The title already says it all: Creator/writer/actor Larry David makes perfectly clear that one shouldn't expect another "Seinfeld" from him, the show that he co-created, wrote and voice-acted in as well. Instead he goes for an experimental approach: He injects ingredients once already used in "Seinfeld", like sitcom fiction based on derivates of real persons, makes it all improvisation-based, and forms something entirely unique out of it that pushes the envelope - not in the laugh-out-loud style, but rather the cringeworthy way: In "Curb" Larry David is in fact Larry David and doesn't need to hide anymore behind a character named George. Even though it's a fictionalized Larry David - the character still has a lot of Larry himself, and he is direct, outspoken, awkward and embarrassing, basically exemplifying a lot of what many might carry in themselves but are more comfortable to watch on screen done by someone with a real name and goes through as a comedian. If social rules and etiquette have always been a thorn in your side, you'll be pleased to find a militant ally here. "Curb", like "Seinfeld", is a "show about nothing", with real life at the core, even though in this case it means the life of a well-off Jewish writer whose working schedule is somewhat unclear - not really the norm. But despite the apparent differences to the regular person one can nevertheless more and more relate to Larry the more one gets to understand the character in the course of the series and see him at loggerheads with a plethora of guest stars.
The key element why "Curb" works of course is precisely why it is not a regular sitcom, the fact that it defies what we've been used to see in situation comedies: The show is not shot on sound stages in front of an audience, but in Los Angeles, there are no canned laughs, no scripted jokes. What's scripted are merely outlines, the actors ad-lib throughout and bring spontaneity and freshness to the scenes, which makes common comedy fare look staged and dated. "Curb" doesn't always succeed, but it feels organic and closer to life - and what more could you possibly ask for than to laugh at a slice of life, because it's just so true?
The key element why "Curb" works of course is precisely why it is not a regular sitcom, the fact that it defies what we've been used to see in situation comedies: The show is not shot on sound stages in front of an audience, but in Los Angeles, there are no canned laughs, no scripted jokes. What's scripted are merely outlines, the actors ad-lib throughout and bring spontaneity and freshness to the scenes, which makes common comedy fare look staged and dated. "Curb" doesn't always succeed, but it feels organic and closer to life - and what more could you possibly ask for than to laugh at a slice of life, because it's just so true?