Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's Secretary of State, wrote a letter to Larry David about the HBO show's use of Georgia in its final season. The HBO comedy's last season..
In the The first episode of the 12th season.In the episode, the 'Seinfeld' creator gets in trouble with Georgia officials for breaking a state law by giving water to a voter while in line. The episode, named 'Atlanta,' ends with David recreating Donald Trump's famous 2023 mugshot from his own arrest in Georgia. well-known 2023 mugshot. after his own arrest in Georgia – complete with spray tan!
In a letter received by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Raffensperger humorously congratulated David for being the first person arrested for giving water to voters within 150 feet of a polling station. He joked about the lack of special treatment at the local jail and the celebrity-like attention around the mugshot. from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
He also mentioned the Democrats' concerns about the ban on food and water in voting lines and joked about the show's character potentially avoiding a tragic death, encouraging her to use a fake conversation tactic to cut in line.
Raffensperger pointed out the record voter turnout and short wait times in recent elections but refused to help David with his upcoming trial.
Finally, he expressed understanding about the attention David received for his actions during the Georgia election and jokingly stated that he couldn't grant a pardon, even if David were to ask for one.
Raffensperger is the latest Georgia official to comment on the episode. Georgia's Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs emphasized that the show is for entertainment and does not represent reality in the state. the New York Times February 4 premiere
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the show for portraying conservatives and Trump supporters negatively and making fun of the new voting law, while pointing out Hollywood's influence in Georgia.
commented on the influence of Hollywood tax credits and the portrayal of Republicans in Georgia. wrote on X in February.
“Curb” executive producer Jeff Schaffer previously said TheWrap that the Atlanta storyline had been written into the season for quite some time, but noted that the Trump mugshot joke came after the SAG-AFTRA strike ended.
“We were always going to Atlanta because of the that barbaric law that you can’t give anybody water or food when they’re in line for voting,” Schaffer told TheWrap. “When we were discussing stories, Larry said, ‘This law is insane. I think it’d be funny if I got arrested for that.’”
Schaffer said he and David only learned about the Trump news after filming on the entire season already concluded.
“Trump is caught with one of his many hands in one of the many cookie jars, and I remember just walking in and I said to Larry, ‘This is crazy. You’re in Atlanta, he’s in Atlanta, you just got arrested. Let’s do this!’” he continued. “We had to wait until the strike was over to even be able to shoot Larry looking like our former Oompa Loompa. So it came completely afterwards.”
On Sunday, “Curb” will air its series finale, concluding a 24-year run. In addition to David, Season 12 stars J.B. Smoove, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Cheryl Hines, Richard Lewis, Ted Danson, Vince Vaughn and Tracey Ullman.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” is available to stream on Max.
