"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is funnier than you.  And Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is hotter (photo: EW.com)

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is in its seventh glorious season on HBO, and so far it's had a per-episode track record that beats any other returning or new comedy on TV: it's that good.  This season is the much-hyped "Seinfeld reunion" season, but tonight's ep wasn't heavy on the "Seinfeld" cast.  You know what it was heavy on, though?  Rosie O'Donnell.  How'd she fair, and how's our beloved anti-sitcom doing this week?  Read on to check out the Comedy Examiner's review, my gentle Examiner readers...

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is enjoying what may turn out to be its best season.  Every episode so far has been outstanding, and even though HBO and everyone involved with "Curb" pushed the "Seinfeld" angle on us in the weeks leading up to the season premiere, the show's reluctance to beat us over the head with the cast's presence shows that it's strong enough to get by without gimmicks.  This week's ep, "Denise Handicapped", was no exception.

The episode starts with Larry meeting and picking up a girl in a coffee shop.  In typical "Curb" fashion, this doesn't go exactly as he expected: when the conversation ends and the girl moves to give Larry her number, it's revealed that she's in a wheelchair.  This kickstarts the main plotline for this episode, with Larry navigating the "dating a handicapped girl" waters.  Because this is "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and not, say, "a very special episode" of "Touched By An Angel", you already know that this situation isn't handled with much political correctness.

And thank God.  So much comedy on TV right now is absolutely toothless, so it's refreshing to see a show that isn't afraid to take some chances, say some not-too-nice things, and generally have the b@lls to go ahead with a premise even when it might be offensive to some.  Of course, that means that this episode of "Curb" won't be for everyone, but we imagine that if you're easily offended, you're not watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in the first place.

Let's get with the highlights:

• Leon, whose every line and exchange with Larry never fails to make this comedy fan laugh.  When Leon suggests that Larry "Bring the ruckus to the ass", we were laughing hysterically.  Thank God they kept Leon around; he's a good foil for Larry while Cheryl's outta the picture (by the way, points off-- once again-- for keeping her outta the show for another week).
• Ted Danson's freakout in the restaurant when Larry wouldn't eat the pie.  It's great to watch Danson in this, then turn around and watch his character in "Bored to Death".  Two totally different roles, one great comedic actor workin' 'em both like a machine.  For the record, we don't know which version of Danson we prefer, just so long as he ain't dating Whoopi Goldberg (that was just creepy).
• Larry's indecisiveness while saving a life at the beach. 
• Larry's questioning of the couple who'd just adopted an Asian baby.  This isn't the first time we've seen Larry casually eat an ice cream cone while pestering someone with wildly offensive questions, and we hope it's not the last.  Something about the combination of a grown man licking an ice cream cone and cluelessly grilling someone in the most offensive way imaginable gets us in the good spot. 
• Larry's realization(s) that dating a girl in a wheelchair comes with some pretty hefty perks.
• Physical humor: Larry trying to put the moves on Denise while she's seated in her chair.  Hilarious.

Now, as for what didn't work:

• Once again-- and as previously mentioned-- an unacceptable lack of Cheryl.
• Jeff seemed really low-key, low-energy in this episode.  Kinda like he had better things to be doing.  Come to think of it, he hasn't really been given all that much to do this season.  Season 7 has been really, really Larry-centric (likely due to his separation from Cheryl), and we'd like to see more of the supporting players: Jeff, Suzy, Ted, and definitely Leon.  And where's Wanda? 
• Rosie O'Donnell.  Don't like her.  Never have, probably never will.  Don't need her in my "Curb".
• This episode wasn't as satisfying as the ones that've preceded it, but it's difficult to pinpoint why.  Sometimes, the awkward situations that David comes up with to entangle into one another in service of a plot gel very well, sometimes they seem a little shoehorned in.  Tonight was one of those latter nights.  That said, a mediocre episode of "Curb" is still better than 90% of any other sitcom you might catch on TV. 

MY grade for tonight's episode: B+.

Aaand, that's that for this week, folks.  Next week looks to be more "Seinfeld"-centric, so stay tuned for some preview coverage on that later in the week.  What'd you think of tonight's episode?  Good, bad, ugly, mediocre?  Were you offended at some of the jokes, or are you used to that by now with "Curb"?  Sound off in the comments section below; we wanna hear what you have to say, folks!

And be sure to hit the "Subscribe" button up top if you want to receive all our future "Curb Your Enthusiasm" reviews this season, as well as every other article that the Comedy Examiner runs.  You'll get all of it, free of charge, delivered straight to your email the moment that it's published: what more could ya want?  The Comedy Examiner's articles make for great time-killers at work, too, in case you're sick of "minesweeper", so get on the Comedy Examiner Train today!  Hit that "Subscribe" button!

And, while you're here, check out some of the Comedy Examiner's other recent articles:

"HILARIOUS FAIL Continues! "Bubble Boy" and family accused of "hoax" by town sheriff!"-- in which we offer up the latest news on that idiot family that faked a runaway balloon ride.  Required reading for snark enthusiasts.

"Weekend Box Office: How'd comedies do?"-- find out in our weekly recap of box office results.  What movie'd you see this weekend?

"Must DVR Comedy: The Monty Python documentary airs on IFC tonight! (with video):-- in which the Comedy Examiner reminds you what you need to set your DVR to record this evening!  With bonus videos!  Click now!

"Comedy Examiner Review: Last night's "SNL" with Gerard Butler!"-- how's SNL doing these days?  Find out here, folks; it ain't all bad news.