The 15 Best Episodes Of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ranked

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary trajectory of Larry David. From his tumultuous journey through the standup scene to his notorious stint on “Saturday Night Live” following a brief tenure on ABC’s “SNL” spinoff, “Fridays,” it seemed like an uphill battle for him. However, fortune favors the bold, as they say, and he defied all odds by co-creating the iconic sitcom “Seinfeld,” infusing prime time with his unique brand of biting wit.

But that was merely a prelude to the fame that would follow. The role he was destined for—playing himself—in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” catapulted him to unprecedented heights. Originally envisioned as a one-off HBO special, it metamorphosed into a 12-season series that revolved around life’s trivial irritants. In doing so, Larry David became the revered figurehead of the disgruntled masses.

In this show, Larry David portrays a character based on himself, residing in Los Angeles with wealth earned from “Seinfeld.” He spends his day engaging in trivial disputes and creating chaos for his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), manager Jeff (Jeff Garlin), Jeff’s spouse Susie (Susie Essman), housemate Leon (J.B. Smoove), best friend Richard Lewis, and longtime adversary Ted Danson.

Despite being largely unscripted and filmed in a documentary-like manner, each episode showcases remarkable narrative creativity, with minor plotlines eventually intertwining in a satisfying resolution. Throughout the series, Larry stubbornly clings to his misanthropic nature, which we find endearing and wouldn’t want him any other way. Here are the 15 standout episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” ranked using IMDb ratings, fan preferences, and my understanding of the show.

15. Larry vs. Michael J. Fox (Season 8, Episode 10)

During an extended visit in New York City, Larry becomes suspicious that his upstairs neighbor, Michael J. Fox, might be exploiting his Parkinson’s condition to cause him trouble, such as shaking soda cans and reprimanding him in restaurants. Simultaneously, he faces issues with his girlfriend, Jennifer (Ana Gasteyer), after buying her effeminate son (Eddie Schweighardt) a sewing machine for his birthday. In an attempt to rectify the situation, he later tries to replace the gift, but not before creating a pillow adorned with a swastika for Susie – a symbol Larry had previously introduced the boy to. Matters escalate at a charity event hosted by Fox, when Larry is expelled by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for allegedly mocking Parkinson’s disease.

It’s no wonder that Larry, who always assumes the worst about people, suspects that Fox is exaggerating his Parkinson’s condition as a means to embarrass him, given that Larry has been fighting it for over three decades. It speaks volumes about the actors on “Curb” that Fox manages to make such a scenario seem somewhat believable. Indeed, Fox presents a formidable opponent to Larry’s cynicism.

14. Opening Night (Season 4, Episode 10)

As the premiere of “The Producers” nears, Larry attempts to exercise an option on his “sleep-with-another-woman-on-your-10-year-anniversary” card with co-star Cady Huffman. However, this plan fades when he discovers a picture of George W. Bush in her dressing room. When it’s time for him to take the stage as Max Bialystock alongside David Schwimmer as Leo Bloom, Larry forgets his lines. This blunder brings joy to Mel Brooks, who anticipates finally being released from the show now that he’ll no longer be involved. Despite this, Larry manages to fill in with a stand-up act until he remembers his lines, and his performance is well-received. Meanwhile, Mel Brooks celebrates with his wife, Anne Bancroft.

In a clever twist reminiscent of “The Producers,” Larry’s journey to Broadway concludes with an unexpected success from what was meant to be a flop. This ongoing quest of his, spanning the entire season, for a woman willing to sleep with him under his wife’s approval is nothing short of laugh-out-loud funny. The show’s core theme is poignantly reflected in this absurd endeavor. However, Larry’s failure to find a suitable partner may suggest that he holds a deep affection for Cheryl, despite the fact that love might not be a word often associated with Larry.

13. The Ski Lift (Season 5, Episode 8)

In a bid to help Richard Lewis acquire a kidney transplant, Larry develops a friendship with the head of the consortium, an Orthodox Jew named Stuart Pankin. To strengthen their bond, Larry invites them both, along with Stuart’s daughter Rachel (Iris Bahr), on a ski trip. During this trip, an unexpected incident occurs when Larry and Rachel get stranded on a lift as the sun sets. In order to observe religious customs, Rachel jumps off the lift to avoid being with a man after sundown. Meanwhile, Richard’s nurse Lisa (Mo Collins) shares some personal gossip about her past relationships with Jeff, suggesting that he has a small penis. However, Jeff (the subject of the conversation) retorts by claiming Lisa has a large vagina instead. With a few items mysteriously disappearing whenever Lisa is around, Larry starts to suspect that Jeff might be telling the truth about his relationship with Lisa.

In “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Larry David humorously portrayed his real-life friendship with Richard Lewis, highlighting their contentious bond through comedic jabs. On the show, Larry’s affection doesn’t extend beyond certain limits, and he takes extraordinary measures to prevent himself from donating one of his kidneys to keep Richard alive. His aversion to surgery affects not only their relationship but even extends to an innocent bystander like Rachel.

12. The Accidental Text on Purpose (Season 9, Episode 6)

When Richard Lewis and Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein) run into trouble with their new partners, Rhonda (Andrea Savage) and Marilyn (Elizabeth Perkins), Larry comes up with a clever solution to diffuse the situation: he suggests sending them a text meant for someone else that makes you appear honorable. His strategy works, but it leads to him being at odds with both Lewis and Funkhouser after upsetting Rhonda and Marilyn. However, when Rhonda and Marilyn discover the “purposefully sent misdirected text” trick, it’s Richard and Marty who are left explaining their actions.

In many instances of the popular show “Curb”, Larry often attempts to dodge accountability using complex deceptions. However, in this specific case, his companions share equal blame (and it’s hard to justify their decision to follow his advice, considering his history). Sending a deliberate fake text message may appear harmless at first glance, but the repercussions are significant for everyone involved. It seems that Larry has yet another knack for devising a plan that leads to a greater predicament than the one previously encountered.

11. The Grand Opening (Season 3, Episode 10)

As the grand opening of the restaurant I’m co-financing with Ted Danson and Michael York draws near, I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I’ve let go of our previous head chef and brought on Paul Sands, who happens to have Tourette syndrome. To add more chaos to the mix, I inadvertently injure the city’s top food critic, Paul Willson, by breaking his thumbs. The opening night seems promising until our new chef lets a string of expletives fly. Feeling rattled, I join in, and before long, the entire restaurant is filled with colorful language.

In my gaming world, my character, Larry, is notoriously snarky and that infamous food critic’s thumb-breaking incident is a clear dig at Roger Ebert, who gave a harsh zero-star review to David’s only directorial project, “Sour Grapes.” (Fortunately, Ebert took it all in good humor.) But, there’s another side to Larry – he’s got a heart, albeit a bit hidden, as shown when he stood by his chef during an awkward moment. The fact that these contrasting traits coexist within one character is what makes him so captivating on the screen.

10. The Bat Mitzvah (Season 6, Episode 10)

In the aftermath of Cheryl leaving him, Larry ventures back into dating. At a gastroenterologist’s office, he encounters a possible new love interest. However, when he sarcastically explains his digestive issues, it sparks talk among guests at Sammi Greene’s (Ashly Holloway) bat mitzvah that Larry inserted a gerbil up himself. Despite this gossip, romance develops between him and Loretta Black (Vivica A. Fox), whose family moves in with Larry and Cheryl following the destruction of their home during Hurricane Katrina.

In Season 6 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” two key aspects significantly shaped Larry’s character: his romantic ventures and his living situation with Loretta’s brother Leon, who moves in and refuses to leave. The episode titled “The Bat Mitzvah” stands out as it hints at a potential transformation in Larry, suggesting he might evolve into a person capable of forming a new family with Loretta, Leon, and Auntie Rae (Ellia English). However, his self-centered nature remains intact, as he pretends to be intellectually disabled to prevent anyone from renting the office next to his.

9. Happy New Year (Season 10, Episode 1)

As a fervent admirer, I found myself in a rather tricky situation when I carelessly wiped my glasses on a shirt belonging to my assistant, which unfortunately turned out to be her work attire. This action led to a sexual harassment claim being filed against me, somewhat alleviating the scrutiny Jeff was facing for constantly being mistaken for Harvey Weinstein.

In an even more heated incident, I had a run-in with Mocha Joe (Saverio Guerra) over the quality of his coffee shop. This disagreement led me to open a rival establishment, Latte Larry’s, right next door, offering lower prices in a bid to express my displeasure and potentially win over customers.

In the end, he manages to skip lunch with “Everybody Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal by donning a Make America Great Again cap and causing Cheryl an allergic reaction from his talcum powder, suggesting that they had previously been intimate, as she is currently dating Ted Danson.

In Season 10 of “Curb”, we find all the classic elements that make this show so appealing. There are initial mix-ups escalating into serious problems (like being falsely accused of sexual harassment); minor disputes ballooning into major projects (such as opening a spite store); and an attempt to escape human interaction altogether (donning the MAGA hat). It’s all packed in, and it’s all incredibly funny.

8. Denise Handicap (Season 7, Episode 5)

Larry begins a romantic relationship with Denise (Anita Barone), who uses a wheelchair, and discovers numerous advantages from being with someone in this position. For instance, he’s invited to a concert by friends who admire his new romance, but unfortunately, Susie accidentally throws his phone into the sea. With Denise unreachable, he asks Wendy (Amy Pietz) as her substitute, only for Denise to unexpectedly appear, causing an uncomfortable encounter when they cross paths.

Despite not being particularly selfless, Larry David from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” occasionally engages in kind acts, often with an ulterior motive. His relationship with Denise isn’t ideal, but he continues dating her due to the benefits it brings, such as maintaining a positive image in public eyes. However, when it comes to his good deeds, he tends to execute them in the most inept way imaginable, resulting in humorous predicaments, like his attempt to exchange one disabled girlfriend for another.

7. Elizabeth, Margaret and Larry (Season 10, Episode 8)

As I dive into the role of a quirky character akin to Larry David in an upcoming film, I eagerly decide to tag along with the man himself to observe his unique behaviors firsthand. So here I am, following Larry as he tackles Cheryl’s sister Becky (Kaitlin Olson) over her choice to sell the house she was gifted, effectively profiting from it. Things heat up between them, and for a while, we become an item. However, our relationship fizzles out when Larry doesn’t rush to Denver to be with Becky after she meets with a skiing accident. Simultaneously, Larry and Leon embark on a new business venture: setting up portable bathrooms for workers who require relief during their shifts.

In more contemporary times, not many actors have managed to establish such unique identities as Larry David, and Hamm skillfully imitates his idiosyncrasies, speech rhythms, and quirks to a tee. The dual presence of two Larrys is a source of irritation for all, leading to their expulsion from a gathering hosted by Richard Lewis, his girlfriend Sasha Alexander, and Larry’s cousin Andy. Even Cheryl finds herself drained during a date with Hamm, who finds it difficult to shake off the character as he has immersed himself too deeply in it.

6. The Doll (Season 2, Episode 7)

Following a successful proposal of a new series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus to ABC, Larry nearly jeopardizes the deal by agreeing to trim a doll’s hair belonging to an executive’s child. Distraught upon discovering that the doll’s hair doesn’t grow back, Larry and Jeff attempt damage control by exchanging the head of one of Sammi’s dolls. Susie becomes furious, yet Larry conceals the doll’s head in his trousers. Later, he replaces the missing item with a water bottle to alleviate discomfort in his groin area, resulting in confusion when the grateful daughter hugs him.

The Doll” marked the exceptional debut of the series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” overflowing with the traditional miscommunications and sour grumps that later became its hallmark. In an attempt to connect with a child, Larry decides to trim the doll’s hair, only for events to spiral out of control in ways he could have never foreseen. This incident leaves one questioning if kindness is ever worthwhile, leading one to ponder if it’s better not to try at all?

5. The Car Pool Lane (Season 4, Episode 6)

In a somewhat unscrupulous manner, Larry feigns racial prejudice as an excuse for avoiding jury duty, thus allowing him to attend a Dodgers game instead. To beat the heavy traffic congestion, he hires a woman named Monena (portrayed by Kym Whitley) to ride in the carpool lane with him. In a twist of events, Larry encounters Marty Funkhouser who refuses to vacate the seat next to him due to it being intended for his deceased father. Later, Marty is apprehended for possessing a jacket that belonged to Larry, which he used while purchasing marijuana for Larry’s father, Nat (played by Shelley Berman), to alleviate his glaucoma symptoms. Recognizing that Marty was arrested by the same judge from the case Larry had manipulated earlier, Larry enlists Monena’s help in pretending to be his girlfriend.

The Car Pool Lane isn’t just where some of the show’s smartest comedy unfolds, it also played an unexpected role in sparing someone from prison time. As explained in the Netflix documentary “Long Shot,” Juan Catalan successfully defended himself against murder charges by presenting unused footage from Dodger Stadium as proof of his alibi. This is a powerful demonstration of how art can make a positive impact on society.

4. The Table Read (Season 7, Episode 9)

At the table during the “Seinfeld” reunion, Larry finds himself making friends with a lively nine-year-old named Emma (Sierra McCormick), who is constantly texting him. To make matters worse, Emma has a rash on her private area that inadvertently transfers to Larry, causing confusion at the doctor’s office. Simultaneously, Michael Richards (Kramer) is finding it challenging to slip back into his role after being diagnosed with Groat’s disease. In an attempt to help, Larry asks Leon to impersonate a man who had passed away from the same condition two months prior. When Richards uncovers their scheme, he confronts Leon, leading others to fear he might slip into another racially charged outburst like his previous career-damaging incident.

In the finale of Season 7 of “Seinfeld”, while we don’t witness a full-blown reunion, there is a nod to fans by bringing back Estelle Harris (Mrs. Costanza), Wayne Knight (Newman), and Steve Hytner (Kenny Bania) for a table read. Additionally, some entertaining tension between Larry David and Jason Alexander, who play each other’s on-screen counterparts, arises when Larry quickly regrets lending his pen to Jason during the reading.

3. No Lessons Learned (Season 12, Episode 10)

During his trial in Georgia for giving Auntie Rae a water bottle while she was queuing to vote, Larry encounters numerous individuals from his past who are summoned by the prosecution as character witnesses. From Mocha Joe to Mr. Takahashi (played by Dana Lee), these figures express their displeasure towards Larry, as they recount various wrongdoings attributed to him. The jury then convicts Larry, and the judge (Dean Norris) imprisons him for a year, hoping that this experience will teach him a lesson. However, his longtime friend Jerry Seinfeld arrives to inform him that a mistrial has been declared.

In true Larry David style, the finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” serves as a counterpoint to those who found the “Seinfeld” finale underwhelming. Yet, it also manages to provide a small measure of contentment for viewers, since Larry continues his pattern of avoiding accountability for his actions once more. By the end, Larry remains as captivated by the peculiar shape his pants create as he was at the beginning, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

2. Seinfeld (Season 7, Episode 10)

As the “Seinfeld” reunion progresses, Larry finds himself envious of the blossoming relationship between Jason Alexander and Cheryl, who he’s chosen to portray George’s ex-wife, Amanda. He sabotages the ending in which George and Amanda reconcile, resulting in Jason storming off the set. Larry proposes playing George himself, but the cast supports Jason instead, and Larry departs, disappointed that his scheme to win back Cheryl has fallen through.

During the broadcast of the episode, Cheryl unexpectedly visits his house, moved by his efforts for her. However, their peaceful moment turns sour when Larry finds a water ring stain left by Cheryl on Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s wooden table, leading him to be mistakenly accused of the mess.

In a delightful twist for fans who pondered what it might be like if Larry David portrayed George Costanza on “Seinfeld,” their wish came true in the Season 7 finale. The hilarity escalates as Larry’s subpar performance, along with the stunned responses from his fellow actors, makes for an even funnier scene. This moment stands out as the pinnacle of the season-long anti-reunion storyline, a plot twist that surpassed expectations in true Larry David fashion.

1. Palestinian Chicken (Season 8, Episode 3)

Larry and Jeff begin visiting a recently opened Palestinian chicken restaurant that’s next door to a Jewish deli. An incident occurs when Marty Funkhouser refuses to remove his yarmulke before entering, prompting Larry to try forcefully removing it, which is met with approval from the patrons. This action leads to Larry dating a beautiful Palestinian woman named Shara (Anne Bedian). Simultaneously, Larry’s friend Ron (Jason Kravitz) asks him to use his skills as a “social assassin” to convince his wife, Ilene (Maggie Wheeler), to stop using “LOL.” This request results in Ilene having an affair with their friend, Eddie (Larry Miller), who swears Larry to keep the secret. When Sammi learns about the affair, she threatens to reveal it to Ron unless Larry employs his unique talent to make Susie stop smacking her lips after taking a sip.

Over 12 seasons on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Larry’s unique talent lies in his knack for uttering highly inappropriate remarks without any repercussions. Correspondingly, Larry David’s exceptional writing skill is demonstrated by creating humor from seemingly offensive content. In the episode “Palestinian Chicken,” these two talents are brilliantly combined to produce a stunning piece of television.

2025-06-28 23:32