HBO is set to launch a new comedy series that turns American history upside down. Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is a seven-episode limited series created by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer. The show takes an improvised, comedic approach to major events in American history. The series celebrates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Complete Release Schedule for All Episodes
The show will air weekly on Friday nights at 9:00 PM ET/PT on HBO. Each episode will also be available to stream on Max.
Here is the official release schedule for all seven episodes:
- Episode 1 – “The Tea Party Parking Situation” – June 26, 2026
- Episode 2 – “Crossing the Delaware (Eventually)” – July 3, 2026
- Episode 3 – “The Wooden Teeth Incident” – July 10, 2026
- Episode 4 – “Mary Todd’s Upholstery” – July 17, 2026
- Episode 5 – “A Draft in the Tent” – July 24, 2026
- Episode 6 – TBA – July 31, 2026
- Episode 7 – TBA – August 7, 2026
The series will consist of seven episodes in total, with the finale airing on August 7, 2026. Most episodes have a running time of around 30 minutes.
How, When, and Where to Watch
Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness premieres on June 26, 2026. Global audiences can watch through the following platforms:
- United States: HBO and Max
- International: Available through local HBO affiliates and Max in supported regions
Subscribers to Max can stream episodes on-demand starting at the same time as the HBO broadcast.
Story and Episode Progression
The show is a sketch comedy series that reimagines pivotal moments in American history through the lens of Larry David’s famously irritable worldview. The official logline for the series is: “Those who don’t know history… are doomed to watch Larry David repeat it”.
Each episode features multiple sketches built around fictionalized and satirical moments from American history. The show’s style blends absurdity with black comedy, placing a perpetually dissatisfied character at the center of key historical events. The sketches treat American history as a backdrop for Larry David’s signature grievances about social violations and invisible etiquette.
The Premise
The series opens with a framing device involving Barack Obama, who serves as an executive producer alongside Michelle Obama under their Higher Ground banner. Obama attempts to offer a hopeful perspective on America’s past, but the show quickly pivots to Larry David’s complaints. In the first sketch, David plays Robert Livingston, one of the men drafting the Declaration of Independence. He insists the grievances against King George III include his own personal pet peeves, such as line-cutting etiquette.
The sketches throughout the season revisit historical moments:
- The Boston Tea Party becomes a tale of social exclusion
- The Wright Brothers’ first flight becomes a complaint about cramped airline seating
- The Great Depression features a soup kitchen line that allows for “chat and cut” behavior
The Cast
The series features Larry David as various historical figures, playing different versions of his signature character in each sketch. The show also includes a wide range of guest stars and actors from Curb Your Enthusiasm:
- Bill Hader
- Kathryn Hahn
- Jon Hamm
- Sean Hayes
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Chris Parnell
- Vince Vaughn
- Susie Essman
Barack Obama appears in the series as himself, framing the comedic segments.
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Production Details
The series is written and executive produced by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, who also serves as director. Barack and Michelle Obama, Ethan Lewis, and Vinnie Malhotra serve as executive producers through Higher Ground Productions.
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