Larry David wants you to curb your questions

Curb Your Enthusiasm returns for a sixth season on HBO on September 9th, but even hardened critics (some of them hardened by watching the pilot for Tell Me You Love Me the hardcore “porn” show HBO is premiering the same night), were surprsied when star Larry David showed up to take questions at the Television Critics Association showcase.

Larry, who turned 60 last week, was cantankerous and dismissive as only a multi-multi-multi millionaire cocreator of Seinfeld would be, but he address the breakup of his marriage, his anger issues and what it means to be a Jew.Our good pal Ray Richmond of The Hollywood Reporter, the best and most insightful columnist in the industry, posted this Larry David exchange on his Past Deadline site (bookmark it here):

Did he ever think of ending Curb after last season?

“Every season I do is my last season. That’s the only way I can get through the season.” (After the last season ended) I was sitting at my desk. I went, ‘Jesus, I don’t have anything to do. I better do another season.’”

Do aggravating situations inspire ideas for the series? “If something happens (and) I’m angry, I’ll use that. Does that answer your stupid question?”

How does being Jewish inform your comedy?

“I don’t know. I never think about it. I’m not one of those guys who go, ‘Hey, I’m a Jew, I’m a Jew, I’m a Jew.’”

When someone commented on his riches, he responded he referred to whis wife’s recent decision to file for divorce:

“I’ve just been cut in half.”

David did a take, then turned to TV wife Cheryl Hines, sitting onstage next to him. “Too bad you’re going to be off the show.”

Larry and Cheryl will remain married in the next season. So maybe there will be a seventh, in which Larry hits the singles bars with Richard Lewis.

–Tabloid Baby