles. Christine Woods co-stars as a struggling actress who happens to be Stuart’s roommate. Their sexual chemistry is finally explored in a hilarious spinoff movie following the show’s conclusion after two years.
They’re both single-cam sitcoms from HBO, featuring rather socially inept, aging white dudes on the dating scene who just never seem to find success. Hilarity ensues in each, as the morally conflicted protagonists navigate a modern-day Los Angeles. Seeing Stuart and the fictional Larry go out on the town and get themselves into sticky situations at clubs and restaurants is pure comedy bliss.Stream on Max.
6The Office (2005-2013)
The Office
The list of Stephen Merchant projects continues! First came the U.K. version starring Ricky Gervais. Then,Gervais and Merchant broughttheir British-style humor to the States with Michael Scott and his employees, otherwise known asThe Office. Another mockumentary that was a smashing success, there have been rumors of a reboot, though nothing beats the first couple seasons of the U.S. version that also featured hilarious pranks on Dwight by Jim and a budding romance between Jim and Pam. The later seasons weren’t nearly as solid, but Steve Carell’s iconic manager persona in a doomed paper company will live on and continue to inspire future sitcoms.
Both Larry David (theCurbversion) and Michael Scott seem stuck in their own ways, often clueless as to why their controversial antics seem to aggravate the rest of society. The masterful comedic timing ofThe Officeis certainly on par withCurb. Both have that documentary feel to them (especially sinceThe Officeis indeed a mockumentary by definition) in the way they’re up close and personal in everyday-type scenarios.Stream on Peacock.
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