The Larry Sanders Show 

A comedic behind the scenes look at a late night talk show.

Creators:

Dennis Klein, Garry Shandling

Stars:

Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 46 wins & 135 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Garry Shandling	...	Larry Sanders 89 episodes, 1992-1998
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Hank Kingsley 89 episodes, 1992-1998
Wallace Langham	...	Phil 89 episodes, 1992-1998
Rip Torn	...	Arthur 89 episodes, 1992-1998
Penny Johnson Jerald	...	Beverly Barnes 82 episodes, 1992-1998
Janeane Garofalo	...	Paula 52 episodes, 1992-1997
Linda Doucett	...	Darlene Chapinni 45 episodes, 1992-1998

Storyline

HBO television sitcom about Larry Sanders, a talk-show host. This show goes 'behind-the-scenes' to reveal Larry's humorous interactions with the producers and guests.

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Plot Keywords:

behind the scenes | producer | sitcom | television | fictional talk show | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

El show de Larry Sanders

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Television, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (89 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the years after the show, Hank Kingsley's (Jeffrey Tambor) resemblance to TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, has widely been discussed. (as Tambor resembles him even closer with the mustache and business suit).

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Quotes

Arthur: [talking to a janitor after hours] Dimitri, my man, you and I both clean up shit for a living. The only difference is my shit talks back.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Michael Fassbender/Jeffrey Tambor/Weezer (2017)

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Soundtracks

Love Guarantee
Written by Diana Williamson and Frank Fitzpatrick
Performed by Diana Williamson

User Reviews

A brilliant take-off of the late night TV scene

For years we've all heard the stories of behind the scenes powerplays, ego, contracts, manipulation etc. among the late night hosts and networks. Ever since Johnny "clicked" with American TV audiences on NBC we have watched a steady stream of after 11pm hosts of variety type shows. Post-Carson we have seen Jay, Dave, Conan, Arsenio, Pat Sajak, Chevy Chase, Craig Kilborn, Bob Costas, etc. vie for the late night dollars. A movie entitled "The Late Night Shift" was made depicting the infighting between Jay Leno's people and David Letterman's group to take over The Tonight Show when Johnny retired.

Now Gary Shandling and HBO have devised a character and show to weave between reality and fiction all in the form of Shandling's alter-ego Larry Sanders. Much like Billy Crystal's creation, Buddy Young Jr., Sanders has taken on a personna of his own. However, what Shandling and HBO have done takes it to new heights of excellence. The stories are witty, funny, provocative, and probably lend more truth to insights into show business then even the most skeptical of us could have imagined.

With an absolutely great supporting cast this show embodies the idea that comedy can be intellectual, cutting edge, and somewhat bitter sharp without excluding portions of the audience. Of special note the performance of Rip Torn, as Larry's veteran producer (Artie), is shear greatness. Torn has fashioned his character after Fred DeCordova who was Johnny Carson's Executive Producer.Artie "knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em". He knows when to f__k with the network and when not to and he insulates Larry from anything that would compromise Larry's ability to be on the edge for a great show. He loves Larry like a brother and loathes him for his insecurities, childishness, ego and all that Larry can be that's infuriating.

Jeffrey Tambor is terrific as Larry's Ed McMahon sidekick Hank Kingsley. A sniveling, insecure, limited talent based guy Kingsley is well paid and likes to throw around power. Trouble is his power base is Larry and those staffers that work on the show only do for Hank what they absolutely have to. Tambor plays this character to a tee!

With real celebrity guests poking fun at celebrity, TV, movies, and themselves at times the program almost seems to allow the entertainment industry to safely poke fun at itself in a somewhat scathing manner.

The show ended it's run about a year and a half ago but it replays on the HBO channels each week and is well worth the time to view.