'Seen and Unseen': Larry David ‘embarrassed’ to be American
Raymond Arroyo and Laura Ingraham discuss recent comments by Larry David, Barack Obama, and Taylor Sheridan regarding American patriotism and political division. The hosts critique entertainers for disparaging the nation while enjoying its benefits, contrasting their remarks with a national celebratory atmosphere. They emphasize unity and national pride over divisive political rhetoric during the America 250 event.
Comedian Larry David was reportedly reluctant to take orders from former President Barack Obama as the pair were filming their new HBO series — marking perhaps the first time the leader of the free world was critiqued on his comedic timing.
Speaking with Variety, the director of "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," a new HBO series from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, detailed how the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator found himself butting heads with the former commander in chief.
"[Obama] gave a few notes about something, and Larry went, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, we got it," Jeff Schaffer told the outlet.
According to Schaffer, Obama retorted with a callback to his time in the White House.
BARACK OBAMA, LARRY DAVID PARTNER FOR NEW HBO HISTORICALLY BASED SKETCH COMEDY SERIES
Larry David attends the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of the HBO original series "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness" at the Hollywood Legion Theater on June 23, 2026. (Araya Doheny/Getty Images for HBO)
"I spent half an hour talking about how funny everything is. I give you one note, and you get into a defensive crouch," Obama reportedly told David, adding, "When I was in the Oval Office, I took advice and listened to my advisers, and I was the president of the United States."
David, in his comedic fashion, reportedly gave a lighthearted response, saying, "Yeah, but I’m the president of this."
Schaffer also reportedly joked about the possibility of Obama invoking his executive power while on set of the show.
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Former President Barack Obama visits Learning Through Play Pre-K in the Bronx borough of New York City on April 18, 2026. (Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)
"Using a presidential veto to get more money would have been amazing," Schaffer told Variety. "I wish I’d thought of that. ‘The president needs an extra three days of shooting. He demands it.’ We should have done that."
Fox News Digital reached out to Obama and HBO for comment regarding the series.
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Jeff Schaffer and Larry David attend the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of the HBO original series "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness" at the Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 23, 2026. (Araya Doheny/Getty Images for HBO)
"Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness" is billed as a sketch comedy miniseries that celebrates the country’s 250th birthday by poking fun at events throughout United States history.
Starring David, several high profile actors and political leaders — such as Obama, Lin Manuel Miranda and John Hamm — make rotating appearances throughout the series.
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Both David and the former president have maintained a longstanding friendship leading up to the show’s release, with Obama poking fun at the 78-year-old comic in a promotional video for the series.
"[I’ve] sat across the table from some of the world’s most difficult leaders and wrestled with some of the globe’s most intractable problems," Obama said, adding, "nothing has prepared me for working with Larry David."
