Opening Night (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Opening Night is the fourth season finale of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. It originally aired on March 14, 2004 and was directed by Robert B. Weide, based on a story idea by Larry David.

Plot Synopsis

Ready to appear on Broadway as Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks's musical, The Producers, Larry flies to New York with co-stars David Schwimmer and Cady Huffman. At the airport, Jeff lies and tells Cady that Larry has OCD (a condition from which she suffers) and the two begin to mysteriously bond. Later, at the hotel, Larry finds he's tipping way too much, while Jeff attempts to set him up on a date so he can use his 10th anniversary gift from Cheryl (Larry is allowed to have sex with another woman for one night). Meanwhile, David Schwimmer spends the night partying and loses his watch. The next morning, Larry finds it, loses it again, and the two argue over who's responsible and who's going to pay for the replacement. This creates tension between the two - something that can't carry over onto the stage.

As opening night comes, Larry is romanced by Cady Huffman just hours before the show. When it seems Larry is going to use his anniversary gift, he notices a picture of George W. Bush on Huffman's dressing table and refuses to go through with it. Jeff mocks Larry as he changes into his Bialystock costume. In the lobby of the theatre, Larry is summoned by his cousin who cannot get his tickets, and Larry is amazed to see a repairman from the hotel wearing Schwimmer's watch. After making a huge fuss and wrestling for the watch, Larry returns it to Schwimmer just moments before the show - the two finally make peace and wish each other luck.

The show begins and things are going perfectly - but Mel Brooks, for some reason, isn't impressed. As Act One follows through smoothly, Larry is giving the performance 110% - until he forgets his line, "You were saying, a producer could make more money with a flop, than with a hit." Suddenly, he loses it, and resorts to ad-libbing which causes half the audience to make for the door, sighing and mumbling words of disgust. Mel Brooks suddenly turns and leaves the theatre. Then, Larry begins to perform in a stand-up manner. Those who got up return to their seats, finding Larry's jokes about his cousin humorous.

In a nearby bar, Mel Brooks and his wife praise the failure of their show - they only hired Larry David in the first place because they wanted The Producers to flop (this mimics the actual Broadway show itself). Meanwhile, Larry has the audience in stitches, and, suddenly, he remembers his line. Mel returns for Act Two, where the show has blown everybody away. Larry and Schwimmer break into the final number, "Leo and Max", and the curtain comes down. The audience stand and break into a huge applause as the cast come out to take their final bows - the show is a mega success. The episode ends with Larry grinning at his wife, "One hour left", referring to how long he has until his anniversary gift expires.

Trivia

The couple that arrives at David Schwimmer's hotel room party are played by Curb editor and co producer Jon Corn and Megan Murphy.