Larry David Grilled on Woody Allen

Even Kenneth Branaugh …
I know that’s a trap to fall into, cause others have done it. I am saying his words, but at no point am I doing him … though, for that matter, you can say that everybody’s doing him, because they’re all his words.

What about Woody's directing style? Did you get nervous when he didn’t comment after takes?
No, no I didn’t. When there was something that wasn’t to his liking or to his tastes, he would certainly point it out to me, but it was in a very easygoing way. I suppose the worse you are, the more he’ll tell you. But if you’re that bad, he’ll replace you.

The story is you quit “Saturday Night Live” when you were a writer there, then came back two days later as if nothing ever happened.
I came back. This movie is the only enterprise that I’ve ever been involved in that I haven’t quit. 

Why did you go back?
I just thought it was a good idea. Yes, they gave me a few looks, but then we had a meeting and the producer never said a word to me.

They just let it go?
I came back like nothing ever happened.

And of course you did an episode of “Seinfeld” where George does the same thing. How much of George is based on you?
Oh, I don’t know.  It’s certainly a big part of me, his shortcomings as well.

You take notes from real life and use them on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Can you give an example?
Things might just catch my eye or strike me a certain way. “Do I have to thank that woman? She didn’t pay for the meal … Her husband paid, why am I thanking her?’ You know, just things like that.
 
It’s going into its seventh season. How long before this thing runs out of gas?
We’ll see what happens. I’ll stop when I feel like that moment has arrived, but so far so good. If a network keeps picking you up and you keep doing good shows, it could probably go on for a while.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Any plans?
I’m going to be a concert pianist.
 

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