Review of The Larry Sanders Show

As the creative force driving this brilliant comedy, Garry Shandling skewered the foibles and insincerity of talk shows (with the willing collaboration of many A-list stars) but also exposed his own neurotic and complex personality. It was a strange and unique balancing act and explored with brilliant honesty in the documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, a must-see companion piece for fans of the show. The series is hilarious but also poignant as the three flawed principals - Larry, sidekick Hank Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor) and producer extraordinaire Artie (the divine Rip Torn) create a "family" whose lives center on the show. At the center, of course, is Larry - a funny and talented man of contradictions who craves approval but is terrified and draws away when it is offered. He hates the phoniness of the process but dutifully watches the show every night after taping. It exhausts, frustrates and consumes him. The Larry Sanders Show set the high standards for other HBO classic productions like the Sopranos, which came in its wake. You must watch this - no flipping!