Series synopsis
The Larry Sanders Show is an American comedy television series that premiered on HBO on August 15, 1992. It ended on May 31, 1998. It was created by Garry Shandling, Dennis Klein. It stars Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham and Rip Torn.
Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.
Premise
Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.
Premise: Bitterly, brutally, blatantly hilarious.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Garry Shandling as Larry Sanders
- Jeffrey Tambor as Hank Kingsley
- Wallace Langham as Phil
- Rip Torn as Arthur
- Penny Johnson Jerald as Beverly Barnes
- Janeane Garofalo as Paula
- Linda Doucett as Darlene Chapinni
- Megan Gallagher as Jeannie Sanders
Supporting cast
- Mary Lynn Rajskub as Marylou Collins
- Scott Thompson as Brian
- Jeremy Piven as Jerry Capen
- Kathryn Harrold as Francine Sanders
- Jon Stewart as Jon Stewart
- Jim Belushi as Jim Belushi
- Charles Cioffi as Dr. Reisman
- Winona Ryder as Winona Ryder
- Bridget Fonda as Bridget Fonda
- David Spade as David Spade
- Rob Lowe as Rob Lowe
- John Hoffman as David
Guest cast
- Jon Stewart as Jon Stewart
- Jim Belushi as Jim Belushi
- Charles Cioffi as Dr. Reisman
- Winona Ryder as Winona Ryder
- Bridget Fonda as Bridget Fonda
- David Spade as David Spade
- Rob Lowe as Rob Lowe
- John Hoffman as David
- Brooke Smith as Tonya Bailey
- Bruno Kirby as Bruno Kirby
- Elya Baskin as Nicolae
- Jennie Garth as Jennie Garth
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 143 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 53 | ||
| Season 1 | 13 | August 15, 1992 | November 7, 1992 |
| Season 2 | 18 | June 2, 1993 | September 29, 1993 |
| Season 3 | 17 | June 22, 1994 | October 12, 1994 |
| Season 4 | 17 | July 19, 1995 | November 22, 1995 |
| Season 5 | 13 | November 13, 1996 | February 26, 1997 |
| Season 6 | 12 | March 15, 1998 | May 31, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Behind The Scenes | |
| 2 | Disk 1 - Deleted Scenes | |
| 3 | Disk 2 - Deleted Scenes |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Garden Weasel Over Larry's strong protests, network executives force him to do a live commercial on the show for one of his sponsors. |
August 15, 1992 |
| 2 |
The Promise Larry is annoyed that David Spade is booked on another show and Hank's fan club visits. |
August 22, 1992 |
| 3 |
The Spiders Episode Larry battles his reluctance when real live spiders are scheduled for the show, and tries to find a sketch to do with guest Carol Burnett. |
August 29, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Breakdown (1) Larry is a wreck as he faces sinking ratings, no Emmy nominations, and a divorce suit from Jeannie. So Hank and Artie try to fix him up with attractive women. But the only one he really connects with is Francine, his first wife. |
June 2, 1993 |
| 2 |
The Breakdown (2) Larry is a wreck as he faces sinking ratings, no Emmy nominations, and a divorce suit from Jeannie. So Hank and Artie try to fix him up with attractive women. But the only one he really connects with is Francine, his first wife. |
June 2, 1993 |
| 3 |
The List A chance remark by Francine leads Larry to ask for a list of all her sexual partners since their divorce. |
June 9, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Montana Larry's going out of his mind with boredom up in Montana when Artie appears with a scheme to resurrect the show. |
June 22, 1994 |
| 2 |
You're Having My Baby Larry's chances with Mimi Rogers drop dramatically when a woman from Montana turns up with the claim that she's carrying Larry's baby. |
June 29, 1994 |
| 3 |
Would You Do Me a Favor? Larry's dad pays a visit to California, but Larry doesn't want to see him, so he adds that little chore to the things an already fed-up Beverly has to cope with. |
July 6, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Roseanne's Return Larry is apprehensive over a guest appearance by former girl friend Roseanne and decides to see a psychiatrist. The office follows the O.J. trial. |
July 19, 1995 |
| 2 |
Hank's New Assistant When Darlene quits while on vacation, Hank hires the temp who was filling in for her. Larry's reluctant to tell Dana Carvey he doesn't like Carvey's Larry Sanders impersonation. |
July 26, 1995 |
| 3 |
Arthur After Hours After a particularly trying day at work, Arthur spends the night at the studio with two new friends, Nicolae the janitor and Hank's karoake machine, and one old bottle of booze. |
August 2, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Everybody Loves Larry Larry, worried about the implications of a permanent guest host, sabotages temporary host Jon Stewart at every turn. Hank buys a less-than-perfect used car from Elvis Costello. David Duchovny's friendliness makes Larry wonder about his sexual orientation. |
November 13, 1996 |
| 2 |
My Name is Asher Kingsley Hank's decison to re-embrace Judaism throws the office and the network into a tizzy. Larry worries that someone has been sitting in his new massaging recliner. |
November 20, 1996 |
| 3 |
Where is the Love? Larry gets upset over a review from TV critic Tom Shales, prompting him to fire off a fax in retaliation and to seek sympathy from show guest Sally Field. |
November 27, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Another List Larry's ratings are slipping and the suits are looking to replace him with regular guest host Jon Stewart. Hank tries to trade for a fan's ""Hey Now"" license plates. |
March 15, 1998 |
| 2 |
The Beginning of the End Kenny Mitchell joins the show as creative consultant and makes major changes to the format. Larry battles with the network and his agent over his contract. |
March 22, 1998 |
| 3 |
As My Career Lay Dying Larry's staff prepares for the end by secretly looking for new jobs. |
March 29, 1998 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 15, 1992 |
| Last aired | May 31, 1998 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday |