Curb Your Enthusiasm - perfect for INTPs

[Sensi Star]

I have watched every single episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. As an INTP, I have never been so consistently interested in a series as I have with this. Not only is the sense of humor very complex, subtle, and unusual as we tend to like, but IMO the themes and implied social-commentary are good examples of what does goes in our perceiving/critiquing minds.

The particular genius of Larry David is how he is very perceiving of daily events and human habits that no one gives second thought to, but which seem very impractical and ridiculous but can't sneak past INTPs.

For example (I'll go with a simple one to keep brief), when he was in line at a convenience store, he noticed that the line next to him moved at a different rate because of cashier speeds. He complained about this to the cashier, suggesting a common-feeder line like at banks. She reacted with a look on her face as if she didn't understand what he said, and just proceeded with the checkout.

This type of scenario is so real. It seems people can't for the life of them ditch habits that don't make (logical) sense, and any attempt to stimulate thought about this type of thing gets no response from anyone. There are many more examples in this show of how most people go through life in over-sentimental and anti-logical ways.

What are your favorite themes/commentaries in CYE? For the fun of it, you can also point out things you perceived that weren't on the show but should be.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I've watched it twice. I find it laugh in your head funny, though I think I need to watch more episodes. On the other hand I love Seinfeld.

 

[snafupants]

^ Word. Which writing do you like more, Larry David from Seinfeld or LD from CYE? The Seinfeld material seems less concerned with realism and more concerned with getting a laugh at any cost, placing story before believability. That said, both shows easily make my top thirty.

 

[Adymus]

Then I'd highly recommend Arrested Development

 

[ElderToadstool]

Curb is fantastic especially when you consider that all of the dialogue is improvised by the actors. I love how more often than not Larry is just a victim of circumstance and/or everyone around him is acting in a completely irrational manner.

Having said that, I think both Seinfeld and Arrested Development top it in both humor and complexity. In my book, George Costanza (who was based on Larry David) is the greatest TV character ever. Who among us can truly say that deep down there isn't a little bit of George just waiting to come out?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

^ Word. Which writing do you like more, Larry David from Seinfeld or LD from CYE? The Seinfeld material seems less concerned with realism and more concerned with getting a laugh at any cost, placing story before believability. That said, both shows easily make my top thirty.

The earlier seasons were more down to earth, but yeah the later ones were full of unbelievable intertwined character plots. Based off of those two episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm I have to go with Seinfeld.

 

[Sensi Star]

I turn to Curb way before Seinfeld. I don't know, Seinfeld's complex, and well written, but aside from lacking believability it is burdened by typical network-type humor. This means the vast majority of laughs are completely obvious and spoon-fed to the viewers. Honestly this often get's boring hearing joke after joke.

It doesn't have the comic-variety that Curb does, it seems there is a good mix of dry and direct humor, and mix of bits that pertain to individual audience personalities, so there is something funny for most. I enjoy the subtlety with Curb as you have to actively pay attention to understand particular things, and also the characters are more realistic and the plots/situations are transferable to real world scenarios in order to stimulate moral commentary.

 

[ElderToadstool]

Originally posted by Sensi Star

I turn to Curb way before Seinfeld. I don't know, Seinfeld's complex, and well written, but aside from lacking believability it is burdened by typical network-type humor

It might seem that way now but at the time it was a big deal. Even today really you can tell how innovative it was. There's no real set-up for the show, no wacky scenario to supply humor to the show. It's just four friends in New York dealing with life. It's also far more bizarre than most network shows.

As for the humor itself Seinfeld is a little more jokey but a lot more potent. I think Jerry's sensibilities balance Larry's perfectly, and with Curb it's all Larry. Seinfeld also has a wider scope and (in my opinion) better characters. I love them both, but Seinfeld will always hold a special place in my comedic heart.

 

[scorpiomover]

CYE just makes me cringe. I have to turn over after 5 minutes of it.

Now, Arrested Development just creases me up. Even the cameos from people like Charlize Theron had me laughing my head off.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I've watched it twice. I find it laugh in your head funny, though I think I need to watch more episodes. On the other hand I love Seinfeld.

Seen more episodes by now, it's definitely a good show.

 

[Sensi Star]

Larry David was on Jay Leno for the first time (June 16). My god was he funny. He was even funny when the next guest was interviewed, he stole the show. It was this ditsy bimbo from a bachelorette show, and Larry was mocking her lack of intelligence and the ridiculousness of the show's concept.

Larry might be an INTP, the indecisiveness is a strong trait among others and general neurosis.

He comes on around 16 minutes in.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/250702/the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno-thu-jun-16-2011#s-p1-so-i0 or

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/episodes//thursday-june-16-2011/1334633

BTW, anyone know how to embed here?

 

[snafupants]

Curb is fantastic especially when you consider that all of the dialogue is improvised by the actors. I love how more often than not Larry is just a victim of circumstance and/or everyone around him is acting in a completely irrational manner.

Having said that, I think both Seinfeld and Arrested Development top it in both humor and complexity. In my book, George Costanza (who was based on Larry David) is the greatest TV character ever. Who among us can truly say that deep down there isn't a little bit of George just waiting to come out?

George: How do women know about shrinkage?

 

[intpz]

Watched the first episode of this show, made me laugh quite often. Really a movie for an INTP. I find the guy too nice though, I don't like that pretending part of an INTP. Sure, it's a good thing for us, but I don't like doing it, I don't feel like being myself.
Going for episode 02...

 

[downsowf]

I don't use the word brilliant that often to describe somebody, but Larry David is someone I consider brilliant. His story lines are so unique and all of the intricate scenarios somehow connect and come together at the end. I also love how no topic is off limits: pissing on a painting of Jesus then someone thinking it was a miracle (Larry just had a bladder problem); Larry talking with a little kid about her "pussy"; Larry instructing how to use a tampon to his neighbor's daughter; Larry having sex with a Palestinian woman and her making anti-semitic comments during the act; the list goes on and on. Where does he come up with this stuff?

 

[snafupants]

In one of the Seinfeld reruns I saw recently Jerry was having this swimmy daydream where he discussed the periscope in the car idea (season fourish of Seinfeld), which makes a return in Curb (perhaps season eight). Apparently Larry David couldn't escape the charms of that idea. Seinfeld was such a good fucking show - the "Bizarro" episode is television gold. So glad google could provide me this picture...

 

[downsowf]

bizarro george was the best. Yeah, I've noticed Larry David recycles many of the ideas from Seinfeld, but he always takes the idea to another level. I couldn't really pick which show I like better. Although a lot of the same type of humor is involved, Seinfeld and Curb are completely different and genius in their own way.

 

[downsowf]

I was in the holiday spirit:

Larry David - Worshiping Jesus is gay - YouTube

 

[Sali]

I liked seinfeld slightly better, but I'm just a huge Larry David fan in general. It's the type of story telling comedy you see often enough on British television but seems to be severly lacking on American television. I'm glad to see him bringing that to the table and I hope that others follow suit.

 

[cerebedlam]

I've watched it twice. I find it laugh in your head funny, though I think I need to watch more episodes. On the other hand I love Seinfeld.

I just had a Larry David-like insight whilst reading this post...I know this holds true for others as well...It's sorta an observable phenomen...

Why is it that we tend to 'laugh in our heads' much more so when alone, as opposed to the loud outbursts of laughter which tend to emit from us when we watch 'comedy' with others?

What's up with that? Why does having others in the room tend to bring out such a display? Are we actually enjoying the schitt more when there's company, or are we extrovertedly emoting for some other reason?

There def have been scenes in CYE that have made me laugh aloud when by meself...But, they come much less frequently than when I watch the show with others.

 

[Architect]

Agreed (nice necro replay)

My wife and I have discussed Curb extensively and are convinced Larry David is an INTP.

 

[Words]

What's up with that? Why does having others in the room tend to bring out such a display? Are we actually enjoying the schitt more when there's company, or are we extrovertedly emoting for some other reason?

I think the term for it is "Fe" or extroverted feeling. Now, we just need some statistics. Do Fi types laugh out more, or emote more, than Fe types when alone...? There are also several factors to consider.

This type of scenario is so real. It seems people can't for the life of them ditch habits that don't make (logical) sense, and any attempt to stimulate thought about this type of thing gets no response from anyone. There are many more examples in this show of how most people go through life in over-sentimental and anti-logical ways.

I think this idea is much more important than the show, the talk of INTPs, and the discussion on comedy. I have been intermittently complaining on the same issue. Cultures have always been wrought by illogical procedures and organizational failures, and does it not irritate you? Perhaps it's up to Ti-types to just point out the seemingly obvious shortcuts and non-effectiveness of these habits. I wonder if you can design a completely efficient culture...

 

[intpz]

I didn't like it too much. The guy is too nice and too odd quite often... I am not that nice and I am not that odd, he seemed too unrealistic.

 

[shortbuss]

You guys gotta watch this episode of the webseries 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee' with Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David.

I think at some point they discuss briefly David's more rational perspective.

http://www.crackle.com/c/Comedians_In_Cars_Getting_Coffee/Larry_Eats_a_Pancake/2487709/

 

[Sensi Star]

^
"You just made the distance that was acceptable for me to hold that door"

lol Larry has to be intp.

Looks like they finally did a "show about nothing", and I think it works.

 

[Architect]

Larry has to be intp.

Yes he is.

 

[MsAnthropy_Indefatigably]

Anytime I remember my days watching Seinfeld, which was basically my childhood to late teen years, I remember in tandem and without fail, an excerpt from a Chris Rock Special where he said, "You're not gonna find a girl who likes Wu Tang AND Seinfeld, forget it!"

And that was me! I LOVED them both and didn't understand why that couldn't be possible! Anyway cut to 2011, my 9-year old son wouldn't go to bed without have Seinfeld on to watch before bed. So he got really into the show too! But now when I watch Seinfeld, it feels like I'm watching a parody OF Seinfeld. It seems so exaggerated, I think Seinfeld himself, mostly. All the whining in his voice seemed faker. Nevertheless, I did enjoy that show immensely, BUT I LOVE Curb Your Enthusiasm. I always imagined if I was a Jewish dude, I would be just like Larry. LOL

 

[P.N. Guin]

Love this show. His character may be typed as something other than INTP. Larry exaggerates his personality so much, he comes across as very extroverted. But I wouldn't be surprised if the real-life Larry is an INTP.

 

[Code_Name_Ozz]

I liked Larry David in the movie Whatever Works. One thing he mentions in that movie that I agree with, is that we are a failed species.