Larry David stunned by Barack Obama’s TV comedy skills
The Curb Your Enthusiasm creator has shared fresh details about working with former US President Barack Obama, revealing he was impressed by his improvisation and natural performance abilities.
Larry David has revealed Barack Obama possesses “perfect” timing for TV comedy.
The comedian, 79, admitted it was “really trippy” sharing scenes with the former US President while filming a new HBO comedy project as he spoke at the Hollywood premiere of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America, a sketch series produced by Barack Obama, 64, and his wife Michelle through their Higher Ground production company.
While Barack’s involvement in the project has been known for some time, Larry used the event to offer fresh insight into what it was actually like working alongside the former President, describing his unexpected talent for improvisation and comedy.
Discussing Obama's performance, Larry told Variety: “He was really good at ad-libbing.”
The comedian added: “It was exciting. We had a great time.”
Larry, whose observational humour turned Seinfeld and later Curb Your Enthusiasm into television landmarks, also said acting opposite Obama was a surreal experience despite already knowing him socially.
He described sharing a scene with Obama as “really trippy”.
Larry added he deliberately tried not to think too much about who he was performing alongside as he said he did not want “to screw it up”.
Larry’s new HBO series, which premieres on 26 June, uses sketch comedy to revisit pivotal moments in American history ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.
Barack appears in one of the sketches, although details of his role have been kept largely under wraps.
Asked whether the former President's performance could be worthy of television awards recognition, Larry remained cautious.
He said: “I wouldn’t go that far.”
The comedian also explained how the collaboration came about, revealing Higher Ground first approached him with the idea.
Larry said: “I know the President a little bit. We played golf together, and I did a Super Bowl ad maybe four or five years ago where I was dressed in costumes and everything. So maybe that was part of their thinking.”
He added: “I don’t know. Maybe they just like Curb.’”
The project brings together an extensive list of guest stars including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, Sean Hayes, Joe Manganiello, Jane Krakowski, Greg Kinnear, Rita Wilson, Jerry Seinfeld, Vince Vaughn, Jeff Garlin, J.B. Smoove and Susie Essman.
Larry also addressed President Donald Trump, 80, and the UFC event at the White House which made up part of the anniversary celebrations.
He said: “It was a travesty.”
Larry added: “What else can you say about it? It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed to be an American.”
