I find your analyzation of Larry interesting... Definitely different, but
interesting. It is definitely an onion of a show, so many layers to it,
so
much can be taken from it. It's all in how one looks at it I guess! I
had
different ways of seeing the episodes than you do, but again, your words
were definitely interesting. It's so great to see people taken with this
genius of a show. More Curb fans! Emerge all Curb fans!!!
<max1974isome@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:1111363219.935020.66910@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> There is an undercurrent of symbolism in CYE that I haven't yet seen
> acknowledged or discussed. Here's a few examples to get people
> thinking:
>
> "The Shrimp Incident" is about hypocricy. The opening scene has Larry
> complaining about getting a shrimp dish already picked-through by
> someone else (an acquaintance who denied it). Later we see Larry
> dissembling to Julia about the freshness of his new sitcom idea that
> will feature her, actually an idea which he had already first tried to
> launch with George.
>
> A more concentrated scene distills the theme: around a game of cards,
> Julia shares her delight in having a show on HBO where she can say
> words like "****" and "****." Only a few minutes later, Larry is
> ostracized from the same group for using the word "****."
>
> None of these ironies are outwardly acknowledged in the show, of
> course, which is why they constitute the symbolical layer. You will
> find such a layer subsisting in almost every episode (perhaps, every
> one).
>
> "The Baptism", for example, is not merely a farce about a miscarried
> conversion to Christianity, but about the cost of yielding to outside
> pressure at the cost of one's identity (note the parallel sub-plot
> framing the episode of Cheryl's attempt to rid Larry of his cherished
> jacket).
>
> Some themes are less than "messages." What is the message of "The
> Acuptuncturist" except that attempts to help others can create worse
> problems? (here the metaphor of the story of the incompetently cut
> umbilical cord has dual meanings, augmenting the overall theme while
> also reflecting Larry's interference in a father-son dependency).
>
> It goes without saying, that such obvious premediated symbolism
> contradicts to some extent the reputation of the show's improvised
> nature.
>
> I find that the first scene often gives the key by which the symbolic
> meaning of the rest of the episode can be unlocked. Happy hunting!
>
> -Max Schmeder
>
> (to reply by email, remove the year from the address)
>
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