Before “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” there was “Prognosis: Negative,” a film script written by Larry David in the 1980s that was never produced.
Thanks to a Reddit user from Rochester, N.Y., a 1983 draft of the screenplay has been uploaded to the internet. (Read a PDF here.) The 24-year-old, named Jeremy Smith, bought the script on eBay from a seller offering unpublished scripts; it’s unclear how “Prognosis: Negative” was obtained in the first place. Related Stories Margo Price, Brandi Carlile, I'm With Her, S.G. Goodman Score Multiple Nominations for Americana Honors & Awards
The existence of “Prognosis: Negative” has long been known (its title was a recurring joke in “Seinfeld”), but the screenplay had never been available to read until now. Popular on Variety
“Prognosis: Negative” follows a man named Leo Black, who is incapable of committing to women. When he discovers an ex-girlfriend is dying, he decides to rekindle their relationship. After all, she won’t be around for much longer.
The premise, of course, sounds straight out of an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or “Seinfeld.” And it’s worth noting that the protagonist’s name sounds strikingly similar to J.B. Smoove’s “Curb” sidekick Leon Black.
Source: variety.com