Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 1-7 Complete (HBO) [DVD]

For those who have seen 1 or 2 shows or parts of series, know they like CYE and haven't yet bought the dvds, this is a wonderful product. Luckily, for those who have the individual box sets, there are no extras here, such as the brilliant commentaries on Seinfeld dvds, which would force us to buy this box set. No doubt just a matter of time before the poor fan gets ripped off again though.

The consistency of this series is terrific. As it was with Seinfeld. When one considers Fawlty Towers ran to the equivalent of only one series of CYE, it is impossible not to admire the sustained energy and expert comedy writing of Larry David. Seinfeld had a team of writers, but this, according to credits, appears to be basically a one-person job.

LD has, though, ensured that he is surrounded by an extremely talented group of actors. Jeff and Cheryl's supporting straight roles, Susie Essman's foul-mouthed riffs, JB Smoove's (Leon) scene-stealing routines, the various celebrity comedians and comic actors (Lewis, Ted Danson) all provide wonderful foils for LD. He is the top banana, but what a support cast!

I thought the basic premise of dysfunctional grumpy old man would soon pale. The first couple of series seemed so intense it was hard to see how the show could keep it going. Yet the character still remains likable and, of course, funny even after 7 series. He has mellowed a bit, which you can see if you move between the episodes in the first 3 series and the last.

I am amazed by how much mileage there is in some of these routines: how many different arguments has Larry got into over restaurant bills, tips, and disagreements with shop assistants? Yet LD always seems to be able to find some new twist on the themes!

There must be a whole tradition of American-Jewish writing to which LD is clearly the king and heir - people like Kauffman, Rifkind, Benny, Allen - lots of others which I don't know or can't remember. But I don't think there's a better show going.

Makes me wonder whether John Cleese or Ricky Gervais shouldn't have carried on a lot longer with their great characters. LD proves it can work.

If you haven't got these dvds, what a present for yourself!!

I'm only up to Season 3, Episode 8, but I must say this is probably one of the best purchases I have ever made, and is definitely one of my most valued box sets. This show has a unique style and humor to it, and is hands down probably the best comedy in the history of television. Instead of contrived set-ups or one-liner gags, this show sets up comical situations around real-life things that happen every day, setting things up for a huge pay-off later on in the episode. The plotlines are very layered and complex and every time an episode finishes you're left sitting there with a huge grin on your face, realizing something that had been set up at the very start.

Trying to explain a plot line in full would be like trying to list all the components of a NASA Space Shuttle, but what I can tell you is that some situations involve the awkwardness of breaking a lamp at a guests house after being asked to leave, a crazy nanny who has been psychologically traumatized after enduring 15 years working on a Looney Tunes ride that involved the theme tune playing over and over again, as well as Larry tripping up Shaq during a basketball game.

Each episode is just hilarious and so natural. Take my word for it, this is a must buy, and definitely worth a watch, once you get into it you will be totally hooked and realize how clever and how brilliant this show actually is.

The set comes in seven separate DVD cases each containing 2 DVDs (3 for Season One) which are all packaged inside a hard cardboard case. Simple, but great in design.

Overall rating: 10/10

One of the co-Creators of Seinfeld, Larry David takes some of his life experiences and turns them into sketches. Some of them make you laugh out loud, some have you cringing down into your seat, most of them you can identify with. For anyone who enjoys dry humour, and a dry sense of irony, this is your boxset.