David stars as a fictionalized version of himself and it follows his life as a semi-retired television writer and producer in Los Angeles and, for one season, New York City.

It often features celebrity guest stars, many of them playing fictionalized versions of themselves, including Ted Danson, Richard Lewis, Wanda Sykes, Rosie O'Donnell, and Jon Hamm.

Each episode's plot and subplot is established in an outline written by David, and the actors largely improvise the dialogue,[4] a technique known as retroscripting.

Episodes frequently center on his ignorance of or disregard for well-established social conventions and expectations, and his insistence that others adhere to rules of which only he seems to be aware.

Among the more frequently recurring guest stars are Larry's longtime friend Richard Lewis as well as Ted Danson and his wife Mary Steenburgen.

David's hometown of New York City is featured in some of season 8.Curb Your Enthusiasm premiered with an hour-long special on October 17, 1999, upon which the series was based.

Unrelated events woven throughout an episode are tied into a climax that resolves the story lines simultaneously, to Larry's advantage or detriment.

[13][14] Among the show's many recurring roles, Richard Lewis, Ted Danson, and Wanda Sykes play fictionalized versions of themselves as old friends of Larry with whom he frequently butts heads.

Celebrities, including actors, comedians, authors, musicians and athletes, often make guest appearances on the show, many of them playing themselves or fictional versions thereof.

Some who appear as fictionalized versions of themselves include Mary Steenburgen, Mel Brooks, Michael York, Martin Scorsese, Lucy Liu, Ben Stiller, Christian Slater, David Schwimmer, Rob Reiner, Rosie O'Donnell, Seth Rogen, Shaquille O'Neal, George Lopez, Michael J.

Notable people who fill in fictional roles include Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, Michael McKean, Wayne Federman, Gina Gershon, Elisabeth Shue, Vince Vaughn, Bobby Lee, Frank Whaley, Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik, Stephen Colbert, Bill Hader, Catherine O'Hara, Nick Offerman, Flula Borg, Chaz Bono, Rebecca Romijn, Melissa McCarthy, Tracey Ullman, Steve Buscemi, Greg Kinnear, Dean Norris, Zachary Levi, Mindy Kaling, and Allison Janney.

[39] Slate named the characters Cheryl David and Susie Greene two of the best on television and reasons to look forward to the show's return in 2007.

The schlemiel is usually a comic character whose actions lead to his inevitable downfall, but also stands as a form of resistance to social and cultural values and norms.

David Gillota wrote: As a true schlemiel, Larry's failure serves as a direct challenge to the status quo and encourages viewers to question the myriad unwritten rules that we follow in our everyday lives.

[51] It was nominated for eleven Directors Guild of America Awards, winning twice for Bryan Gordon for "The Special Section" in 2003 and Robert B. Weide for "Palestinian Chicken" in 2012.

[55] The show debuted in syndication on local stations and WGN America in September 2010,[56] but was removed the following year due to low ratings.

[68] Frequently heard are instrumental arrangements of the whimsical "Three Little Maids From School Are We" from The Mikado, and the rhythmic Gypsy dance "Les tringles des sistres tintaient" from Carmen.

The opening and closing theme song (not mentioned in the credits) is "Frolic" by Italian composer Luciano Michelini [de].

Larry David heard the music used in a bank commercial years before the show was created and thought it had a lighthearted, joyful quality.