HBO Sunday Night - 9/20/09

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Funkhouser’s Crazy Sister
Season 7, Episode 1

Larry David returns where he left off, romantically involved with Loretta (Vivica Fox) whose health has deteriorated. While visiting, Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein) takes Larry up on an empty gesture which forces Larry to visit Funkhouser’s mentally ill sister (the brilliant Catherine O’Hara). He takes along Jeff, who hits it off with her. Meanwhile Jeff’s wife Susie is planning a dinner party which leads to many awkward situations. And Larry has to figure out how to break up with Loretta before she’s diagnosed with cancer . . .

In another perfectly plotted episode, it’s retrospectively alarming that Larry David gets away with jokes about mental illness and cancer so easily. David’s politically incorrectness (especially with the gay couple) has always been more honest than the liberal platitudes he spouts. Every actor is back on board and at the top of their game. And this is before the addition of the Seinfeld cast – a development that was hinted at by Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) who got along with Larry better when he was working on that show. Well worth the wait. A-

Favorite line: “Don’t patronize me with your tiny pear.”

Bored to Death: Stockholm Syndrome
Season 1, Episode 1
Jason Schwartzman is a barely employed novelist living in New York with writer’s block. His girlfriend leaves him since he won’t give up pot and white wine. His best friend (Zach Galifianakis) is a cartoonist with relationship problems of his own. As Schwartzman struggles to complete his second book, he decides to become an unlicensed private investigator (like in a Raymond Chandler novel) and gets surprising, immediate requests after posting on Craig’s List. Ted Danson is obviously having a great time as Schwartzman’s marijuana-obsessed boss. Galifianakis isn't given much to do so far, but Schwartzman is perfect as the reluctant P.I. Good start to the series. B

Entourage: Berried Alive
Season 6, Episode 10

Now working for a different agency, Lloyd and Ari fight over Johnny Drama’s representation. And Turtle finds himself attracted to the sorority girl who stole his dirty undies. Eric finally dumps the insanely obsessed Ashley and Vince does nothing – just like the whole season. The Ari vs. Lloyd competition was well played, but the whole Eric romantic plot has worn me out this season. Drama may want to be on Melrose Place 2009, but Kevin Dillon didn’t know he already was. B-