Ep 6. Hank's Night in the Sun
- TVMA
- July 27, 1994
- 27 min
-
8.0 (181)
Hank's Night in the Sun follows the titular character Hank Kingsley, the famously insecure sidekick of talk show host Larry Sanders, as he prepares to receive a lifetime achievement award from his high school. Excited to bask in the glory of his former classmates, Hank enlists the help of his agent and Larry's assistant to prepare an acceptance speech that will highlight his accomplishments and cement his status as a true star.
Meanwhile, Larry wrestles with his own ego as he sees Hank getting all of the attention. He seeks the advice of his therapist, who encourages him to examine his feelings and express them in a healthy way. But Larry struggles to take the advice to heart, instead becoming increasingly jealous of Hank's success.
As the night of the award ceremony approaches, tensions mount between Hank and Larry, with Hank feeling neglected and Larry feeling resentful. When Hank's acceptance speech is poorly received, it only exacerbates the underlying tension and threatens to tear apart their already shaky friendship.
The episode is laced with the witty, satirical humor that was a trademark of The Larry Sanders Show. While the plot centers around Hank's outsized ego and Larry's fragile sense of self-worth, the show deftly skewers the culture of celebrity worship and the unhealthy personal relationships that can develop in that world.
As always, the performances are top notch, with Jeffrey Tambor delivering a standout performance as the needy and insecure Hank. Garry Shandling is similarly excellent as the put-upon Larry, managing to make his character both sympathetic and frustrating at the same time.
Overall, Hank's Night in the Sun is a typically hilarious and insightful installment of The Larry Sanders Show. With its sharp writing and fantastic performances, it is sure to delight fans of the series and newcomers alike.