Ep 1. The Breakdown (1)

The Larry Sanders Show is a satirical comedy show about a late-night talk show host named Larry Sanders who struggles to maintain his image and reputation in the industry. In the first episode of season 2, titled "The Breakdown (1)", Larry starts to experience a breakdown both professionally and personally.

The episode opens with Larry preparing for his show's new season. His staff are all busy getting the set and the guests ready, but Larry is feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the pressure to maintain his show's ratings. He confides in his producer, Artie, that he's feeling a lot of pressure to stay on top of the game. Artie reassures him that everything will be fine and that they have some great guests lined up for the first week, including Carol Burnett and Jerry Seinfeld.

As the show starts, Larry appears to be in control, but the cracks begin to show early on. When his first guest, Carol Burnett, doesn't laugh at his jokes as much as he expects her to, he starts to feel deflated. The next guest, Jerry Seinfeld, invites Larry to be a guest on his show, but Larry doesn't believe him, thinking it's just a joke. He also has trouble with his cue cards, not being able to read them properly and messing up his lines.

Things only get worse as the show progresses. Larry's monologue falls flat, and one of his guests fails to show up. His staff are visibly worried as they see Larry starting to unravel. Even his sidekick, Hank, can tell that something is wrong with Larry.

As the show reaches its climax, Larry finally loses it. He starts yelling at his staff, accusing them of not supporting him and not understanding the pressure that he's under. He then walks off the set, leaving Artie to try and keep the show going. But without Larry, the show is a disaster, and it ends up being cancelled for the night.

The episode ends with Larry in his office, trying to figure out what went wrong. He's feeling depressed and defeated, wondering if he's losing his touch. But there's a glimmer of hope as he receives a call from Jerry Seinfeld, who tells him that he was serious about wanting him to be a guest on his show. Larry starts to smile, realizing that he still has a chance to redeem himself.

Overall, "The Breakdown (1)" is a great start to season 2 of The Larry Sanders Show. The episode is a perfect mix of satire, comedy, and drama, and it sets up some interesting plotlines for the rest of the season. Larry's breakdown is a great example of the show's ability to mix humor and pathos, and it shows just how vulnerable he really is. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves smart, witty, and insightful television.