No Flipping! (Larry Sanders Show, The)

Member Name: buttonman

Product:	Larry Sanders Show, The
Date:	22/01/01 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Garden weasel - the rat stick

Disadvantages: No longer being made

It's sad to note how many of the all time great sitcoms are American - Seinfeld,Married with children,Newsradio - the list goes on.Still we're the best for costume drama,so that's all right then!.The Larry Sanders show easily makes the 'best' list and the only downside is that the Beeb show as much contempt for this gem as they do for Seinfeld.

The show concerns the show within the show that is 'The Larry Sanders show'.Larry is a late night American talkshow host and the programme features the actual ficticious show as well as the behind the scenes production along with Larry's colourful personal life.

The show has an almost docu-soap feel as the steadycam follows Larry around the studio as that days' cock ups are addressed.Larry's producer Artie,expertly played by Rip Torn,tries to keep his star happy and reassure him about the size of his ass.He also keeps the staff from Larry as they suck the life from him with their problems.

Joining Larry on the sofa is Hank Kingsley,who for many is the star of the piece.Hank is a nasty piece of work who is not 35.He is a media whore doing all the demeaning showbiz jobs and even played the legs of the Jolly Green Giant - Ho Ho ho.Hank's catchphrase is 'Hey-now' and he regularly sucks up to the guests- "Jurassic Park changed my life" to Jeff Goldblum.His cash is tied up in a revolving cafe and he swears all the time often at Darlene,his sexy secetary.

Celebrities that Des and Terry could only dream of queue up to appear and send themselves up.Ellen DeGeneries slept with Larry and David Decovney regularly appears professing love for our man.The celebs in no way steal the show and are usually only seen fleetingly,reinforcing the idea that the chat show is real.They are often portrayed as nasty bits of work with Elvis Costello smashing up his dressing room,and Danny DeVito only appearing after being bribed with a Tiffiny clock.
r>Larry is expertly played by Garry Shandling and a vainer and more self absorbed character you never did see.His catchphrase is "No flipping" meaning don't change the channel,but there's no chance of that.He regulary pops pills and beds most of the guests and his staff.He is usually married or attached but his promicuity and vanity inevitably drive them away.

Classic episodes include Hank's pay negociation when he wanted a golf cart for the studio and when Larry was put out that he did'nt have a stalker.On going themes include Larry's battles with the network and Hank's battle to keep 'The Lookaround Cafe' afloat.Other episodes feature minor characters such as the indiscreet writer who got it on behind Larry's desk and Beverly,Larry's PA who steals his cash when she feels unloved.

The show is no longer produced but classic episodes are on nightly at 11.30 on UK Play,with a five episode omnibus treat on Saturday nights fro.Give it a look,you'll soon be back for more.Now you can flip!.