Barack Obama will appear opposite Larry David in a new HBO sketch series that reimagines moments from U. S. history. The series, titled Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America, is set to premiere on June 26 and runs seven episodes designed to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.
Larry David and Barack Obama Team Up
The former president will not only cameo on screen but is also involved behind the scenes: his production company Higher Ground is listed as a producer on the project. The collaboration surfaced during a SXSW panel where creators discussed the working dynamic in the writers’ room. The panel included an anecdote about Obama offering a note on a sketch and Larry David pushing back, quipping, “I’m president here. ” Panelists also recalled lighthearted ribbing between the two, with Obama teasing David about his golf game and sunscreen use.
What the Series Will Look Like
The seven-episode sketch show is built around satirizing U. S. history in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Creators described the approach as improvisation-driven, with sketches assembled from loose outlines rather than tightly scripted pages—summed up by one participant as “Curb” in costume. A preview clip shown at SXSW illustrated the series’ tone by placing David in the famous V-J Day in Times Square moment; another description of the clip noted David portraying a bit of a sexual predator in that reenactment. The program aims for historical absurdity and awkward comic beats with David typically at the center.
Cast, Format and Release
The series will feature roughly four sketches per episode with a rotating ensemble that mixes David regulars and high-profile guest stars. Returning collaborators named for the project include Jeff Garlin, J. B. Smoove, and Susie Essman, the latter slated to portray Susan B. Anthony. Additional cameos will cast well-known performers in historical roles, with Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn set to play Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Jon Hamm and Sean Hayes appearing as the Wright brothers. Other guest contributors named include Lin-Manuel Miranda among a longer list of actors and comedians. Jeff Schaffer, a longtime collaborator with David, directs and serves as showrunner.
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America premieres June 26. The creators presented the series at SXSW as a mix of improvised comedy and historical satire, positioning Larry David’s trademark curmudgeonly presence at the center of its reworked national moments.
