The Larry Sanders Show: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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The Larry Sanders Show

Now Playing: The Larry Sanders Show

Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: August 15, 1992

Starring: Wallace Langham, Garry Shandling, Penny Johnson Jerald

Summary: Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and toComic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.… Expand

Creator: Dennis Klein and Garry Shandling

Genre(s): Comedy, Talk & Interview

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. The Hey Now Episode
Air Date: November 7, 1992
tbd
S1:E12. A Brush with the Elbow of Greatness
Air Date: October 31, 1992
tbd
S1:E11. The Warmth Episode
Air Date: October 24, 1992

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hodges

Jul 17, 2013

Subtle, sophisticated, witty, cutting and right on target. [14 Aug 1992]

100

Laurence Vittes

Jul 17, 2013

They'd better set up a separate category for HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" when Emmy time comes around. [13 Aug 1992]

100

Hal Boedeker

Jul 17, 2013

Scathing but hilarious, the series finds its richest material in spoofing showbiz pretentiousness. ... [Shandling] has brought something new to the sitcom format: a devastating commentary on the medium itself. [15 Aug 1992]

Eric Mink

Jul 17, 2013

Razor-edged satire of late-night talk TV from people with an ear for truth and a taste for blood. [14 Aug 1992]

Rick Kogan

Jul 17, 2013

Shandling adeptly bends the line between reality and TV's make-believe. [14 Aug 1992]

Howard Rosenberg

Jul 17, 2013

Real talk shows should be as acutely funny. Read full review

Walter Goodman

Jul 17, 2013

If the writers and producers are able to trust a little more in their characters and resist the broad gags, this may develop into a grown-up show. [14 Aug 1992]

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS

User Score

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6.7

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User Reviews

bonehead

May 25, 2013

Agreed. One of the very best shows I've ever seen on TV and with better guests than the actual talk shows that it's spoofing. Too bad many people won't appreciate that the "guests" on this show were some of the biggest stars of the day.

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SeanSmithSounds

Jan 9, 2014

The Larry Sanders Show contains some of the most witty moments in television history. Studded with exceptional cameos and performances, one can find true humor in almost every turn during every episode.

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dpaudiophile

Apr 1, 2018

A rebellious, and satirical wonder that completely changed the landscape of television forever. Smart and stupid people alike can enjoy it on different levels. It is easy to argue that The Larry Sanders Show is in the top 2 or 3 ranking for greatest show of all time... Prime is probablyA rebellious, and satirical wonder that completely changed the landscape of television forever. Smart and stupid people alike can enjoy it on different levels. It is easy to argue that The Larry Sanders Show is in the top 2 or 3 ranking for greatest show of all time... Prime is probably seasons 4-6, but all episodes and seasons are amazing. Must watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Phil_D

Dec 26, 2012

The Larry Sanders Show is simply and foremost the daddy of QUALITY TV Comedy shows. Its brilliance cannot be overstated. Talk about the knocking down of the fourth wall. This series rips the 5th, the 6th and 7th walls. Unparalled acting/or just plain acting will leave you in histerics. AThe Larry Sanders Show is simply and foremost the daddy of QUALITY TV Comedy shows. Its brilliance cannot be overstated. Talk about the knocking down of the fourth wall. This series rips the 5th, the 6th and 7th walls. Unparalled acting/or just plain acting will leave you in histerics. A must for any quality TV fan. Not to miss. To rewatch and rerewatch and rererewatch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

stevenf49

May 25, 2018

And so begins The Golden Age Of Television. Thank you Gary Shandling. Bullseye!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TNF1343

Mar 2, 2014

The Larry Sanders Show isn't as 'quotable' as some of the other elite comedies. However, even among those, few shows make me laugh as much as this. The show that inspired the awkward comedy of The Office quickly made me realize just how damn special it is.

The Larry Sanders Show swiftlyThe Larry Sanders Show isn't as 'quotable' as some of the other elite comedies. However, even among those, few shows make me laugh as much as this. The show that inspired the awkward comedy of The Office quickly made me realize just how damn special it is.

The Larry Sanders Show swiftly made an impression on me. The hilarity of the situation Larry was put in, forced to pitch the Garden Weasel live in the first episode was great. After that, the first 13 episodes never ceased to amaze with the diverse situations that Larry and the gang had to step around.

Perhaps the reason why this show works so well has to do with Garry Shandling, and his real life experience as a talk show host. His character, Larry Sanders, is a bit of a showbiz a-hole, yet his character is endearing, given the stuff he has to put up with on a daily basis. The erratic co-host Hank Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor) and producer Artie (Rip Torn) constantly put Larry in outstanding entertaining scenes. Shandling is also involved in the production and creation of the show, so a huge shout-out goes to him for not only his acting abilities.

Arguably, the actor that steals the show here is Tambor. Known as George Bluth to Arrested Development fans, the Hank character he plays here is delightfully clueless. He has that so-unfunny-that-it's-funny trait about him. When he's on screen with Shandling, it's inevitable that the comedic chemistry between these two actors will ignite. Although, I have to say his funniest part had to do with him dictating a published piece, where he gets distracted and describes a sex scene happening outside his office window in "Out of the Loop". Something like that has been done before, but the freshness in the scene was thanks to HBO allowing the writers to give us something that is unapologetically uncut. So don't let the kiddies watch this.

With 13 wildly different arcs, I'm curious to see how the writers kept up their sensational streak. Larry deals with marital problems, friendship issues, pressure from the network, and more all in one Season. You get the feeling that the show does NOT want to settle for stagnation. Even more impressively is that fact that these aren't just weekly skits. We actually see some interesting plot and character development as well. The show is always exceptional; even the least funny of episodes are well worth watching.

The Larry Sanders Show is divided into two sections: the behind-the-scenes work and the actual show itself. The talk show has Larry doing monologue and interviewing guests who play themselves. Many notable guests come on, but the most impressionable would have to be Catherine O'Hara's (see: Home Alone) completely awkward appearance. Other notable stars include: David Spade, William Shatner (do the Star Trek thing!), Dana Carvey, Michael Richards (however brief), Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Richard Simmons.

The rest of the show is dedicated to either the workplace or Larry's home life. Some of the best moments aren't actually a part of the show itself. Like the awesome lead up and execution of Larry's office dinner party in the appropriately titled, "Party".

Like most comedies, some episodes aren't as funny as the rest. The only other fault that I can fathom is the video quality. Not only is this a show from the 90s, but the show is given an intentionally grainy look to make it have a documentary-like feel. The multiple cameras work but the quality can be a touch annoying at times.

The Larry Sanders show is, surprisingly, one of the most witty shows I've ever scene. Moments of chuckling out loud happened on a frequent basis. If you're tired of all the terrible new comedies that TV seems to be littered with these days, going back in time to experience (or re-experience) The Larry Sanders Show may be the most amusing way to get your entertainment value.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

95

Series Overview
Season 6

99
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: March 15, 1998
Season 5

97
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: November 13, 1996
Season 4

99
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: July 19, 1995
Season 3

93
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 22, 1994
Season 2

91
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 2, 1993
Season 1

91
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: August 15, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E13. The Hey Now Episode
  Air Date: November 7, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E12. A Brush with the Elbow of Greatness
  Air Date: October 31, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E11. The Warmth Episode
  Air Date: October 24, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E11. Warmth
  Air Date: October 24, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E10. Party
  Air Date: October 17, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E9. Talk Show
  Air Date: October 10, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E8. Out of the Loop
  Air Date: October 3, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E7. Hank's Contract
  Air Date: September 26, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Flirt Episode
  Air Date: September 19, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E6. Flirt
  Air Date: September 19, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E5. The New Producer
  Air Date: September 12, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E4. Guest Host
  Air Date: September 5, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Spider Episode
  Air Date: August 29, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Promise
  Air Date: August 22, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E2. Promise
  Air Date: August 22, 1992
- tbd
  S1:E1. What Have You Done for Me Lately?
  Air Date: August 15, 1992