Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, is collaborating with former President Barack Obama on a new HBO sketch comedy series, previewed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, this week.
The series, currently titled “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,” reimagines American history through a series of 28 sketches, according to reporting from The Daily Texan. The project is funded by Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. David will star in the series, portraying himself in various historical scenarios.
During a panel discussion at SXSW on March 13, David acknowledged his friendship with Obama, stating, “I know him… Don’t look down on him because of that. We play golf together from time to time,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Jeff Schaffer, a longtime collaborator of David’s, described the series as “sort of like throwing a birthday party for your friend that’s in rehab,” adding, “He’s fucked up. But I love him,” in reference to the United States.
A clip previewed at SXSW featured David in a recreation of the iconic VJ Day photograph of a sailor kissing a woman in Times Square, with David’s character depicted as behaving inappropriately. Schaffer also noted that the former President appears in a sketch, according to The Daily Texan.
The series is set to debut this summer, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Schaffer commented on the timing, acknowledging it was “a little odd to be celebrating our nation at this time,” but expressed pride in the work. He also jokingly referred to HBO, currently in the process of being acquired by Paramount, as “the cool division of Oracle,” The Hollywood Reporter noted.
SXSW 2026 also featured the return of British singer Lola Young, as highlighted by The Times.
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