Parents' Guide to

The Larry Sanders Show

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dry late-show satire aims jokes, language at adults.

TV IFC Comedy 1992
The Larry Sanders Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

As the face of THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, neurotic late-night talk show host Larry Sanders (Garry Shandling) spends most of his time at the office dealing with his sharp-tongued producer (Rip Torn), catch-phrasing sidekick (Jeffrey Tambor), and a rotating line-up of celebrity guests. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff works behind the scenes to make sure the show goes on.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

When The Larry Sanders Show was still airing on HBO in the 1990s, critics loved it for its whip-smart send-up of Hollywood's celebrity culture -- and the rotating celebrity guest stars' willingness to skewer themselves week after week. At the time, the series' mockumentary show-within-a-show format was also somewhat of a novelty that helped earn it a slew of coveted television awards and went on to inspire the look and feel of other TV comedies.

Today, of course, Larry Sanders feels more than a little dated -- not only because, well, it literally is -- but also because our collective culture of celebrity-worship is so much more intense than it used to be. (Not to mention the fact that some people might not even remember who Mimi Rogers is, let alone Susan Anton.) Still, for adult viewers who can appreciate the joke, it's a well-conceived classic that deserves a second look.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's use of satire when it comes to celebrity. Is there any sort of message regarding the behind-the-scenes realities of fame?

  • How does the series' show-within-a-show format make it different from other comedies? What other shows has its format inspired since it first aired?

  • Why has the mockumentary approach to comedy become so popular? Does it allow writers and actors more freedom than traditional situation-comedies?

TV Details

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