The passing of actor and comedian Richard Lewis is a sad moment for all of his fans, but it's something he and Larry David have been joking about for years. In fact, the most recent example occurred just three days before his death: in the Curb your enthusiasm In the season 12 episode, “Disgruntled”, Richard reveals to Larry that he has included him in his will (something Larry actively rejects).
Lewis' rich career as a stand-up comedian was filled with moments like this, which criticized both his self-image and social norms, and Curb your enthusiasm (in which he made more than 40 appearances as “himself”) was fertile ground for his very specific sense of humor. Lewis' role in the series showcased his long friendship with David, as the two clashed and exchanged barbs in scenes that always carried with them a sense of deep affection: In an August 2023 interview with The viewerLewis said: “Truly, he loves me and I am his dearest friend.”
There's more to come from Lewis this season Curb – according The viewerwill appear in about half of the episodes, but in recognition of his passing, here are five highlight clips from the show's 24 years that highlight not only Lewis's sharp comedy, but also the deep connection he and David shared.
— Liz Shannon Miller
Senior Entertainment Editor
“Congratulations on intercourse.”
Many Curb Disputes between Larry and Richard arose as a result of their romantic relationships, beginning with this clip from the first episode, where a prior disagreement between Larry and Richard's new love interest causes the two men to clash. Richard's loving description of the excellent qualities of his girlfriend is only slightly derailed when he and Larry become distracted by the question of whether her breasts are real; The improvisational nature of the show really stands out here, especially since Lewis almost breaks character after David mentions Gary Cooper and Noon. — L.S. Miller
“Are you sure a dead budgie isn't funny?”
When Richard's beloved parakeet passes away, Larry has a disappointing response, despite Richard's deep affection for the bird. Naturally, this becomes a point of friction for the two men, as they debate the extent to which Richard should mourn, with Richard criticizing Larry for his “lack of empathy, compassion and sympathy for virtually everything in his life.” . Of course, this makes it even sweeter when later, Larry looks to Richard for sympathy (as Larry has once again gotten himself into a socially awkward situation) and Richard gets none. “What, are you comparing this to your dead budgie?” Larry asks. “Nothing compares to my dead budgie,” is Richard's perfectly pronounced response. — L.S. Miller
“Am I dating you?”
During an event promoting Jimmy Mayhew's (Terrell Clayton) candidacy for mayor of Santa Monica, Larry and Richard share a brief but hilarious conversation about each other's friendship: Throughout Mayhew's speech, where Larry and Richard are supposed keep silent: the duo debate their “imbalance of obligations,” Mussolini's pronunciation, their fashion, and their general personalities. Finally, Larry jokingly asks when Richard will finally die. When Larry tries to get the attention of an actor two rows ahead, they both catch the stranger's ire, but it's Richard Lewis's “don't give a damn” attitude that takes this scene from simply funny to downright funny. absurdly funny. — Paolo Ragusa
“What do you think a self-portrait means?”
In season 9, Richard proudly tells his friends that he sold a self-portrait, only to have both he and the portrait mercilessly roasted. “That's you from 50 years ago,” Larry exclaims, as both Richard's artistic skills and ego are attacked. As the butt of the joke, Lewis sells “Yeah, that's me,” keeping his loud voice non-threatening even as he ogles at Larry. It's these subtleties that made him one of the great punching bags in sitcom history, and here he takes some hits. The visual gag is great too; Jeff and Larry often insult Richard to his face, but not every episode does another face of Richard appear to witness the abuse. — wren tombs
“F you, I'm paying”
In another brief but crazy exchange between the two, Larry visits Richard to give him a muffin and make plans for lunch the next day. Richard curtly rejects the cake, however, joking that he “would never touch a bun.” Richard mainly laments the logistics of eating a bun: “Who needs all this shit when you're eating a sandwich?” Finally, after some fun banter, they agree to have lunch, but this time, Larry buys. Obviously, given both of their stubborn tendencies, it's not as simple as that, and the scene ends with a heated and hilarious promise from Larry: “Fuck you, I'll pay!” Let's hope your last lunch together was just as honest. — P. Ragusa
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