--- title: "The Larry Sanders Show: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Larry Sanders Show (1992): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimously positive, with praise centred on the performances and the sharp observation of backstage insecurity. Garry Shandling’s neurotic host, Jeffrey Tambor’s anxious sidekick and Rip Torn’s combative producer draw repeated appreciation, particularly for their interplay. Critics also admire the naturalistic style and writing that finds comedy in professional vanity, precarious loyalties and celebrities playing versions of themselves. Several regard the series as an important influence on later television comedy, without treating that influence as its only reason to remain worth watching. There is little disagreement across these eight reviews, and no substantial dissent. Vulture offers the clearest qualification: the hair, clothes, references and sarcasm place the programme firmly in the 1990s. Even that review finds the acting, improvisation and writing durable. The spread is narrow; the difference is between enthusiastic approval and enthusiasm tempered by an awareness of the series’ age. ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 March 2011. Shandling created a comedy diamond with this behind-the-scenes parody of a late-night talk show. The US DVD set includes extensive extras like a feature-length doc and interviews with Judd Apatow. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/larry-sanders-show-complete-series-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 March 2011. The complete series DVD release highlights a naturalistic, laugh-track-free sitcom about a neurotic talk-show host that was a precursor to The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm and is probably the greatest of all time in calibre and consistency. The critic singles out the interplay of the three main stars—neurotic Larry, his insecure sidekick Hank, and combative producer Artie—as the show's greatest strength, along with its behind-the-scenes exposé of egos and staff. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/mar/30/larry-sanders-show-dvd) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Miles Beller Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 August 1992. The half-hour comedy is an almost total winner and an artistic success of stunning brilliance that no one in the business should miss. The finely tuned scripts and standout performances from Rip Torn and Jeffrey Tambor are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/larry-sanders-show-1992-original-878197/) ## The Telegraph Rating *****. 27 March 2011. This re-release of the HBO series confirms it as one of the greatest and most influential comedy series of all time, with a highly believable vérité style showing a hapless chat-show host and real celebrities playing versions of themselves both on and backstage. The critic praises the performances of Garry Shandling as the neurotic star, Jeffrey Tambor as the fall-guy sidekick, and Rip Torn as the producer, noting it remains close to comic perfection. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/dvd-reviews/8410940/The-Larry-Sanders-Show-DVD-review.html) ## The Times — Clive Davis Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2010. The first-season DVD release of this cult HBO sitcom shows how it changed TV comedy forever with its devastating backstage look at a talk show and celebrities playing self-parodying versions of themselves. The critic notes its influence on later shows like Extras and praises the writing team's impact, including Judd Apatow, as well as its corrosive analysis of the treacherous world of television entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/the-cult-of-larry-px2gm9jcd6f) ## Variety — Kathleen O'Steen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 1992. The series is a very fast and funny take-off on life after prime time, ruthlessly skewering the late-night talkshow world. It is an absolute gem with sharp performances from Shandling, Rip Torn and Jeffrey Tambor. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1992/tv/reviews/the-larry-sanders-show-2-1200430533/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 2011. The critic notes the show's strong 1990s timestamp in hair, fashion, sarcasm, and references but finds the acting, improvising, naturalistic structure, and edgy writing hold up well in 2011. It recommends revisiting the series as superior to contemporary late-night fare like Leno. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/10/the_larry_sanders_show.html) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2010. The critic calls the complete series one of the great achievements in television and essential viewing. He singles out the powerhouse cast, meta humor, and insightful look at show business relationships and behind-the-scenes dynamics for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-larry-sanders-show-the-complete-series-dvd-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md