Apparently, after seven years on the air, people are catching-on to Curb Your Enthusiasm. After posting strong ratings and garnering critical praise, the eighth season of Larry David’s adventures in misanthropy has HBO thinking about season 9.
When the season premiered three weeks ago, it earned unusually high ratings, but then, something weirder happened – the ratings improved in each subsequent installment. Last week’s episode “Palestinian Chicken” pulled in 2.4 million viewers – up 24 percent from the week prior, which saw an increase of 12 percent from the already high numbers of the premiere.
Of course, all of this good news has thrown the normally cantankerous David for something of a loop – leaving the creator wondering what ingredient is creating this better-than-expected response. “What does it mean? Is it the lead-in? Is it the show?” David asked, when the numbers started coming in.
According to HBO, sure, the strong True Blood lead-in is definitely helping, but more to the point, after an extended time off, it could be that audiences just missed the guy.
The last time Curb was airing new episodes was early November of ‘09; putting 20 months (give or take) between the season 7 finale and the season 8 premiere.
It turns out, longer than average cycles between seasons can have a positive effect on the ratings for some shows. While it’s not uncommon for HBO to allow more off-time for its creators (such was the case with The Sopranos - in which nearly two years passed between seasons 5 and 6), Curb‘s absence may have had more to do with David and Co. wondering how much funny was left in the tank. Evidently, there was quite a bit.
Certainly, the creative process benefits from time, as evidenced by the strong return of another hit show that had been AWOL for more than a year, AMC’s Breaking Bad. Walter White’s return to the airwaves also posted strong ratings, and the critical praise to which the show has become accustomed.
J.B. Smoove & Larry David agree 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' is great again
Although other circumstances delayed the fifth season of AMC’s other darling, Mad Men, it won’t be surprising to see the extra time-off result in a strong season 5 for Don Draper and his fellow scotch swilling ad execs.
It wouldn’t be show business if a good thing weren’t followed up with more, so, naturally, HBO is eager to get David to agree to a ninth season. Mind you, that would tie Seinfeld‘s run on NBC – though it’d surpass David’s run on the show (he bowed out at the end of season 7).
As far as HBO is concerned, they have reason to be hopeful. According to the network’s president of programming Michael Lombardo, “For the first time ever after this season Larry didn’t say ‘I never want to do this again’. That is a promising start.”
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You can catch new episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm Sunday nights @10:00pm on HBO.
Source: Deadline
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I would just like to make this comment.
Thank you for that thing you said.
MAKE ANOTHER SEASON! And have “Leon” starr in it, he and larry is such an amazing couple. Whats the hold up? just like “NIKE”, JUST DO IT!
From Sweden With Great Wishes// ArnOLF.
Please bring back Curb Your enthusiasm . … The best HBO series ever!!!
Thanks!
I am a huge Curb fan… have seen every episode of every season. The Palestinian Chicken episode is extraordinary funny… classic Larry David. But I have to be honest… I felt season 8 wasn’t Larry’s best. The first episodes were ok, but as soon as the gang went to New York, it felt all too scripted. I missed the improv… may be it was there, but it didn’t feel the same. Plotlines were rather farfetched sometimes, and I started to wonder if there aren’t too many ‘executive producers’ on this show… too many people thinking along. It feels a bit like it’s less Larry, and more a joint effort. Still, the show is enjoyable and above average for sure…
I always felt that Curb was best at exploring social conventions… little things in life. What is the cut off time at night, how many samples can you take when buying an ice cream… those tiny things in everyday life that are so recognizable for everyone. Those things were far more subtle than drawing swastika’s and Hitler mustaches on magazines…
True, it’s not as good as it was, and I agree some of the situations were scraping the bottom of the barrel, but yes, lesser-quality “Curb” is better than the “best” of some shows (“Two and a Half Men”, anyone?) It must be torture for Larry, coming up with new ideas, which probably explains the delay in agreeing to Season 9. It’ amazing he’s managed 8 seasons. Every time “Seinfeld” was renewed he was filled with dread, thinking there wouldn’t be enough stories. In fact, in the beginning he thought he only had enough ideas for a handful of “Seinfeld”s. A group on these pages called “Helen” might agree!
Not really a “delay”…Curb wasn’t released yearly. There was no curb in 2003, 2006, 2008 or 2010. If we’re lucky we’ll get season 9 in 2013
THINKING of season 9? There better be a 9th season!! This show can’t go away. I love it. Just like Eastbound and Down. Supposedly coming back from the dead for a 4th season.
Susie Essman was on Adam Carolla’s podcast (Aug 24) and said there is still no word from Larry on season 9.
I’m in accord with everyone’s sentiment regarding, ‘Curbed..’.
However, I HOPE supposed, ‘comedian’ Wanda Sykes has little/ no input ans/ or participation.
I find Ms. Sykes to be the most unfunny person on Curbed..
She’s less funny than Margaret Cho. WHich I didn’t think possible.
I have seen a pattern of “end shows” in the writing of this series over the years and I can only hope that Mr. David decides to end it soon-the writing,on the whole, has been very thoughtful and it would be a shame to end a good thing sloppily.
I hope season 9 will be on the way. I’m just catching on to Curb when season 8 started, I have been watching older season with the HBO and TV Guide Network On-Demand and I find myself wanting more of Larry David. Now HBO stop On-Demand I don’t know why but wish they would bring the show back.