# Larry David HBO series faces criticism and low ratings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hbo-sketch-series-with-larry-david-and-obama > Updated: 2026-08-04T23:05:00.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 14. Larry David’s seven‑episode limited sketch comedy *Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness* debuted on HBO and HBO Max on June 26, 2026, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions and co‑written with Jeff Schaffer. The series revisits key moments in U.S. history with absurdist humor, featuring a rotating cast that includes Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Hamm, Sean Hayes, Jerry Seinfeld, Lin‑Manuel Miranda, Kaley Cuoco and posthumous cameo appearances by Rob Reiner as George Washington. President Obama appears in a cameo and is credited as an executive producer. Promotion for the show was marked by David’s outspoken criticism of the White House UFC “Freedom 250” event staged by President Donald Trump, which he called a “travesty” that made him “embarrassed to be an American.” The remarks sparked a rebuttal from Megyn Kelly, who accused David of elitism. Critical reception has been mixed to negative. Rotten Tomatoes scores fell to 53 % (critics) and 51 % (audience), with reviewers describing the sketches as formulaic, uneven, and reliant on a single joke premise. Episode 4, aired July 17, ended with a satirical sketch parodying anti‑vaccine commentator Robert F. Kennedy Jr., linking 1955 polio‑vaccine development to contemporary debates. The series will run weekly on Fridays through its finale on August 7, 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Larry David's New HBO Sketch Series Joins Streaming Lineup Alongside 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe HBO’s new Larry David sketch series premieres June 26, while the *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* spinoff of *The Big Bang Theory* launches with praised rotating intros and standalone episodes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-davids-new-hbo-sketch-series-joins-streaming-lineup-alongside-stuart-fails-to-save-the-univers ### 2026-07-23: HBO's 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness' Announces Episode 6 Date, Explains Episode 4 Ending HBO sets July 31, 2026 for episode 6 of 'Life, Larry…', with the finale on Aug 7. Episode 4 ended with a satire of anti‑vaccine rhetoric, sending the character Bobby to a psychiatric hospital. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hbos-life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-announces-episode-6-date-explains-episode-4-ending ### 2026-07-18: Larry David's HBO Max show features star‑studded historical guest cast Larry David's new HBO Max sketch comedy, 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,' features a star‑studded cast portraying historical figures, including Barack Obama and Samuel L. Jackson, debuting with the 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-davids-hbo-max-show-features-starstudded-historical-guest-cast ### 2026-07-09: Larry David's 'Life, Larry and the Pursuance of Unhappiness' premieres on HBO Max Larry David's seven‑episode historical sketch comedy, produced by the Obamas' Higher Ground, streams on HBO Max with weekly Friday releases; episode 4 arrives July 17, 2026, drawing mixed reviews. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-davids-life-larry-and-the-pursuance-of-unhappiness-premieres-on-hbo-max ### 2026-07-07: Rob Reiner’s Posthumous George Washington Cameo in Larry David’s Obama‑Produced HBO Series Rob Reiner’s posthumous cameo as George Washington in Larry David’s Obama‑produced HBO comedy satirizes a third presidential term, debuting July 3, 2024. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rob-reiners-posthumous-george-washington-cameo-in-larry-davids-obamaproduced-hbo-series ### 2026-07-06: Higher Ground‑Produced HBO Series 'Life, Larry…' Gets Low Rotten Tomatoes Scores HBO’s limited series starring Larry David, produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground, earned low Rotten Tomatoes scores (53% critics, 51% audience) and was criticized as forced and undignified. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/higher-groundproduced-hbo-series-life-larry-gets-low-rotten-tomatoes-scores ### 2026-07-04: HBO's 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness' features Kaley Cuoco and posthumous guest Rob Reiner Kaley Cuoco and posthumous guest Rob Reiner appear in HBO’s new sketch‑comedy series ‘Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,’ delivering period‑set humor and political satire. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hbos-life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-features-kaley-cuoco-and-posthumous-guest-rob-reiner ### 2026-06-29: Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Series Sparks Casting Dispute on New HBO Comedy Obama-produced HBO comedy sees Barack Obama’s note dismissed by Larry David and alleged Michelle Obama opposition to casting Cheryl Hines, both unverified. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barack-and-michelle-obamas-higher-ground-series-sparks-casting-dispute-on-new-hbo-comedy ### 2026-06-28: Larry David's New HBO Series 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness' Reviewed Larry David’s new HBO series, produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground, mixes satire and U.S. history. Reviews are mixed, noting uneven jokes, while Susie Essman’s Susan B. Anthony cameo underscores the show’s off 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-davids-new-hbo-series-life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-reviewed ### 2026-06-26: Megyn Kelly Rebukes Larry David Over UFC White House Comments Megyn Kelly criticized Larry David for calling the White House UFC Freedom 250 event a “travesty” and saying it embarrassed him as an American, accusing him of elitism and political over‑play. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/megyn-kelly-rebukes-larry-david-over-ufc-white-house-comments ### 2026-06-26: Larry David's HBO series “Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” launches Larry David’s new HBO series, “Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,” a seven‑episode satirical look at U.S. history produced by the Obamas, premiered June 26, 2026 with a star‑filled guest cast. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barack-obama-and-larry-david-debut-hbo-sketch-series-life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness ### 2026-06-24: Larry David says Trump’s White House UFC event embarrassed him Larry David called Trump’s White House UFC “Freedom 250” a travesty, saying it embarrassed him to be an American, as he promoted his new HBO sketch show. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-david-says-trumps-white-house-ufc-event-embarrassed-him ### 2026-06-24: Larry David calls Trump’s White House UFC fight a “travesty” as he launches new HBO series Larry David denounced Trump’s White House UFC fight as a “travesty” while promoting his new HBO series marking America’s 250th anniversary, which has earned mixed reviews. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-david-slams-trumps-white-house-ufc-fight-highlights-obamas-role-in-new-hbo-series ### 2026-06-11: Larry David and Barack Obama launch HBO sketch series for America’s 250th anniversary HBO’s new seven‑episode sketch series starring Larry David and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama debuts June 26, marking America’s 250th anniversary with guest stars including Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Hamm. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/larry-david-and-barack-obama-launch-hbo-sketch-series-for-americas-250th-anniversary --- Cite as: Larry David HBO series faces criticism and low ratings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hbo-sketch-series-with-larry-david-and-obama