New Books in Popular Culture

Josh Levine, "Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good: Larry David and the Making of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Fully Revised and Updated" (ECW Press, 2025)

Nov 29, 2025
Josh Levine, an author and journalist specializing in TV comedy, dives deep into Larry David's life and legacy. They explore David's difficult path to success, starting from his comedic struggles to creating the groundbreaking shows Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Levine discusses the intense cringe humor of Curb and how it polarizes audiences. He also unveils the strong friendships that shaped casting decisions, highlights David's unique comedic persona, and touches on Larry's ongoing creative pursuits post-Curb. It's a fascinating look at a comedy icon!
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INSIGHT

Cringe As A Comedic Mirror

  • Curb's comedy forces viewers to confront cringe by showing Larry's petty, selfish responses to real situations.
  • That contrast makes the show both infuriating and liberating as it holds up a mirror to our own impulses.
ANECDOTE

Humble Brooklyn Beginnings

  • Larry grew up lower middle-class in Brooklyn, struggled in school and was not an immediate comedic success.
  • He stomped off stages and nearly floundered until Jerry Seinfeld recruited him for television work.
INSIGHT

Experience Over Stage Popularity

  • Larry's TV experience made him indispensable to Seinfeld's creation despite his shaky stand-up record.
  • His know-how about sketches and writing helped shape the show's voice and structure.
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