8.9
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Larry Sanders Show (1992)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Viewer Rating
Rating: 8.9
Overview
Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Bias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Trans: Negative
Christianity: Positive
Judaism: Positive
Overview
Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
The show's primary focus is a nuanced, often cynical, and humanistic satire of the entertainment industry and the psychology of fame, rather than promoting a specific political ideology or offering partisan solutions to societal problems.
The series features visible diversity within its cast, typical of a 1990s Hollywood setting, without explicit DEI-driven recasting. Its narrative satirizes the entertainment industry and the foibles of its characters, but does not explicitly critique traditional identities in a DEI context.
Secondary
The Larry Sanders Show included LGBTQ+ characters in a largely incidental manner. While not overtly negative, the narrative often focused on the reactions and discomfort of straight characters rather than deeply exploring or affirming queer identities. The portrayals were present but not central, resulting in a neutral overall impact.
The show features a transsexual character, Darlene, who dates Hank Kingsley. Upon discovering her identity, Hank reacts with shock and discomfort, leading to their breakup. The portrayal is negative, as the show uses Hank's prejudiced reaction as a source of comedy without offering a clear critique or counter-narrative, thereby normalizing transphobia.
When Christianity appears, often through celebrity guests or character references, the show's satire targets the superficiality, hypocrisy, or commercialization of faith by individuals within the entertainment industry. The critique is directed at the performance of faith or individual flaws, rather than the inherent tenets or dignity of Christianity itself.
Larry Sanders' Jewish heritage is portrayed as an authentic and integral part of his character's identity, often explored through self-deprecating humor and cultural references. The show treats this aspect with nuance and personal connection, without satirizing the religion itself.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Larry Sanders Show is an original sitcom, not an adaptation or reboot of pre-existing material. All characters were created for this series, meaning there are no prior canonical or historical versions from which their gender could have been swapped.
The Larry Sanders Show is an original series featuring fictional characters created for the show. There is no prior source material, historical figures, or previous installments from which characters' races could have been established and subsequently changed.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
8.5
7.7
Critic Ratings
10.0
9.5
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