Unproduced Larry David Script 'Prognosis: Negative' Surfaces Online
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A 1983 screenplay by Larry David, titled 'Prognosis: Negative', has been uploaded to the internet after being purchased on eBay. The script was never produced after David declined to make changes requested by a Hollywood agency, which found the main character unlikable. The title later became a recurring joke in the television series 'Seinfeld'.
Facts First
- A 1983 draft of Larry David's 'Prognosis: Negative' script was uploaded online by a Reddit user who bought it on eBay.
- The script was never produced after David declined to make changes requested by agency partners in a 1983 meeting.
- Agency notes from 1983 stated the main character was "not at all likable" and "too ethnic".
- The title 'Prognosis: Negative' was later used as a recurring joke in the television series 'Seinfeld'.
- Larry David stated he had 'outgrown' the script when asked about reviving it approximately 15 years ago.
What Happened
A 1983 draft of an unproduced screenplay by Larry David, titled 'Prognosis: Negative', was uploaded to the internet by a Reddit user. The user, Jeremy Smith, purchased the script on eBay from a seller offering unpublished scripts. In 1983, Robert B. Weide, then head of development at a Hollywood comedy agency, brought the script to agency partners Jack Rollins, Larry Brezner, Buddy Morra, and Charles Joffe. During a meeting, the partners stated the script had potential but was not ready to be shopped to studios, with notes indicating they believed the main character, Leo, was "not at all likable" and "too ethnic". Larry David declined to implement the agency's notes, and the film was never produced.
Why this Matters to You
For fans of Larry David's work on 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', this provides a rare look at an early, unfiltered creative effort that shaped his comedic voice. You can now read a piece of television history that directly influenced a famous running gag on 'Seinfeld'. The story also offers a tangible example of artistic integrity, showing how a creator's refusal to compromise on a vision, even early in his career, may have defined his later success.
What's Next
The script's public availability may lead to increased discussion and analysis among fans and scholars of comedy. While Larry David has stated he considers the script something he has 'outgrown', its discovery could inspire new appreciation for his early writing. There is no indication the project will be revived for production.