Kanye West has turn out to be a polarizing determine, with a few of his followers avidly following the work he does and others taking problem along with his controversial actions and statements. Years in the past, although, West was arguably recognized extra for his music in addition to his tendency to pop up in TV reveals and films. The hip hop icon even labored with veteran Seinfeld author Larry Charles on a mission that was arrange at HBO. Now, Charles is reflecting on what it was like working with West earlier than his romantic involvement with (and divorce from) Kim Kardashian.
Larry Charles’ listing of credit is huge, as he’s written and/or directed for reveals like Mad About You, New Lady and Curb Your Enthusiasm (an HBO present folks nonetheless buzz about). It was in 2008, throughout Charles’ stint as a scribe on Entourage, that he met Ye. Charles instructed Web page Six that the rapper, who referred to himself because the “Black Larry David” after they first met, was lighthearted on the time and had a strong humorousness as effectively:
He was like a candy, humorous, self-aware man. He was very free — that is pre-Kardashians. [West] was continually telling me humorous tales about placing his foot in his mouth and having to apologize.
Through the years, particularly through the earlier a part of his profession, Kanye West made a number of film and TV appearances (and, with the latter, I’m not simply speaking about his musical visitor appearances on SNL). West cameoed as himself on Entourage and voiced a considerably fictional model of himself named Kenny West on a number of episodes of The Cleveland Present. The “Jesus Walks” performer additionally performed himself or a personality within the movies State Property 2, The Love Guru and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
Given how Ye gravitated in the direction of comedy on the time, it is sensible that he would’ve needed to crew up with Larry Charles for a mission. Charles defined that he and the Grammy winner have been engaged on a half-hour improvisational present, which might’ve been based mostly on the latter’s life. JB Smoove, whom Charles labored with on Curb, was additionally set to star within the present. Charles went on to recall the tone of the manufacturing and the way the dynamic amongst the artistic crew, forward of HBO making the choice to scrap the mission:
That present was form of like him. His life as a comical horror story. Everyone obtained alongside nice. and [West] was great to work with truly. And I even thought-about him a buddy at that time.
Kanye West has misplaced a number of pals (and numerous enterprise offers) over time, as he’s come underneath fireplace for making antisemitic statements and sharing different inflammatory ideas. By way of a few of his well-known buddies, fellow rapper Pusha-T didn’t mourn the lack of their friendship and, after West made inappropriate remarks about Jay-Z’s children, that bond appears to be damaged as effectively. Larry Charles – who just lately mentioned cocaine use within the ‘80s – weighed in on West’s private issues as effectively and expressed empathy for him:
There’s all these little issues, these little adjustments in life that kind of have these gigantic penalties. And so, once more, he’s someone who has veered off into this route and clearly there are psychological well being points. He’s a golden goose and golden gooses in Hollywood are exploited. No person steps as much as assist them and take them out of the limelight for some time and get them the assistance they want. As a substitute, they proceed to take advantage of them as a result of they will make a lot cash.
It’s intriguing to consider what Ye’s life and profession may’ve been like had sure selections not been made. Admittedly, the present he and Larry Charles have been engaged on additionally sounds fascinating. Whereas it goes with out saying that Ye’s public picture may be very particular at present, Charles’ sentiments paint an image of a younger man who was a fan of comedy and a strong collaborator.