Larry David Exonerates Himself in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Series Finale
Plot Points from the Series Finale Revealed
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from the series finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
More than 25 years after the highly criticized series finale of “Seinfeld,” Larry David, the creator of both beloved shows, managed to exonerate himself in the final episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
The series finale, which marked the end of the iconic show after 12 seasons and 24 years of unscripted comedy on HBO, saw Larry on trial for unintentionally breaking a Georgia voting law. In the Season 12 opener, Larry was arrested for giving a bottle of water to Leon’s aunt, who was waiting in line to vote, inadvertently turning him into a civil rights hero. In the series finale, Larry finds himself on trial, with characters from his past, like Mocha Joe and Mr. Takahashi, testifying against him and recounting all the misdeeds he had committed.
Although Larry is found guilty and ends up in a jail cell, he manages to walk free, thanks to an unexpected legal loophole exploited by his friend, Jerry Seinfeld. As they gleefully exit the jailhouse, Larry realizes, “Oh my God, this is how we should have ended the finale!”
The Retroactive Rewrite of the “Seinfeld” Finale
The meta-twist in the finale centers around the rewriting of the highly divisive “Seinfeld” finale episode. Executive producer, writer, and director Jeff Schaffer and Susie Essman, who plays Susie Greene on the show, recently spoke to Variety about their decision to retroactively rewrite the “Seinfeld” history.
During the interview, Schaffer explained that the idea to rewrite the “Seinfeld” finale was not a plan from the beginning of Season 12. The writers initially focused on the Georgia issue, unaware that they would eventually incorporate a trial storyline. However, as the creators were acting out a scene where Larry refused to learn a lesson, the idea emerged to connect the finale with “Seinfeld” and embrace the infamous trial concept once again.
Essman added that Larry’s character has always aspired to be the one who says what others are thinking, leading people from all generations to resonate with the show. Schaffer attributed “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” success to both Larry’s brilliant ideas and the shared wish fulfillment between the character and the audience.
Behind-the-Scenes and Closing Thoughts
Discussing the final days of shooting, Essman shared that while there was a finality to the last scene, the sense of closure wasn’t overwhelming until the actual end, as Larry preferred not to acknowledge it and quickly exit. Schaffer humorously added that there was plenty of editing work ahead and dutifully clarified that Essman’s presence was far from missed because he saw her speaking in take after take during editing.
As for Larry’s future, Schaffer expressed confidence in the comedian’s continuous work and mentioned that he would always find an outlet for the ideas swirling in his head. Schaffer also shed light on Larry’s involvement in the Westside of Los Angeles, synonymous with absurd and annoying interactions that Larry loves to satirize.
The interview concluded with a discussion about Bruce Springsteen’s guest appearance on the show. Essman and Schaffer both agreed that despite Springsteen’s talent and generosity, he would forever be reminded of his “floor fucker” scenes, as fans displayed signs referencing the episode at his concerts.
Reflecting on the “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” appeal, Essman attributed the show’s success to its relatable comedy, allowing every generation to appreciate Larry and Jeff’s humorous portrayals. Schaffer reiterated its relevance, suggesting that the show’s wish fulfillment and Larry’s ability to vocalize the audience’s thoughts were the driving forces captivating viewers of all ages.
While the finale episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” provided closure to fans, it also left them eagerly anticipating Larry David’s future projects and the continuation of his unique comedic voice.
