Hank gets his shot at the big chair when Larry gets food poisoning just before a taping.
WAR
81.2
Wins Above Replacement
“Hank's Night in the Sun” ranks #2 of 90 The Larry Sanders Show episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 87.2 — Elite. The episode packs 66 scored jokes at 2.4 per minute, averaging 7.3 on craft and 7.1 on impact, with Hank landing the most laughs. Every joke is ranked below with its individual craft and impact scores.
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Top Jokes
Hank: You see, it's not Larry who is sick. It's me. Yes, it's me. I am very sick. I am a sicko. I'm so fucking sick. But I'm finally where I belong.
Hank Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Artie: Actually, we're off the list--Hank.
Larry: [Retching]
Beverly: Larry? Artie, it's Beverly. Larry's vomiting again. Can we get back to you?
Hank: I prayed. I mean, I actually got down on my knees, and I prayed that Larry would stay sick so I could host the show tonight. I mean, I wished this man unwell.
Hank Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Artie: I have to be honest. I thought we were going to have to warn people to watch this show through a pin hole and a piece of cardboard.
Artie Setup/Punchline Observational ★ Rewatch Artie: Last night he was a crying mess... Now he's the ass of the western world.
Artie Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch All Jokes — 66 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ Artie: The next time one of you shows up wearing black sneakers instead of black dress shoes, you'll need 'em because I'll chase your delicate little butt right out into the street.
Artie Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Because he thinks if you can see the colors, it's easier to pick the flavor.
Artie: Thank god, because I've seen Larry vomit. It's not something you want to watch over and over again on Hard Copy.
Artie Dark/Subversive Observational ★ Rewatch Artie: You're right. Flop Howie and Louie, bump Saget from third to fourth, and make sure that Seinfeld knows that he's our first choice.
Artie Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Artie: When he says no, make sure that Richard Lewis thinks that he's our first choice, and so on down the list.
Artie Character Comedy Observational ★ Rewatch Paula: Oh, your mind amazes me!
Artie: I'm just now comfortable with it myself.
Paula Artie Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Artie: 80% unemployment in the acting ranks, you can't find me one name?
Artie Observational Escalation Paula: Well, there's some chimps at Live at 5 who might be available.
Paula Deadpan/Understatement Absurdist Artie: Paula, are you aware I'm about to open the lid of a box far nastier than Pandora's?
Artie Setup/Punchline Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: I'm not supposed to eat in my show clothes. I know. It's just...I get hungry.
Hank Artie Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Hank: My psychic told me a man in my life was going to be given a great opportunity. I thought she meant my father was going to get a job, but--but this, this is good, too.
Hank Character Comedy Observational ★ Rewatch Hank: I can't move my legs.
Artie: Whoop. Hip.
Hank: I'm doing some creative visualization, and I'm seeing the audience screaming with laughter.
Artie: I'm seeing the same thing, Darlene.
Artie: Thank you for explaining the screaming.
Hank: And, uh, I want to eat some fruit. I don't know why... A pineapple.
Hank Character Comedy Absurdist ★ Rewatch Callback Hank: Artie, my pal, Shadoe Stevens, he's 2 blocks away. Why don't we call him, have him do the warm-up and the intro? Shadoe is 2 blocks away. Did I say that already?
Hank Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort Hank: It's just such a wonderful, tremendous vote of confidence. I want to thank you.
Artie: Hank, believe me, I had no choice.
Hank: I know. Thank you.
Hank Artie Irony/Sarcasm Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Sid: My, god. Larry's sick?
Hank: Yeah. Food poisoning.
Sid: Didn't anybody tell you?
Hank: No!
Hank Sid Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: I guess Artie did, but I was so nervous, and the shock and the excitement, uh...
Hank Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Hank: Even though Larry couldn't be here tonight, I know he's comfortable. I have an american car. The trunk is quite spacious.
Sid: Flip it. No, that's it, Hank.
Hank: What?
Sid: That's the joke.
Hank Sid Misdirection Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Hank: Even though Larry couldn't be here tonight, I know he's comfortable. I have an american car, and I put him in the trunk, and I kidnapped him.
Hank Escalation Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Artie: Actually, we're off the list--Hank.
Larry: [Retching]
Beverly: Larry? Artie, it's Beverly. Larry's vomiting again. Can we get back to you?
Phil: I'm Phil, the best writer. Thanks for doing the show.
George Wendt: No problem. There's been a little change.
George Wendt: Who's gonna host? Uh...Hank.
Phil: Hank?
George Wendt: Well, that's cool.
Phil: Oh, my god. Oh, my god.
George Wendt: I did Conan's first show, so... You have to remember.
Phil: Yes, I do, and I forgive you.
Shadoe Stevens: Kings...Kingsley! Kings-leyyyy! Kind of a flaired-out riff. No. B-flat. Kings-ley! Kings-leyyyyy!
Hank: I'm just trying to pick out the right tie for the show. What about this one? You think that one?
Artie: Oh, definitely.
Hank: Ok. That's the one. You're the boss.
Hank Artie Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: And, uh, you know, I ordered some pineapple. Have you seen my pineapple?
Hank Artie Running Gag Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Hank: Don't make me do this. Ok? I just can't do this. I'm not... I'm not up to this. Don't make me.
Hank Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: What if I suck?
Artie: Never!
Hank: Yeah, what if I suck? After all this time, I finally get my chance, and what if I just suck?
Hank: What are you drinking?
Paula: Red zinger and gin.
Artie: I been in this business, man and boy, almost 40 years. I know things, Hank. Let me tell you one of the things I know. You do not suck!
Artie Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Hank: Now, before we goes... Before we goes on...
Hank Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: Even though Larry wouldn't be... couldn't be here tonight, I know he's comfortable. I have an american car, and the trunk is quite spacious.
Hank Callback Misdirection ★ Rewatch Callback Hank: Tennis star Jennifer Capriati is in the drug rehab. I mean, is this really a surprise? I seem to remember people all the time saying she preferred playing on grass.
Hank Wordplay/Pun Observational Beverly: He just got his first big laugh. Good for Hank.
Artie: You don't understand. This is gonna go right to his head.
Hank: You know, my father always told me to tell the truth, so if it isn't obvious, I'm really terrified. So you're probably not going to see a really great show tonight.
Hank Character Comedy Observational ★ Rewatch Audience: Go, Hank, go! [Chanting] Hank! Hank! Hank!
George Wendt: Hank, cards are a crutch. They're a crutch. There goes-- Thank you and good night. Hank, you don't need the cards.
Artie: I have to be honest. I thought we were going to have to warn people to watch this show through a pin hole and a piece of cardboard.
Artie Observational Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Artie: I have to be honest. I thought we were going to have to warn people to watch this show through a pin hole and a piece of cardboard.
Artie Setup/Punchline Observational ★ Rewatch Hank: Now I know why Larry is so puffed up.
Hank Character Comedy Observational ★ Rewatch Beverly: Well, Artie, he's over that food poisoning, but last night, he ran into the bathroom, and he slipped and fell and hit his head on the john.
Beverly Escalation Physical/Slapstick Beverly: It's serious enough to get those pain killers he's been after. Yay!
Beverly Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: You sound a little surprised I did so well.
Artie: Oh? I'm glad I'm not playing poker anytime soon.
Hank Artie Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Paula: No. No, I book talent. I don't get coffee.
Hank: Then could you book David Copperfield on the show, and when he gets here, have him pull a cup of coffee out of his ass?
Hank: Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but the procedure is the guest host gets to use Larry's office, right?
Beverly: Yes. The guest host, which you are not.
Beverly: Because if I do, you know he'll give me the go-ahead to kick your balls right out through the top of your head!
Hank: Oh, language!
Hank: Hey. Hey, I saved your asses last night. This is the--the fucking gratitude I get?
Hank Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Artie: 'Kingsley proved himself completely maladroit in the host's chair.' Hank, 'adroit' means 'able.' 'Mal' means 'bad' or 'not.' Put 'em together. Maladroit--not able. capisce?
Artie Hank Wordplay/Pun Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: Well, it's funny because last week, Larry and Arthur were talking, and one of them said that they thought the whole neurotic Jewish person thing that you do is, uh-- What'd he say? Predictably, uh, banal.
Hank: The whole neurotic Jewish person thing that you do is, uh-- What'd he say? Predictably, uh, banal.
Hank Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Larry: I'm sure Hank got on the phone with him. That crazy son of a bitch. I don't think Richard's that crazy. I think that's just an act. I meant Hank.
Artie: Last night he was a crying mess... Now he's the ass of the western world.
Artie Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Writer: I think socks had something to do with that decision.
Hank: It's not funny. I beg your pardon? What word do you have trouble with? You understand 'not'? That's comfortable for you? And 'funny.' You've heard of that?
Darlene: What? What?! You've changed, Hank. There's a darkness around you.
Hank: Good, fine. There's a darkness.
Darlene Hank Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Hank: I prayed. I mean, I actually got down on my knees, and I prayed that Larry would stay sick so I could host the show tonight. I mean, I wished this man unwell.
Hank Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Hank: See, that's interesting because I told our head writer that that was, you know, a little off, but he's such a hopeless retard that...
Hank Cringe/Discomfort Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Hank: You see, it's not Larry who is sick. It's me. Yes, it's me. I am very sick. I am a sicko. I'm so fucking sick. But I'm finally where I belong.
Hank Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Hank: I'm sure socks had something to do with that decision. See, that's interesting because I told our head writer that that was, you know, a little off, but he's such a hopeless retard that...
Hank Escalation Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Callback Audience member: You suck!
Hank: Take a seat.
Artie: Oh, no, Hank. It really got away. It's down in Bolivia by now.
Artie Setup/Punchline Escalation ★ Rewatch Artie: You should send 3 baskets to Lionel Richie, one for each time you called him Little Richard.
Artie Escalation Observational ★ Rewatch Artie: When you're vulnerable and humble, people like you. When you act like an asshole, people tend to think of you as an asshole.
Artie Observational Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Artie: when you're sick that close to air, we'll cancel. Hank's place is on the couch where he does his best work. And always let Beverly go into that yogurt shop alone.
Artie Escalation Callback ★ Rewatch Callback Artie: I'll admit, I may have mishandled this affair, but everything turned out for the best.
Artie Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Larry: Hey, Artie? What's happenin'?
Larry Callback Reaction Beat ★ Rewatch Top Episodes — The Larry Sanders Show