Larry David’s New HBO Show Sets Title, Release Date and Cast

Larry David revealed some key details about his upcoming HBO comedy series during a talk on Friday at SXSW.

Premiering on June 26, the sketch show is titled “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America,” and it satirizes the United States in celebration of its 250th anniversary.

Directed by “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Seinfeld” alum Jeff Schaffer, the series is seven episodes, each of which contains about four sketches. It will feature a rotating cast that includes plenty of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alumni, including Jeff Garlin, J.B. Smoove and Susie Essman, who plays Susan B. Anthony.

David and Schaffer revealed some of the other guest stars as well: Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn will play Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, Jon Hamm and Sean Hayes will play the Wright brothers and David and Jerry Seinfeld will play Lewis and Clark. Vince Vaughn will also guest star. And even Barack Obama — whose production company Higher Ground is a producer of the show — will appear opposite David in one sketch.

As with “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the show is not traditionally scripted, meaning each sketch has an outline, but most of the dialogue is improvised. Schaffer described the show as “‘Curb’ in costume.”

A short clip of “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” was shown to the audience at SXSW. In the sketch, Larry witnesses the famous “V-J Day in Times Square” moment, which became the Life magazine cover image depicting a Navy sailor kissing a total stranger after the end of World War II. Inspired, Larry grabs a random woman and kisses her on the mouth. She is appalled and calls him a “fucko,” and in classic “Curb” fashion, Larry is soon surrounded by an angry mob in Times Square.

While the series focuses on 250 years of American history, David said the current political climate is “touched upon various times.” Schaffer quipped: “It’s a little odd to be celebrating our nation at this time. It’s like having a birthday party for your friend in rehab.”

Asked whether he ever considered retiring after “Curb Your Enthusiasm, which ended in 2024 after 12 seasons, David, who is 78 years old, joked that he could never hang it up “because… I’m so talented.”

“Until a person can walk out of their home and not be irritated by another human, we’ll always have a job,” Schaffer said.

David added: “The only reason I really ever left my house was so I could come in contact with people to have ideas. Otherwise, there’s no reason to leave your house.”

Watch a preview clip from “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America” below.