Working on Curb Your Enthusiasm isn’t like anything I’ve ever experienced in my career. The show’s approach to storytelling and character interaction is truly one-of-a-kind.
Improvisation at Its Core
Unlike traditional television shows, Curb Your Enthusiasm operates without a script. During the audition process, actors receive a brief outline of the scene, detailing the situation and its intended conclusion. On set, this method demands a high level of spontaneity and creativity from the cast.
I heard that in the early seasons, Larry David provided actors with more detailed outlines. Apparently, Larry noticed actors forcing in their own jokes or steering the scenes, so he stopped doing that. By the time I joined, there were no outlines, just a general character description and a basic idea of the goal. For example, my audition simply required my character to give Larry her card. That was it—no dialogue, no specifics. Larry David personally auditions actors at callbacks, and I don’t blame him. When everything is improvised, you need to ensure the actors can handle the unique challenge.
Writers in Real-Time
Another thing that sets Curb apart is the way the writers operate. They don’t hand you pre-written lines to memorize. Instead, they’re sitting in Video Village, watching the scenes unfold as they’re being filmed. If they hear something they love, they might ask you to repeat it in the next take. This process creates a dynamic where the writing evolves alongside the performances. It’s actually exhilarating to be on your toes and contribute to the creative process in real time.
A Surreal Transport Van Experience
The improvisation extends to every part of the production. I’ll never forget being in a transport van with Larry Miller, having no idea who his character was or how he connected to the story. Even while we were filming, I didn’t know the context of his role. It wasn’t until the episode aired that I finally realized how his character fit into the Palestinian Chicken storyline. That unpredictability is part of what makes Curb so special—it’s full of surprises, even for those of us on set.
Working on Curb Your Enthusiasm was pure fun. It was exciting, collaborative, and completely unique. The icing on the cake? Larry invited me back for The Pickle Gambit episode, which made the experience even better. I hope these behind-the-scenes insights provide a deeper appreciation for the creative magic behind Curb Your Enthusiasm.
