Generally speaking, when people consider director Martin Scorsese, they don’t often associate him with television. Instead, it’s his groundbreaking films like “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” and “Goodfellas,” along with more recent hits such as “The Departed” and “The Irishman,” that he is most renowned for in the film industry. However, Scorsese’s impact on television is equally noteworthy and deserves closer scrutiny.
It appears that Martin Scorsese’s fascination with television might have been sparked by acclaimed mob series such as “The Sopranos,” “Peaky Blinders,” and the latest Paramount+ show, “Mobland.” However, it was not these dramatic shows that drew him into television direction. Instead, it was a popular sitcom, one that he eventually took the director’s chair for. Since then, his distinctive directing style has added depth to the small screen.
Martin Scorsese Decided To Get Into TV After Watching Curb Your Enthusiasm
Not The Show Viewers Would Associate With The Iconic Director
Despite the fact that The Sopranos appears to be a series Martin Scorsese might enjoy, he has only watched it a handful of times at most. Interestingly, Scorsese admitted that he found it difficult to relate to the crime thriller. However, it was Larry David’s groundbreaking sitcom, Curb Your Enthusiasm, that convinced Scorsese he could make an impact on television. In an interview with The Independent, Scorsese stated this.
Initially, it was when I began watching Curb Your Enthusiasm that sparked an idea for me – it showed me the potential of creating something for TV.
The celebrated film director’s association with television didn’t stop at “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Instead, it was merely the start, as Scorsese later directed episodes for the popular HBO series, “Boardwalk Empire.” This show features Steve Buscemi, a highly talented yet underappreciated actor, portraying a corrupt county treasurer in Atlantic City during the prohibition era. In an interview with Deadline, Scorsese shared that it was HBO itself that lured him back to television.
Over the past nine to 10 years, HBO has been the embodiment of what we envisioned in the mid-’60s for television: a platform where cinematic-quality productions could be made, offering the creative liberty to build immersive worlds and develop complex characters over extended narratives.
Martin Scorsese’s Relationship With TV Since Boardwalk Empire Explained
He Has Since Returned To The Small Screen
2016 saw Martin Scorsese’s return to television with the series “Vinyl,” which he co-created alongside Terence Winter and Mick Jagger. In this show, Bobby Cannavale portrays a New York City record producer in 1970s NYC. Unfortunately for its creator, “Vinyl” didn’t have a long run on HBO.
The show, which had originally been given a green light for another season, was eventually canceled by HBO’s programming chief. However, in 2024, Martin Scorsese made his return to television with the FoxNation series “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints.” This series delves into the lives of saints and is scheduled to run until at least May 2025.
Martin Scorsese Eventually Made A Cameo In Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Director Played Himself
Remarkably, Martin Scorsese made an appearance as himself in season 3, episode 6 of Curb Your Enthusiasm, titled “The Special Section.” In this particular episode, Larry David ventures to New York City to portray a stern mob boss in a fictional movie that Scorsese is directing. Throughout the episode, Scorsese can be seen only at the beginning, where he is guiding Larry during a scene where the comedian tosses fake money at his crew after an error occurs.
The most entertaining aspect of Scorsese’s guest role in Curb Your Enthusiasm arises from a heated dispute between the director and Larry. Essentially, Larry implies that Scorsese lacks directorial expertise, resulting in another side-splitting, cringe-worthy confrontation involving our endearing anti-social protagonist.
Additionally, as Larry is currently residing in New York, he unfortunately couldn’t attend his mother’s funeral since his father didn’t inform him about her passing. One of the most humorous scenes in Curb Your Enthusiasm occurs later when Larry discovers that he missed his mother’s funeral due to being involved in a Martin Scorsese film production in New York.
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2025-05-18 21:50