The series stars Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, and Rip Torn and features celebrities playing exaggerated, self-parodying versions of themselves. The show has its roots in Shandling's stand-up comedy background, his experience as a guest host on "The Tonight Show" and his earlier sitcom "It's Garry Shandling's Show". The program has had a marked and long-lasting influence on HBO as well as on television shows in the US and Britain such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "30 Rock" and "The Office". The supporting cast includes Janeane Garofalo, Wallace Langham, Penny Johnson, Linda Doucett, Scott Thompson and Jeremy Piven.