How Larry and Cheryl's Divorce Rescued Curb Your Enthusiasm

HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm was in a rut until season 6, when Larry and Cheryl's divorce breathed new life into the show. Curb Your Enthusiasm follows a fictionalized version of Seinfeld creator Larry David, whose unconventional behavior leads to some terrible situations and misunderstandings. In the first six seasons, Larry's irritating personality takes a toll on his exasperated wife Cheryl, who serves as a counterpoint to his stubborn outlook on life. However, in episode 7 of season 6, "The TiVo Guy," Cheryl reaches her breaking point. While Cheryl is caught in a storm on her plane back to LA, she calls Larry seeking comfort and affection. Unfortunately, Larry is too focused on making the TiVo technician comfortable before abruptly hanging up on her. Feeling disappointed and hurt, Cheryl decides to leave Larry, leading to their eventual divorce. Although Cheryl Hines excels in her role as Larry's long-suffering wife, the divorce unintentionally revitalizes the show's storyline. Prior to season 6, Curb Your Enthusiasm was becoming repetitive, with Larry constantly offending Cheryl and then apologizing. However, their separation injects new energy and direction into the series.

Why Larry & Cheryl's Marriage Had to End

Larry's marriage to Cheryl hindered the narrative options in Curb Your Enthusiasm, restricting his control over his eccentric life. Despite Cheryl being the most relatable character, their relationship became repetitive as Cheryl continually berated Larry, only for their relationship to reset each season. However, when Cheryl leaves Larry in season 6, this problem is resolved, allowing Larry to delve into uncomfortable and refreshing situations as he tries to revive his dating life.

Cheryl's divorce from Larry not only solves this issue but also opens the door for the introduction of new dysfunctional support systems in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Leon Black, portrayed by J.B. Smoove, exemplifies this and has become one of the show's most adored characters. Unlike Cheryl, who acted as a counterpoint to Larry's trivial complaints, Leon encourages Larry's eccentric ideas and outlook on life, resulting in a hilarious odd-couple dynamic that has flourished since Leon's introduction in season 6 of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Were Larry & Cheryl Married in Real Life?

David and Cheryl Hines were never married, despite the fact that many characters on Curb Your Enthusiasm are based on real people. However, it is possible that the Larry-Cheryl split in the show was inspired by real-life events. In 2007, before the airing of Curb Your Enthusiasm season 6, Larry David went through a divorce with his then-wife Laurie Lennard. This may have influenced the storyline of the season. Similarly, Cheryl Hines divorced her first husband, Paul Young, in 2010. She has since remarried Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while Larry David is currently married to Ashley Underwood.

What Larry's Real Ex-Wife Is Up To

After divorcing Larry David, Laurie David, his former spouse, has continued her activism work. They collaborated on multiple projects that aimed to make a positive impact on the environment, particularly in the battle against climate change (via The Things). In recognition of her activism, Laurie David was honored with Bette Midler's Green Goddess Award in 2019. She has also authored three books, with her latest publication titled Imagine It! A Handbook for a Happier Planet, which she co-wrote with Heather Reisman. Her previous works include the cookbooks The Family Cooks: 100+ Recipes to Get Your Family Craving Food That's Simple, Tasty, and Incredibly Good for You, and The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids One Meal at a Time. Notably, Laurie David has chosen to distance herself from Curb Your Enthusiasm, perhaps unsurprisingly, given her focus on activism.