An Unnecessary Deep Dive Into History
Susie Essman’s preparation for her latest role with Larry David hit a wall of comedic reality. Despite pouring over historical research—including watching Ken Burns’ documentary—to play Susan B. Anthony, Essman found her academic rigor hit a dead end on set.
"I did a lot of research on Susan B. Anthony before I did the part. Just for my own edification," Essman said during a conversation on CBS Sunday Morning. "And she was a really interesting woman. And none of that served me any purpose in doing the scene."
The Reality of the Collaborative Process
David, confirming the comedic reality of the production, agreed with her assessment. The project, The Larry David Story, is a two-part HBO documentary exploring the comedian’s life and career. It relies on scripted vignettes rather than earnest historical reenactments. Essman clarified the performance was simply "Susie Greene playing Susan B. Anthony," rather than an actor attempting to disappear into a biography.
Decoding the "Show Larry" Persona
The collaboration highlights the persistent blur between the man and his onscreen character. Essman noted that fans frequently ask if David is as difficult or neurotic in person as he is on television.
"You know how we always say this show Larry and there’s real Larry?" Essman asked. "And show Larry is the Larry that people see. And they assume that that’s you."
A Comedic Retrospective
The documentary serves as a career retrospective, spanning David’s work from Fridays and Seinfeld to Curb Your Enthusiasm. To frame this narrative, the project features David stepping into several historical roles alongside other notable comedians:
- Larry David as explorer Meriwether Lewis.
- Jerry Seinfeld appearing as William Clark.
- Bill Hader portraying a bearded Abraham Lincoln.
By blending documentary footage with these heightened comedic segments, the project maintains the irreverent tone consistent with David’s previous work.
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