When CBS offered Shandling its own 12:35 a.m. time slot shortly after , the comic realized he was n’t someone that wanted — or need — to be on TVevery night . rather , Shandling co - createdThe Larry Sanders Showwith Dennis Klein , an HBO series that dextrously parodied former nighttime talk display . Here are 15 things you might not know about the groundbreaking series , which debut 25 years ago .
1. GARRY SHANDLING GOT THE IDEA FORLARRY SANDERSFROM HIS PREVIOUS SHOW.
Concurrently with his Edgar Albert Guest hosting ofThe Tonight Show , Shandling starred in Showtime’sIt ’s Garry Shandling ’s Showfrom 1986 to 1990 , where the comedian played himself , often address both the studio audience and the tv camera directly . In an instalment where Garry was a node on a morning lecture show ( “ Take My Girlfriend , for Example ” ) , he realized that there could be a whole other show told from the television personality’spoint of view .
2. JEFFREY TAMBOR MADE A DESPERATE MOVE TO GET THE ROLE OF HANK KINGSLEY.
After sustain what he felt was a good audition , Jeffrey Tambor plant himself uncharacteristically calling Shandling hours later , saying that he really need to play his sidekick . Shandling told him that calling after an auditory modality isexactly somethingHank Kingsley would do .
3. ALBERT BROOKS’SDEFENDING YOUR LIFEGOT RIP TORN THE ROLE OF ARTIE.
Executive producer Peter Tolan call back lawyer Bob Diamond , the theatrical role deplume played inDefending Your Life , wassimilarto what they were looking for with Larry Sanders ’ manufacturer character , Artie . When Torn and Shandling first forgather , Torn would n’t understand the script until the two firsthad someidle chatter .
4. THE “HEY NOW” EPISODE WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST EPISODE WRITTEN AND PRODUCED.
WhenThe Larry Sanders Showwas on Netflix , “ Hey Now ” was correctly listed first . But when it to begin with aired on HBO , it was the last episode shown in thefirst season . Shandling credited Dennis Klein as the person who came up with Hank Kingsley’sclassic Ed McMahon - doctrine .
5. THE CINEMATOGRAPHER SHOT ON ROLLER SKATES.
The talk of the town show - within - the - show fit were scoot on four video cameras , and shown once a calendar month to astudio audience . The scenes outside of the talking show were shoot on film with three cameras in operation at once , with cinematographer Peter Smoklerbackpedalingon roller skate to shoot the walk - and - talks up and down the studio hallways .
6. THE ACTORS GOT TIRED OF CLEANING UP THEIR LANGUAGE.
Up until the halfway detail of season two , actors would record a second take of ruined scenes without cursing , so someday it could be shown in non - cable syndication . But they eventuallygrew tiredof the redundant piece of work , leading to mussy edits down the assembly line when it was transmit on IFC and Bravo .
7. EDDIE MURPHY WAS THE FIRST CHOICE TO PLAY THE GUEST ON HANK KINGSLEY’S HOSTING EPISODE.
The part in “ Hank ’s Night In The Sun ” end up being fill byCheersstarGeorge Wendt .
8. JEREMY PIVEN LEFT THE SHOW TO STAR INP.C.U.
Jeremy Piven , who played Sanders ' head author Jerry , was write off the show in the former time of year two episode “ Larry ’s natal day . ” Piven receivedShandling ’s blessingto result . When his motion picture career did n’t get off the primer coat , he co - star on the sitcomEllen .
9. JANEANE GAROFALO LEFTLARRY SANDERSTO JOINSNL.
Mary Lou Collins ( play by Mary Lynn Rajskub ) was promoted to the role of booking agent when Janeane Garofalo ’s Paula character was written off the show . Garofalo survive less than one season onSNL , and later admit that sheregrettedleavingLarry Sanders .
10. DAVID DUCHOVNY’S ATTRACTION TO LARRY WAS DUCHOVNY’S IDEA.
TheX - Filesstar pitched the idea of his being sexually attracted to Sanders while the two wereplaying basketball .
11. SHANDLING WROTE THE JOKES MAKING FUN OF HIMSELF.
In the serial finale , “ Flip , ” Sean Penn rips on Garry Shandling to Larry Sanders — which is the only meter Shandling is ever reference in the series . ( Penn and Shandling had just run together on the film translation ofHurlyburly.)ShandlingtoldThe New York Timesthat he is the one who write the joke about himself , as '' Nobody can write practiced jokes cast me down than me … I have sex how to put down myself . "
12. DAVID LETTERMAN THOUGHT IT WAS VERY REALISTIC.
Letterman once told Shandling , “ This show is like every daytime of my life . ”
13. JOHNNY CARSON WAS SHANDLING’S DREAM GUEST.
While Shandlingwasn’t ableto make a Carson cameo happen , he was told that Carsonwas a fanofThe Larry Sanders Show .
14. BEFORE AGREEING TO PLAY BRIAN, SCOTT THOMPSON MADE SHANDLING AGREE TO THREE CONDITIONS.
TheKids in the Hallstar said he wanted Hank Kingsley ’s new assistantto actually like his boss(unlike everyone else ) , to not be aureate in his homoeroticism , and to be Canadian .
15. IT FEATURED JUDD APATOW’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT.
Judd Apatow was a author and producer onThe Larry Sanders Showwhen he directed the episode “ Putting the ‘ Gay ’ Back in Litigation . ”
