'I was president of the US': Producer Obama scolded Larry David over creative notes
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama reportedly clashed with Larry David over creative notes during a meeting for David’s new show 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness'. Obama is participating in the new show as a producer and co-creator.
Obama, who produces movies, documentaries, and series through his entertainment company, High Ground Productions, has helped create the new half-hour historical sketch comedy series on HBO.
Obama's script note sparks awkward exchange
In a conversation with Variety, the director and co-creator of 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness', Jeff Schaffer, shed light on the tense exchange between Obama and David over creative notes.
The show, which made its debut this week, marks David’s return to television following a 12-season run on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', and is one of the biggest projects Obama has taken on as a producer. The former president has made an appearance in the HBO series.
Schaffer recalled that Obama was actively involved in the creative process and came to their first meeting after reading much of the material.
According to Schaffer, the conversation took an awkward turn after Obama offered Larry David a few notes and the comedian brushed them off, saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we got it.”
Obama then reminded David that he had spent nearly half an hour praising the scripts before offering a single suggestion.
“I spent a half an hour talking about how funny everything is. I give you one note, and you get into a defensive crouch,” Obama said.
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The former president added, “When I was in the Oval Office, I took advice and listened to my advisors, and I was the president of the United States.”
David responded with a joke of his own: “Yeah, but I’m the president of this.”
Larry David slams UFC fight at White House
Larry David recently slammed President Donald Trump’s decision to host a UFC fight at the White House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
David’s show, according to Schaffer, was also inspired by the country’s 250th and the desire to celebrate it.
“It was a travesty,” David said about the UFC event. “What else can you say about it? It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed to be an American.”
