 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Curb Your Enthusiasm
- HBO, Syndicated
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Laugh until it hurts with Seinfeld creator.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this cable sitcom is for mature teens and adults only. It includes jokes and themes based on race, disability, religion, etc. that mature folks will understand as ironic, but which the younger set may misinterpret. One character has a porn addiction and talks about it regularly, including discussing masturbation. One season's story arc is based on the idea that the main character can have sex with someone other than his wife as an anniversary present. Though discussed plenty, sex is never shown, other than the occasional comedic grope. Since this is a pay cable series, profanity isn't censored and occurs with enthusiastic regularity. Characters occasionally use drugs, though this isn't a common element. Note: In the version of the show that runs in syndication, profanity and nudity have been edited to meet broadcast standards.
What's the story?
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM is a largely improvised cable sitcom based on the life of Larry David, the co-creator and executive producer of Seinfeld. David plays a version of himself -- a rich semi-retired comedy writer who likes to golf with his loyal friend and agent, Jeff Greene (Jeff Garlin), and go out to dinner with his patient wife, Cheryl (Cheryl Hines). Extending the Seinfeld concept of a "show about nothing," Curb follows Larry during his normal outings -- visits with friends, evenings out with Cheryl, errands around town.
Is it any good?
What makes the show so entertaining and hilarious is Larry's tendency to be socially inappropriate (much like Seinfeld's George Costanza) and get obsessed with tiny details, like Jerry Seinfeld's TV character. Larry's social stumbles aren't your usual gaffes, but rather painful, cringe-inducing idiocy -- like when he jokes with an African-American dermatologist about getting into medical school thanks to affirmative action. When Larry is later forced to ask the dermatologist for a favor, he finds himself in a room full of African Americans who compel him to repeat his tasteless joke and be branded a racist.
While Seinfeld occasionally ventured into adults-only territory, Curb Your Enthusiasm never visits anyplace else. Jeff's wife Susie (Susie Essman) regularly curses up a storm -- not just an expletive here and there, but a steady stream of crude (but funny) vitriol. And in addition to Jeff's penchant for golf, he's a porn addict with a history of infidelity. Nothing is off limits in David's comedic world: He takes on religion, disability, even the death of his own mother.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about Larry David's inappropriate comments. Do you think the character is prejudiced against certain types of people? What about the real-life Larry? How accurate a reflection of his life do you think the show is?
What makes Larry's comments funny? What is the purpose of this kind of humor? Why does his wife put up with him?
For Seinfeld fans: Can you spot similarities between Larry and his Seinfeld characters? Do you remember Seinfeld episodes that dealt with similar issues to those you see here?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent of 9 and 10 year old
December 2, 2009
AGE
What other families should know:
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Adult
January 12, 2011
AGE
Better than "Seinfeld" and easily one of the funniest/best shows ever on televison. Curb is so artistaclly creative and unique, and so darkly hilarious. Although this show is excellent, it has some mature content. There is frequent cursing in every episode. The most vulgar (and hilarious) swearing comes from Susie Green, who swears up a storm almost every time she's on camera. Also, the show has occasional sexual content. Frequent talk of sex, but nothing too explicit. And mostly all sexual dialogue, but one episode in the 7th season has scenes which take place in a restauraunt which has pictures of women's breasts on the walls. Very little drug/drinking content that is that bad. But mature teens will love the show. It's so different and the humor is really unlike anything in any other sitcom.
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Adult
October 26, 2009
AGE
I watched it with my kids and there was more bad words then any show I've ever seen these words were not only four-letter words, there were words that may not said on the street. I guess adults like the harsh language
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Parent
March 1, 2011
AGE
ok w/me
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Adult
February 11, 2011
AGE
This show is, indeed, hilarious. It's like "Seinfeld" on steroids. That said, no child should watch this, even the censored version, because it's humor is, largely, filth-based. Mature teens over age 17 might be okay.
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Teen, 14 years old
February 3, 2010
AGE
Funny
This show is probably one of the funniest tv shows ever to have aired. Larry David's character is so real and unbelievably crude that you will nearly die laughing at his misfortunes and little tiffs with fellow celebrities every now and then.
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Adult
February 28, 2010
AGE
Larry David Wins Again
There's absolutley no doubt in my mind that this is the funniest TV show I've ever seen. Larry David does it again. He is the true comic genius. Some say Seth Rogen or Eddie Murphey or some may even say Jay Leno, but I think it's Larry. His sense of humour hit my funny bone JUST in the right spot. One word for this show: Genius.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 22, 2009
AGE
ADULTS ONLY
THIS SHOW SHOULD ONLY BE SEEN BY ADULTS & NOT KIDS UNDER 18.
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Parent of 11, 13, 16, and 19 year old
January 27, 2011
AGE
I hate this show. It';s funny in a degrading kind of way and perhaps that is what the appeal is to some but this is not anything that even me or my husband would watch let alone any child. Sorry, I don't think you have to delve into this type of filth in order to call it comedy. None of these things happen to me in real life. Seinfield is the milder version of this and much more truly funny.
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Teen, 13 years old
January 9, 2010
AGE
Great for Teens, not for younger
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Networks: | HBO, Syndicated |
| Cast: | Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Larry David |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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