Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he really was tripped on purpose by Larry David during the shooting of a Curb Your Enthusiasm skit in 2001.
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Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series that premiered on HBO in 2000. The show was created by and stars comedian Larry David, who co-created “Seinfeld” with Jerry Seinfeld.
CYE is known for its uncomfortable and awkward situations, which have become a hallmark of the show. This has helped popularize the sub-genre of cringe comedy in both television and film.
The show has had a significant influence on other comedy shows, such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” Its documentary-style format, improvisation, and use of everyday situations as comedy fodder have been imitated in numerous other shows.
Shaquille O’Neal was cast in a Season 2 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Shaq was featured in the 8th episode of season 2 of the series, which is having its 12th and final season this year. Its plot is as follows:
Larry accompanied Richard to a Lakers game after Jeff gifted them courtside tickets. While at the game, Larry unintentionally tripped Shaquille O’Neal when he stretched his legs.
Shaq was taken off the court due to excruciating pain. Upon returning home, Larry discovered that his actions had made the news and that Shaq’s injury could potentially sideline him for two months, potentially jeopardizing the Lakers’ season.
Although it’d have been hilarious if Shaq actually got injured for 2 months, that wasn’t the case in real life. The actor did get intentionally tripped – hook, line and sinker, as you can see in the clip below. But his long-term health remained intact.
O’Neal revealed the circumstances of the episode’s shooting in an interview
O’Neal recollected his approach to the scene when David tripped him:
“I told him, Larry put your foot there and I’ll do the rest. I always wanted to be a stuntman when I was little so I know how to fall. But when I got there I was nervous. Because these people are the real deal on TV. I don’t wanna be the one that comes in and messes it up.”
Shaq was further thrown off by the fact that the actors in this series did not run by a script. It certainly seemed to be a bit of an adjustment at first, but O’Neal was equal to the task:
“When I got there I was told, there’s no script. I was like, ‘What do you mean there’s no script?’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ They were like, ‘Shaq just be yourself.’ So we came up with that. And we still talk about it to this day.”
