Amy wrote:
> 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!!!
Hi Amy,
I probably have the same way of "seeing" the show as you do. They're
entertainment primarily. I just try to analyze them later. When I
told her about this subtext theory, my friend immediately "decoded" one
of the episodes from memory - one that I was stuck on. I wonder how
many seemingly facile tv shows have subliminal symbolical layers
intentionally embedded?
-Max
> <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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