Recently, I’ve discovered a strange sociological occurrence taking effect on yours truly. It is what many would consider the outcome of social influence, or perhaps media influence. I have witnessed this occurrence interfere with my daily life in such an uncontrollable and intrusive manner, at times it seems the effect is almost self-driving. It is as if the effect is continuously dictating my actions and mannerisms at an increasing rate, I fear it may continue until it has completely transformed my personality. The only possible instigator of this unfortunately hilarious outcome is Larry David.
I have been watching way too much “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and, while this show is one of the funniest I have seen, I fear there are side effects to overexposure. Larry David, or LD as he is often referred, is the show’s protagonist. A skinny, balding, Jewish producer who lives off the fortune he amassed by co-creating “Seinfeld.” The show is a fictionalized version of his reality, where Larry David plays himself. Perhaps over exaggerated for comedic purposes or perhaps not because his life might really be this ironically funny. After all, he was the main inspiration for the character George Costanza. Like “Seinfeld’s” semi-premise “Curb” is also about “nothing”. But “Curb” seems to be, if possible, about even more nothing. Maybe nothing-er? Perhaps that is the ironic reality to David’s life: a billionaire producer who doesn’t have to do anything.
How the show has began to affect me lies in David’s mannerisms and social conduct. He is not the smoothest speaker, nor the most charming and these often mix well with his paranoid skepticism and over-opinionated outbursts. However, they do not create an easy-to-get-along-with member of society.
The intrigue of the show is watching David bicker about aspects of society that seem superfluous or absurd, such as additional tipping, conversation etiquette and proper reciprocity. The clever use of improvisation and minuscule plot lines make you feel like you are watching real life situations only funnier. And, this may be why I’ve somehow begun to unintentionally adapt parts of LD’s persona.
The past two weeks I’ve found myself the mediator between my own stubborn peculiarity and a large amount of awkward misunderstandings, often ending in what would be great TV but unfortunate reality. I have also found out I am not alone in this condition, during a brief google search I found an article by Jim Laris called The Larry David Syndrome. He describes symptoms of the same mishaps between friends and strangers that leave one looking like an inconsiderate buffoon, though they are funny in retrospect. Stay strong Jim, we’re gonna get through this. Oh and by the way, did you see the one where LD pays a prostitute to ride in his car so he can use the carpool lane?
The biggest problem with LD overexposure is witnessing a misunderstanding occur and failing to casually explain it. Instead the victim often comes off as neurotic and obtuse. This is the reason my past week has been filled with bickering and unnecessary malice. It started when I text messaged a good friend a crude joke. Continuing a string of friendly insults between old buddies, I mentioned his mother.
Unfortunately, it got sent to another acquaintance with the same name, who was not in on the joke and whose mother I’m friends with. Needless to say things were awkward as the confusion failed to clear up. When they came over for Thanksgiving it made some interesting dinner table conversation.
I also ran into another friend who I owed a few bucks. I didn’t have the money on me for some time, so he was getting a bit suspicious. I was not dodging him. I just didn’t have any cash on me when we ran in to each other. Needless to say, the first day I had cash on me I didn’t see him. So I went to buy lunch and ran into him right as I was handing the cashier some crisp bills. I looked to my right to see his expression of betrayal: a gesture of sheer horror at a friend’s dishonor. That was all the cash I had on me, so what was I supposed to do return my food? I thought I could explain it but he didn’t even stay to say hi.
So this is my life now. As terrible as it is, there is an upside. I get to sit on the couch and think about all the funny occurrences of the day. Although many people think I am a complete jerk, it might be worth it for the comedy’s sake.
So be warned, if you are going to get into the LD there may be consequences. You may lose your integrity and the trust between your closest friends, having said that I think you could stand to be a bit funnier. Come on schmohawk!
Maximillian Piras is a senior art major and a columnist for the Daily 49er.
