(S06E07) "I'm leaving." - Cheryl
Wow. I don't want to say that was the best episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm ever... but it might have been. I don't recall ever feeling so conflicted, angry, confused, and giddy all at the same time while watching this show but now I know what it's like. The whole season has really been building up to this. Hell, the whole series has. We'd always wondered what it would take for Cheryl to finally call it quits. Now we know. Poor airplane phone reception.
That's all it took. I think the reasoning behind it was subtle though. How long has Cheryl been harboring the idea of leaving Larry? Seems like this just provided her an easy out. Regardless, as you would expect, a divorce is looming on the horizon and everyone (the Funkhausers, Ted and Mary, the owner at Primo's) is siding with Cheryl.
There have been little hints and jabs all season long suggesting that this may happen. Cheryl's flirtations with Ted. The entire fiasco about dealing with eco-friendly toilet paper and how Larry didn't want to use it anymore. Add in David's real life marriage woes and this seemed like an inevitable plot point.
It's hard to say anything in Larry's defense. Did Cheryl blow this one situation out of proportion? Absolutely. Was her flight terrifying? Seems that way. But she's alive. I suppose it was eye-opening for her and that's enough I guess because as she said -- it's everything. This was just the last straw.
I think the one thing I truly loved about this episode was how it weaved so many different things together. The dry-cleaning, to the fly-less underwear guy that Cheryl is now dating, right down to little things like Larry and Jeff quibbling over water glasses. This episode just felt flawless. It was jumbled yet cohesive at the same time.
Some highlights:
- For whatever reason, Marty saying "I'm emotionally distraught" is infinitely funnier than if someone else had said it.
- That one exchange between Marty and Jeff about Cheryl's decaying looks was priceless. ("Terrific body." "Used to be amazing." "I remember.")
- I had to pause early on when the TiVo guy spoiled Lost for Larry. Too funny. ("Shocking!")
- Speaking of the TiVo guy (Broken Lizard's Kevin Heffernan) -- great guest stars! Kaitlin Olsen of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was back as Cheryl's sister Becky and Diedrich Bader was hilarious too as Simon.
- Only Larry could get his testicles caught in the fly of his underwear. Long balls Larry!
- The entire mint-tissues-pen scene with Glenn (2 Ns!) was great too. He's the anti-Larry only not quite.
- Lucy Lawless is still alive? (Before you answer that, yes I know it's sarcastic and no, I don't watch Battlestar Galactica.)
So what happens now? Larry only has Jeff and Richard Lewis (assuming he forgets about the fight) left on his side. I'm sure Larry will want his ten grand back from Simon, but if this really goes south... he might need it to live off of. What happens when Cheryl cleans house in divorce court? As much as it sucked, I'd love to see an episode reminiscent of the Seinfeld finale, where Cheryl recounts the horrible things Larry has done as certain memorable characters back her up in court. Could be funny if done right.
Giveaway Monday: That '70s Show The Complete Series Stash box set
Giveaway Monday: Back to You season one DVD
Six shows that I am watching pretty regularly this season
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-22-2007 @ 8:27AM
WriterRoss said...
The hostess at PRIMO's restaurant in tonight's episode-- THE TIVO GUY--looked very familiar. I could not catch her name on the credits. Do you know who she is? Has she been on CYE before or do I recognize her from another show?
Loved tonight's show.
But I'm not sure who I am siding with yet. :>
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 10:22AM
marlene said...
I think that Cheryl is too weak for him...he needs a wife like Suzy...them too together are histerical...Jeff needed a Cheryl, and Larry needs Suzy...Larry and Cheryl really have nothing in common with each other....She is not sharp enough for him, seems bewildered by most of his "shtick", while Suzy can't be fooled by him!!!
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 10:35AM
chistujohn said...
How could you not mention Blossom!
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 10:35AM
Dawn said...
This show was finally reminiscent of the CYE of old. Larry being inappropiate and obnoxious, and everyone's reaction to him overblown.
If he can just get rid of the family living in his house - very odd storyline and you never in a million years could see Larry David allowing it - the show has a shot at being as good as it once was.
More Suzy Essman!
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 10:35AM
Steve said...
best episode of the season.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 11:25AM
JudasConstant said...
I don't think Larry Running out of money will be a problem... Wikipedia:
The commercial success of Seinfeld has made creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld multimillionaires, with syndication and DVD releases earning them hundreds of millions of dollars. Larry David is estimated to have netted over $500 million from Seinfeld alone.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 11:48AM
Jackie said...
I think that it was fitting that everyone took Cheryl's side. Larry is a tornado of neurotic craziness. Cheryl isn't a maniac and way easier on the eyes. I have always wondered why anyone even bothers with Larry since he is such a destructive force. Now I know why, it was Cheryl all along.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 12:03PM
rusty said...
California is a community property state. So if they stick to the actual law, she can't clean him out entirely - at least in theory.
The darkest episode ever (and one that has to have stung anyone in his position after a divorce/break up of long term relationship)...which was what made it so great. And I think he's going to keep the Blacks around just because who else does he have to talk to?
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 2:52PM
ron said...
One of the best episodes of CYE and maybe all TV comedies. The was great as usual, however the Suzy Essman interactions with Larry and the best. She starts out compassionate and then gets frustrated with him. When she explodes on him and he's almost hepless, it's pure comedy. Larry is so strong willed with everyone but her and that's the reason for the fabulous humor.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 2:52PM
ron said...
One of the best episodes of CYE and maybe all TV comedies. It was
great as usual, however the Suzy Essman interactions with Larry are
the best. She starts out compassionate and then gets frustrated with
him. When she explodes on him and he's almost hepless, it's pure
comedy. Larry is so strong willed with everyone but her and that's
the reason for the fabulous humor. The entire cast is great!
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 3:23PM
Jeff said...
"Long balls, Larry. Long balls." XD
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 7:50PM
WriterRoss said...
No answer yet to who played the hostess in the restaurant. Iris? Aris? Did anyone catch her real name? She looked very familiar to this CYE faithful viewer.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 8:42PM
WriterRoss said...
No answer yet to who played the hostess in the restaurant. Iris? Aris? Did anyone catch her real name? She looked very familiar to this CYE faithful viewer.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 10:40PM
WriterRoss said...
Sorry for the double post. Not sure how that happened.
Reply
10-23-2007 @ 8:02AM
Jen said...
I thought last week's ep was boring and unfunny, so I was thrilled about this ep's quality. I couldn't stop laughing at the scene at the restaurant, of Larry talking to himself next to Annoying-Cellphone-Guy. "Hold on, I've got Steve on the other line." I'm LOLing as I type!
Part of the scene is in a promo on HBO In Demand, and I've played it over and over for a sure belly laugh!
Reply
10-23-2007 @ 8:02AM
Glenn Beck said...
Sorry for the double post. Not sure how that happened.
Reply
10-23-2007 @ 4:11PM
Mark H said...
I think the hostess is the same actress as the sunglasses saleswoman in the classic Beloved Aunt episode? They have her listed as Julie Claire...she's done bit parts in other stuff.
Reply
10-24-2007 @ 11:15AM
robyn said...
This is the funniest show on cable tv..I have become an addict! I find myself watching every episode that is on and just laughing my A@@ off!!
I love larry's interactions with jeff's wife..when she calls him a four eyed F*** I am in hysterics!! that scene with the phone ringing and them screaming at each other over answering it or not was too much!!
I am siding with larry by the way....:)
Reply
10-25-2007 @ 10:20AM
Franky said...
I found it rather strange how Larry would except Cheryl's date. being the usual quick witted guy i thought he would of tried to at least embarrassed no fly guy...
I think Cheryl is a sweetie although I thought it was abit harsh to have her date someone soon after the split.
Reply
11-01-2007 @ 11:01PM
Bob Andelman said...
Cheryl Hines plays "Cheryl David," Larry David's wife, on the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm." In this audio interview (and transcription), she talks about the effect of his divorce on the show and her role, as well as her favorite improv moments and what it was like to play opposite Robin Williams in "RV."
Reply