Emmys: Will ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ exceed expectations for farewell season?

HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has officially come to an end with an acclaimed farewell season that ended just the way it began, with numerous references to creator and star Larry David’s NBC hit sitcom “Seinfeld” in its series finale. Over the course of its 12 seasons, “Curb” has remained a constant with its run at the Emmy Awards – a rarity for a show that has aired that long, especially within a timespan of 24 years and almost a quarter of a century – having an impressive total of 51 nominations and two wins thus far. Now in its final hurrah, it has one more shot at Emmy gold; will it be able to triumph at the upcoming 2024 ceremony one last time? Let’s examine some of the categories it has been recognized in past seasons to determine what kind of haul it might receive.

Beginning with Best Comedy Series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has garnered an outstanding 10 nominations in the top category, receiving a bid for every season since the second. It also holds the distinction for being the most nominated comedy series without a win, surpassing another HBO comedy, “The Larry Sanders Show,” at six. Even when the semi-improvisational series has missed in other major categories for past seasons, its inclusion for Best Comedy Series was always secured. With the series finale sticking the landing for viewers and the absence of five out of the eight Best Comedy Series nominees from last year, the show is looking good for a record-extending 11th bid in this category. It’s currently in fifth place in our combined Gold Derby odds with 17/2.

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In the acting categories, David has of course the most citations in Best Comedy Actor as the center focal point of the show with six nominations, but has not gotten into the race since 2018 for the ninth season. Though this could be his last chance as he now has great odds in third place with 5/1, given the departures of Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”) and Bill Hader (“Barry”) and the ineligibility of Jason Segel (“Shrinking”).

Aside from David, his on-screen ex-wife Cheryl Hines is the only other main cast member who has received Emmy recognition, for Best Comedy Supporting Actress in 2003 and 2006. However, if the show performs well on the nominating ballot, we could see first mentions for cast members like Jeff Garlin, Susie Greene, J.B. Smoove and the late Richard Lewis in the wide open supporting categories – both having only two of the seven nominees eligible from last year. Also, folks like Ted Danson, Troy Kotsur, Bruce Springsteen, Conan O’Brien, Ellia English, Sienna Miller, Sean Hayes, Allison Janney and David’s “Seinfeld” co-creator Jerry Seinfeld could contend in the guest races.

As far as the below-the-line categories, “Curb” has still never received a writing notice (likely due to the series’ improvisational nature). On the other hand, it used to dominate the directing lineup, garnering 10 noms in five seasons, and picked up the trophy in 2003, so it may get some slots this year if the series has enough support. In terms of the Creative Arts, it has mostly been consistent in the pivotal casting and editing categories (the latter it won in 2012), both of which have strong correlation to Best Comedy Series, and has additionally received solo mentions for sound mixing and technical direction for the latest outings.

With a lot of comedy series clearing out this year, it is the perfect time for “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to capitalize on those vacancies and perhaps exceed their Emmy tally to celebrate one of the longest-running and most successful, revolutionary comedies of the 21st century.

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