The Larry Sanders Show Starring Garry Shandling Season 1 Episode 4 The Guest Host
- TVMA
- September 5, 1992
Larry Sanders is back with yet another entertaining episode of his famous late-night talk show. In season 1 episode 4 titled "The Guest Host," Larry finds himself in a predicament when he comes down with a case of the flu and is unable to host the show. With Larry out of commission, the network gives him the task of handpicking a guest host, someone with the finesse and charm to impress both the studio audience and the viewers at home.
After much hesitation and grilling from Artie, Larry chooses to select guest host, Jon Stewart, a promising young comedian who shows great potential. While Jon is enthusiastic about the opportunity to fill in for Larry, his lack of experience in front of a live audience leaves him feeling apprehensive and anxious, especially with Artie constantly scrutinizing his every move. Jon's nerves are not helped when he receives an unexpected phone call from his ex-girlfriend, which only adds to his stress and anxiety.
Meanwhile, Larry is bedridden with a high fever and is desperately trying to maintain control of the show from his bed. He calls into the studio frequently to check up on things and give Artie instructions on how to run the show. Larry's condition takes a turn for the worse when he accidentally overdoses on cold medicine and becomes disorientated, leading him to hallucinate about a world where everyone in show business is trying to take his place.
As the show hour approaches, Jon takes center stage and dazzles his audience with his wit and humor. Despite a few minor hiccups, Jon handles himself well and is praised by everyone in the studio, including Artie. Just as everything seems to be going smoothly, however, Larry suddenly appears on the set, still in his bathrobe and clearly out of it. In his delirium, he tries to take back control of the show, only to stumble and fall off the stage, causing chaos and confusion among his staff and crew.
The episode ends with Larry in the hospital, recovering from his overdose and fever. Though he is somewhat embarrassed by his outburst on the show, he is relieved to know that everything turned out well in the end. As for Jon, he is thrilled with his performance and excited to see what future opportunities lie in store for him.
Overall, "The Guest Host" is a hilarious and entertaining episode of The Larry Sanders Show, filled with plenty of laughs and unexpected twists. With Garry Shandling leading the way as the quirky, neurotic Larry, and a talented cast of supporting actors, this show is sure to keep audiences entertained for many seasons to come.