Foisted!

Something changed. New director or producer? Feels like a different show, more like a conventional scripted sitcom. The observational camera style has been replaced with slick dolly and aerial shots. Lots of quick cuts in the dialogue editing, it's lost that improvisational feeling. Also, not very funny somehow. Felt like a rough draft or a fan produced homage. This used to be a brilliant show but this episode was pretty sad somehow. I was cringing because the jokes and shtick weren't funny. Usually I'm cringing and laughing because Larry is being awkward and making a fool of himself. It just feels like the show us run it's course and they should have let it fade away. Maybe the rest of the season gets better. Let's hope!

I'm surprised that a lot of people didn't seem to like the new episodes so far. Compared to season 8 that had some weaker moments(maybe the NY setting?), season 9 so far seems great and I can understand why the cast says this might be the best season yet. Maybe people are too used to Larry's character by now, so some of the scenes with him seem repetitive or less funny, but I thought they handle it pretty well, mixing awkward single incidents with the story arc in the background. Compared to another show that returned after a long hiatus(Arrested Development), season 9 of CyE feels like it is still the show we came to love, while season 4 of AD seemed much less like a comedy to me and was quite a disappointment. Larry David didn't try to reinvent the show and I think that's a smart move.

I wouldn't exactly say this was bad, but something was a little off with this episode. This is coming from someone who absolutely loves this show and would give just about every episode up to this point a ten. I even rank this show slightly above Seinfeld. However, this was a strange episode. Overall I think the story was actually decent, but Larry's execution of the lines seemed a little bit weird and even a bit forced to me. Where in previous seasons the dialogue flows from scene to scene as if it were just happening in real life, this episode felt a bit too much like he was doing a bit the whole time. Still, I'm definitely not giving up on this show as it could just be first episode jitters. Hopefully this doesn't end up like one of those reunion shows that were talked about so much in season 7...

I've been a huge Curb fan for years and I was thrilled to see the show come back on air, but the first episode of season 9 was kind of disappointing. Right from the start, it's clear that production was more of a focus than improv humor. For starters, hand-held cameras are gone, but if that was the only major change, I wouldn't be complaining...

It's painful to watch Larry in some of the scenes, as his execution of the lines is cringe-worthy, with dialogue lacking a natural flow. Overly scripted perhaps? Maybe too much emphasis on trying to be funny? Either way, the humor seems forced. The raw, largely unscripted humor of Curb is what made the show incredibly funny in the past.

If production value is going to go up (fancier camera work), you'd think the humor would too. Maybe Larry is a bit rusty here and they tried "too hard," inadvertently coming off as a bit disingenuous. To the trained Curb eye, you can see Larry delivering scripted line after line, sometimes grinning before the punch line even comes out. The plot also lacks fluidity, but maybe that's something I shouldn't over analyze, as Curb doesn't fit the mold of a typical sitcom. Still, some of the jokes and scenes feel like they were forced into the episode.

With that said, there are still some good laughs from time to time, especially when Richard Lewis gets on camera. The new or casual Curb fan will probably rate this episode quite high, but someone like myself can't help but feel just a bit let down.

Overall, I'm glad that Curb is back, but Larry, don't try so hard. Let the lines and humor be natural, like it used to be!

The episode was hilarious, as always. I understand what other reviewers are saying about it feeling a little forced at times, but I honestly think it was to get the re- introductions out of the way. There were times where I expected a clap track to start playing when someone new appeared in a scene, and imagine those awkward introductions threw people off a bit. That being said, (yes, I get the Seinfeld reference) the story-line and humor were spot-on, and the acting was as good as ever. Guess Larry hasn't gotten the memo to water down his comedy for people's delicate sensibilities. (and I hope he never does) So far, the biting humor and commentary on the absurdity of everyday life are on par with the first season. I think it will only get better from here.