Life, Larry lands on HBO as America's unhappy birthday
Larry David's new show, Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, premieres Friday, June 26, on HBO and HBO Max—a seven-episode sketch comedy timed for July's semiquincentennial and framed in The New York Times as America's unhappy birthday rather than a straight patriotic toast. Co-created with Jeff Schaffer and backed by Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground, it drops the Curb Your Enthusiasm grouch into U.S. history.
Key Takeaways
- Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America debuts June 26 as a seven-episode HBO sketch series ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
- The New York Times review headline frames the premiere as America's "unhappy birthday," a wry counterpoint to July's semiquincentennial celebrations.
- Time calls the Larry David new show "dad-joke heaven"—safer and less inventive than his best work, but still a pretty good time for history-obsessed boomers.
- Viewers can stream episodes on HBO Max directly or through a Sling TV subscription with the HBO Max add-on.
What Is Larry David's New HBO Show About?
Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is a sketch comedy limited series starring and co-created by Larry David alongside Jeff Schaffer, the longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld collaborator who directs. Barack and Michelle Obama executive produce through Higher Ground Productions.
As Time describes it, David casts himself as "the fly in many historical ointments," combining history-dad enthusiasm with the inappropriate "TV Larry" persona perfected on HBO. The show lands in anticipation of July's semiquincentennial, turning major American moments into improvised comedy rather than solemn pageantry.
Why Is The New York Times Calling It America's Unhappy Birthday?
The timing is no accident. With patriotic programming filling schedules for the 250th anniversary, David's series offers a deliberately cranky alternative. The New York Times captures that tension in its review headline: "'Life, Larry' and America's Unhappy Birthday."
Time notes the show is "safer and less inventive than his best work," partly because shorter sketches limit the knotty miscommunication plots that made Curb sing. Still, standout bits—including a "delightfully silly" Alamo segment—use the Larry character as a springboard rather than an end in himself. Time concludes it is "destined to go down in history as minor Larry David," yet still "a pretty, pretty, pretty good time" for a certain kind of dad.
How Can You Watch Life, Larry on HBO Max with Sling?
New episodes arrive on HBO and HBO Max starting June 26. If you already subscribe to Sling TV, USA Today notes you can add the HBO Max add-on to your plan. That bundle includes access to the HBO Max app, live HBO channels, and on-demand programming.
For more premiere dates and platform updates, check our Streaming & TV Alerts hub. Whether you watch live or catch up later, David's history tour is built for viewers who prefer grievances over fireworks this birthday season.