• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, March 18, 2026

Larry David’s new, upcoming comedy series now has a June premiere date and a promo on YouTube.

The premiere date is Friday, June 26, eight days before the nation marks its 250th birthday on July Fourth, said an announcement from HBO/HBO Max.

The show -- titled “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” -- is timed to coincide with this summer’s celebration. 

Plans call for one new episode of the seven-episode limited series to premiere weekly on both HBO and HBO Max leading up to the finale on August 7.

The show is being produced in partnership with Higher Ground Media, which is the production company of Barack and Michelle Obama. 

The series is written by David and Jeff Schaffer, both of whom are executive producers along with the former President and First Lady.

The title of the show is not unlike the title of David’s last series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” True enthusiasm is elusive or even nonexistent, says that title. Better to curb it.

In the title of the new show, the phrase “the pursuit of unhappiness” sets the tone in much the same way. 

Instead of the prospect of achieving happiness under the philosophy outlined in the Declaration of Independence, Larry David, 78 -- the character, if not the real person -- is more of a pursuer of unhappiness.

The Declaration positions the pursuit of happiness as an inalienable right whose truth is self-evident. 

But, since this is a free country, Larry David is free to pursue unhappiness if that is what he wants to do.

“President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion. But then Larry David called,” says a description of the show provided by HBO.

In the promo clip (above) for “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness,” Larry is seen dressed in the manner of a senior in 1945 in Times Square on the day Japan surrendered to end World War II.

True to form, even on the glorious occasion of V-J Day, Larry finds a way to run afoul of a nurse, three United States Navy sailors and various other bystanders.

The logline, or description, of the show hinted that the Obamas may possibly be in the show. But there was sign of them in the brief promo clip.

“In addition to David, the series will feature select ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ actors and noteworthy guest stars,” HBO said.