Larry David created and starred as a fictionalized version of himself in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
The series premiered on HBO in 2000 after a 1999 television special presented as a documentary about David’s return to stand-up. Its semi-improvised format follows David through social situations in which minor misunderstandings grow into elaborate conflicts. The show’s comedy depends on awkward conversations, social rules, and the consequences of saying what other people only think.
Although the lead character shares David’s name and parts of his background, he is a fictionalized television persona rather than a documentary portrait. The show also features recurring performances by Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, and J. B. Smoove.
David was already famous as a co-creator and writer of Seinfeld. Curb Your Enthusiasm is separate from Seinfeld, though it often explores similar observational and social-comedy territory. Its episodes are known for using outlines and improvisation instead of fully scripted dialogue.