The Larry Sanders Show (every rumor about future releases in one place)

Stephen Lilley · 02-13-2006, 11:29 PM

I know I can't be the only one that has been waiting since 2002 for the remaining five seasons of this amazing, award winning HBO comedy.

First off, a little about the show for the uninitiated (from Wikipedia):

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The Larry Sanders Show was a satirical television series that originally aired from 1992 to 1998 on the HBO cable television network in the USA. It starred former stand-up comedian Garry Shandling as the show's vain, self-obsessed, neurotic host, Larry Sanders. The series, which was partly inspired by Shandling's stint as a guest host on The Tonight Show, is ranked by many critics and fans alongside Seinfeld as one of the best TV comedies of the decade.

The series was a unique satire of the behind-the-scenes problems and relationships of a network talk show host, his staff and their guests. The plot and situations found in each episode drew heavily from the real-life world of shows like The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show (under both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno), and The Arsenio Hall Show, although many aspects were exaggerated.

Each episode featured celebrity guests who usually played themselves appearing on the fictional Larry Sanders Show, and who were often the primary source of conflict and turmoil between Sanders and his co-workers. Guests included Elvis Costello, Chris Farley, Sharon Stone, Danny DeVito and many others. One of the most memorable guest spots was the cameo appearance in the final episode by X-Files star David Duchovny, who performed a parody of the Sharon Stone 'flashing' scene from Basic Instinct. Duchovny frequently made cameos on the show, usually flirting with Larry in an unwelcome manner.

In addition to Shandling, the show also starred Rip Torn as Arthur, the show's producer, Jeffrey Tambor as Larry's egotistical sidekick Hank "Hey Now" Kingsley, Janeane Garofalo, Scott Thompson, Bob Odenkirk, Linda Doucett, Penny Johnson and others.

Directors and writers of note include Ken Kwapis (The Office (US), Malcolm in the Middle), Judd Apatow (Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Paul Simms (Newsradio), David Mirkin (The Simpsons, Get A Life), Paul Flaherty (SCTV), Carol Leifer (Seinfeld), comedian Jeff Cesario, and Adam Resnick (Late Night with David Letterman, Get A Life). Kwapis, who directed the bulk of the first season episodes, was particularly instrumental in determining the style of the program.

In it's nine year run on HBO, the show was nominated for 3 Golden Globes. It also garnered another 24 wins & 83 nominations. The show is also cited by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant as a direct inspiration for their critically acclaimed, award winning British comedy series THE OFFICE.

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I've been watching a lot of old taped episodes lately, which is always a bad idea because it just makes me sad that only the first season is available on DVD. In my quest for more information, I figured I'd take the opportunity to post everything I find here. I know that a lot of this is probably known, but I figured it'd be nice to have it all in the same place.

First, from TVShowsOnDVD.com:

*THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW: THE ENTIRE FIRST SEASON was released on DVD on February 26, 2002, for a list price of $50. In October of the same year, it is repriced at $39.95. More than a few reviews knocked the release for poor picture and sound quality, as well as the release being barebones - the only special feature is an (admittedly great) interview with Garry Shandling, lasting around a half hour in length.

The DVD is said to have sold poorly which is the cause of no further seasons being released, but I cannot find sales figures at this time.

*In June of 2004, TV Shows on DVD.com posts a notice advising fans to let Columbia TriStar know which episodes of THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW are their favorites, presumably for some kind of "Best Of" release.

*In September of 2004, the following information is posted:

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Gary Shandling created quite a stir on Leno last night when it was mentioned that season 2 of The Larry Sanders Show would be released in the fall. Unfortunately that's not what's in store for the series. Columbia TriStar is working on a "Larry Sanders Collection" which will be produced by Gary Shandling and feature his favorite episodes from the series. Given his involvement in in the set, and his desire to do his favorite episodes, it's surprising that he would mention the season 2 set, especially on a nationally broadcast talk-show.

The set was expected to hit in early 2005. It is now early 2006, and nothing has officially been said.

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Awhile back, I found a link to an article online featuring a recap of an interview with Jeremy Piven. Someone had caught up with him at a baseball game and he candidly revealed that he was "in the studio" working on special features for releases of the first three seasons of THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW. Now, just as this sounds, it was *probably* fake (especially considering Piven was only in seasons one and two), but I am still trying to find the information for this post, as it was pretty interesting. The article also made it sound like a rerelease of the first season would be coming. Again, trying to find details, but am currently coming up short.

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Details of this year's HBO Comedy Festival reveal that THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW is being honored this year. The press release includes some very interesting news:

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Shandling is currently putting the finishing touches on a Special Edition DVD Retrospective of The Larry Sanders Show which will include unique new footage of Garry reminiscing with former guests from the show in a raw and unedited manner. These special features capture the essence of The Larry Sanders Show and take it further in a celebration of this groundbreaking program. The Larry Sanders Show DVD Retrospective is due for release in 2006.

While it isn't the remaining seasons, at least it's *something*, and it's essentially confirmed, unlike the "Best Of" set. If this sells well enough, perhaps this can be motivation for the release of the rest of the series.

Also, this *could* be what Piven referenced that he was working on, if the conversation mentioned above actually took place. It wouldn't be the first time somebody misspoke when talking about DVD releases of this show.

David Rain · 02-14-2006, 12:08 AM

I never got to see all of the episodes of this series and I haven't noticed it airing in reruns in a long time. So I'm hoping any future set sells well. I think one of the obvious reasons that the first set did not sell is because this show appeals in large part to an older, intelligent audience. And those those shows do not always sell well. Apprantly they do not contain enough special effects and naked people shooting each other to please the 12 year olds who make up the bulk of entertainment buyers these days. Also, the first season may not have been advertised as well as it should have been. So a lot of people may not have even known that it was out.

I don't understand why when a new movie or TV or CD comes out, you see the performers involved everywhere hawking it regardless of the quality of it. Yet when a DVD release is imminent you rarely see the stars of that show out promoting it like they should be. Even the ones who would stand to benefit from the release financially. I contribute part of the success of Seinfeld and Roseanne to it's stars getting off their duffs and pushing it. And at least Garry talks about the releases when he makes appearances. Even though it sounds like he mispeaks about things that never seem to happen.

Stephen Lilley · 02-14-2006, 12:15 AM

As far as reruns go, I know it is currently being rerun in its original, unedited form on ITV4 in the UK. They are currently up to about midway through season four now. Various folks I've talked to over there have emailed ITV4 to see just how much of the series they are going to be showing, but nobody has gotten a straight answer. Fingers crossed that they end up showing it all. For the UKers out there, at least.

I wish it'd come back to Bravo. I can even remember it being in heavy syndication on local channels a few years back, but nothing now, sadly.

Alan Lee UK · 02-14-2006, 05:23 AM

"Original, unedited form" in this case meaning with an ITV4 logo in the top left corner of the screen throughout, an advert break crudely hacked into the middle, in-programme pointers for the next show and credits squashed and/or talked over!

Even so, I am archiving season 2 onwards onto DVD just incase the remaining seasons never get a proper release.

Neil_Duffy · 02-14-2006, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Even so, I am archiving season 2 onwards onto DVD just incase the remaining seasons never get a proper release.

Me too. However, it never occured to me that ITV 4 wouldn't show the series in it's entirety! I wish it was on more than 3 times a week though!!!

I'll say this - the quality of the image from SKY+ is actually better than the R1 set 1 released a few years back. Although sadly we have to put up with the logo, crude ad break and all the above that Alan Lee mentions, I'll take this way of getting them as opposed to nothing.

Can't say I'd be interested in 'best of' and 'retrospectives.' I really wish someone - image? - would release the whole lot in one go. I'd be all over it.

I haven't watched these episodes in about 7 or 8 years and I had forgotten how viciously funny it was. I love Curb Your Enthusaim but it's tame compared to Sanders.

What is Garry Shandling doing now?

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TravisR · 02-14-2006, 08:19 AM

Besides Twin Peaks: Season Two (which may actually come out this year), the other seasons of The Larry Sanders Show are at the top of my most wanted TV list.

Stephen Lilley · 02-14-2006, 08:54 AM

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What is Garry Shandling doing now?

Oddly enough, it seems like Garry's first big acting job in close to five years is as the voice of the character "Verne" in the upcoming animal filled CGI comedy aimed and kids, OVER THE HEDGE.

Occassionally I listen to the Alice Morning Show based out of San Francisco, and a few months ago LAST COMIC STANDING'S Kathleen Madigan was on, and she made reference to the fact that her and Shandling are fairly good friends. According to her he's perfectly happy just sitting up in his house in the Hollywood Hills and playing basketball all day.

Quote:

"Original, unedited form" in this case meaning with an ITV4 logo in the top left corner of the screen throughout, an advert break crudely hacked into the middle, in-programme pointers for the next show and credits squashed and/or talked over!

Yeah. "Original, unedited form" only meaning the show isn't censored for content. I'd assume the ad break is ridiculously annoying considering there is no such natural break built into the show, as is the logo being there the entire time.

Alan Lee UK · 02-14-2006, 09:23 AM

The ad break would be OK if they could just leave half a second or so of black screen between the end of a scene and the break bumper slide. Instead it cuts in before the last word of the scene has barely had time to leave the actor's mouth.

David Rain · 02-14-2006, 05:31 PM

I'm wondering why HBO doesn't seem to be airing these reruns anymore (like on HBO Signature) ? They certainly have no problem showing those four gals who live in the city or that mafia family who kills everyone.

Steve...O · 02-14-2006, 09:34 PM

The continued absence of this show on DVD (other than S1) is one of the great mysteries of the format. Seasons were only 13 half hour episdes so HBO could easily release these as double season releases to give the appearance of giving value to the consumer.

If Shandling himself is holding this up, does he want his legacy to be represented on DVD by "Town and Country"??

TravisR · 02-14-2006, 09:52 PM

Sony is releasing them (not HBO). While I don't know for sure, I doubt Garry Shandling can stop or speed up their releases.