TV Shows Like Curb Your Enthusiasm to Watch Next

Curb Your Enthusiasm is back, baby! And it’s pretty, pretty…pretty good. In addition to the beloved antihero that is Larry David, HBO’s acclaimed sitcom has featured a plethora of hilarious co-stars like Cheryl Hines, Ted Danson, and, more recently, J.B. Smoove — who has become Larry’s partner-in-crime in these latest seasons, to put it mildly. Given the wide spectrum of performances and very distinct, improvisation-style comedy, it’s plain to see the influence Curb Your Enthusiasm has had on other TV series in years past. HBO’s beloved sitcom also reminds us of hit shows that came before it. On that note, here’s a closer look at what’s out there to watch after Curb comes to an end this season.

15 Atlanta (2016-2022)

Donald Glover’s beloved FX dramedy, Atlanta, sadly came to an end last year, but its spirit will surely live on, as future absurdist shows will undoubtedly benefit from its groundbreaking storytelling. The premise is simple enough: Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene to better their lives and the lives of their families. Glover plays Earn Marks, the manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. Alfred Brian Tyree Henry) is the rapper trying to understand the line between real life and street life. Then there’s Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), Alfred’s right-hand man who seems to live in his own little world.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Well, for starters, this latest Curb season takes place partly in Atlanta. But on a more serious note, the single-cam sitcom nature of Atlanta makes it a safe bet for Curb fans. The outrageous things Leon (Smoove) says in Curb could easily be stated by an absurdist character like Darius (Stanfield) in Atlanta. Stream on Hulu.

14 The Vince Staples Show (2024-)

Hip-hop fans already know the name from his vast discography of acclaimed, unique music. Now, Vince Staples has his own Netflix show, which is also a hit. Here he plays a less-famous version of himself as he navigates the challenges of everyday life in his hometown, known simply as The Beach in the storyline to humorous effect.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

If you log into Netflix and hover over The Vince Staples Show, the tagline reads, “Atlanta Meets Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The way Staples navigates a society where basically everyone recognizes him is similar to how David navigates a celeb-filled SoCal in Curb. Both shows lean into everyday trials and tribulations but with a unique protagonist’s take on things. Stream on Netflix.

13 Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Before starring as himself in Curb, Larry David was a writer on SNL. Then, he sat down with pal Jerry Seinfeld to create arguably the best sitcom of all time. Seinfeld has spawned some of the funniest sitcom episodes ever, even later in its run with the iconic Festivus episode. From the beginning, we’ve watched as the four single friends — Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer — deal with the absurdities of everyday life in New York City.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

The connection here is obvious, and some have even used Seinfeld‘s creation as a drawback of Curb, accusing Larry of sometimes stealing material from his first show to create episodes for his next sitcom. It’s a hoot seeing Seinfeld’s stars occasionally guest-star in episodes of Curb, so the brand of humor always remains similar between the two series. The banter between Leon and Larry in Curb often rivals that of Jerry and George in Seinfeld. Stream on Netflix.

12 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)

Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Frank, and Dee, a.k.a. “The Gang” own a notoriously unsuccessful pub in Philly thanks to their selfish, hard-drinking, and mischievous antics. It’s quite clear that The Gang never stoops too low for the sake of making some quick cash. Paddy’s Pub will forever serve as the basis for hilarious sitcom premises.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Put it this way: An old tagline for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was, “It’s Seinfeld…on crack.” The co-creator of Seinfeld went on to do Curb, of course, and you can see shades of Larry David’s style all over the banter among the Sunny characters. Just like how we often can’t stand Larry’s antics in Curb, we similarly cannot stand the behavior of the gang in Sunny — but it’s all in good fun, of course. Stream on Hulu.

11 Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)

He’s Ray both in real life and in his wildly successful sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, that has made the comedian millions in syndication. In the show, “Raymond” is also successful, but as a sports writer. He’s also a perpetually stressed-out family man who juggles work with his immediate relatives who happen to live basically next door. Peter Boyle as his Dad is reliably hilarious, and Cloris Leachman is endlessly quotable as his mom, but perhaps it’s Debra (Patricia Heaton) who steals the show as Ray’s wife.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sure, Curb takes place in sunny Southern California, but thanks to Larry’s presence, the show has wise-cracking East Coast vibes all the way. Another show with this kind of vibe is Everybody Loves Raymond, particularly the banter between Ray and his dad Frank in the show. It certainly rivals the banter between Larry and his dad in the show, particularly that episode where Larry’s mom dies and no one tells him. Stream on Peacock or Paramount+.

10 Cheers (1982-1993)

In Cheers, Ted Danson plays Sam, a former Red Sox pitcher who now owns and runs the beloved cozy bar in Boston. Enlisted on his colorful staff are Diane (Shelley Long) and Carla (Rhea Perlman). The equally colorful cast of characters that round out Cheers‘ clientele includes the beer-guzzling Norm (George Wendt) and postal worker Cliff (John Ratzenberger). It’s endless entertainment for a simple yet hilarious premise that ran for over 10 years.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Ted Danson fans certainly love his deadpan antics in Curb from time to time. But decades earlier, he was equally funny on Cheers. Plus, Rhea Perlman’s Carla has similar comedic vibes as Susie Essman’s version of Susie in Curb. It’d be funny to get these two in the same room, in character, and see how it goes. Stream on Hulu or Paramount+.

9 Entourage (2004-2011)

Anyone else hear Turtle saying “Previously on Entourage...” whenever the show comes to mind? HBO’s hit series follows just that: an entourage led by famous actor Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier), with his posse of East-Coast transplants now living in sunny LA with dreams of Hollywood and the good life. Then there’s Vinny’s agent, Ari Gold, played to hot-headed perfection by Emmy-winner Jeremy Piven. Who can forget his constant shouting of “LLOYD!!!”

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

It’s quite possible both Larry David and the cast of Entourage have frequented the same restaurants and hip locations around Southern California. Larry and the guys are all East Coasters at heart, which is why Curb fans will catch similar vibes and antics in Entourage. Larry even has a bit of an entourage on his show, these days consisting of Leon, Jeff Garlin, and, of course, Richard Lewis (RIP). Stream on Max.

8 Life’s Too Short (2011-2013)

What a title! In Life’s Too Short, Warwick Davis plays a hilarious, fictionalized version of himself as a conning, selfish actor who will do anything to get the next big part in a movie. The mockumentary series was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and features countless cameos by celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Steve Carell, and, the best one of all, Liam Neeson.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Ricky Gervais is all over Life’s Too Short and will also be remembered for his remarkable episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, where he plays a hilarious, kind of weird version of himself. There is a similar, palpable deadpan-comedy vibe in both these shows as well. They both thrive off the ingenuity of comedic timing in performance and should serve as inspiration for aspiring comedians everywhere, in both the U.S. and the U.K. Currently unavailable to stream.

7 Hello Ladies (2013-2014)

Speaking of Stephen Merchant, there’s no Ricky Gervais by his side for this rather short-lived comedy series on HBO. In Hello Ladies, he’s Stuart, a socially awkward web designer trying to score with the opposite sex in modern-day Los Angeles. Christine Woods co-stars as a struggling actress who happens to be Stuart’s roommate. Their sexual chemistry is finally explored in a hilarious spinoff movie following the show’s conclusion after two years.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

They’re both single-cam sitcoms from HBO, featuring rather socially inept, aging white dudes on the dating scene who just never seem to find success. Hilarity ensues in each, as the morally conflicted protagonists navigate a modern-day Los Angeles. Seeing Stuart and the fictional Larry go out on the town and get themselves into sticky situations at clubs and restaurants is pure comedy bliss. Stream on Max.

6 The Office (2005-2013)

The list of Stephen Merchant projects continues! First came the U.K. version starring Ricky Gervais. Then, Gervais and Merchant brought their British-style humor to the States with Michael Scott and his employees, otherwise known as The Office. Another mockumentary that was a smashing success, there have been rumors of a reboot, though nothing beats the first couple seasons of the U.S. version that also featured hilarious pranks on Dwight by Jim and a budding romance between Jim and Pam. The later seasons weren’t nearly as solid, but Steve Carell’s iconic manager persona in a doomed paper company will live on and continue to inspire future sitcoms.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Both Larry David (the Curb version) and Michael Scott seem stuck in their own ways, often clueless as to why their controversial antics seem to aggravate the rest of society. The masterful comedic timing of The Office is certainly on par with Curb. Both have that documentary feel to them (especially since The Office is indeed a mockumentary by definition) in the way they’re up close and personal in everyday-type scenarios. Stream on Peacock.

5 Veep (2012-2019)

First, she was Elaine. Then she was “Old Christine.” More recently, she was the U.S. vice president — on TV, that is. As Selina Meyer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won multiple Primetime Emmys for her hysterical portrayal of a bumbling politician with a bumbling team by her side. Veep overall makes impactful and laugh-out-loud statements on the political culture in real-life America. Plus, it’s got a terrific supporting cast, including Emmy winner Tony Hale as Selina’s bag boy.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

If you loved her outrageous yet relatable antics on Seinfeld, you’ll love when Louis-Dreyfus plays a version of herself on Curb. Meanwhile, her sharp, deadpan humor shines through similarly in Veep. She’s just painfully irresistible on all fronts, no matter the role. It also helps that the latest season of Curb satirizes politics when Larry gets entangled in an Atlanta election, which is the kind of biting humor that lays the foundation of Veep. Stream on Max.

4 Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)

Shortly after The Office (U.S. version) kicked off and skyrocketed in popularity, Parks and Recreation launched — and some were concerned this other mockumentary was just a copycat. Fat chance! Amy Poehler’s beloved series about an Indiana parks & rec office came into its office, especially with Season 2 and beyond. Featuring a stellar cast that launched Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman into stardom, Parks and Recreation struck gold and is still enjoyed by fans thanks to syndication.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Nick Offerman played a funny little role in a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode in one of the more recent seasons. Clearly, his comedic chops from Parks and Rec appealed to Larry David’s unique style. And in general, the masterful ways in which the Parks and Rec characters react to the absurd things their fellow castmates say are certainly reminiscent of the way the supporting players in Curb often eye-roll at whatever David is blabbering about. Stream on Peacock.

It started on a relatively unknown platform called Crackle. Then, Jerry Seinfeld’s hit web series moved to Netflix. Shocker! Featuring a famous comic in each episode, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is basically what it sounds like. Seinfeld hosts and wheels around a fancy vehicle each time, though sometimes he and his esteemed guest order more than coffee. With Seth Rogen, for example, they end up at Arby’s. The series may be done for good, but there’s still hope for more.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

The connection is perhaps obvious here, and Larry David even guest-starred in one of the Comedians in Cars episodes. His banter with Jerry reminds us why shows like Comedians in Cars and Curb are relentlessly hilarious, even if most of the characters’ conversations revolve around the most basic of ideas. The basis of Comedians in Cars perhaps originated from the best scenes in Larry David’s Seinfeld: when Jerry and George are simply sitting in the coffee shop, commenting on the absurd world around them. Stream on Netflix.

2 Louie (2010-)

Playing a fictionalized version of himself, controversial comedian Louis C.K.’s eponymous persona lives in New York with his two daughters with the help of his ex-wife nearby. It’s absurdist sitcom stuff that lacks an audience laugh track to thrilling effect. Perhaps the best season revolved around Louie trying to take over as Late Show host and replace Letterman, and his hosting coach is played by none other than David Lynch.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Jerry Seinfeld is featured in a handful of episodes of Louie, and you could easily see Larry David fitting into the show somewhere as well. Seeing the fictionalized versions of C.K. and David conversing about life would be a hoot, to put it mildly. In real life, they’re both often seen as “comic’s comics” due to their edgy approach to standup that perhaps doesn’t always resonate with the general public. Buy on Prime Video.

Billy Crystal, meet Josh Gad. This short-lived comedy series on FX, again, features comics playing themselves. The pair play somewhat fictitious versions of themselves as they’re tasked with creating a sketch comedy show together. TV-goers hadn’t seen Crystal on primetime since the ’80s before The Comedians started airing in 2015.

How It’s Like Curb Your Enthusiasm

Seinfeld director Larry Charles makes a hilarious cameo in the first episode of The Comedians, and as the series progresses, you might just find yourself waiting for someone like Larry David to show up at some point. The deadpan comedic vibe of The Comedians surely drew inspiration from Curb, and Mel Brooks even guest-starred as himself in both series. Seeing Gad and Crystal play fictionalized versions of themselves here is a blatantly obvious parallel to David in Curb. Buy on Apple TV.