Review of The Larry Sanders Show

A few fast points off the top. Talk shows were "discovered" by the suits in the late 50s, but it was not until the 60s, when an accountant accidentally found that one single show, the Carson talk show, was covering almost all the expenses of the network, that talk shows became sacred cows. This show was created to kill those sacred cows and it did so masterfully. It was steady and reliable and fun. Satire so subtle you almost though you were watching a real talk show. Rip Torn was great. Shandling (who more recently played the tortoise in OVER THE HEDGE) was superb. It was a one of kind show and had a loyal following. Rumor is that the show was not so much cancelled as it suicided. Shandling made a request for more money which, the rumour went, was so outrageous that it veritably drove a stake into the heart of the production.