Larry David has used his new HBO series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, to deliver a sharp, satirical critique of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In the fourth episode of the Barack Obama-produced miniseries, David portrays the mother of Jonas Salk, the physician credited with developing the first successful polio vaccine, in a sketch that targets Kennedy’s long-standing skepticism regarding vaccinations.
A Historical Lens on Modern Controversy
The sketch, titled "Deepthroat," features David in drag as Dora Salk, who is shown bragging about her son’s medical breakthrough to a neighbor. The scene is interrupted by a character named "Bobby," played by Gregg "Jeep" Perrie, who is depicted as a leather-tanned man with a raspy voice. Bobby repeatedly shouts that the polio vaccine will "kill people" and cause "heart attacks."
David’s character responds with direct hostility, shouting, "Drop dead, Bobby! You should die a dog’s death. You don’t know anything about science, you’re not a doctor." When the Bobby character claims that, if he were in charge, he would ensure no children received polio or measles vaccines, David’s character declares that such a scenario would be "a dark day for humanity."
Character Tirades and Political References
The sketch concludes with the Bobby character delivering a series of erratic statements, including claims that fluoride causes "gender confusion" and that the Spanish flu was a "bioweapon" designed to avoid specific ethnic groups. The dialogue also includes references to Kennedy’s past controversial statements, including his comparisons of COVID-19 policies to Nazi Germany and his suggestions regarding the targeting of specific populations by the virus. The character is ultimately removed from the scene by two men in white coats, presumably to be taken to a psychiatric ward.
The Collapse of a Former Friendship
The parody highlights a significant rift between David and Kennedy, who were once close friends. David famously introduced Kennedy to his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, who starred as David’s wife on the long-running HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
While the two remained friendly through the end of Curb, their relationship strained following Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign and his subsequent integration into Donald Trump’s administration. Hines has stated in interviews that she and David have not spoken since the finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, suggesting that David’s disapproval of her husband’s political alignment is the cause of the silence.
Although nearly all other main cast members from Curb Your Enthusiasm have appeared in or attended the premiere for David’s new show, Hines has not been involved.
A Pattern of Political Satire
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness has frequently utilized historical settings to mock contemporary political figures. Earlier in the season, the show featured a sketch with the late director Rob Reiner portraying George Washington to criticize Donald Trump. In another instance, David’s character warned colonialists about a "narcissistic" leader who would use the presidency to enrich himself and his family.
The program continues to air on Fridays on HBO and HBO Max.
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