The Larry Sanders Show

The Larry Sanders Show was an early example of the single-camera sitcom, and its influence as a seminal comedy of humiliation is easily recognized. Created by Dennis Klein and star Garry Shandling, the show takes a scabrously funny look at Hollywood's rampant insecurity, backbiting, and egotism through the lens of the eponymous talk show. Larry constantly worries about everything, from his relationships with a multitude of women to his competition with Jay Leno and David Letterman (both of whom appear as themselves on the show) to dealing with intrusive network suits. As Larry is essentially a quivering mass of nervous tension, he needs help. His old-fashioned alcoholic producer Artie (Rip Torn, bringing a hilarious boorishness to the role) tries to keep Larry safe, while his talentless boob of a sidekick, Hank Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor), struggles to maintain his dignity. Celebrities from Sharon Stone to David Duchovny appear on the show as themselves, amusingly tweaking their public image. The series also gave an early boost to the careers of such comic talents as Janeane Garofalo, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Silverman, and Jon Stewart, who plays himself as a hip young rival for Larry's job. Like many great sitcoms, Larry Sanders inspires contempt, but also affection for its menagerie of striving, desperate, and painfully human characters.