Grid Effect

Sorry for the late post. Our boss is in Vegas, so we came into work an hour and a half late. In addition to some actual work that needed caught up on, we’re running a little behind schedule. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and it was at least slightly more eventful then mine.

It seemed the Curb writers were about ten steps ahead of me in getting to an unmarried Larry David. And it was all that we imagined it would be. Larry David seems to have some sort of subtle obsession with Xena: Warrior Princess. Remember when they referenced it in Seinfeld? Jerry’s dad claimed it to be the only show he watched, yet another peculiarity. This was definitely a return to form and counts as the second really commendable episode this season. No suspending disbelief, no outlandish premises, just great situational comedy.

“I’m not a cool guy, but would you mind letting me waste a couple hours of your time?” Is unquestionably my next pickup line.

The phone call from the plane did seem a little bizarre, it wasn’t really clear if he couldn’t hear Cheryl because of a poor connection or because the TIVO guy was talking into his ear, or if he was just willfully ignoring her. My assumption is it was a combination of all three. She did call from a plane phone, the Tivo guy was pretty insistent on getting his attention and Larry, at least subconsciously, probably didn’t want to have the awkward, heartfelt moment with Cheryl. I couldn’t help but laugh at the circumstances. What’s particularly great about these developments, is that neither of them seem intent on getting back together.

As great as the episode was, the hospital conversation with the doctor and Leon really stood out. The concept of long balls, something I’m not even sure an average guy could tell you if he is or isn’t afflicted with, is the type of peccadillo that only this show would bring into light. Leon’s presence wasn’t needed, the scene stood on its own, but it was certainly welcomed as he was the one who brought up the ailment of “long balls”. The doctor putting it technically while Larry tried to ascertain whether or not his scrotum length was abnormal was a great counterbalance.

I’m not sure how long this will play out. If it will mimic the strife of Larry David’s actual marriage, then it will probably run into next season. If not, and they want to keep Cheryl Hines on staff, then they might rekindle before season’s end. I suppose its all determinant on where the real life David’s stood by the time they wrapped up production. Here’s hoping it continues, Cheryl Hines is a great foil, but doesn’t bring much to the comedic table. At this point in the series, we really don’t need a foil for the hijinks of our anti-hero of sorts. I kind of like the concept of Larry David operating uncontested.

Everyone’s reaction to the news, including Larry’s, whose more concerned about proving a hostess at an Italian restaurant wrong then saving his own marriage was overtly cynical. In actuality, Larry asking the favor of Cheryl seemed like a reasonable request since she was the one who left, but since human emotion is going to play a role, practicality doesn’t always win out, thus we often perceive Larry as a dimwit. And why everyone sided with Cheryl, including said restaurant. Jeff and Suzie have yet to do so, it will be interesting to see if they’re at all conflicted.

Other notes:

-Is Richard Lewis really a “special guest”? And why couldn’t the guy, who had the gall to borrow $10,000 from Larry, not also have the same gall to tell him to invite Richard free of charge?

-The matching wits with the guy that owned the “no fly zone” underwear company is about the sort of retaliation I expected from him. Then his defeated exit out when the guy produced the mint, tissue, pen trinity was an appropriate follow up. Larry David doesn’t seem terribly materialistic, but if he needed some sort of comparative symbol to restore his masculinity, why not point out the bank account discrepancy? Certainly its vast. But, admittedly, the complaining about his new rival’s product was hysterical, “like there’s some great clamoring for underwear with no fly”.

-A couple continuity nitpicks: wouldn’t at least Funkhouser’s daughter side with Larry over Cheryl? Considering his sterling reputation within the lesbian community, I figured that was a given. Additionally, Funkhouser called Larry his best friend earlier this season. Maybe stealing the flowers from his mother’s memorial halted that friendship?

-Just one more nitpick: In the “Shaq” episode in the second season, Larry claimed to be a Knicks fan and to hate the Lakers. This episode, he was TIVO’ing Lakers games and avoiding it at the restaurant on his date with Lucy Lawless. At least he’s not fair-weather, because while the Lakers are still better than the Knicks, they’re nowhere near worth jumping ship for.

-Speaking of Lawless, she was incredibly charming in this episode. I could even side with her outrage on Larry’s presumption that they were going back to her house for sex.

If every episode from here on out proves this original and structured. Then it will completely redeem what has been an uneven season to date. These past few episodes Larry might have been so egregious in order to make Cheryl’s leaving seem justified. To be honest, we’re kind of optimistic that this was indeed the case.