The Larry Sanders Show

During a meeting with network executives, Larry is asked to do live commercials to appease his show's sponsors. Reluctant to tamper with the format of his program, Larry worries that they will not work with the style of the show, while Arthur suggests that Hank should be the one to do the spots. However, when that idea is turned down because Hank is already overexposed in the commercial market, Larry is told that the owners are adamant that he be the one doing commercials for the Garden Weasel. Learning about the new commercials, Hank goes to Arthur demanding to know why he was not chosen to advertise the Weasel. Unable to tell him that he is overexposed, Arthur claims he doesn't recall how the network executives responded to the idea that he does them instead. Turning to Larry with his complaint, Hank is still not told of his precarious position, and is insulted when Larry tries to compliment him about the commercials he has been doing. When Larry does his first Garden Weasel commercial and plays it for a laugh, network executive Melanie Parrish insists that, from now on, he read them just as they are written. However, when his comments on the next show cause her to threaten Larry if he doesn't comply, Melanie ends up giving him a black eye that he must then explain to his own staff. Finally, after using Hank in his next commercial, the sponsor's response is enthusiastic, but Larry insists on not doing them anymore himself, despite what anyone else wants.

While preparing comedian David Spade for his fifth appearance on the show, Paula gives him a routine interview about his monologue. Being polite, Larry asks him to drop by his office, but is caught off guard when David actually comes in to chat before heading on his way. Then, while at home watching television with his wife, Larry is disturbed to see David on the Tonight Show doing the same jokes he told to Paula that very afternoon, and just two days before he is to appear on his own program. Invoking an unwritten rule that discourages guests from doing competing shows back to back, Larry complains to Jeannie about David's abusing the privilege of appearing on his show. Meeting the following morning with his staff, Larry is surprised by their anger over the appearance and, though insisting they rise above it, is convinced by Arthur to knock Spade off the program. Meanwhile, when his fan club comes to visit the set, Hank is surprised when Larry shows up to make some very flattering remarks. When Hank drops by later to thank Larry for the kind gesture, Spade's gaffe comes up and Hank reminds Larry of the days when he was just starting out and making appearances on more than one show, too. So, calling David himself, Larry forgives him after the comic insists that it was the fault of his agent and manager. However, not believing his explanation, Larry tells Arthur to reschedule his appearances a few times to teach David a lesson. But, when another guest is unable to make that night's show, they are forced to call on the comic to fill in at the last minute.

While preparing for a show with guest Carol Burnett, Larry is told that spider expert Steve Kutcher will also be appearing with some of his spiders. Asked to participate in a Tarantula Arm Race, Larry's fear of spiders causes him to worry but, when Arthur insists it will get huge laughs from his audience, he tentatively agrees to join in. Meanwhile, after having comedian Jon Lovitz and his date over for dinner, Larry tells Jeannie of his concerns about doing a show with spiders, while she points out that he would do anything for a laugh. Preoccupied with the spiders and unable to focus on their rehearsal, Larry is forced to cancel a comedy sketch he was planning with Carol Burnett. Asked to find someone else for the spider race, Arthur turns to Hank, persuading him to do the stunt instead of Larry. Although initially excited with the opportunity of a bigger role on the show, Hank has second thoughts after noticing the bites on Steve's arm. When Carol offers to hold one of the spiders during the show, Larry refuses to be outdone and volunteers to hold one, too. However, when he jerks his arm away, the spider flies across the set and, in the ensuing chaos, all of the other spiders escape. Petrified by the spider perched atop his head, Hank freezes on the couch awaiting help, while Carol climbs onto Larry's back for protection. Though Larry complains that the disaster cost a fortune in lost spiders, Arthur insists that the laughs were well worth it, in spite of a spider bite that caused Hank to have an allergic reaction.

When Larry asks a comedian and good friend Dana Carvey to host the show during his vacation, Hank is upset about having been passed over for the guest spot once again. Turning to Arthur, Hank insists on being given a chance to audition for the guest host job right then and there, as Larry gives Dana a run down on the show while discussing their fishing trip together later that week. Told to use Larry's office while he is away, Dana is surprised when Hank suddenly appears to remind him that he is there to help during the show whenever necessary. Much to Larry's dismay, Dana's first show goes superbly for the guest host. However, told that Dana has been offered to host a competing late-night program and afraid of giving the potential competition any exposure, Larry agrees to tell Dana that he will not be guest hosting anymore. But, after fending off Hank's request that he be allowed to fill in, Larry cannot bring himself to tell Dana that he can no longer do the show. Although he tries not to watch the next show, Larry is chided by Jeannie about letting his competition with Dana get the best of him. When he decides to come back from vacation to host the show, Larry is told it would look like an admission that Dana is a genuine threat. Pressing him for a decision about the other offer, Larry and Arthur discover Dana has actually accepted a prime-time spot on another network. Finally, after Carvey cancels their fishing trip, Larry invites him to be his announcer that night, leaving Arthur to break the news to Hank.

A substitute producer tries to oust sick Artie; guests Ian Buchanan, Jeff Cesario.

Jeannie (Megan Gallagher) accuses Larry (Garry Shandling) of flirting with guest Mimi Rogers.