The Larry Sanders Show Starring Garry Shandling Season 2 Episode 1 The Breakdown

The Larry Sanders Show is a groundbreaking sitcom that follows the behind-the-scenes life of a late-night talk show. The show is hosted by Garry Shandling, who also co-created and wrote every episode of the series. The Larry Sanders Show was critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences during its six-season run on HBO.

Season two of The Larry Sanders Show kicks off with the episode titled "The Breakdown." This episode centers around Larry Sanders and his team dealing with a crisis when the set breaks down just moments before the show is set to go live. The episode begins with a frantic Larry, rushing around the set trying to figure out what is happening. Meanwhile, his staff is struggling to get the show ready in time.

As Larry and his team scramble to fix the set, tensions begin to rise. Larry's producer, Artie, is particularly panicked because he knows that the network executives are watching the show tonight and any major mistakes could jeopardize the entire show's future. As Artie becomes more and more frantic, Larry begins to lose his cool and lashes out at him.

The episode features several scenes of Larry and his staff running around backstage trying to come up with solutions to the set's issues. In one scene, Larry meets with the show's prop master, who has an idea to fix the set using a cardboard cutout. This leads to a hilarious argument between Larry and the prop master about the artistic merits of cardboard.

Throughout the episode, Larry's insecurity about his job and his place in the industry begins to come to the surface. During a break in filming, Larry confides in his sidekick, Hank, about how worried he is that the network executives don't like him. This vulnerability is a rare glimpse into the inner life of Larry Sanders and serves to deepen our understanding of his character.

As the show finally goes live, Larry and his team are forced to improvise their way through the first segment without the use of the set. Despite the chaos, the show is a hit with the audience, and Larry's interview with his guest, Richard Simmons, is a huge success.

The episode ends with Larry and his team celebrating a successful show, but Larry is still wrestling with his feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. This ending sets up the season-long arc of Larry's journey towards greater self-awareness and self-confidence.

Overall, "The Breakdown" is a funny, fast-paced episode that showcases the strengths of The Larry Sanders Show's writing, acting, and editing. The show's use of improvisation and natural dialogue create a sense of realism and authenticity that is rare in sitcoms. The episode also features several memorable guest appearances, including Richard Simmons and actor William Shatner. Fans of the show will enjoy this episode for its insight into the backstage world of late-night talk shows and its exploration of Larry's complex character.