Mel's Offer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Curb Your Enthusiasm episode | |
|---|---|
| “Mel's Offer” | |
 |
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| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 31 |
| Guest star(s) | Mel Brooks (Himself); Antoinette Spolar (Antoinette); Ben Stiller (Himself); Christine Taylor (Herself); Philip Baker Hall (Dr. Morrison); Rachael Harris (Joanne) |
| Writer(s) | Larry David |
| Director | Larry Charles |
| Production no. | 401 |
| Original airdate | January 4, 2004 (HBO) |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Grand Opening" | "Ben's Birthday Party" |
Mel's Offer is the first episode in the fourth season of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. It originally aired on January 4, 2004 and was directed by Larry Charles, based on a story idea by Larry David.
[edit] Plot Synopsis
The episode opens with Larry and Cheryl at dinner, where Cheryl brings up the matter of their tenth wedding anniversary. As her gift from Larry, she would like for them to renew their wedding vows. Surprisingly, Larry agrees, to which he brings up the nature of his gift from her - something he was promised ten years ago. Cheryl, confused, asks Larry to recall. A flashback shows us the couple ten years ago, in the exact same seats, where Cheryl is asking Larry if they can get married. Larry, confused at why she "wants to be a David," shrugs off the idea. Cheryl explains to him, "if we get married, on our tenth anniversary, you can have sex with somebody else, once." Larry laughs, and we return to the present, where Cheryl remembers her promise. Larry insists he doesn't want to go ahead with it, but Cheryl is pretty sure he wouldn't be able to go through with it even if he wanted too. Larry, insulted, accepts the gift. This becomes a subplot for the rest of the series.
On the drive home, Larry and Cheryl stop off at Karaoke Bleu, where they meet up with Jeff. Larry explains the deal he has with Cheryl regarding the anniversary gift and Jeff is amazed, insisting "it's every man's dream." Larry practices smooth-talking a woman and fails, and afterwards, he notices Mel Brooks up on stage. Once Mel has finished karaoke, the owner spots Larry and he his pulled up by the audience to sing - amazingly, everyone loves it. The next day, Larry is called into Mel Brooks' office for a meeting. He and Jeff arrive and take a seat, where Larry unintentionally offends Mel's receptionist when he learns she is adopting a Chinese baby. He suggests a few names - all stereotypically Chinese - and excuses himself to the bathroom. As he goes to the bathroom, Mel comes out and hits him on the head with the side of the door, knocking Larry to the floor with a vicious wound.
The meeting is postponed whilst Jeff drives Larry to see his doctor. Whilst waiting in the doctor's room, Larry grows bored and calls Jeff from the doctor's phone - even though Jeff is only out in the lobby. When the doctor arrives, he tells Larry that he shouldn't be using the phone. Of course, an argument ensues when the doctor does not provide Larry with a "reason" as to why he shouldn't use the phone. Eventually, the doctor asks Larry to lie down and explain what has happened. Larry explains about Mel Brooks and the door, and the doctor mentions that he "is a big fan of Mel", and that he has tickets for Mel's new musical comedy, The Producers. Whilst examining the wound, the doctor accidentally drools on Larry's head - Larry is disgusted.
The next day, back at Mel's office, Larry is attacked by the receptionist's partner, an angry Asian woman who is appalled that Larry wanted them to name their baby "Tang". The meeting ensues afterwards, where Mel explains that he was so impressed with Larry's performance at Karaoke Bleu, he wants to make him an offer - he wants Larry to play the lead role, Max Bialystock, in The Producers on Broadway. Larry explains that he has no experience in theatre or acting, but Mel insists, saying he "just has a feeling - you, Larry David, were born to play this role!" Mel mentions that Ben Stiller will be co-starring as Leo Bloom, and that Larry should go and see the show first and decide afterwards. When Larry leaves, Mel's partners tell him he's making a big mistake, to which Mel grins, "there's something thrilling about this middle-aged bald guy!"
That night, outside the theatre, Larry and Cheryl meet Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor. Ben is shocked that Larry has been offered the lead role, wondering how somebody without any acting experience could get such a part. As they depart, Ben makes to shake Larry's hand, but Larry is convinced that Ben has just sneezed into it and doesn't - Ben is insulted. Larry takes a pill for his head pain, although Cheryl warns him that they cause drowsiness. During the show, Larry is awed by a scene where the character of Ulla performs a very sexual dance around Max and Leo. Cheryl leans over and asks, "So, what do you think? Do you wanna do the show?" Based on that scene, Larry says, "You know, I just might." As the show progresses, the side effects of the pills begin to effect Larry: he falls asleep and drools over the balcony, ironically hitting the doctor from the other day right on the head.
