Larry David's Steve Martin Tribute Speech

Larry David at the Mark Twain awards 2005.

[@craigrussell3062]

What’s brilliant about this is that Larry is totally channeling Steve Martin’s style of comedy more than his own. Pretending to be an exceptional humanitarian, telling an obviously fake story as if it were true and earnest, and pretending that Steve Martin is a slimeball: these are all staples of Steve Martin’s humor. And yet he makes it all pure Larry David. Two of the funniest American writers since the actual Mark Twain.

[@paulcanis6297]

good catch! All that's missing is a riff on the color beige.

[@nobcourt]

Right . . like the bit where he talks about meeting Jackie O and what a slob she is.

[@SBIFILMSminivan]

Mark Twain funny?

[@cleftturnip7774]

curb your enthusiasm

[@samshambles391]

Thanks for your comment. You are absolutely right, and if you hadn't pointed this out I would have missed it.

[@walkergillette3918]

curb seems so real, that when larry does anything, you think it is an episode of curb

[@Dkimbrough83]

What's so good about the show is that apparently he really is like that, just more socially acceptable.

[@caylindelacruz2641]

Dkimbrough83 knowing that makes tge show even better. For me at least

[@SolarVixen]

true lol

[@RowdyAbilene]

The show is also improvised which makes all the interactions real

[@conorsmith8551]

hahahahaha thats the genius of it

[@minitron8192]

If Larry David doesn’t get a Mark Twain award it will be the crime of the century.

[@johnanderson3731]

It Will be a Shanda Larry a Shanda!

[@AprilCraddock]

2024 Kevin Heart.😮booo before Larry David, or Jim Carry, Chris Rock.

[@user-ki1un4jg2d]

Why is there an award named after an atheist = Mark Twain ? Just asking .

[@stratplus]

@@user-ki1un4jg2d "Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced,"." Whether he was an atheist or not, is not relevant.

[@dylanmorgan2752]

@@user-ki1un4jg2dBecause fortunately greatness isn’t defined by belonging to a theological membership scheme.

[@janedawson1398]

I now eagerly await Steve presenting Larry with the same award.

[@seattlegolfer]

Jane, you read my mind. Good minds think alike.

[@herbalgerbil]

"He said this,....your big Mark Twain prize winner." Hilarious.

[@scottjohnson388]

Love how Larry adds incontinent to Steve's crimes against humanity.

[@juliosamaniego6585]

Hahahahaha

[@allend2076]

He’d just mentioned him doing that when he got the cat down from the tree.

[@divijmehendru6206]

@@allend2076 i was just gonna say.

[@xbrando7]

"I'm really quite a treat."

[@blackbird5634]

i say this more and more to myself , , it just makes me laugh.

[@johncotter1600]

It's funny because having never seen this clip before, I've said that about myself and in a similar context to Larry 😂

[@speier]

The best part of this is that this joke is 100% Steve Martin's humor

[@lenafan492]

Get the fuck out of my house, Larry

[@daflotsam]

"I don't really like mystery". Somehow he makes even a seemingly simple sentence full of depth and humor.

[@johnyringo6890]

No. It was tied in with a subject, a point.

[@pablo_frescobar1698]

@@johnyringo6890 Didn't explain why he doesn't like mystery.....Which is mysterious.

[@pipi0290]

i was thinking the same thing when I read your comment, it's such a weird thing to say.

[@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537]

Dry humor. Probably the best form of humor.

[@foto21]

It's the way he goes where other people won't. Noone says they don't like mystery.

[@NostraFnDamus]

Jason Alexander did a bloody good job portraying this guy. He got everything down, all the little mannerisms and everything.

[@I_leave_mean_comments]

No he didn't, stupid.

[@abisheknayyar]

Shame that he never got an emmy !! By far the best actor on Seinfeld

[@DeedlyDood]

@@I_leave_mean_comments Yes he did. Also, your ad hominem speaks to your own intelligence more.

[@I_leave_mean_comments]

@@DeedlyDood He based George on Woody Allen. He's talked about that like... THOUSANDS of times in interviews. He didn't even realize the character was based on Larry until the 2nd season. George is superficially like Larry... if you're an idiot, but he has none of the actual personality of him.

[@an3453]

​@@I_leave_mean_comments Wrong. He initially based it on Allen. Sounds like you skipped the second half of all those interviews. Costanza was certainly not a straight up copy of Larry David but he implemented a lot of his mannerisms and speech patterns. He made his own version of Larry David. Go watch the clip when he's talking to the security guard about getting him a chair. It's almost like watching Larry David. "he has none of the actual personality of him." is just incorrect. I almost don't think you even watch the show.

[@arobyte]

Larry has a sense of humour I haven't quite seen anywhere else. It's like he's not performing. It's just him!

[@rosiepena8917]

arobyte - but the genius of it is that he is performing! The Larry on Curb is like his alter-ego but he's not like that in real life

[@AnyoneCanSee]

@@rosiepena8917 - Yes, but he knows we want to see that even on talk shows so he always gives us a little of that guy in every interview that you really have to remind yourself it isn't him.

[@alexmarques8020]

Larry David is pure brilliance

[@Robb3348]

agreed

[@onclickacademyes8086]

this was pretty horrible....

[@lepetitchat123]

I always have a crush on him

[@booklover3959]

@@onclickacademyes8086 Horribly good.

[@booklover3959]

Yep.

[@OptionalOG]

Steven Martin absolutely dying this entire time makes this so perfect.

[@Clembo]

It's so obvious this guy wrote Seinfeld.

[@timcooke7105]

Clembo, and yet a team of writers is credited.

[@shaynemorris1602]

@rando he was also the voice of Newman in the 1st season (you never see him)

[@JR5arts]

why? did he say something wrong? should he have not said it?

[@joeblow1942]

Clembo Actually, Jerry wore more hats on the show (about 5) than anyone which is why to this day he still gets huge residual checks for all of those positions. (That’s why he’s worth close to $1 BILLION.) Also, it was both Larry and Jerry that would be working late into the night cleaning up the scripts. Bottom line: both working together was definitely a marriage made in heaven.

[@percyveer2355]

@tim cooke the writers credited usually came up with the idea and the first drafts of the script. Larry David and jerry Seinfeld translated these into the "seinfeld" we see on screen.

[@LaidIsGentleMen]

I love how he throws in some very Steve Martinesque-type bits like "Can't hear you!".

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

He was imitating his body language too.

[@enneff]

The whole bit was a tribute to Steve's obnoxious character that he played in his standup career. Such a wonderfully thoughtful gesture from Larry.

[@williamchristian7779]

The bit was from "The life of Brian." You obviously didn't get it

[@foto21]

Exactly the point I was thinking. This bit was a takeoff of Martin's old dumb and cocky character.

[@NMBCGodspell]

I'm sure he took pieces from his films and turned them around - remember the cat up the tree in Roxanne?

[@luckystarship2275]

Steve Martin looks so happy during this, he's just delighted with it.

[@shooter7a]

The reason he is so happy is that this sort of bit is very much Steve's comedy style. Larry is making a compliment, honoring Steve's comedy. Since Steve has written and performed many bits like this, he recognized it immediately as something he did in the past.

[@SNESdrunk]

"I can tell ya Mark Twain wouldn'ta done that"

[@booklover3959]

LD is a genius.

[@BeerDad69]

Maybe next time they’ll give it to someone who deserves it!

[@James-lu6rh]

👍

[@willynilly2545]

He definitely wouldn't have! He was a Socialist! Way ahead of his time!

[@catra195]

T'would'nt

[@crazyandbeautiful]

*_Recommended after 7 years. Still, thank you youtube._*

[@GAZDAGP]

Wow can't wait to watch Steve Martin's speech awarding Larry David the Mark Twain prize

[@bama1usaf]

They should make a movie about Steve and call it The Jerk.

[@samgroll3605]

Trebor Seveer Hell yeah!

[@Bhatt_Hole]

Brilliant idea! I'd pay to see that.

[@matthewkuhl79]

That's gold. You should pitch that 😉

[@EXCELSIOR_INC]

@Trebor Seveer THEY DID ://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079367/

[@matthewkuhl79]

@@EXCELSIOR_INC Boy, _that_ went over your head 🙄

[@jackfanburg5914]

What is so good a about this speech is that I visualize Steve Martin actually enacting Larry's recollection.

[@AdvocatusDiaboli92]

holy shit, that was pure gold.

[@onclickacademyes8086]

WOW this was pretty horrible....

[@Haseo92]

@@onclickacademyes8086 maybe you should curb your enthusiasm

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Suddenly I want to re watch curb

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Happy to say I currently am and on season 4 laughing my ass off

[@DodgyDan4]

lickstickly Same thoughts, same journey, same levels of laughter :D

[@chatsmusic]

lickstickly You ever stopped?

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

chatsmusic now I have yes, now wanting Mr David to get off his rich Jewish ass and give us one more series

[@mickmagiver]

he's making a new season now

[@91debaser]

This is the greatest tribute speech of all time. Larry, never change.

[@Long2556]

Check out Martin Short's speech at Steve's Honorary Oscar tribute.

[@byrnedes]

@@Long2556thanks will do now.

[@johnseifert6927]

The amazing this about this kind of routine is you get one shot at it. It either kills or flops and there's no way to really know until you get out there. Delivered with perfect timing and just the right tone.

[@marckhachfe1238]

His timing is absolutely spot on. Quite astounding.. And you are right. One shot.

[@shooter7a]

He knew it would kill, because it is actually a copy of many of Steve's own stand up routines. That is the underlying point and why Steve is enjoying it so much. The whole style of the bit was a compliment to Steve.

[@writeract2]

Larry DAvid Never disappoints - My God tears rolling.

[@holdemehha]

His comedic timing was so spot on. I could have the exact same material, word for word, and there's no way I would be able to make it as funny as he did

[@sreckokraljina6224]

and voice inflection!

[@iamsobeautifulomg]

no actually it wasn't. you must not listen to many comedians.

[@iamsobeautifulomg]

@Tom Mccarthy correct, one of the most successful comedians. BUT NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL STAND UP COMEDIAN. So be quiet!

[@iamsobeautifulomg]

@Tom Mccarthy lol who cares he started out in that. Where's his greatest stand up work? I sure hope not this one. Like I said, I'm not saying he's not funny but he ain't a stand up comedian. You must have never seen big hitters in stand up to be making silly angles like this trying to prove your point.

[@iamsobeautifulomg]

@Tom Mccarthy Not true, his timing was awful and awkward at times but you don't have to have great timing to be a great comedian. He's a great comedic writer, thus a great comedian but his stand up routine came off a bit rigid (like had just written a few paras and memorized them). and it should. A proper stand up comedian has to learn the jokes and the timings and the confidence over years of performances. You're comparing a one night stand to a long deep relationship. You're comparing a dweeb to a football star. He's a writer, that's what he does best. He doesn't need timing, he needs comedic actors to play his writing. This is exactly why I also don't think Seinfeld is a great stand up either but definitely a great writer. I wouldn't even consider him a comedic actor or a comedian in general either. He was the weakest character in his own show. He just comes up with great scenarios to talk about. That's his strength. He kept the show together at best.

[@reezlaw]

I end up in tears every time... he's a genius, and Steve is laughing his ass off too

[@jbob787]

4:44 George! "Was that wrong? Should I not have done that?"

[@davidharband8499]

George would continue to say "I gotta plead ignorance on that".

[@ian2480]

You know, the more I learn about that Steve Martin guy, the more I don't care for him.

[@danwalters7377]

This Steve Martin sounds like a real JERK!

[@johnragland8968]

Agreed, he is one of the GREATEST!!!!

[@Adrian-me9dt]

ian2480 you know the more i read these comments the more I see the Norm fans in here

[@jimbutler1189]

Dude, Larry David was just joking around. I don’t think Steve is really incontinent.

[@janetremsing6988]

🤣

[@dickhertz7457]

This is at least my 4th view of this speech. Larry still makes me laugh so hard I cry.

[@thepantstent]

man i love larry's voice. Makes ordinary words sound hilarious.

[@Equint77]

This man is my hero. I could listen to him read the dictionary.

[@gfp159]

Seinfeld is one of the most successful shows in american history. It is definitely not comedy like friends. it is very clever. If you have watched Curb you enthusiasm you will see pure genius at work. Larry David is a legend.

[@gsam3461]

THE most- still.

[@dayra6425]

The genius of Larry is, every time they ask Larry to give a speech at the mark Twain awards he panders for the award and under cuts the person who won ..

[@rosiepena8917]

da ra - really? I knew this was an act but I didn't know that he did every time! and he doesn't even like receiving awards LOL

[@yourmomsbox7455]

@@rosiepena8917 that's the bit

[@shooter7a]

The whole bit is Steve Martin's own comedy style. For people knowledgeable about comedy and Steve Martins history, that is what make it special. I would bet that Larry watched a number of Steve's past stand up routines, and then wrote this emulating the style as a compliment to Steve.

[@82easyrider]

Larry david makes me cry in laughter. Never heard of anyone who could do that. What a guy! and love Steve Martin too. This is vintage moment for me, two of my comedic icons!

[@jlkeegan]

I love imagining David practicing to get the phrase “mean, selfish, plagiarizing, incontinent cowardly egomaniac” to roll off the tongue as if it were a casual story he was telling off the cuff. Brilliant!

[@iamsobeautifulomg]

Oh yeah you like that? pervert!

[@joefriedman9843]

I love how Steve is dying laughing whenever it pans to him haha

[@susannegalun]

Larry David is a genius!

[@liamroberts9047]

Hello Susanne, How are you doing?

[@dnatz58]

Can honestly say this is one of the funniest things I've seen on KZbin. Gotta check out more Larry David.

[@theinternetkilledmusic2054]

I think there are a bunch of real legends in comedy at the moment and this guy is one of them. I also like Norm and some others.

[@Dkimbrough83]

Yes you do

[@benconnor3206]

dnatz58 i hope you’re watching curb your enthusiasm

[@gregorypost2308]

Honestly want to see a Steve Martin/Larry David buddy sitcom. They would be wonderful.

[@IIIIKaiserIIII]

Gregory Post Or you could just hope for Steve Martin to guest star on Curb.

[@taydrabrookshire347]

That would be a bomb anime.

[@ccdogpark]

Steve Martins' comedy is too simple for Curb. Adding JB Smoove was a stroke of genius.

[@LuisaPlantierMartins]

I LOVE Larry David! The most I've laughed in ages!!!

[@SpidermanInLondon]

Immaculately performed. Bravo, Larry! Bravo!

[@swagdragon937]

that was amazin he killed it

[@VinothGovindarajanSocial]

[@mauryrosenbergsmusicchanne743]

If this was Mortal Kombat, this would be Larry David's Flawless Victory! "I probably shouldn't have said anything"...lol!

[@TheTrueObelus]

"Yeah, that's right, I shimmied!" lol

[@ruscopcoltrain]

Larry's stuff is always such a slow burn. You have no idea where the hell he's going with it and then it all hits. So hilarious.

[@Maliceah]

This piece should be called "Character Assassination". He's so en pointe.

[@formusicplaylist1]

larry david is the only person you'll ever hear of to walk on stage during standup… scan the audience… and just say "nah" and walk off stage without without having done anything. lmfao it suits him so well. LEGEND.

[@danfitzgerald898]

Drunk Sloppy .... I vaguely remember George Carlin do that exact same thing! Walked on stage, said not one word for like two minutes and walked off. It was hysterical!

[@blairchristieson9196]

Spike Milligan went on the late show with David Letterman walked on stage waved and walked off

[@stephenstansell3026]

Wasn't Andy Kaufman famous for these types of things?

[@Richardatf]

He actually said something like "nah you people aren't worth it"....... he's the best.

[@TS-qq7vr]

@@stephenstansell3026: Andy Kaufman, Larry David and "Kramer" were all in on the infamous live Fridays sketch that Andy turned into a brawl.

[@JG4EVER]

Gold Jerry! Gold!

[@benneden2580]

Larry deserves the award just for this bit.

[@Robstailey]

god larry killed it on this! i remember watching this when it first aired, i was only 14 and i didn't know who larry david was but i loved seinfeld and this is when i first got interested in his stuff. i'm glad it's finally up on youtube!

[@Upicgs]

Pretty, pretty good.

[@Lurch524]

prettay...prettayyyy...pretttttayyyyy........pretty good.

[@sum1414]

To have your own theme song has become one of my definition of success

[@bailinnumberguy]

The success of Seinfeld was about 70% Larry David. He was the head writer and the character George was basically Larry David (he didn't want to be in front of the camera). Curb Your Enthusiasm is Seinfeld on steroids without a studio audience.

[@Robb3348]

+Randy Bailin Well-stated.

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

what about "The Big Bang Theory" ?

[@joes6666]

Did you know Larry David is Jewish? .....

[@joes6666]

...I was replying to Randy's comments on Larry David's contribution to Seinfeld, ...I just thought from the obvious, that the only thing not obvious, was that LB was a Jew......hate it when I got to explain a joke, ...I look at you people, and I just say, ......I don't think so, ....

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

joe szymanski Who's LB?

[@kaizoku4385]

"Well maybe next time you'll give this award to someone who really deserves it. You know, someone whose personal conduct is beyond reproach. Someone like... ehhhyeeeh... you'll figure it out."

[@fheisk]

the man is one of the most highly acclaimed comedians alive today... i agree that he's a genius but he's a well recognized and respected one.

[@ordinarypeople20]

"But I can't help it -- I gotta be honest!" -- the source of Larry David's wonderful schtick

[@911jehru]

maybe the hardest I've laughed in my 71 years

[@Sweendogization]

That’s a shame. I didn’t laugh once. You’re blessed or cursed, with your simplicity.

[@proned2stoned]

@@Sweendogization thanks for informing the world of how you're stupid, without blatantly stating it.

[@Playan.]

Larry David, love that guy. Hope for a new season of Curb,

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

Playan1982 good news buddy 😊

[@DOGGYSAW]

My God Larry David is just the best.

[@jamescollinson2456]

Larry David has performed a great service in revealing a side of "Mister Nice Guy" Steve Martin that he has managed to keep hidden from the public all these years. On behalf of all of us, Thank You Larry.

[@tuomaspitkanen7024]

i love this guy

[@GunnyPhillips]

Larry has the mark of a truly brilliant comedian. He can effortlessly make anything funny. Same for Steve.

[@technowey]

There are a lot of hilarious tribute speeches that roast the guest of honor by great comedians such as Steve Martin, Martin Short, Tina Fey, and others, and those are all fantastic, but this one is my favorite. I like the concept of ruining the show, and Larry David's words, mannerisms, and timing are fantastic. Every time I see this, I laugh, and I've watched it at least four times. I'm sure in a matter of months, or even sooner, I'll return here again to watch it again. It's brilliant.

[@davidmelville5675]

Larry David's speech at the AFI's tribute to Mel Brooks is drop dead hilarious.

[@technowey]

@@davidmelville5675 - I agree. This is still my favorite, however, that was hilarious too.

[@Yorubulut]

i ve watched this about 1000 times.

[@samuelclemens1691]

1000 times ?? Maybe, a slight exaggeration on that number. ??

[@diegomolineroolschansky8930]

U. Yorubulut me too!

[@reezlaw]

This must be the 15th time I've watched this and I'm crying again

[@TheBusDriverExperience]

Only Larry David could pull off this at a tribute speech! Goddam legend

[@sanekabc]

Whoever did not get to see Steve Martin live at the pinnacle of his stand up career missed the greatest comedian in history. If the standard is how hard an audience ever laughed during a stand up performance. (His movies don't come anywhere close to his stand up at his peak when it was new to the world) I've never witnessed anything like it. Everyone in the room was gasping for air from laughing so hard. He tapped the source of comedy. The god of comedy. Not one joke was told and people were dying from laughter.

[@manakin5]

I had a couple of his comedy albums when I was growing up way back in the day, when I was in grade school I think. I loved those albums so much, I can still recite portions of it. He and George Carlin were the first comedians I learned of and immediately glommed on to.

[@nigelgrolla2268]

Yeah but listen to how much of a prick he is

[@enneff]

@manakin5 "I'm so mad at my mother. She called me up the other day to ask me for $10 to buy some food."

[@ccdogpark]

Steve Martin started out twisting balloons into weird shapes and making jokes about it. And his later comedy never became any edgier than that.

[@sanekabc]

@@ccdogpark What does edgy have to do with comedy?

[@skyking0475]

Give Larry the MT award , one of the most brilliant comedy producers in history.

[@sublime88sublime]

Y'know, someone whose personal conduct is beyond reproach.

[@Boygonebad]

One legend honoring another. Love it.

[@Smackerz1988]

"I don't like bums! They creep me out!" The way he delivers that line slays me

[@deborahcrawford9079]

Your big Mark Twain prize winner...!

[@johnforeman634]

Larry David is just the best, man!

[@jellybeanz1989]

Thats right I shimmied

[@kimbobaloola7932]

"I don't really like mystery" hahahahahahahahahahahhaha this guy xx

[@runefrederiksen185]

Kimbob aLoola i

[@marcusaurelius8439]

amazing talent and performance. Larry David is a King!

[@bluzelovr]

Laughed too hard!! Typical Larry. He'd be PERFECT for a ROAST! lol!!

[@liamroberts9047]

Hello Linda, How are you doing?

[@OnKeyboards]

04:45 "Did I say something wrong? Should I not have said these things?" Wow, a whole crowd who didn't identify the quote from George's response in Seinfeld after getting caught getting it on with the cleaning lady.

[@mybestideas1]

Yes, yes, I missed that. Great catch!

[@vascoernesto78]

Cashmere!

[@carpe996]

I think it was pretty obvious to many, hence the non-reaction...

[@cbawt]

This speech wasn't made for an MTV-award stage, the context here is people who know Steve Martin... The genius of this piece... and i say piece because it really should be elevated above the term speech - is that he has littered the monologue with not only references to some of Steve Martin's particular works, even mannerisms that Steve Martin tends to use in portrayal of characters. Thus he elegantly references and pays tribute to both sides of Steve Martins art (create/perform - act/write)

[@bridgecross]

This was the most delightful tribute I've ever heard.

[@classic_jt]

this is a great bit and very recycable. gold larry, gold.

[@jamess1442]

I can't stop watching this

[@jasonmurdoc9533]

“Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? Cause I got to tell ya if I was told when I got the job that that kind of thing was frowned upon” 😂

[@ImpactedWizDom]

He was (is) the genius behind it all...period.

[@da8675]

This performance is indisputable evidence Larry David's success was no lucky break or accident. It is all talent and skill.

[@DanielDJCRO]

Larry should also get the award.

[@AdrianMutu87]

masterful

[@Chaserkeywest]

Two very brilliant personalities, love them both…

[@clevfornow]

Larry is at peak comedy when he puts his arms out

[@miapiare]

Having said that...

[@matthewross4980]

What's the matter with you people? Don't worry miapiare, i got it

[@BatelSkater]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌🏼

[@nameredacted1176]

His speech was pretty good. Pretttaayyy Pretttaayyy Pretttaayyy good.

[@HenryDixie]

That is so great.

[@lmccism]

The funniest thing about Larry David’s speech is how much it is making Steve Martin laugh right from the start. What a delight.

[@KinnArchimedes]

I like the premise of this bit.

[@screwyootube1]

He's underrated because Jerry Seinfeld tends to get all the credit for Seinfeld. And for those who don't get HBO (LOTS of people), many have never seen Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[@vivalashanas6801]

Needed to hear that. Thank You

[@stephenkolman5727]

It's pretty cool to have your own theme song.