Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are diving into the world of sketch comedy, and have teamed up with one of the biggest names in comedy.
But critics are already pouncing, saying the Obama’s new TV venture could be a total flop.
As first reported by Variety, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator and star Larry David has re-teamed with the premium cabler on a sketch comedy limited series about American history.
Larry David and President Barack Obama are making a sketch comedy for HBO.
The network has ordered the series, which will focus on American history, and will feature cast members of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.'
The logline: President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th… pic.twitter.com/vFZDo96JZd
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 10, 2025
David is writing the series with Jeff Schaffer, who was the showrunner, executive producer, and frequent director on “Curb.”
David will also star in the six-episode series, which will be produced by Barack and Michelle Obama under their Higher Ground Productions banner along with Vinnie Malhotra and Ethan Lewis.
“I’ve sat across the table from some of the world’s most difficult leaders and wrestled with some of our most intractable problems. Nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David,” Obama said.
This marks David’s latest return to HBO. Viewed as one of the most groundbreaking shows of all time, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” originally aired for eight seasons at the network between 2000 and 2011. It then returned for a ninth season in 2017, a tenth in 2020, an eleventh in 2021, and what was billed as the twelfth and final season in 2024.
David, an avid critic of President Donald Trump, co-stared on “Curb” with Cheryl Hines, who is the wife of Trump’s cabinet member Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
David has been vocal about political issues and recently had a meltdown over Bill Maher having dinner with Trump, penning an op-ed for The New York Times, repeating a tired claim Trump was literally Hitler.
As for the anticipation of the new show, the initial reviews are less than stellar.
Critics flocked to social media mainly with negative reactions to the news of David and the Obamas teaming up.
“It sounds like it’s gonna be one big lecture. I hope I’m wrong,” one account predicted.
“Played out. Preaching to the choir. We don’t need more lectures from Hollywood,” another wrote.
“This is going to be so awful,” a third commenter on X predicted.
“Get ready for the most unfunny experience of your life,” another replied.
“Trash propaganda I’m sure,” said another, while someone else just wrote, “Yikes.”
Higher Ground has set up a number of scripted TV projects in recent months outside of the HBO sketch series. Those include the Netflix shows “The Altruists,” about cryptocurrency exchange FTX, and a series version of the novel “All the Sinners Bleed.”
The company is currently under a non-exclusive first-look deal with Netflix.
The sketch series will feature a mix of some “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actors and other guest stars, with exact casting details to be announced at a later date, according to Variety.