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Review: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' - 'The Safe House': A black and white issue

Larry and Leon's relationship comes under close scrutiny

By Alan SepinwallSunday, Jul 17, 2011 10:50 PM

Larry went ice cream shopping on tonight's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Credit: HBO

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I'm taking a couple of days off this week before I head out to California for the Comic-Con/press tour double feature, and since I didn't see tonight's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in advance, I don't have time to write much about it. Fortunately (or unfortunately), "The Safe House" was easily the weakest of the five I've seen so far (including the premiere, next week's episode, and two from later in the season), so I wouldn't have much to say even in another week. A couple of amusing isolated moments (the scene in the ER, for instance), but mostly an episode that was more awkward than funny, and where the individual pieces didn't seem to fit together very well.

What did everybody else think?

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

Related Searches: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David, Jeff Greene, Susie Essman, Bob Einstein, JB Smoove

Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

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WaltEagle

I thought the ending (or at least the scene in which the wrong guy got arrested) presented all elements coming together in one moment better than the premiere did. But it did kind of feel like it ended too soon, perhaps because the joke was on everyone but Larry in the end, which just felt odd.
July 17, 2011 at 11:00PM EST Reply to Comment
Mike

I actually liked it more than the premiere. I thought the tampon storyline felt more forced than the battered woman/man storyline. I thought the scene with Jeff, Larry, Richard, and Funkhauser in the cafe was great.
July 17, 2011 at 11:01PM EST Reply to Comment
- JerseyRudy I also thought it was funnier than the premiere. The scene at the strip club was hilarious...Leon saying that her breasts were talking, and they were being blabbermouths. The dinner scene with Larry and Richard Lewis was also hilarious...comparing balls to breasts.
  July 17, 2011 at 11:33PM EST
- Crumdawg97 Agreed. I laughed harder and more frequently this week, and I thought everything tied together beautifully.
  July 18, 2011 at 1:29AM EST
- M I liked this one better than the premiere too.
  July 18, 2011 at 8:18AM EST
- LJA Larry, Jeff, Leon, and Funkhauser = comedy dream team. Funkhauser divorced is going to be great.
  July 18, 2011 at 2:30PM EST
james_neufeld

Maybe not the best ever but I very much enjoyed this episode. I thought Larry was hilarious in the battered women's safe house scene.
July 18, 2011 at 12:20AM EST Reply to Comment
Truck

Definitely liked this more than the premiere. After 90 or so episodes I love when Larry is confidently manipulative to others rather than having the whole world work against him.
July 18, 2011 at 12:25AM EST Reply to Comment
- Kmarko Agreed. He's a smart guy, somewhat nasty at times, and I loved the whole bit with the women (don't break down in front of the ice cream; it's hard to apologize to a dog because they're stupid animals). Great episode.
  July 21, 2011 at 10:10PM EST
Mulderism

A so-so episode. Sometimes Larry goes out of his way to argue or yell at someone and it feels forced.
July 18, 2011 at 12:39AM EST Reply to Comment
- Dave Nielsen How could it have felt forced? If I caught someone whose dog had shit on my lawn three times I'd probably let them have it too.
  July 25, 2011 at 11:30AM EST
tossit

it started out great with the guys all hanging out together...but some parts fell flat and Larry came out on top at the end which is weird. He's usually the one messed up while everyone else is ok.
July 18, 2011 at 1:21AM EST Reply to Comment
lztouchthedream

I really like that Leon has a running tab with Larry like Kramer tried to have with Jerry. Seems about as successful, as well.
July 18, 2011 at 1:30AM EST Reply to Comment
Sonny

I also thought this was funnier than the premiere. Laughed almost the entire time.
July 18, 2011 at 1:56AM EST Reply to Comment
cory

I think that all computers look the same... lmfao, that one got me. I think right now, it's all exposition bc the season is sposed to take larry to NY iirc. boo for setup, but still much funnier than 95% of shows
July 18, 2011 at 2:06AM EST Reply to Comment
Mike Hunt

The computer owner was Booger from ROTN.
July 18, 2011 at 2:51AM EST Reply to Comment
- Dave Nielsen Also Snot from American Dad.
  July 25, 2011 at 11:32AM EST
David Sanders

Funnier than the premiere. Especially the guys talking in the cafe.

July 18, 2011 at 3:23AM EST Reply to Comment
David Sanders

To Mike Hunt- Do people laugh when they say your name fast?
July 18, 2011 at 3:25AM EST Reply to Comment
I

What happend to Larry/Leon needing to be out of the house in 24 hours from the premiere? He was still in the same house was he not?
July 18, 2011 at 7:10AM EST Reply to Comment
- mark No, it was a different house.
  
  Last night's episode was fairly weak, btw. Thought the opening was much funnier.
  July 18, 2011 at 8:44AM EST
tim_masterson

I thought this episode was an instant classic. Lots of a great laughs. I love the look on Larry's face passing Lewis in the car.
July 18, 2011 at 10:02AM EST Reply to Comment
Nick

Absolutely hilarious from start to finish! Funkhauser's line about setting aside a date to look at her face and Larry as the "inspirational speaker" at the safe house...fantastic episode!
July 18, 2011 at 10:14AM EST Reply to Comment
Teklanika

I agree with everything Alan said. Love this show, but this ep was just okay.

Are we going to get that ad pop up we can skip or get redirected every time we click on something? I get it once, but every time gets annoying real quick.
July 18, 2011 at 10:18AM EST Reply to Comment
Jeff

"It's hard to apologize to a dog... because they're a stupid animal."
July 18, 2011 at 11:38AM EST Reply to Comment
oldgreg

â€œHave you set aside a day when youâ€™re going to finally look at her face?â€

â€œItâ€™s very hard to apologize to a dog because theyâ€™reâ€¦ a stupid animal.â€

â€œSo you think that all black people look alike?â€ â€œI think that allâ€¦ computers look alike. Have a nice day.â€

Instant classic.

July 18, 2011 at 11:57AM EST Reply to Comment
- KronicFatigue Those are all good lines, but my favorite line was after the woman asked if he was the inspirational speaker. He said something along the lines of "god, what happened to you?". I wish I knew exactly what it was. There was such disgust in his voice. It was great.
  July 18, 2011 at 1:02PM EST
John

Ive seen every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and in my opinion this is one of the best episodes in recent memory.
July 19, 2011 at 12:06AM EST Reply to Comment
justin

Thought it was damn funny. Also, I'm with Larry...who wants to see balls?
July 19, 2011 at 3:41AM EST Reply to Comment
Tom

Classic moment: LD sucking on the straw as he ogles the stripper.

If this is easily the weakest of five, the rest of the eps must be strong, indeed.
July 19, 2011 at 7:24AM EST Reply to Comment
Ken Raining

Put me down for also liking this episode more then the premiere (I know you're keeping a list, Alan!). I was a little worried when the episode began with yet another example of something that would never happen in real life (LD getting in a fight with someone that won't move out of the way in the Supermarket), but the episode explained that well and tied together fairly nicely. My two favorite bits: Leon's examples of all the different ways he could rob Larry if he wanted, and Larry's "yo ho!" as he pops around the corner of the laundry room to confront Dale.
July 19, 2011 at 8:35AM EST Reply to Comment
Frak Hamillton

this was the first episode of curb that made me think "it's time to end this show." from the start of the episode everything just seemed off, it was like watching an over produced parody of what was once great. the acting seemed to be just that, acting. whereas in the past the show truly felt organic. maybe i was put off by the editing... i don't quite know, i just hope future episodes pull me back in. :o(
July 19, 2011 at 9:48AM EST Reply to Comment
- madaboutmen Time to end this show when every bit is Seinfeld material re hashed. Almost all of the premises and jokes had been explored by Jerry, George and Kramer. Just without the dirty words. I love Curb but it may be that it's time is done...
  July 19, 2011 at 1:02PM EST
Jeremy

I thought the episode was weak. As well, I thought the premiere was a bit weak. I've been a fan for a long time, and I'm hoping this season gets funnier. Although, I WILL say when R.Lewis likens LD to Galileo jerkin' off to his girlfriend from 40 feet away, I fell out laguhing !
July 19, 2011 at 1:18PM EST Reply to Comment
Jim Jim

Started strong, with some great banter between Larry and Richard Lewis and the rest at the beginning, but then the episode petered out and just got awful.
July 19, 2011 at 4:12PM EST Reply to Comment
Jeremy B Smoove

I enjoy how JB Smoove says "Blue."

That is all.
July 19, 2011 at 4:54PM EST Reply to Comment
Chris

Insanity! The episode was great!
July 25, 2011 at 3:34AM EST Reply to Comment
Dave Nielsen

This was a much stronger episode than the premiere and the best of the three that have so far aired. A big part of that was Leon's reaction to the capo when she came over to do laundry but the strip club was also very funny.
July 25, 2011 at 11:28AM EST Reply to Comment

Review: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' - 'The Safe House': A black and white issue

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Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Mike I actually liked it more than the premiere. I thought the tampon storyline felt more forced than the battered woman/man storyline. I thought the scene with Jeff, Larry, Richard, and Funkhauser in the cafe was great.

JerseyRudy I also thought it was funnier than the premiere. The scene at the strip club was hilarious...Leon saying that her breasts were talking, and they were being blabbermouths. The dinner scene with Larry and Richard Lewis was also hilarious...comparing balls to breasts.

Crumdawg97 Agreed. I laughed harder and more frequently this week, and I thought everything tied together beautifully.

M I liked this one better than the premiere too.

LJA Larry, Jeff, Leon, and Funkhauser = comedy dream team. Funkhauser divorced is going to be great.

james_neufeld Maybe not the best ever but I very much enjoyed this episode. I thought Larry was hilarious in the battered women's safe house scene.

Truck Definitely liked this more than the premiere. After 90 or so episodes I love when Larry is confidently manipulative to others rather than having the whole world work against him.

Kmarko Agreed. He's a smart guy, somewhat nasty at times, and I loved the whole bit with the women (don't break down in front of the ice cream; it's hard to apologize to a dog because they're stupid animals). Great episode.

Mulderism A so-so episode. Sometimes Larry goes out of his way to argue or yell at someone and it feels forced.

Dave Nielsen How could it have felt forced? If I caught someone whose dog had shit on my lawn three times I'd probably let them have it too.

tossit it started out great with the guys all hanging out together...but some parts fell flat and Larry came out on top at the end which is weird. He's usually the one messed up while everyone else is ok.

lztouchthedream I really like that Leon has a running tab with Larry like Kramer tried to have with Jerry. Seems about as successful, as well.

Sonny I also thought this was funnier than the premiere. Laughed almost the entire time.

cory I think that all computers look the same... lmfao, that one got me. I think right now, it's all exposition bc the season is sposed to take larry to NY iirc. boo for setup, but still much funnier than 95% of shows

Mike Hunt The computer owner was Booger from ROTN.

Dave Nielsen Also Snot from American Dad.

David Sanders Funnier than the premiere. Especially the guys talking in the cafe.

David Sanders To Mike Hunt- Do people laugh when they say your name fast?

I What happend to Larry/Leon needing to be out of the house in 24 hours from the premiere? He was still in the same house was he not?

mark No, it was a different house.Last night's episode was fairly weak, btw. Thought the opening was much funnier.

tim_masterson I thought this episode was an instant classic. Lots of a great laughs. I love the look on Larry's face passing Lewis in the car.

Nick Absolutely hilarious from start to finish! Funkhauser's line about setting aside a date to look at her face and Larry as the "inspirational speaker" at the safe house...fantastic episode!

Teklanika I agree with everything Alan said. Love this show, but this ep was just okay. Are we going to get that ad pop up we can skip or get redirected every time we click on something? I get it once, but every time gets annoying real quick.

Jeff "It's hard to apologize to a dog... because they're a stupid animal."

KronicFatigue Those are all good lines, but my favorite line was after the woman asked if he was the inspirational speaker. He said something along the lines of "god, what happened to you?". I wish I knew exactly what it was. There was such disgust in his voice. It was great.

John Ive seen every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and in my opinion this is one of the best episodes in recent memory.

justin Thought it was damn funny. Also, I'm with Larry...who wants to see balls?

Tom Classic moment: LD sucking on the straw as he ogles the stripper.If this is easily the weakest of five, the rest of the eps must be strong, indeed.

madaboutmen Time to end this show when every bit is Seinfeld material re hashed. Almost all of the premises and jokes had been explored by Jerry, George and Kramer. Just without the dirty words. I love Curb but it may be that it's time is done...

Jeremy I thought the episode was weak. As well, I thought the premiere was a bit weak. I've been a fan for a long time, and I'm hoping this season gets funnier. Although, I WILL say when R.Lewis likens LD to Galileo jerkin' off to his girlfriend from 40 feet away, I fell out laguhing !

Jim Jim Started strong, with some great banter between Larry and Richard Lewis and the rest at the beginning, but then the episode petered out and just got awful.

Jeremy B Smoove I enjoy how JB Smoove says "Blue."That is all.

Chris Insanity! The episode was great!

Dave Nielsen This was a much stronger episode than the premiere and the best of the three that have so far aired. A big part of that was Leon's reaction to the capo when she came over to do laundry but the strip club was also very funny.

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Mike

I actually liked it more than the premiere. I thought the tampon storyline felt more forced than the battered woman/man storyline. I thought the scene with Jeff, Larry, Richard, and Funkhauser in the cafe was great.

james_neufeld

Maybe not the best ever but I very much enjoyed this episode. I thought Larry was hilarious in the battered women's safe house scene.

Truck

Definitely liked this more than the premiere. After 90 or so episodes I love when Larry is confidently manipulative to others rather than having the whole world work against him.

Mulderism

A so-so episode. Sometimes Larry goes out of his way to argue or yell at someone and it feels forced.

tossit

it started out great with the guys all hanging out together...but some parts fell flat and Larry came out on top at the end which is weird. He's usually the one messed up while everyone else is ok.

lztouchthedream

I really like that Leon has a running tab with Larry like Kramer tried to have with Jerry. Seems about as successful, as well.

Sonny

I also thought this was funnier than the premiere. Laughed almost the entire time.

cory

I think that all computers look the same... lmfao, that one got me. I think right now, it's all exposition bc the season is sposed to take larry to NY iirc. boo for setup, but still much funnier than 95% of shows

Mike Hunt

The computer owner was Booger from ROTN.

David Sanders

Funnier than the premiere. Especially the guys talking in the cafe.

David Sanders

To Mike Hunt- Do people laugh when they say your name fast?

I

What happend to Larry/Leon needing to be out of the house in 24 hours from the premiere? He was still in the same house was he not?

mark No, it was a different house.

Last night's episode was fairly weak, btw. Thought the opening was much funnier.

tim_masterson

I thought this episode was an instant classic. Lots of a great laughs. I love the look on Larry's face passing Lewis in the car.

Nick

Absolutely hilarious from start to finish! Funkhauser's line about setting aside a date to look at her face and Larry as the "inspirational speaker" at the safe house...fantastic episode!

Teklanika

I agree with everything Alan said. Love this show, but this ep was just okay.

Are we going to get that ad pop up we can skip or get redirected every time we click on something? I get it once, but every time gets annoying real quick.

Jeff

"It's hard to apologize to a dog... because they're a stupid animal."

John

Ive seen every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and in my opinion this is one of the best episodes in recent memory.

justin

Thought it was damn funny. Also, I'm with Larry...who wants to see balls?

Tom

Classic moment: LD sucking on the straw as he ogles the stripper.

If this is easily the weakest of five, the rest of the eps must be strong, indeed.

Jeremy

I thought the episode was weak. As well, I thought the premiere was a bit weak. I've been a fan for a long time, and I'm hoping this season gets funnier. Although, I WILL say when R.Lewis likens LD to Galileo jerkin' off to his girlfriend from 40 feet away, I fell out laguhing !

Jim Jim

Started strong, with some great banter between Larry and Richard Lewis and the rest at the beginning, but then the episode petered out and just got awful.

Jeremy B Smoove

I enjoy how JB Smoove says "Blue."

That is all.

Chris

Insanity! The episode was great!

Dave Nielsen

This was a much stronger episode than the premiere and the best of the three that have so far aired. A big part of that was Leon's reaction to the capo when she came over to do laundry but the strip club was also very funny.

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