the Larry Sanders Show

artie: "what did we learn, here, hank? when you're humble and vulnerable, people like you. and when you act like an asshole, people think you're an asshole."

Some of my favourite episodes are when Artie's pissed off at the show/Larry/Hank/everything around him

there's a lot of george costanza in hank. and a lot of homer simpson.

but what is it that makes pretty much every episode of this show feel so epic, so all-time??

"Phil, you dress like one of the Peanuts gang; Linus with a goatee."

One minor disappointment: the show saves the revelation of Phil's repressed homosexuality as a gag for the second-to-last episode, thus saving the show from having to deal with it in future episodes.

coulda been a one-off

One of the pieces i posted above has Scott Thompson saying that he blindsided Wallace Langham (a straight friend of his) by disobeying his "No tongues" demand in that scene.

wd tot hit young Langham

Hank to 'his' rabbi: "I think rabbis are so wise and so good. And they let you guys marry, right?"

"That's right"

"Well that is so helpful. Catholic priests can't do that. And I think that's why so many of them have.. prostate problems."

"I really want to join your temple, rabbi"

"Well I'm very glad to hear that, Hank. Do you observe the Sabbath?"

"In what way?"

I'm up to the 6th season, and have just realized it's the last, and I am genuinely kind of upset and sad about that

luckily the show has one of the best endings ever

You have to re-watch the whole series at least 3 times before you start feeling sad.

on hbo streaming from 23 september

http://www.avclub.com/article/5-episodes-highlight-biting-backstage-humor-larry--242328

you need to wash your mouth out... with HANK

Frequently reminded how good Tambor was in this. In different hands, Hank could've been thoroughly off-putting rather than one of the all-time greatest fictional characters.

the core troika of Larry-Artie-Hank is the most perfectly formed/executed trio of characters since Kirk-Spock-Bones imo

there's an argument to be made for Tambor being the best comedic actor of the last twenty years

although his film work counts against him

I would give that honor to Danny McBride, personally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzEpC8QFmUE

I just watched the episode where Larry faxes his "Dear Dumb Fuck" letter to Hank rather than the critic, A+ comedy gold

"I'm pissing my pants, conceptual flaw and all"

It's just possible that 'Hank's Night in the Sun' is the greatest episode of any tv show ever.

god yes. the rise, the inevitable fall, the acrid implosion. and burt reynolds.

Had to look it up--I was thinking it might have been his post-divorce episode--but yes, one of the best. Isn't that also the one where Hank says to Phil "Do you like your job?" and finds himself stuck for a comeback when Phil emphatically says "No"?

Yes, that's it. I've probably seen it (and the show as a whole) at least four times now and it's still just so... Like before he first goes on, and he's crumpling up and talking about not wanting to experience his dream in case he fucks it up, and it was genuinely affecting! And I knew full well the level of assholism to follow!

I don't think I could possibly get tired of rewatching this show. Not only does it remain amazingly fresh (I've been LOLing every episode), I think familiarity with the character dynamics actually enhances the experience. Anticipating a character's predictable reaction to a situation is half the fun at this point.

Hank: What is wrong with mankind, I ask you?
Darlene: Electromagnetic fields.
Hank: Please be quiet. Please be quiet.

Pretty sure the episode with Colin Quinn as Artie's son is the worst episode by some margin. But then it extensively features Colin Quinn 'acting' so there you go.

Agreed.

I'll have to demur there--I like that episode a lot, and Quinn's creepy, self-centered jerkdom seems perfect to me (and the dilemma he puts Artie in, compelling),

The fact of Colin Quinn's career is an enduring mystery to me.

is that the one where he chooses a career based on being able to wear shorts all day? extremely good and relatable content imo

He struck me as someone who was probably thoroughly mediocre as an actual comedian, which works well for the character--he's supposed to be completely annoying, and he is. And I love the way Paula finds him so interesting, leading to Artie's warning not to fall for sullen.

the new Apatow-directed HBO doc is really good

We just started watching this and 4 episodes in it is amazing. Like a little love letter from 1992. Artie is the best.

I laughed so hard at the episode with Carole Burnett and the spiders I was actually out of breath.

Oh, just you wait, friend. You're in for such a treat.

I've been planning a fourth or fifth time through...The only show I still rank with Mad Men and The Sopranos.

yeah it gets so much better (and the first season is good!)

I think I've probably seen every season of this at least 3 times

the "penis vagina" hank fan newsletter episode is maybe the funniest ep of TV ever (to me)

Did my last run through the series--my second, not counting my regular-ish viewing when it was airing--following Garry's death, so I'll probably be due for another in a year or so. If you can get your hands on a copy of the complete series box set, there are some lovely extras; I don't usually care that much about those things, but this is one of the few collections where I've not only bothered to watch all of the special features, but I've actually watched all of them both times that I went though the series.

Heads up: if you're able, get the out-of-print and therefore expensive Shout Factory set, not the (afaik) special feature-free yet super cheap Mill Creek set.

Thanks--I should have been clear that this is the box I was referring to:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91HStpxVUXL._SL1500_.jpg

that’s not available as Region 2 iirc

So far I'm getting Albert Grossman/Colonel Tom Parker vibes from Artie.

OMG at the New Producer episode where the entire staff thinks they're going to be replaced. Artie (on demerol) getting Hank drunk on tequila then storming into Larry's office. Hank's hissing, "you're as young as you feeeeel . . . " was incredible. I re-watched that line 4-5 times.

Rip Torn's linereadings are pretty uniformly amazing. I've been informally working on my Artie impression for years (which mostly just consists of growling 'goddamnit, Larry').

OMG at the New Producer episode where the entire staff thinks they're going to be replaced. Artie (on demerol) getting Hank drunk on tequila then storming into Larry's office. Hank's hissing, "you're as young as you feeeeel . . . " was incredible. I re-watched that line 4-5 times.

one of the best. also the one where Artie gets drunk with the janitor after hours

artie's line in this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF94LvnRlKA