Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large When “Curb Your Enthusiasm” began its run on HBO all the way back in 2000, creator/star Larry David had a very specific rule: He wouldn’t let the show’s cast read the episodic outlines. “The first three seasons I did not even see an outline,” “Curb” star Cheryl Hines tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I wasn’t allowed.
And then yeah, and so that was the joke is when I got to hair and makeup. I’d say, ‘can anybody tell me what this show is about?’ And they’d say no.
And then I finally talked Larry into letting me read an outline. I did promise Larry that I will never think ahead about what I’m going to say.” David wanted them to think on their toes as they improvised the dialogue in scenes — and that became an early hallmark of why the show felt so unique.
And stars like Hines, Susie Essman and Jeff Garlin went with it. But eventually, they wanted more prep time — and they finally convinced David to let them have a peek.
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