Larry David’s new HBO sketch show “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” premieres Friday, June 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max, marking the comedy legend’s return to television after his long-running series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ended in April 2024.
The seven-episode limited series, subtitled “An Almost History of America,” features comedy sketches centered on American historical moments, with each episode containing four different sketches. The show is written by David and Jeff Schaffer, who also directs, and is executive produced by David, Schaffer, Barack and Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra, and Ethan Lewis through the Obamas’ Higher Ground production company.
In a teaser released in May 2026, former President Obama joked about the collaboration, stating: “I have sat across the table from some of the world’s most difficult leaders and wrestled with some of the globe’s most intractable problems. Nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David.” Obama himself appears in one of the sketches in the series.
The cast includes Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Hamm, and Sean Hayes, alongside several actors from “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” including Susie Essman and Vince Vaughan. The series was unveiled during a SXSW panel in March 2026, where David and Schaffer discussed the project with fans.
According to HBO’s description, the Obamas wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the nation’s unique history. The logline notes that after that intention was set, “Larry David called”—suggesting David’s involvement transformed the concept into a comedic take on historical moments.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” ran for 12 seasons across 24 years, concluding with its finale on April 7, 2024. The show, which premiered in 2000, became one of HBO’s longest-running and most acclaimed series, with David starring as a fictionalized, exaggerated version of himself navigating social awkwardness and interpersonal conflict.
New episodes of “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” will air weekly on HBO and HBO Max, with the season finale scheduled for August 7, 2026.
Sources
- Deadline — teaser details, cast information, production credits, and premiere date
- Warner Bros. Discovery Press — official announcement of seven-episode series and executive producers
- Variety — premiere date, title reveal, and production details
- IMDb — series format and sketch structure
- Instagram/HBO Max — Obama’s quote about working with David
