Shaq

Larry (Larry David) and Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) are at a restaurant with a large group of acquaintances. One of them, Jeremy (Jay Johnson of Mr. Show) asks Larry to write him a letter of recommendation for a fellowship at the L.A. County Museum. Another, Jill (Brett Paesel, also of Mr. Show) asks Larry to do a page in a birthday book she's giving her husband. "I go out to dinner and I wind up with a homework assignment," he complains to Cheryl on the way out. Larry is also annoyed because Cheryl's parents (Paul Dooley and Julie Payne) are visiting, and he finds them arguing loudly over a game of Scattergories when he gets home. Later, Larry muses about the letter he's supposed to write for Jeremy. "Dear County Board," he suggests to Cheryl, "I'm writing on behalf of Jeremy -- I'll find out his last name and write back to you." Later, at the gym with Jeff (Jeff Garlin), they run into Albert Mayo (Mark DeCarlo), Shaquille O'Neal's agent, and Jeff introduces him to Larry. Jeff also suggests Larry show a worrying spot on his back to Dr. Wiggins (Joel McKinnon Miller), the Lakers team doctor, who's there with Mayo. Larry meekly approaches the doctor, who gruffly refuses to look at his back. Jeff is excited about the Lakers season starting, because he has season tickets, right on the floor. But he can't go to the first game, so he gives the tickets to Larry, even though Larry professes to hate the Lakers. Larry invites Richard Lewis. They're enjoying the game until Shaq comes in off the bench just as Larry is stretching out his legs. Shaq trips over Larry and is seriously injured, making Larry a social pariah throughout Los Angeles, which turns out to be extremely pleasant for him.