Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Episode: Josh Levine, "Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good: Larry David and the Making of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Fully Revised and Updated" (ECW Press, 2025)
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Rebecca Buchanan
Guest: Josh Levine

Episode Overview

This episode of the New Books Network (Popular Culture) features an in-depth conversation between host Rebecca Buchanan and author Josh Levine about his fully revised and updated book, Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good: Larry David and the Making of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The discussion explores Larry David’s unique comedic voice, the creation and evolution of both influential shows, and Levine’s process of updating the book following the conclusion of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Additional topics include the episode guide in the book, Larry David's biography and comedic persona, the show’s ensemble and improvisational structure, and what life after Curb looks like for David.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Origins of the Book and Its Structure

• Genesis of the Book

  • Levine was initially asked by his publisher to write a book on Jerry Seinfeld in the early seasons of Seinfeld before turning his attention to Larry David, leading to more TV-related biographies.
  • The fully revised version was prompted by Curb Your Enthusiasm’s final season, offering an opportunity to "complete the story."
    • Quote: “It finally came to an end after the 12th season, and it seemed like a good idea to just tell the rest of the story... So that's what we've done.” — Josh Levine (03:49)

• Structure & Episode Guide

  • The book comprises a blend of biographical insights, production history, and a comprehensive episode guide to both Seinfeld and Curb, designed for both reference and reliving favorite (or most cringe-inducing) moments.
    • Quote: “Ultimately it's about the show… being able to create a guide, which... is a very brief commentary on the development of the show episode by episode, and what the sort of major moments are...” — Josh Levine (04:40)

Larry David's Persona and Comedic Style

• Cringe Comedy and Divisive Appeal

  • Curb’s humor often divides audiences: some relish the awkwardness, others are repelled.

    • Quote: “There are definitely aspects of the show that probably make 90% of humanity cringe at some point or other... But at the same time, there are moments where... it can be exhilarating and liberating in a way.” — Josh Levine (06:05)

  • Larry’s approach to taboo and boundary-pushing comedy elicits “cringe,” but is fundamentally personal and introspective more than a critique of others.

    • Quote: "It's really Larry's response to all these things... and it makes us maybe think a little bit about our own responses even as we laugh at the extremity." — Josh Levine (07:11)

• Persona vs. Reality

  • David has crafted a comedic persona that exaggerates his curmudgeonliness, rooted in Jewish comedic tradition—“a comedy of complaint, and aggression, and humiliation, and failure” (08:50).
  • The real Larry is more exuberant than his TV self, but “loves life,” despite jokes about avoiding social interaction.

Larry David Before Seinfeld

• Early Life and Struggles
  • Grew up lower-middle class in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn; not a standout student, nor thought funny as a child.
    • Quote: “His mother kept bugging him to take the civil service exams. Was hoping he'd get into the post office or something. Can you imagine Larry trying to get stamps out of that man?” — Josh Levine (11:30)
  • He gravitated to improv and stand-up, but was only appreciated by other comics—not audiences.
  • TV writing experience included brief, unsuccessful stints on Saturday Night Live and Fridays; wrote some pilots, none of which found traction.
  • Jerry Seinfeld approached David precisely for his stubbornness and TV writing experience, hoping to avoid a “cookie cutter” show (14:54).

Drawing on Real Life for Comedy

• Autobiographical Inspirations
  • Seinfeld: George costanza is based on David; Kramer was his actual neighbor.
  • Curb: David plays “himself”—a blunt, wealthy man who is also petty and small-minded.
    • Quote: “He actually had the courage to say, no, I'm a man of leisure, I'm rich, I can do whatever I want... and in spite of that, I'm small-minded and spiteful and I don't like to spend money that I don't have to.” — Josh Levine (17:31)
  • Draws from real incidents, people, and rules of etiquette (e.g., buffet behavior) for comic effect.

The Cast and Social Dynamics of Curb

• Ensemble vs. Star Vehicle
  • Curb is more singularly focused on Larry than Seinfeld was on Jerry; secondary characters are key, but always orbit around Larry.
    • Cheryl Hines (Cheryl David): Personal and political dynamics (her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.) are noted as affecting her Hollywood standing.
    • Jeff Garlin (Jeff Greene): Career affected by misconduct allegations, though not destroyed.
    • Richard Lewis: Longtime friend; appeared on the show until his passing, despite visible illness.
      • Quote: “It was, in a way, the highlight of his career, being on that show... and he actually died before the season, after it was filmed, but before it was all shown.” — Josh Levine (24:00)
    • Many high-profile guest stars, some from David’s real-life circles.

Unconventional Production and Legacy

• Improvised Format

  • Curb evolved from a one-off special about David’s supposed “return” to stand-up, leading to the semi-improvised show.

    • Quote: “Larry's instinct was right because what he's really great at is interacting with other people. Not so much standing there and just being a one man show…” — Josh Levine (28:37)

  • Outlines (not full scripts) ranging from 10 to 15 pages; actors encouraged to improvise. Show utilizes actors particularly gifted in improvisation (Cheryl Hines, Tracy Ullman, Jon Hamm).

    • Quote: “He was pretty good at finding actors who really reacted well... and he could play off them and he could have characters.” — Josh Levine (34:42)

  • Frequent, lengthy hiatuses (notably a six-year gap late in its run), reflecting David’s own ambivalence about the grind of TV production.

  • Later seasons looser and less tightly constructed, but still acclaimed—final episode especially well received as a form of redemption for the much-maligned Seinfeld finale (33:54).

Life After Curb Your Enthusiasm

• Personal and Creative Developments
  • David’s real home survived California wildfires, but filming sites were lost.
  • After ending Curb, David filmed a sit-down special for HBO but pulled it at the last minute, preferring the energy of touring and being interviewed live on stage.
    • Quote: “He wanted to take a victory lap... to be able to stand in front of an audience and have them stand up and applaud. Why not?” — Josh Levine (37:09)
  • Next up: Collaborating with Barack Obama as a producer on a new show about American history—details still secret.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Larry’s Persona:

  • “When you watch Larry chatting on a talk show or something and he's making his cynical comments, he's usually smiling to beat the band.” — Josh Levine (09:03)

• On Using His Real Life in Comedy:

  • “…Sherrod Hines is married to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. And so she got, in a way, Hollywood, as we know, is a Democratic country...” — Josh Levine (23:05)

• On Improvisation:

  • “He hates writing scripts, hates memorizing lines. So he found it really difficult... which is one of the reasons that Curb is an improvised show with only story outlines rather than scripts.” — Josh Levine (26:30)

• On the Longevity and Meaning of David’s Work:

  • "I think it's an interesting book for people... to realize that it's not always easy. It can be a struggle. And even when you become well known, finding purpose in your life, finding where your voice should go next, I think it's a constant, ongoing thing.” — Josh Levine (41:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:49 – Why Levine returned to update the book after Curb’s final season
• 04:40 – The design and purpose of the episode guide within the book
• 06:05 – The divisive, “cringe” nature of Curb's comedy
• 08:50 – Larry David’s comedic Persona and Jewish comic tradition
• 11:30 – Larry’s upbringing and unlikely path to success
• 14:54 – Seinfeld and David: Complementary skills and the show’s unique creation
• 17:31 – How Curb embraced David’s real wealth and flaws for comedy
• 22:50 – The cast of Curb and real-life developments (Richard Lewis, Cheryl Hines, etc.)
• 26:09 – Unique production history and improvisational style of Curb
• 33:54 – Reception of later seasons and redemption after the Seinfeld finale
• 36:34 – Larry David’s post-Curb life, new public engagement, and upcoming Obama collaboration
• 41:11 – Final reflections on creative struggle and lasting purpose

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look at Larry David’s comedic genius, both on the screen and behind the scenes, as reflected in Josh Levine’s updated biography. From David's humble, unremarkable beginnings to his trailblazing television innovations, Levine’s insights encapsulate why Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm became so culturally significant—and, crucially, why Larry David remains an enduring and relevant icon in American entertainment.

Recommended For:
Listeners interested in television history, comedy writing, the creative process, and fans of Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm.