Best 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' episodes

Home Box Office (HBO)

Best 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' episodes

Even after 20 years, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is still churning out new episodes and most of them are pretty, pretty, pretty good. With help from a talented cast, Larry David continues to prove himself an equal-opportunity offender and a relevant one at that. More than a social assassin and social pariah rolled into one, his on-screen alter-ego is the summation of human impatience made flesh. A superhero of the mundane, he provides a cathartic release for anyone who’s ever been stuck in a long line, become bored with a conversation, or is simply annoyed by society and its petty protocols.

Those even vaguely familiar with the show already know the drill. David and his co-writers work out a general storyline for any given episode, touching down on the main plot points. What ensues is an improvisational comedy fest, which frequently mines gold out of the best takes and the best lines. It’s an absolute blast for the series regulars and the rotating door of big-name guest stars. For the editors, not so much.

At the heart of every story is Larry David himself, meaning his semi-fictionalized alter-ego of the same name. Once a struggling writer and comic, Larry co-created “Seinfeld” and raked in hundreds of millions of dollars as a result. Refusing to pretend otherwise, he chronicles the exploits and headaches of his semi-luxurious California lifestyle. Going from restaurants to golf courses to doctor’s offices to lavish homes, Larry dispenses with his own particular brand of narcissism, impertinence, and unabashed privilege. His unfiltered personality would be a nightmare in real life, but it makes for a delightful viewing experience with the consistent acclaim to show for it.

Now in the midst of its 10th season, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” continues to cover plenty of controversial ground. As if being grandfathered in by culture itself, Larry skewers various sensitive subjects without facing the wrath of digital mobs or overly progressive outlets. That’s not to say all viewers and critics are on board with every take, rather that Larry seems impervious to a certain type of negative exposure or mass hysteria. Again, it only goes to reinforce his status as a low-rent superhero, through whom society can still seek sociological and psychological release.

While some episodes of “Curb” are definitely better than others, nearly all of them make for a solid 30–40 minutes of comic relief. Not only does the show have a high user rating of 8.7 on IMDb, but the lowest-rated episode still brought in a respectable 7.6. Which episode was that? For the answer, Stacker compiled IMDb data on all "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episodes (up to season 10, episode 7) and ranked them according to IMDb user rating, with #1 being the highest rated. Here are the results.

You may also like: Top 100 TV shows of the '60s

Home Box Office (HBO)

#97. Season 1, Episode 7 - AAMCO

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 997
- Air date: Nov. 26, 2000

While taking Jeff’s flashy antique car for a spin, Larry confuses the horn effect in an AAMCO commercial for the real thing. A road rage incident ensues and leaves the car with damage. Long story short: an obnoxious AAMCO serviceman ends up attending Cheryl’s dinner party.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#96. Season 2, Episode 6 - The Acupuncturist

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 891
- Air date: Oct. 28, 2001

Larry David plus acupuncture already sounds like a disaster in the making, but he’s willing to give it a shot. If the treatment doesn’t cure his chronic neck pain, it’s on the house. At a surprise birthday party, a leering grandpa (Ed Asner) makes moves on Cheryl.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#95. Season 1, Episode 2 - Ted and Mary

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 1,272
- Air date: Oct. 22, 2000

Series regulars Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen make their first appearance in this early episode, joining Larry and Cheryl for bowling. Things get weird when a random man walks out with Larry’s shoes. And were Larry and Cheryl invited to a Paul Simon concert or weren’t they?

Home Box Office (HBO)

#94. Season 8, Episode 7 - The Bi-Sexual

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 693
- Air date: August 21, 2011

It’s Larry versus Rosie O’Donnell in this baseball-themed episode, which finds them vying for the same woman’s affection. To gain an edge over Rosie’s “lesbian advantage,” Larry “juices” with help from a certain performance-enhancing drug. A proper 90-degree Japanese bow proves to be his final undoing.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#93. Season 5, Episode 6 - The Smoking Jacket

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 774
- Air date: Nov. 6, 2005

According to Jeff’s “double transgression theory,” Cheryl can’t get any madder than she already is. That gives Larry the freedom to visit the Playboy mansion, where he swaps jackets with Hugh Hefner. By the way, what’s the deal with people bringing Larry’s personal stuff into the bathroom?

You may also like: Most Emmy wins of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#92. Season 3, Episode 5 - The Terrorist Attack

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 832
- Air date: Oct. 13, 2002

The trouble starts when Larry unwittingly snubs the wife of a friend during dinner. He makes up for it by warning her of a potential terrorist attack and her loose lips sink Alanis Morissette’s private concert. Paul Reiser and Martin Short also guest star.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#91. Season 3, Episode 2 - The Benadryl Brownie

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 842
- Air date: Sept. 23, 2002

After Richard Lewis’ new girlfriend suffers an allergy attack, she refuses to take Benadryl on religious grounds. Richard and Larry decide to lace brownies with medicine; it’s going to be an awkward night at the Emmy Awards, to say the least. Comedian Joan Rivers makes a guest appearance.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#90. Season 1, Episode 4 - The Bracelet

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 1,113
- Air date: Nov. 5, 2000

Cheryl’s had all she can take of Larry and only one thing will make up for his behavior: a coveted bracelet. Money’s not an issue, but there are plenty of other obstacles getting in the way. One of them is Richard Lewis, who has his eye on the very same bracelet.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#89. Season 8, Episode 4 - The Smiley Face

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 683
- Air date: July 31, 2011

A word of caution for anyone who might date Larry: he’s not a fan of the smiley face emoji. That’s just one among numerous things getting between him and his new girlfriend. Back at the office, he squares off against his new neighbor (Harry Hamlin) over cabinet space.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#88. Season 4, Episode 1 - Mel's Offer

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 796
- Air date: Jan. 4, 2004

Kicking off the season four story arc, Mel Brooks invites Larry to star in a Broadway production of “The Producers.” There’s also a subplot involving doctor’s visits and unsolicited drool. Ben Stiller, Paul Mazursky, Christine Taylor, and Philip Baker Hall also guest star.

You may also like: Best TV shows that were canceled

Home Box Office (HBO)

#87. Season 9, Episode 5 - Thank You for Your Service

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 818
- Air date: Oct. 29, 2017

According to Den of Geek's Alec Bojalad, this season nine episode represents the show “at its best and at its worst.” It finds Larry making the ultimate faux pas when he forgets to thank Jeff's future son-in-law for his military service. Various shaky subplots culminate with a tight and well-executed resolution.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#86. Season 1, Episode 6 - The Wire

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 1,039
- Air date: Nov. 19, 2000

Only in Larry David’s universe can a loose wire in the backyard stir up all sorts of trouble. For a pair of annoying neighbors, this dilemma provides the perfect opportunity to meet Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Not only does Louis-Dreyfus make an early cameo, but this is one of many episodes directed by former “Seinfeld” creative Larry Charles.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#85. Season 8, Episode 8 - Car Periscope

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 660
- Air date: August 28, 2011

One of Kramer’s old ideas is about to become reality and Larry’s given the chance to invest. Wary at first, he hops aboard after meeting the inventor’s homely wife (Aida Turturro). Later, an unruly exchange during dinner forces him to reconsider.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#84. Season 3, Episode 9 - Mary, Joseph and Larry

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 822
- Air date: Nov. 10, 2002

Famously Jewish Larry David ventures into gentile territory in this Christmas-themed episode. After eating forbidden cookies, he sets out to replace them and ends up performing in a nativity scene. 

Home Box Office (HBO)

#83. Season 4, Episode 3 - The Blind Date

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 870
- Air date: Jan. 18, 2004

Patrick Kerr reprises his role as a blind man named Michael, who breaks up with his “model” girlfriend. In his desperate pursuit of a bathroom, Larry ends up playing matchmaker. Ben Stiller’s personal hang-ups and Jeff’s twisted fantasies are revealed.

You may also like: Film and TV-themed bars and restaurants to visit

Home Box Office (HBO)

#82. Season 2, Episode 5 - The Thong

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 907
- Air date: Oct. 21, 2001

After seeing his psychiatrist in a very tight and revealing bathing suit, it’s only natural that Larry ends the relationship. Meanwhile, his own dark side is revealed during a disastrous charity lunch. Rob Reiner guest stars.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#81. Season 1, Episode 9 - Affirmative Action

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 1,029
- Air date: Dec. 10, 2000

Exploring racial territory in typical “Curb” fashion, Larry makes a tone-deaf remark to an African American doctor. He’ll need to make up for it fast if he’s going to get Cheryl her much-needed prescription. Were it any other show or character, the outrage mob would still be reeling over this one.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#80. Season 1, Episode 3 - Porno Gil

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 1,296
- Air date: Oct. 29, 2000

Retired porn star Gil Thelander (Bob Odenkirk) is throwing a party and Larry and Cheryl are invited. The disasters start before Larry even arrives and escalate when he’s asked to take off his shoes. Fun fact: this is the only episode without the standard opening title against a black background.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#79. Season 1, Episode 1 - The Pants Tent

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 1,527
- Air date: Oct. 15, 2000

Setting the tone and template for everything to come, the series premiere features no shortage of cringeworthy exchanges. That includes a dispute involving Larry’s bunched-up trousers and an off-color comment made in front of Jeff’s parents. Multiple regulars are introduced and Kathy Griffin makes a cameo.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#78. Season 9, Episode 9 - The Shucker

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 659
- Air date: Nov. 26, 2017

A new chapter unfolds in the adversarial partnership between Larry and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Bringing a separate partnership to a close, Larry “Long Balls” breaks up with his outspoken girlfriend (Lauren Graham). America Ferrera, Steven Weber, Jerry O'Connell, Ali Larter, and Judge Judy also appear.

You may also like: 50 best 'Friends' episodes of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#77. Season 10, Episode 2 - Side Sitting

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 704
- Air date: Jan. 26, 2020

Cramming in a few too many plotlines, Larry grapples with #MeToo-era protocols, a coffee-shop rivalry, prohibited bathroom use, an affair with his ex-wife, a cancer scare, and a lavish gift for Susie. Side sitting is both his saving grace and his Achilles heel in the episode’s closing scene.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#76. Season 5, Episode 9 - The Korean Bookie

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 741
- Air date: Nov. 27, 2005

A beach wedding sets the stage for conflict when another guest throws on Larry’s jacket without permission. Comedian Bobby Lee stars as a Korean bookie named Sung, who’s suspected of eating Jeff’s dog. Anyone seeking political correctness is advised to look elsewhere.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#75. Season 8, Episode 2 - The Safe House

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 743
- Air date: July 17, 2011

The world’s most unlikely role model for battered women (i.e. Larry) becomes exactly that in this season eight episode. When Leon exhibits abusive behavior, a doctor wonders if Larry’s a survivor himself. On an even less sensitive note, Lewis is really going to miss his current girlfriend’s large bosom.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#74. Season 6, Episode 4 - The Lefty Call

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 763
- Air date: Sept. 30, 2007

Larry does Lewis a solid by getting Cha Cha (Tia Carrere) a job, only to find her monitoring his bathroom habits. Back at home, the Blacks, a family displaced during Hurricane Edna and now living Larry and Cheryl, can’t make do with Cheryl’s eco-friendly toilet paper. Oh, and it’s quite possible that a restaurant waiter poisoned Jeff and Susie’s dog.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#73. Season 6, Episode 7 - The TiVo Guy

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 785
- Air date: Oct. 21, 2007

Cheryl’s plane is about to go down but Larry’s too busy dealing with the TiVo guy to notice. It marks the bitter end of an already frail marriage, perhaps mirroring David’s real-life struggles with then-wife Laurie. Now, all their friends must choose a side.

You may also like: Fan campaigns that saved TV shows from cancellation

Home Box Office (HBO)

#72. Season 8, Episode 1 - The Divorce

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 788
- Air date: July 10, 2011

Cheryl’s disrespect for wood is too much to bear and so the divorce will commence. Thankfully, Larry has a terrific Jewish attorney on his side. Or so he thinks...

Home Box Office (HBO)

#71. Season 5, Episode 1 - The Larry David Sandwich

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 794
- Air date: Sept. 25, 2005

After a near-death experience, Larry flirts with his spiritual side. Quickly reverting to his petty ways, he takes issue with a sandwich named in his honor. To make a Larry David sandwich, one will need the following ingredients: onions, capers, white fish, sable, and cream cheese.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#70. Season 5, Episode 4 - Kamikaze Bingo

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 802
- Air date: Oct. 16, 2005

Trigger warning: this episode deals with themes of suicide and in a manner only Larry David can pull off. He starts by suggesting that a Japanese WWII survivor must not have been a very good kamikaze pilot. When the survivor’s grandson attempts suicide over the remark, Larry can’t help but eat shelled nuts during the apology.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#69. Season 4, Episode 4 - The Weatherman

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 817
- Air date: Jan. 25, 2004

Uncovering a conspiracy so crazy that it just might be true, Larry suspects the weatherman of making purposefully inaccurate predictions. He also catches word that a dental hygienist is spreading nasty rumors about his plaque build-up. Comedic actor Bob Einstein makes his first appearance as beloved character Marty Funkhouser.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#68. Season 2, Episode 1 - The Car Salesman

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 951
- Air date: Sept. 23, 2001

Meet Larry David, car salesman? So goes the season two premiere, which finds him working at a local car dealership before Lewis ruins everything. A meeting with former “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander inspires a TV show idea and sets up the season arc.

You may also like: 100 best 'Twilight Zone' episodes of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#67. Season 10, Episode 6 - The Surprise Party

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 343
- Air date: Feb. 23, 2020

The first episode directed by Erin O'Malley centers on an upcoming surprise party for Jeff. Or is it really a devious murder plot in disguise? Vince Vaughn, Fred Armisen, Chris Martin, and Rebecca Romijn guest star.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#66. Season 7, Episode 4 - The Hot Towel

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 764
- Air date: Oct. 11, 2009

An unfiltered Larry lets loose on Christian Slater, Jeff and Susie's daughter, men wearing shorts, and a woman who tells him to smile. "Hey, mind your own business? How about that?!" he replies to the woman. If only he can follow his own advice before asking Dr. Morrison (Philip Baker Hall) for the doctor’s personal phone number.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#65. Season 7, Episode 8 - Officer Krupke

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 783
- Air date: Nov. 8, 2009

The “Seinfeld” reunion is on and Cheryl must compete with actor Elisabeth Shue if she wants a part. To convince Susie that Jeff isn’t having an affair, Larry confesses to wearing women’s underwear. Look for a cameo from comedian Carol Leifer, who’s worked behind-the-scenes on both “Seinfeld” and “Curb.”

Home Box Office (HBO)

#64. Season 4, Episode 2 - Ben's Birthday Party

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 808
- Air date: Jan. 11, 2004

Ben Stiller makes the grave mistake of inviting Larry to his birthday party and chaos ensues. The action culminates with an eye-stabbing incident, forcing Stiller to drop out of “The Producers.” A blind character Michael (Patrick Kerr) reappears and introduces Larry to his “model” girlfriend, who doesn’t exactly fit the mold.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#62. Season 2, Episode 10 - The Massage (tie)

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 855
- Air date: Nov. 25, 2001

Larry should have known better than to visit Jeff’s masseuse—and Cheryl’s psychic is onto the whole encounter. In a rare turn of events, Larry demonstrates empathy for another human being (in this case, a limo driver). It lands him in hot water anyway.

You may also like: Longest-running TV series

Home Box Office (HBO)

#62. Season 7, Episode 6 - The Bare Midriff (tie)

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 855
- Air date: Oct. 25, 2009

Comedian Jillian Bell guest stars as Larry’s new assistant, who insists on rocking the bare midriff look. That alone makes it hard for Larry and Jerry Seinfeld to get any work done on their upcoming reunion special. An act of urine-related sacrilege moves the plot toward its ironic conclusion.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#61. Season 6, Episode 1 - Meet the Blacks

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 862
- Air date: Sept. 9, 2007

Hurricane Edna has left numerous families with no home and the Davids want to do their part. Enter the Blacks, an African American family that also happens to have the last name Black. Among them is the recurring character Loretta Black, played by Vivica A. Fox.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#60. Season 2, Episode 9 - The Baptism

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 913
- Air date: Nov. 18, 2001

Sticking uncharacteristically to one central storyline, this episode follows Larry and Cheryl to Monterey for a baptism and wedding. Everything from a screwed up voicemail message to missing plane tickets get in their way. Larry finally arrives just to ruin the baptism and thus widen the divide between Jews and Christians.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#59. Season 10, Episode 3 - Artificial Fruit

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 652
- Air date: Feb. 2, 2020

Larry continues his battle with Mocha Joe and the #MeToo era, chipping his tooth on artificial fruit along the way. On a much more petty front, he fights Lewis over who gets to pay for lunch. Laverne Cox guest stars and welcomes Larry to a Survivors United event, where things go from bad to worse.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#58. Season 9, Episode 7 - Namaste

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 727
- Air date: Nov. 12, 2017

It’s Larry versus...well...everyone yet again in this season nine episode. Opponents include an attractive yoga teacher, an unfair Uber driver, and his date’s autistic son. Tempers literally flare when Leon cranks the thermostat up to 92 degrees.

You may also like: How long it takes to binge 'The Office,' 'Game of Thrones,' and 50 other famous TV shows

Home Box Office (HBO)

#57. Season 4, Episode 8 - Wandering Bear

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 790
- Air date: Feb. 29, 2004

Native American plant expert Wandering Bear turns out to be an expert in more than just plants. That’s good news for Larry, who wore a condom inside out and accidentally numbed Cheryl’s private parts. In other sex-related news, Larry and Jeff buy a naughty video tape to disastrous results.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#56. Season 5, Episode 2 - The Bowtie

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 793
- Air date: Oct. 2, 2005

Furthering his politically incorrect adventures, Larry profiles a private detective (Mekhi Phifer) and adopts a racist dog. The dog also appears to hate lesbians. Mayim Bialik and Rosie O'Donnell guest star.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#55. Season 5, Episode 3 - The Christ Nail

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 815
- Air date: Oct. 9, 2005

This particularly absurd episode finds Larry bra-hunting for his maid and angering her husband in the process. Cheryl’s parents come to visit and bring a nail from “The Passion of the Christ” along with them. That nail turns out to be quite handy in more ways than one.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#54. Season 3, Episode 6 - The Special Section

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 865
- Air date: Oct. 20, 2002

Larry’s mother has passed away, but no one told him because they "didn't want to bother him." Ever the opportunist, he uses the tragedy as a way to get out of all kinds of social obligations. Martin Scorsese makes the first of two cameos.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#53. Season 7, Episode 1 - Funkhouser's Crazy Sister

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 875
- Air date: Sept. 20, 2009

Marty Funkhouser might be a little off-kilter, but he’s got nothing on his crazy sister Bam Bam (Catherine O'Hara). Ah well, Jeff is going to sleep with her anyway. Now, if only Larry can figure out a way to break up with Loretta before she gets the results of her biopsy.

You may also like: Can you answer these real 'Jeopardy!' questions about TV shows?

Home Box Office (HBO)

#52. Season 3, Episode 4 - The Nanny from Hell

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 879
- Air date: Oct. 6, 2002

“Saturday Night Live” alum Cheri Oteri stars as the nanny from hell, who turns violent at the drop of a hat. By the way, Richard Lewis claims to have invented that whole “___ from hell” phrase. He’s about to make it into “Bartlett's Familiar Quotations” until Larry gets in the way with some potentially illegal observations.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#51. Season 9, Episode 2 - The Pickle Gambit

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 942
- Air date: Oct. 8, 2017

With a fatwa hanging over his head, Larry decides to lay low in a swanky hotel. Doing the exact opposite of laying low, he argues with the hotel manager over baked goods and cookie tongs. In true screwball fashion, his pickle jar-opening skills come in to save the day.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#50. Season 5, Episode 10 - The End

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 947
- Air date: Dec. 4, 2005

Larry finally tracks down his birth parents (or so he thinks) to discover they’re...gasp...Christians! Feeling suddenly charitable, he agrees to give Lewis a kidney and flatlines as a result. Is this the end of Larry David?

Home Box Office (HBO)

#49. Season 1, Episode 5 - Interior Decorator

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 1,155
- Air date: Nov. 12, 2000

A muffled voicemail from Diane Keaton creates drama between Larry and his interior decorator. That’s nothing compared to his problems at the doctor’s office, where a sign-in policy becomes the bane of his very existence. It paves the way for a brutal hallway showdown of juvenile (but hilarious) proportions.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#48. Season 10, Episode 7 - The Ugly Section

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 197
- Air date: March 1, 2020

In another action-packed episode, Larry’s convinced that a local restaurant seats its patrons based on their attractiveness. He puts this theory to the test on a date with the widow (Jane Krakowski) of his recently deceased friend. Nick Kroll and Skyler Gisondo also guest star.

You may also like: Best 'Law & Order SVU' episodes

Home Box Office (HBO)

#47. Season 10, Episode 5 - Insufficient Praise

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 440
- Air date: Feb. 16, 2020

Actor Clive Owen grapples with insecurity after Larry dispenses with insufficient praise. It’s up to a professional cryer (Isla Fisher) to help Owen get his mojo back. Vince Vaughn debuts as Freddy Funkhouser and gives Larry the gift of a sex doll.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#46. Season 9, Episode 8 - Never Wait for Seconds!

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 712
- Air date: Nov. 19, 2017

As the theme of currying favor plays itself out in various ways, Larry finally frees himself of the fatwa. A tip-flipping handyman named Cesar refuses extra cash and takes a favor rain check instead. Larry’s girlfriend has a favor to ask of her own and he hopes she will provide some “gratitude sex” in return.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#45. Season 4, Episode 5 - The 5 Wood

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 817
- Air date: Feb. 1, 2004

Thanks to Larry’s dirty locker and his total disrespect for the dead, he and Cheryl are forced to switch country clubs. The only one they can find is run by WASPs, forcing Larry to conjure up his best impression of a Republican. Former “Friends” actor David Schwimmer signs on to be Larry’s co-star in “The Producers” and the relationship gets off to a nutty start.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#44. Season 7, Episode 3 - The Reunion

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 843
- Air date: Oct. 4, 2009

Despite previous disparagements, Larry goes all-in on the idea of a “Seinfeld” reunion. Perhaps it has something to do with giving Cheryl a lead role and reconciling their marriage. All four of the main “Seinfeld” actors appear, as do Meg Ryan and David Spade.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#43. Season 6, Episode 2 - The Anonymous Donor

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 856
- Air date: Sept. 16, 2007

Larry donates a wing at the museum, only to be upstaged by not-so-anonymous donor Ted Danson. Beloved character Leon Black (J.B. Smoove) appears for the first time and helps recover a lost Joe Pepitone jersey. Leon has been a series fixture and pop-culture icon ever since.

You may also like: 50 TV ads that made history

Home Box Office (HBO)

#42. Season 3, Episode 3 - Club Soda and Salt

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 872
- Air date: Sept. 29, 2002

Larry’s scrambling to find a new chef for his restaurant and learning some things along the way. For example, one can’t give a wedding gift after a full year has passed and club soda with salt will take care of any stain. When Cheryl spills some wine on her chest, her male tennis partner gives that whole club soda and salt thing a shot.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#41. Season 4, Episode 9 - The Survivor

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 880
- Air date: March 7, 2004

Larry has precious little time to make good on Cheryl’s hall pass and a Hasidic woman (Gina Gershon) might be his best bet. While renewing his vows with Cheryl, Larry angles for bachelorhood in the afterlife.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#40. Season 3, Episode 1 - Chet's Shirt

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 893
- Air date: Sept. 15, 2002

A friend is in mourning and Larry wants to know where he can get her dead husband’s shirt. To be fair, it is a pretty sweet shirt. Setting up the season three story arc, Larry, Jeff, Ted Danson, and Michael York invest in a fancy new restaurant.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#39. Season 2, Episode 4 - The Shrimp Incident

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 938
- Air date: Oct. 14, 2001

In the midst of vying for a deal with HBO, Larry accuses top executive Allan Wasserman of stealing shrimp from his takeout order. To which the executive replies, “You want shrimp? Take your $475 million, go buy a f***ing shrimp boat.” Among true fans of the show, this episode endures as an early classic.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#38. Season 9, Episode 10 - Fatwa!

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 711
- Air date: Dec. 3, 2017

Rehearsals for “Fatwa!” are progressing and so are the creative differences between Larry and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda thinks a particular scene isn’t working but Larry thinks a buxom sign-language translator is to blame. A paintball duel straight out of “Hamilton” puts everything to rest once and for all.

You may also like: Award-winning TV shows that ended in controversy

Home Box Office (HBO)

#37. Season 8, Episode 5 - Vow of Silence

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 713
- Air date: Aug. 7, 2011

Larry’s friend has taken a vow of silence and their exchange goes exactly as one might expect it to (i.e. poorly). On their way to deliver a dying dog its final meal of Pinkberry, Larry, and Jeff end up eating it themselves. To get out of a benefit for special needs children, Larry heads to New York for the remainder of season eight.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#35. Season 5, Episode 5 - Lewis Needs a Kidney (tie)

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 777
- Air date: Oct. 30, 2005

Lewis needs a kidney and Larry’s convinced that Jeff would definitely make for a better donor. Or perhaps Lewis’s sickly cousin can speed up that whole dying thing and then donate one of his kidneys like a true sport? Upon further consideration, Larry concludes: "I have to choose healthier friends."

Home Box Office (HBO)

#35. Season 8, Episode 9 - Mister Softee (tie)

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 777
- Air date: Sept. 4, 2011

Larry’s still in New York and being haunted by the sound of a Mister Softee truck, which reminds him of a childhood trauma. When Leon is denied access to an apartment building for racist reasons, he starts wearing glasses and sees everything change. Former baseball pro Bill Buckner finally redeems himself over a career-defining error.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#34. Season 5, Episode 7 - The Seder

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 790
- Air date: Nov. 13, 2005

"This is very bad for the bald community,” Larry proclaims after realizing that a local sex offender (played by Rob Corddry) is indeed bald. He invites the sex offender over for a Passover Seder anyway, to the chagrin of numerous guests. Larry might care if he wasn’t trying to figure out who stole his newspaper.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#33. Season 9, Episode 4 - Running with the Bulls

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 798
- Air date: Oct. 22, 2017

This erratic episode brings in actor Bryan Cranston, who previously starred as dentist Tim Whatley on “Seinfeld.” Playing a therapist, he and Larry square off over chairs and clocks and other things petty. Speaking of chairs, Larry can’t seem to score the right seat at funerals and restaurants alike.

You may also like: Best TV Show released the year you were born

Home Box Office (HBO)

#32. Season 6, Episode 6 - The Rat Dog

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 802
- Air date: Oct. 14, 2007

Larry and Leon unwittingly swap phones and that’s bad news for pretty much everyone, including the deaf. To make matters exponentially worse, Larry’s exterminator tramples a small dog. Tim Meadows guest stars.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#31. Season 3, Episode 7 - The Corpse-Sniffing Dog

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 845
- Air date: Oct. 27, 2002

Sammi Greene is forced to choose between a corpse-sniffing dog and her father (Jeff) and she chooses the dog. Putting that nose to work, the dog hones in on a section of Larry’s new restaurant. Delays emerge and so too does a mysterious bra.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#30. Season 9, Episode 3 - A Disturbance in the Kitchen

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 868
- Air date: Oct. 15, 2017

Two choice words change Larry’s entire perspective on the whole death threat ordeal: “fatwa sex.” They’re issued by author Salman Rushdie, who definitely knows a thing or two about the subject. Exploiting his newfound allure, Larry picks up actor Elizabeth Banks and gets more than he bargained for.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#29. Season 2, Episode 2 - Thor

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 993
- Air date: Sept. 30, 2001

Larry and Jason Alexander have a terrific idea for a new TV show, but can’t seem to agree on anything else. That’s nothing compared to Larry’s tense showdown with pro wrestler Thor Olson. Having just split from Susie, Jeff is called in for a big favor.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#28. Season 10, Episode 4 - You're Not Going to Get Me to Say Anything Bad About Mickey

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 606
- Air date: Feb. 9, 2020

In this rare vacation-themed episode, Larry and his date take off for a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The subsequent comedy of errors involves the desperate search for a toothbrush, stolen coffee beans, room comparisons, weight calculations, and various other grievances. An uncredited Timothy Olyphant stars as the groom, Mickey.

You may also like: Ranking the best 'MASH' episodes of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#27. Season 8, Episode 6 - The Hero

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 721
- Air date: August 14, 2011

Comedy legends Ricky Gervais and Larry David are in New York and the city isn’t big enough for the both of them. They squabble over feats of generosity while vying for the attention of a younger woman (Samantha Mathis). Who will emerge the true hero in this battle of wits and witlessness?

Home Box Office (HBO)

#26. Season 6, Episode 5 - The Freak Book

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 835
- Air date: Oct. 7, 2007

Calling upon his (fictional) former days as a limo driver, Larry gets behind the wheel and plays chauffeur to retired tennis star John McEnroe. What begins as a somewhat tedious relationship finds common ground in a book called “Mondo Freaks.” Paul McCartney’s ex-wife Heather Mills isn’t exactly the book’s biggest fan.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#25. Season 6, Episode 3 - The Ida Funkhouser Roadside Memorial

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 856
- Air date: Sept. 23, 2007

Larry openly takes issue with “sample abusers,” meaning people who request too many free samples at the ice cream parlor. Unfortunately, this particular “sample abuser” is a headmistress from whom he needs a favor. Marty Funkhouser loses his mother and insists he’s an orphan before handing Larry a sweaty $50 bill.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#24. Season 4, Episode 7 - The Surrogate

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 868
- Air date: Feb. 22, 2004

Mistaking a Black person for a valet is just one of many awkward moments in this racially charged episode. At the heart of the plot is a surrogate mother, who changes her mind after speaking with Larry. Forced to wear a heart monitor, Larry discovers the perfect exit plan from hostile situations.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#23. Season 1, Episode 10 - The Group

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 1,136
- Air date: Dec. 17, 2000

Cheryl lands a part in “The Vagina Monologues” while Larry gives a monologue of his own, making up a horrible story of abuse. He later admits to fantasizing about an old girlfriend named Lucy, played by former “Seinfeld” guest star Melanie Smith. File this one under episodes that probably couldn’t get made today and not even by Larry David.

You may also like: The 100 best TV shows of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#22. Season 1, Episode 8 - Beloved Aunt

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 1,185
- Air date: Dec. 3, 2000

A minor typo results in one the show’s funniest bits, concerning a recently deceased and dearly beloved aunt. Larry takes the blame and it’s only the start of his many problems. Comedic actor Kaitlin Olson makes her first appearance as Cheryl’s sister Becky.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#21. Season 9, Episode 1 - Foisted!

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 1,320
- Air date: Oct. 1, 2017

Larry’s inept new assistant (Carrie Brownstein) has been “foisted” upon him by Jimmy Kimmel, and now it’s his turn to foist her upon someone else. Susie should do just fine. In much bigger news, the Ayatollah issues a fatwa against Larry over his upcoming play.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#20. Season 7, Episode 7 - The Black Swan

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 853
- Air date: Nov. 1, 2009

Departing from the “Seinfeld” reunion story arc, this iconic episode unravels like a paranoid crime thriller...Larry David-style. After he accidentally murders a country club mascot, Larry and his gang of cohorts try to cover their tracks. But who can be trusted?

Home Box Office (HBO)

#19. Season 6, Episode 8 - The N Word

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 873
- Air date: Oct. 28, 2007

When visiting his new girlfriend at work, Larry overhears a racist using the N-word. He tells the story and repeats the word—and there happens to be a Black person close by. Consequence of Sound ranked it as one of the most cringe-worthy moments in the show’s history and they’re not wrong.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#18. Season 7, Episode 2 - Vehicular Fellatio

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 908
- Air date: Sept. 27, 2009

Loretta Black has been diagnosed with cancer and that’s really tough on Larry because he wants to break up with her. To help ease the guilt, he concocts a plan that will get her to break up with him. 

You may also like: 25 of the most expensive TV series of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#17. Season 2, Episode 8 - Shaq

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 1,023
- Air date: Nov. 11, 2001

It’s a blessing in disguise when Larry injures Shaq and becomes a social pariah. At long last, his friends stop asking him for favors and Cheryl’s parents finally leave the house. For those wondering: Shaq’s favorite episode of “Seinfeld” is “The Contest.”

Home Box Office (HBO)

#16. Season 8, Episode 10 - Larry vs. Michael J. Fox

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Votes: 912
- Air date: Sept. 11, 2011

Larry’s convinced that Michael J. Fox is harassing him and then using Parkinson’s disease as a cover. The ongoing drama gets Larry kicked out of New York City by Mayor Bloomberg himself. 

Home Box Office (HBO)

#15. Season 2, Episode 3 - Trick or Treat

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Votes: 1,093
- Air date: Oct. 7, 2001

It’s the gospel of Halloween according to Larry, who refuses to give two teenage girls some candy. As he soon learns the hard way: “No treat? Trick.” He also shares some outspoken opinions on hate crimes and the bald community.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#14. Season 4, Episode 10 - Opening Night

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Votes: 1,159
- Air date: March 14, 2004

Season four concluded with a special hour-long episode, during which Larry saves his play from going down in flames. That’s bad news for Mel Brooks, who was banking on a bomb a la “The Producers.” Stage and screen veterans Anne Bancroft and Nathan Lane both appear.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#13. Season 6, Episode 9 - The Therapists

- IMDb user rating: 9.0
- Votes: 895
- Air date: Nov. 4, 2007

Larry’s still trying to win back Cheryl and he just might have the world’s most imperfect plan. It involves getting his therapist (Steve Coogan) to rob Cheryl’s therapist so that he can swoop in and save the day, looking like a hero. Ridiculous perhaps, but it almost works.

You may also like: 30 best nature documentaries of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#12. Season 7, Episode 5 - Denise Handicapped

- IMDb user rating: 9.0
- Votes: 1,029
- Air date: Oct. 18, 2009

Larry is nothing if not an equal-opportunity offender, as proven by this classic episode. It finds him reaping the many benefits of dating a handicapped woman. When that woman fails to show for an important event, he scrambles to find a similarly handicapped replacement.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#11. Season 3, Episode 8 - Krazee-Eyez Killa

- IMDb user rating: 9.0
- Votes: 1,179
- Air date: Nov. 3, 2002

Wanda’s new fiancé is a gangster rapper named Krazee-Eyez Killa (Chris Williams) and he’s all about the ladies. Catching wind or Killa’s philandering ways, Larry tells Cheryl (who tells Wanda) and then fears for his life. For those who have never seen the show, this episode makes for a compelling entry point.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#10. Season 7, Episode 9 - The Table Read

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- Votes: 959
- Air date: Nov. 15, 2009

Viewers go behind-the-scenes to see just how the “Seinfeld” reunion will come together. Larry would find it easier to focus if Jason Alexander took that pen out of his ear and stopped flirting with Cheryl. After getting betrayed by Leon, Michael Richards almost resurrects a controversial incident from his own past.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#9. Season 6, Episode 10 - The Bat Mitzvah

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- Votes: 1,007
- Air date: Nov. 11, 2007

Here’s a question one should never ask her employer in front of others: “Larry, do you still have that tickle in your anus?” It builds up to a vicious gerbil rumor, which Larry tries to refute at Sammi’s Bat Mitzvah. Loretta Black is cool with it, apparently.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#8. Season 3, Episode 10 - The Grand Opening

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- Votes: 1,132
- Air date: Nov. 17, 2002

When he discovers that his head chef was pretending to be bald and proud, Larry creates yet one more setback for his restaurant. The opening is just two days away and L.A.’s most fiery critic will be attending. Disaster seems inevitable until Larry breaks some thumbs and then saves the day by shouting expletives.

You may also like: Best 'Simpsons' episodes of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#7. Season 4, Episode 6 - The Car Pool Lane

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- Votes: 1,154
- Air date: Feb. 8, 2004

Running late to a Dodgers game, Larry picks up a prostitute in order to use the carpool lane. That’s not before he makes a shady drug deal on behalf of his ailing father (Shelley Berman). Footage from this classic episode helped save a wrongly convicted man from going to prison.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#6. Season 9, Episode 6 - The Accidental Text on Purpose

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- Votes: 1,026
- Air date: Nov. 5, 2017

Larry’s obnoxious behavior and “accidental erections” are turning off his friend’s significant others, prompting ultimatums. Without Larry in their lives, who’s going to give Lewis and Funkhouser expert dating advice? His idea for the accidental text on purpose is pure genius.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#5. Season 5, Episode 8 - The Ski Lift

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- Votes: 1,085
- Air date: Nov. 20, 2005

Hoping to woo the head of a kidney consortium, Larry goes full Orthodox Jew in this uproarious episode. The plan seems to be working until a fateful ski trip, during which Larry and the man’s daughter get stuck on a lift past sundown. As per strict Jewish law, one of them is going to have to jump.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#4. Season 7, Episode 10 - Seinfeld

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- Votes: 1,118
- Air date: Nov. 22, 2009

Over a decade after “Seinfeld” concluded, Larry finally makes up for that underwhelming finale. Featuring alter-ego George Costanza and the rest of the old gang, the sitcom picks things up without losing a beat. Larry and Cheryl seem poised for a reunion of their own until he discovers her disrespect for wood.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#3. Season 8, Episode 3 - Palestinian Chicken

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- Votes: 1,324
- Air date: July 24, 2011

Larry crosses the cultural divide in pursuit of delicious chicken and good sex. A social assassin for hire, he fails to complete two separate but equally stupid missions. More than absolute comedy gold, this might very well be the most iconic episode of all time.

You may also like: 100 best 'Seinfeld' episodes of all time

Home Box Office (HBO)

#2. Season 10, Episode 1 - Happy New Year

- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- Votes: 1,356
- Air date: Jan. 19, 2020

With the snap of a selfie stick, Larry’s back in action for the 10th season. Always looking to get out of social obligations, he discovers the wonders of wearing a MAGA hat. He also plans to drive Mocha Joe out of business by opening a café next door.

Home Box Office (HBO)

#1. Season 2, Episode 7 - The Doll

- IMDb user rating: 9.4
- Votes: 1,512
- Air date: Nov. 4, 2001

Larry’s knack for interweaving multiple plotlines hit a brilliant apex with this early episode, which won director Robert B. Weide an Emmy. ABC greenlights a pitch from Larry and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and all Larry has to do is not blow it. Enter a broken bathroom lock, a doll’s haircut, and a poorly hidden water bottle.

Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. Frankly and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@franklymedia.com