The BEST episodes of The Larry Sanders Show season 5

Every episode of The Larry Sanders Show season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Larry Sanders Show season 5!

Comic Garry Shandling draws upon his own talk show experiences to create the character of Larry Sanders, a paranoid, insecure host of a late night talk show. Larry, along with his obsequious TV sidekick Hank Kingsley and his fiercely protective producer Artie, allows Garry Shandling and his talented writers to look behind the scenes and to show us a convincing slice of behind the camera life.

Last Updated: 11/4/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
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Pain Equals Funny
star
8.02
59 votes

#1 - Pain Equals Funny

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/12/1997

Paula tells Larry that she's leaving to produce the Caryl and Marilyn show, so he impulsively promotes her to producer without consulting Artie. The quality of Phil's work goes up and down as his new girlfriend plays with his affections.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: Jeff Cesario
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Arthur and Angie and Hank and Hercules
star
7.90
59 votes

#2 - Arthur and Angie and Hank and Hercules

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/22/1997

Artie falls off the wagon with his second addiction, Angie Dickinson, and flies to Venice with her. Larry's affair with Laura Leighton stumbles over their obsessions with watching their own TV shows. Hank auditions for a voice part in the new Disney movie, Hercules.

Directors: John Riggi
Writer: Peter Tolan
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Book
star
7.89
56 votes

#3 - The Book

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/5/1997

Larry insists on writng a book about his life, just like Jay, Brett, Ellen and Paul, leaving Hank worrying about ""the incident"" and Artie to finish off his own memoirs. Beverly receives flowers from a secret admirer and jumps to conclusions.

Directors: Alan Myerson
Writer: Maya Forbes
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Make a Wish
star
7.83
63 votes

#4 - Make a Wish

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/15/1997

Larry wants to be on People's Ten Sexiest Men list, even if it means bumping off guest Ben Stiller. Beverly gets stuck taking care of their ""One Wish"" Foundation child when he comes to meet Larry. Hank distributes his illegally obtained Cuban cigars.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Jon Vitti
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My Name is Asher Kingsley
star
7.79
63 votes

#5 - My Name is Asher Kingsley

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/20/1996

Hank's decison to re-embrace Judaism throws the office and the network into a tizzy. Larry worries that someone has been sitting in his new massaging recliner.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: Peter Tolan
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Larry's New Love
star
7.79
89 votes

#6 - Larry's New Love

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/26/1997

Larry's relationship with his new girlfriend is threatened when she takes on the ""mermaid"" role in a show skit, and wants to use it as a springboard for her career.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: John Riggi
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Where is the Love?
star
7.78
59 votes

#7 - Where is the Love?

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/27/1996

Larry gets upset over a review from TV critic Tom Shales, prompting him to fire off a fax in retaliation and to seek sympathy from show guest Sally Field.

Writer: John Markus
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Ellen, or Isn't She?
star
7.68
63 votes

#8 - Ellen, or Isn't She?

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/11/1996

Artie pushes Larry to get Ellen Degeneres to come out of the closet on their show, but Larry pursues some personal research first. Beverly spoils Artie's birthday by circulating the show's budget, with everyone's salary, amongst the staff.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The New Writer
star
7.43
61 votes

#9 - The New Writer

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/18/1996

Hank suffers paranoid agonies when he fears that Kevin Nealon is hanging around trying to get his job. Phil has trouble adjusting to the woman Larry has hired as a new writer.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Everybody Loves Larry
star
7.39
67 votes

#10 - Everybody Loves Larry

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/13/1996

Larry, worried about the implications of a permanent guest host, sabotages temporary host Jon Stewart at every turn. Hank buys a less-than-perfect used car from Elvis Costello. David Duchovny's friendliness makes Larry wonder about his sexual orientation.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: Peter Tolan
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Prank
star
7.38
60 votes

#11 - The Prank

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/29/1997

Larry becomes convinced that his new paramour Lori Loughlin has taken money from his wallet. Hank tries to impress a woman by putting her precocious son on the show as an expert in geography. Phil arranges for phony auditions so he can meet some beautiful actresses.

Directors: Michael Lange
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Matchmaker
star
7.33
61 votes

#12 - The Matchmaker

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/8/1997

Paula's new assistant, Marylou, manages to upset everyone, even the affable Tim Conway, with her ineffective pre-interview techniques and celebrity research. Hank's effort to cheer up a despondent Brian with a night on the town at several gay bars earns him a prominent mention in Army Archerd's column.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: John Riggi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Roast
star
6.68
63 votes

#13 - The Roast

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/19/1997

Artie works hard to make sure all of Larry's ""friends"" attend a celebrity roast in his honor while Hank tries to learn how to handle hecklers so he can be the roastmaster.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV