Ep 14. Performance Artist

In this episode of The Larry Sanders Show, titled "Performance Artist," we see Larry struggling to keep his talk show afloat as he deals with a difficult guest and an awkward personal situation.

The show opens with Larry preparing for his last show before a two-week vacation. He's excited to have performance artist Misha (played by Janeane Garofalo) on as a guest, but his excitement quickly turns to frustration when Misha insists on having a live snake on the show. Larry, who has a crippling fear of snakes, tries to talk her out of it but eventually gives in.

Meanwhile, Larry's personal life takes a turn for the worse when he learns that his wife is leaving him for their marriage counselor. He's devastated and doesn't know how to cope, so he turns to his writer Phil for advice. Phil, always the unhelpful wise guy, tells Larry to "use the pain" and turn it into comedy for the show.

Back at the studio, Larry continues to struggle with Misha's demands. She's difficult to work with and insists on wearing a veil during her interview. When Larry confronts her about it, she opens up about her troubled childhood and explains that the veil is a symbol of her empowerment.

As the show begins, Larry tries to keep things together despite his anxiety about the snake. Misha's interview is going well until the snake escapes from its cage and slithers onto Larry's desk. He panics and runs off set, leaving guests Mary Tyler Moore and Bruno Kirby to improvise.

After the show, Larry is at a loss. He doesn't know how to deal with his divorce and feels like he's losing control of his show. In an impulsive moment, he decides to take over Misha's performance art piece and improvise a monologue about his personal problems. It's a risky move, but it pays off. Larry's vulnerability and honesty win over the audience, and Misha even removes her veil to join him on stage.

In the end, Larry realizes that he doesn't need to rely on gimmicks or difficult guests to make his show successful. All he needs is a willingness to be open and honest with his viewers. As the episode ends, Larry's personal problems are far from solved, but he's found a new sense of purpose and direction in his work.