The Business Larry Charles offers a glimpse into his storied career via new memoir ‘Comedy Samurai’
Jul 4, 2025
Larry Charles, a renowned writer and director famous for his work on Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Borat, shares insights from his memoir, Comedy Samurai. He recounts chaotic moments from his collaborations with Sacha Baron Cohen and reflects on a last-minute call that scrapped a Larry David documentary. The conversation also dives into the evolution of comedy on television and the importance of authentic storytelling, highlighting the balance between personal experiences and creative pressure in a rapidly changing industry.
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Elaine's Character Development
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus came to the writers upset that her character lacked identity and depth.
- The writers then gave Elaine story arcs similar to George's, making her character as flawed and compelling as the men.
No Writers' Room Advantage
- Seinfeld had no writers' room, which made it more idiosyncratic and pure.
- This small-team approach kept the show's unique voice intact and avoided the flattening effect of many writers.
Beard Trimmed for Borat
- Sacha Baron Cohen insisted Larry Charles trim his beard to look like a regular person.
- This was important so real people wouldn't be distracted during Borat's alternate reality comedic setups.
