In a deal that was reached before Garry Shandling’s untimely death yesterday, The Wrap reports that HBO has secured the exclusive rights to air and stream The Larry Sanders Show. The pay-cable network was the original home of the series, which ran from August 1992 to May 1998, and starred Shandling as the titular, self-effacing talk show host. Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko told the publication, “I loved Garry. We were fulfilling his wishes to see the show move to HBO.”
It’s not currently known when the series will be back in rotation, but it will also be available online for the cabler’s streaming customers. During its run, The Larry Sanders Show featured talented performers like Rip Torn, Bob Odenkirk, and Janeane Garofalo in the cast while also inviting everyone from Jonathan Katz to Roseanne Barr and Catherine O’Hara to stop by for a chat. Yesterday Jeffrey Tambor, who played Larry’s sidekick and announcer Hank Kingsley, remembered his friend and co-star in a statement.
“I am so sad. Garry was my dear friend and was and always will be my teacher. Garry redesigned the wheel of comedy and he was the kindest and funniest of geniuses. I will miss him so much.”