Critics split on Larry David and Obama comedy series on HBO Max

Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David’s new project, Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America, is out now on HBO Max.Launched on Saturday 27 June, the satirical series’ tagline on the streamer reads: “Those who don’t know history... are doomed to watch Larry David repeat it”. It was made with Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground and comes on the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Higher Ground has previously produced critically-acclaimed Netflix hits like Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution and Our Great National Parks, narrated by the former US president. He also makes an on-screen appearance in the Larry David show.So what do the experts have to say about this venture?What do critics think of Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America? Its Tomatometer score is 57% on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, with an even lower audience score of 41%. Critics roundly praise Barack Obama’s performance, but many say that the format feels a little rited.The Guardian (2/5)“To an extent that the great man surely would not be happy with, Life, Larry and [The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America] depends for any success on a blend of faith and nostalgia that is almost indistinguishable from charity.“It’s worth watching the Obama introduction, though. And weeping softly.” Decider“Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness feels like a hybrid that no one asked for, but at least we found out that we don’t want such a concentrated dose of the Curb version of Larry David.” The New York Times“Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness plays like a document from an alternative timeline, a light laugh about America that might have played better had the Obama presidency not been followed by a decade of recrimination and ugliness.“But as the president-producer noted at the opening of the Obama Centre... we don’t live in that universe.”The Telegraph (2/5)“David throws himself into the costume drama side of things and appears to be having fun. But there is only one joke here – Larry David goes time-travelling – and across seven episodes and two dozen historical events, it wears too thin.” TIME Magazine“Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is destined to go down in history as minor Larry David. But for a certain kind of dad – and, perhaps, the family members who love him enough to tolerate his geeky excesses – it will surely still be a pretty, pretty, pretty good time.”The Times (3/5) “While the sketches in Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness sound great on paper, many feel a little tame in execution.”Slate“It’s essentially a one-joke show, although some variations, like the suggestion that the Civil War was started by a dispute over passed appetizers, are more inspired than others... “In other words, it all feels a little safe.”A.V. Club“Anytime the show manages to map a particular relationship dynamic or character game onto its history lessons, it scores... Yet, when the jokes aren’t landing, or a sketch is dragging on for one or two beats too many, it’s hard not to wonder: Why this?”The Hollywood Reporter“Obama’s comic timing is a precise and impressive thing... Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness isn’t smooth or steady... but in another 250 years, give or take, I should be ready for another season.” IndieWire (B-)“I’m sure some viewers will be annoyed, even disappointed, to hear a bevy of old chestnuts redeployed under the auspices a new series... But I must admit: I enjoyed every second.”Related...The Bear's Fifth And Final Season Has Dropped – What Critics Think So FarCritics Say Netflix's 'Magic' New Rom-Com Will Make Us 'Blub'Toy Story 5 Has Divided Critics – But There's One Thing They Can Agree On

There are glimpses of the Curb star at his razor-like best here – but they are desperately few. It’s mainly worth watching for the immaculate Obama introIt is always an emotional blow to see former US president Barack Obama pop up on one’s screen. The Instagram algorithm sends me a lot of him, because it knows I always click on him being charming with babies, statesmanlike in speeches, cool at rallies, articulate and witty at anything, endlessly composed, compassionate, intelligent, handsome, thoughtful – a fully functioning adult human, if you want the short version. The algorithm does not know that I jack-knife in pain before I click and weep softly at how far we – the US sneezed, but the UK has surely caught a cold – have fallen.And then he turns up at the beginning of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America (one of the offspring of his and Michelle’s TV company, Higher Ground Productions) to remind us that on top of all that he also has immaculate comic timing. As he walks through what I assume is the new Barack Obama Presidential Center, he modulates his performance so beautifully that I almost began to softly weep again. If I’d known what a shambles was to follow after this masterclass, I would have sobbed. Continue reading...

Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness review – a total TV shambles from Larry David  The Guardian‘Life, Larry’ and America’s Unhappy Birthday  The New York TimesLife, liberty and Larry David  The EconomistBarack Obama and Larry David are TV comedy’s most intriguing odd couple  The IndependentWhat’s on TV tonight and this week: Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, and more  The Telegraph

Barack Obama and Larry David are TV comedy’s most intriguing odd couple  The IndependentLife, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness review – a total TV shambles from Larry David  The Guardian‘Life, Larry’ and America’s Unhappy Birthday  The New York TimesLife, liberty and Larry David  The Economist‘Life, Larry’ Director Jeff Schaffer on Obama’s Notes and Why Larry David Will Never Retire: ‘He’s Like a Prostitute Who Has Sex When He’s Not Working’  Variety