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{{short description|American television sitcom (1989–1998)}} {{Short description|American television sitcom (1989–1998)}}
{{about|the American television sitcom}} {{About|the American television sitcom}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Use American English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| name = Seinfeld
| image = Seinfeld logo.svg | image = Seinfeld logo.svg
| genre = ]<br />] | genre = ]<br />] <br />] <br />]
| creator = {{ubl|]|]}} | creator = {{ubl|]|]}}
| showrunner = Larry David (seasons 1–7)
| director = {{ubl|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| director = {{ubl|] (seasons 1–5)|] (seasons 6–9)|Various (seasons 1, 3, 6 & 8)}}
| presenter = | presenter =
| starring = {{ubl|]|]| ]|]}} | starring = {{ubl|Jerry Seinfeld|]|]|]}}
| theme_music_composer = ] | theme_music_composer = ]
| country = United States | country = United States
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| list_episodes = List of Seinfeld episodes | list_episodes = List of Seinfeld episodes
| executive_producer = {{ubl|Larry David (1990–1996)|]|]|]|(1991–1993)|Jerry Seinfeld (1996–1998)|] (1997–1998)|] (1997–1998)}} | executive_producer = {{ubl|Larry David (1990–1996)|]|]|]|(1991–1993)|Jerry Seinfeld (1996–1998)|] (1997–1998)|] (1997–1998)}}
| camera = ] | camera = ]
| runtime = 22–24 minutes | runtime = 22–24 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist| | company = {{Plain list|
* Giggling Goose Productions (1989) * Giggling Goose Productions (1989)
* Fred Barron Productions<br />(1990, season 1) * Fred Barron Productions (1990, season 1)
* ]/] Productions * ]/] Productions
* ] * ]
}} }}
| distributor = ]{{refn|group=nb|name="nb distribution"|Some prints of Seinfeld credit the company as Columbia Pictures Television Distribution. ] (often credited as Columbia TriStar Television Distribution on prints) took over distribution in 1995, followed by ] in 2002 (as Sony Pictures Television Studios in the ] prints since 2021) and handling syndication.}}
| network = ] | network = ]
| first_aired = {{start date|1989|7|5}} | first_aired = {{start date|1989|7|5}}
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| released = | released =
}} }}
'''''Seinfeld''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|aɪ|n|f|ɛ|l|d}} {{respell|SYNE|feld}}) is<!-- Do not change to "was" as fiction is written in present tense and remains as "is" per Misplaced Pages convention. See: ]. --> an American television ] created by ] and ]. It aired on ] from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, over nine seasons and ]. It stars Seinfeld as ] and focuses on his personal life with three of his friends: best friend ] (]), former girlfriend ] (]), and his neighbor from across the hall, ] (]). It is set mostly in an apartment building in ]'s ] in ]. It has been described as "a show about nothing", often focusing on the ].<ref name="BBC" /> Interspersed a few times each episode are moments of ] from the fictional Jerry Seinfeld, frequently using the episode's events for material.


'''''Seinfeld''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|aɪ|n|f|ɛ|l|d}} {{respell|SYNE|feld}}) is<!-- Do not change to "was" as fiction is written in present tense and remains as "is" per Misplaced Pages convention. See: ]. --> an American ] created by ] and ] that originally aired on ] from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, with a total of nine seasons consisting of ]. Its ] stars Seinfeld as a ] and focuses on his personal life with three of his friends: best friend ] (]), former girlfriend ] (]), and neighbor from across the hall, ] (]).
As a rising comedian in the late 1980s, Jerry Seinfeld was presented with an opportunity to create a show with NBC. He asked Larry David, a fellow comedian and friend, to help create a premise for a sitcom.<ref>{{cite book |last=Armstrong |first=Jennifer |date=2016 |title=Seinfeldia |location=New York, NY |publisher=Simon & Schuster |pages=7–8 |isbn=978-1-4767-5610-3 |author-link=Jennifer Armstrong}}</ref> The series was produced by West-Shapiro Productions and ], and distributed by ].<ref group="nb" name="nb distribution" /> It was largely written by David and Seinfeld, with script writers who included ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. A favorite among critics, the series led the ] in seasons six and nine, and finished among the top two (with NBC's '']'') every year from 1994 to 1998. Only two other shows, '']'' and '']'', have finished their runs at the top of the ratings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Looking back at 'I Love Lucy' 64 years later|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/10-love-lucy-article-1.2397434|last=Dostis|first=Melanie|website=New York Daily News|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>


''Seinfeld'' is set mostly in and around the titular character's apartment in ]'s ] in ]. It has been described as "a show about nothing", often focusing on the ].<ref name="BBC" /> Interspersed in all episodes of the first seven seasons are moments of ] from the fictional Jerry Seinfeld, frequently related to the episode's events.
''Seinfeld'' is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms of all time. It has been ranked among television's best shows in publications such as '']'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ew.com/gallery/tv-10-all-time-greatest/|title=TV: 10 All-Time Greatest|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/28/rolling-stone-has-come-up-with-the-100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-my-list-was-a-little-different/|title=Rolling Stone has come up with the 100 greatest TV shows of all time. My list was a little different.|last=Stuever|first=Hank|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 28, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> and '']''.<ref name=tvguideTop50>{{cite news|title=TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/|agency=Associated Press|date=April 26, 2002|author=Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie|access-date=February 16, 2022|work=CBS News}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite magazine |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |magazine=TV Guide Magazine |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19 }}</ref> Its most renowned episodes include "]", "]", "]",<ref>{{cite magazine|year=1997|title=Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time|magazine=]|issue=June 28 – July 4}}</ref> "]", and "]".<ref name=TVGuide100Episodes>"TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time and over 6.5 billion different people have watched an episode". '']''; June 15, 2009; pp. 34–49.</ref> In 2013, the ] voted it the No. 2 Best-Written TV Series of All Time (second to '']'').<ref name="writers guild of america">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/list|title=101 Best Written TV Series|website=www.wga.org}}</ref> ] named it the "Number 1 reason the '90s ruled",<ref name="e-101">, TV.com</ref> and quotes from numerous episodes have become catchphrases in popular culture.


As a rising comedian in the late 1980s, Jerry Seinfeld was presented with an opportunity to create a show with NBC. He asked Larry David, a fellow comedian and friend, to help create a premise for a sitcom.<ref>{{cite book |last=Armstrong |first=Jennifer |date=2016 |title=Seinfeldia |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |pages=7–8 |isbn=978-1-4767-5610-3 |author-link=Jennifer Armstrong}}</ref> The series was produced by West-Shapiro Productions and ] and distributed by ] (now known as ]).{{refn|group=nb|name="nb distribution"|Some prints of Seinfeld credit the company as Columbia Pictures Television Distribution. ] (often credited as Columbia TriStar Television Distribution on prints) took over distribution in 1995, followed by ] in 2002 (as Sony Pictures Television Studios in the ] prints since 2021, ] prints in 2022, and ] prints since 2023{{efn|The Sony Pictures Television logo from the show's pre-2021 prints is shown at the end of the network's on-screen credits in the TV Land prints.}}) and handling syndication.}} It was largely written by David and Seinfeld along with scriptwriters. A favorite among critics, the series led the ] in Seasons 6 and 9 and finished among the top two (along with '']'' of the same network) every year from 1994 to 1998. Only two other shows—'']'' and '']''—finished their runs at the top of the ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Looking back at 'I Love Lucy' 64 years later |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/10-love-lucy-article-1.2397434 |last=Dostis|first=Melanie|website=Daily News |location=New York |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
==Cast==
===Main===
]
* ] (]) – Jerry is a "minor ]" ] who is often depicted as "]" amid the general insanity generated by the people in his world. The in-show character is a mild ] and ], as well as an avid ], ] and ] fan. Jerry's apartment is the center of a world visited by his eccentric friends and a focus of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=jerry&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Jerry |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212015442/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters |archive-date=December 12, 2007 }}</ref>
* ] (]) – Elaine is Jerry's ex-girlfriend and later friend. She is friendly, while also being sarcastic, selfish, and unorganized. She sometimes tends to be too honest with people (usually by losing her temper), which often gets her into trouble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=elaine&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Elaine |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217220207/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=elaine&type=char |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref> She usually gets caught up in her boyfriends' quirks, eccentric employers' unusual behaviors and idiosyncrasies, and the maladjustment of total strangers. She tends to make poor choices in men she dates and is often overly reactive. First, she works at Pendant Publishing with Mr. Lippman, is later hired as a personal assistant for Mr. Pitt, and later works for the J. Peterman catalog as a writer. Elaine is popularly described as an amalgamation of David's and Seinfeld's girlfriends during their early days in ] as struggling comedians.
* ] (]) – Kramer is Jerry's ] neighbor. His trademarks include his humorous upright ], vintage clothes, and energetic sliding bursts through Jerry's apartment door. Kramer was heavily based on a neighbor of David's during his amateur comedic years in Manhattan. At times, he appears ], uneducated, and impulsive, and at other times, quick-witted, helpful, and empathetic; similarly, he is exaggeratedly successful, socially, with his charisma and laid-back personality. This is seen in his success with women and employers. He has been described as a "hipster doofus." Although he never holds a steady job, he is rarely short of money and often invents wacky schemes that often work at first then eventually fail. Kramer is friends with ], and they work well together despite their differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=kramer&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Kramer |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217215856/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=kramer&type=char |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref>
* ] (]) – George is Jerry's best friend since high school. He is stingy, conniving, pedantic, and jealous of others' achievements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=george&type=char |title=Seinfeld – Cast and Characters |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127162844/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=george&type=char |archive-date=January 27, 2012 }}</ref> He is depicted as a loser who is perpetually lacking confidence about his capabilities. He rants and lies easily about his profession, relationships, and almost everything else, which usually creates trouble for him later. He often uses the alias Art Vandelay when lying or concocting a cover story. Despite these shortcomings, George is very reliable to his friends and has success in dating women, and eventually secures a steady career as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary for the ]. The character of George was based on Larry David himself.


''Seinfeld'' is universally regarded as one of the greatest and most influential American shows of all time. It has been ranked among US television's best shows in publications such as '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ew.com/gallery/tv-10-all-time-greatest/|title=TV: 10 All-Time Greatest |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 27, 2013|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/28/rolling-stone-has-come-up-with-the-100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-my-list-was-a-little-different/ |title=Rolling Stone has come up with the 100 greatest TV shows of all time. My list was a little different.|last=Stuever|first=Hank|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 28, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> '']'',<ref name=tvguideTop50>{{cite news|title=TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/|agency=Associated Press|date=April 26, 2002|author=Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie|access-date=February 16, 2022|work=CBS News}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite magazine |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |magazine=TV Guide Magazine |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19 }}</ref> and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|work=Variety|date=December 20, 2023}}</ref> Its most renowned episodes include "]", "]", "]",<ref>{{cite magazine|year=1997|title=Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time|magazine=]|issue=June 28 – July 4}}</ref> "]", and "]".<ref name=TVGuide100Episodes>"TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time and over 6.5 billion different people have watched an episode". '']''; June 15, 2009; pp. 34–49.</ref> In 2013, the ] voted it the second best-written TV series of all time (second to '']'').<ref name="writers guild of america">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/list|title=101 Best Written TV Series|website=www.wga.org}}</ref> ] named it the "Number 1 reason the '90s ruled".<ref name="e-101"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926061345/http://www.tv.com/e!s-101/reasons-the-90s-ruled-101---81/episode/315325/summary.html |date=September 26, 2009 }}, TV.com</ref> Quotes from numerous episodes have become catchphrases in popular culture.
===Recurring===
{{Main|List of Seinfeld minor characters}}
Many characters have made multiple appearances, notably Jerry and George's parents, Morty and Helen Seinfeld, who reside in Florida; the overbearing Frank and Estelle Costanza; George's on-again, off-again fiancée Susan Ross; Jerry's ]; Elaine's variety of bosses, Mr. Lippman, Mr. Pitt, and J. Peterman; and Kramer's friend, ], a mail carrier who lives in the same building and is Jerry's nemesis.


==Production==
In addition to recurring characters, ''Seinfeld'' features numerous celebrities who appear as themselves or girlfriends, boyfriends, bosses, and other acquaintances. Many actors who made guest appearances became household names later in their careers or were already well known.
===Conception===
''Seinfeld'' began as a 23-minute pilot titled "]". Created by ] and ], developed by NBC executive Rick Ludwin, and produced by ], it was a mix of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy routines and idiosyncratic, conversational scenes focusing on mundane aspects of everyday life like laundry, the buttoning of the top button on one's shirt, and the effort by men to interpret the intent of women spending the night in Seinfeld's apartment.<ref name=TVGuide>Battaglio, Stephen (June 30, 2014). "'Annoying' 'Disorienting' 'Boring': On ''Seinfeld's'' 25th anniversary an exclusive look at the memo that almost killed the show". '']''. pp. 18–19.</ref>


The pilot was filmed at Stage 8 of ] studios, the same studio where '']'' was filmed (seen by the crew as a good omen),<ref>{{cite video|people=]|title=Seinfeld Seasons 1 & 2: Inside Looks – "The Seinfeld Chronicles"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 23, 2004}}</ref> and was recorded at Ren-Mar Studios in ].<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN>{{cite video|title=Seinfeld Seasons 1 & 2: Notes about Nothing – "The Seinfeld Chronicles"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 23, 2004}}</ref> The pilot was first screened to a group of two dozen NBC executives in ], in early 1989. It did not yield the explosion of laughter garnered by the pilots for the decade's previous NBC successes like '']'' and ''].'' ] was not convinced the show would work. A Jewish man from New York himself, Tartikoff characterized it as "Too New York, too Jewish" (a sentiment which would also lead to the Cosmo character's later surname change from the more Jewish-sounding Kessler to Kramer).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Krieger|first=Rosalin|date=October 2003|title="Does he say the word Jewish?" – Jewish representations in Seinfeld|journal=Journal for Cultural Research|volume=7|issue=4|pages=387–404|doi=10.1080/1479758032000165048|s2cid=144869141|issn=1479-7585}}</ref> Test audiences were even harsher. NBC's practice at the time was to recruit 400 households by phone to ask them to evaluate pilots it aired on an unused channel on its cable system. An NBC research department memo summarized the pilot's performance among the respondents as "weak", which ], then second-in-command in NBC's entertainment division, called "a dagger to the heart".<ref name=TVGuide/> Comments included, "You can't get too excited about two guys going to the laundromat", "Jerry's loser friend George isn't a forceful character", "Jerry needs a stronger supporting cast", and "Why are they interrupting the stand-up for these stupid stories?"<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/> Seinfeld and David did not see the memo for several years, but after they became aware of it, they hung it in a bathroom on the set. Seinfeld comments, "We thought, if someone goes in to use this bathroom, this is something they should see. It fits that moment."<ref name=TVGuide/>
; Seinfeld's girlfriends

A number of actresses made guest appearances as Seinfeld's love interests in single episodes:
Around the time the show's pilot was filmed, Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced the show, had also produced another pilot for NBC that featured ] in her almost-similarly eponymous TV series. When ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'' tested poorly with audiences, Castle Rock focused on Jillian's series, which tested better with audiences and received a full-season order. '']'' lasted only a single season of 13 episodes and was off the air by the end of 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/seinfeld-finale-at-20-hidden-tales-vault-a-comedians-bizarro-world-1111377/ |title='Seinfeld' Finale at 20: Hidden Tales From the Vault of a Comedian's Bizarro World |last=Freeman|first=Marc |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 13, 2018 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |quote=Castle Rock, which owned the series, had two pilots at NBC that year: Seinfeld and one with Ann Jillian. Whereas Seinfeld tested poorly, Ann Jillian tested through the roof and earned a 13-episode commitment. Castle Rock decided to focus on that.}}</ref>

===First seasons===
When NBC announced its 1989–90 (primetime) schedule in May 1989, ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'' was not included, but the show's supporters did not give up. The pilot first aired on July 5, 1989, and finished second in its time slot against the CBS police drama '']'',<ref name=TVGuide/> receiving a ] of 10.9/19.<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/> The ratings did not exhibit the regional skew Tartikoff predicted, much to the encouragement of the show's supporters. Ludwin canceled one of the ] specials budgeted for that season so the entertainment division had the money to order four more episodes of ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'', which formed the rest of ] (the series was by then retitled to ''Seinfeld'')<ref name=TVGuide/><ref>{{cite web|last=Duffy|first=Mike|url=https://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/1125seinfeld.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723085248/http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/1125seinfeld.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2012|title=Give thanks for 'The 'Seinfeld' Story'|publisher=azcentral.com|date=November 24, 2004|access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref>—a move without which '']'' columnist ] later said there "would be no ''Seinfeld"''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-21-0508210218-story.html |author= Rosenthal, Phil |author-link= Phil Rosenthal |date= August 21, 2005 |title= NBC executive stands apart by taking stands|newspaper=]|access-date= February 16, 2022}}</ref> Although this was a very low order number for a new series—and the smallest sitcom order in TV history<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/>—Castle Rock failed to find any other buyers when it shopped the show to other networks, and accepted the order.<ref name=TVGuide/> ''Seinfeld'' did not return to the airwaves until May 30, 1990, and it was another three years before it became a Top 5-rated show. Preston Beckman, in charge of NBC's research department at the time, reminisced, "The show was different. Nobody had seen anything like it. It wasn't unusual for poor-testing shows to get on the air, but it was very rare that they became hits."

When the program was first repeated on July 5, 1990, it received a rating of 13.9/26. These ratings were high enough to secure a second season.<ref name="S1&2DVD-NAN" /> NBC research showed that the show was popular with young male adults, a demographic sought after by advertisers. This gave NBC an incentive to keep broadcasting the show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rapp|first=David|url=http://www.americanheritage.com/entertainment/articles/web/20060531-jerry-seinfeld-sitcom-television-nbc-kramer-comedian-stand-up-larry-david.shtml|title=Seinfeld: The Unlikeliest Success Story|publisher=American Heritage|date=May 31, 2006|access-date=March 19, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315041818/http://www.americanheritage.com/entertainment/articles/web/20060531-jerry-seinfeld-sitcom-television-nbc-kramer-comedian-stand-up-larry-david.shtml|archive-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> One DVD reviewer, Britt Gillette, wrote that "this initial episode exhibits the flashes of brilliance that made ''Seinfeld'' a cultural phenomenon."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gillette|first=Britt|url=http://www.articlecity.com/articles/music_and_movies/article_518.shtml|title=Seinfeld (Seasons 1 & 2) DVD Review|publisher=Article City|date=September 20, 2006|access-date=June 16, 2019|archive-date=January 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122094547/http://www.articlecity.com/articles/music_and_movies/article_518.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Filming===
Other than the pilot, the series was filmed at ] in ]. The first three seasons were filmed on Soundstage 19; it then moved to the larger Stage 9 for the remainder of its production.<ref name="Studio Sets Seinfeld">{{cite web |title=Seinfeld Film Locations|url=https://sites.google.com/site/seinfeldfilmlocations/other_locations}}</ref> Despite numerous establishing shots taken in New York City,<ref name="Huffington Post">{{cite web |title=A guide to 'Seinfeld' filming locations in New York City|date=March 10, 2015|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-guide-to-seinfeld-filmi_b_6834026|work=HuffPost}}</ref> all scenes of the actors walking in New York were also filmed at CBS Studio Center, on their New York Street ].<ref name="RobOnLocation.com Youtube">{{cite web |title=New York Backlot at CBS Radford|website = ]| date=September 5, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc3TGBoxlBc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/zc3TGBoxlBc| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Street scenes and park scenes were filmed in the CBS Studio Centre's New York Street and Central Park backlots, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seinfeld |url=https://robonlocation.com/tv/seinfeld/ |website=Rob On Location|date=April 25, 2019 }}</ref>

A source of problems for the cast was the small sets, especially that of Jerry's apartment; Alexander noted, "If you knew you were doing a series for nine years, you would never build that set." Adding to the problem was that the scripts contained only minimal physical direction, leaving the actors needing help to come up with actions to perform while speaking. Eventually, they got into a routine of directing each other on how to make their movements look natural. Alexander said this helped them build chemistry with each other.<ref name="productionweek">{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye3bFno_1NU |title=Jason Alexander discusses a typical week of production on "Seinfeld" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG |date=July 9, 2014 |author=Archive of American Television |publisher=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Ye3bFno_1NU |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Filming usually went long, as the cast and Larry David were perfectionists. If a joke did not elicit the desired reaction, they rewrote it and performed it again. In at least one case, "The Marine Biologist," this led to David writing an entirely new scene requiring Alexander to memorize a monologue in only a matter of minutes. Laugh tracks were used only for matching shots, not for artificially adding laughter.<ref name=productionweek/>

Various locations used for establishing shots included Tom's Restaurant at 112th Street and Broadway (Monk's Cafe), Midtown West's Roosevelt Hospital (recurring exterior emergency room scene and indoor scenes in 'The Junior Mint' and 'The Bris'), Cornell Medical Centre at 525 East 68th Street, 22-39 37th Street, Queens (The Costanza's house), the Taconic State Parkway exit to the Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County, New York (driving scene in 'The Bubble Boy'), and the Amagansett farmers market, Long Island ('The Hamptons'). The exterior shot used for Jerry's New York apartment building was actually located at 757 S New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles. The real-life exterior of Pendant Publishing, Elaine's workplace, is located at 1325 Ave of the Americas, New York. The live stand-up comedy performed by Seinfeld at the beginning of most episodes was truly filmed at The Improv, a comedy club at 358 West 44th Street, Manhattan; though it closed in 1993, another comedy club operates at the site today.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bubble Boy. |url=https://mapsaboutnothing.com/2013/05/14/the-bubble-boy/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=Maps about nothing. A global guide to Seinfeld.|date=May 14, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Junior Mint |url=https://mapsaboutnothing.com/2013/05/14/the-junior-mint/ |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=Maps about nothing. Maps of Seinfeld.|date=May 14, 2013 }}</ref> The ] exterior seen in the show has now been demolished. Most office building establishing shots are real businesses and locations. Various real street locations can be gleaned from the car windows during driving scenes. By the final season, each episode of the series cost $3 million to $3.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times/131322659/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906134803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times/131322659/|title=Moolah, moolah, moolah|newspaper=]|page=37|archivedate=September 6, 2023|date=May 14, 1998|accessdate=September 6, 2023|via=]}}</ref>

More than 120 episodes make reference to the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/844011/is-there-really-a-superman-reference-in-every-seinfeld-episode/ |title=Television Is There Really A Superman Reference In Every Seinfeld Episode? |website=Looper |last=Leeman |first=Zachary |date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2023}}</ref> Teri Hatcher, who played Lois Lane on '']'', plays Jerry's girlfriend Sidra. ], who played Christina Riley on ], portrays the journalist Sharon, who Jerry says reminds him of Lois Lane. ], who played Lex Luthor on ''Superboy'', portrays Roy. Superman logos and figurines frequently appear in Jerry's apartment. Seinfeld and Superman later appear in an American Express commercial. The show was written by David and Seinfeld, along with writers who included ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].

==Series overview==


===Plotlines===
* Isabel (]) - "]" (season 3, episode 9)
Many ''Seinfeld'' episodes are based on the writers' real-life experiences, with the experiences reinterpreted for the characters' storylines. For example, George's storyline in "]" is based on Larry David's experience at '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=212 |title=Seinfacts: The Revenge |publisher=] |access-date=December 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150813/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=212 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]" is also based on David's experiences. "]" storyline is based on Peter Mehlman's lawyer friend, who could not get a bad smell out of his car. "]" is based on Dan O'Keefe's dad, who made up his own holiday: ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=910 |title=The Strike |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150844/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=910 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Other stories take a variety of turns. "]" consists of George, Jerry, and Elaine waiting for a table throughout the entire episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=206 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Chinese Restaurant |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111123925/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=206 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 }}</ref> "]", revolving around ], extends through two episodes. "]" is famous for using ] and was inspired by a similar plot device in a ] play, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=908 |title=The Betrayal |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150839/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=908 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Some stories were inspired by headlines and rumors, as explained in the DVD features "Notes About Nothing", "Inside Look" and "Audio Commentary." In "]," Kramer's lawsuit is roughly similar to the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |title=The Maestro |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150829/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]" is based primarily on rumors that Larry Charles heard about Jerry Seinfeld's sexuality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=416 |title=The Outing |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150823/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=416 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref>
* Nina (]) - "]" (season 3, episode 20)
* Marla (]) - "]" (season 4, episode 10)
* Sidra (]) - "]" (season 4, episode 19)
* Amy (]) - "]" (season 5, episode 3)
* Jody (]) - "]" (season 5, episode 9)
* Jane (]) “]” (season 5, episode 12)
* Meryl (]) - "]" (season 5, episode 17)
* Jeannie (]) - "]" (season 7, episode 24)
* Ellen (]) - "]" (season 8, episode 14)
* Jenna (]) - "]" (season 8, episode 16)
* Beth (]) - "]" (season 8, episode 19)
* Valerie (]) - "]" (season 8, episode 20)
* Lanette (]) - "]" (season 8, episode 22)
* Patty (]) - "]" (season 9, episode 3)
* Sara (]) - "]" (season 9, episode 7)


==Plotlines== ===Themes===
The series was often described as "a show about nothing."<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/seinfeld_7775675.shtml |title=Seinfeld |publisher=BBC |access-date=May 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427105254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/seinfeld_7775675.shtml |archive-date=April 27, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/work/276165|title=Seinfeld: Overview|author=Erickson, Hal |publisher=]|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> However, in 2014, Seinfeld stated: "The pitch for the show, the real pitch, when Larry and I went to NBC in 1988, was we want to show how a comedian gets his material. The show "about nothing" was just a joke in an episode many years later, and Larry and I to this day are surprised that it caught on as a way that people describe the show because, to us, it's the opposite of that."<ref>{{cite web|last=Seinfeld|first=Jerry|title=Jerry Seinfeld here. I will give you an answer. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/jerry_seinfeld_here_i_will_give_you_an_answer/ceitvvp|website=Reddit|date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> David similarly commented: "I like taking the worst qualities that a person has and trying to make something funny out of it. Doesn't everybody do terrible things and have terrible thoughts? Just by trying to be as funny, you're going to deal with a lot of things that are real, so the show's really about something. The whole thing about the show being about nothing is ridiculous."<ref>{{cite video |title=Seinfeld Season 5: Notes about Nothing - "The Mango" |medium=DVD |publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |year=2005}}</ref>
Many ''Seinfeld'' episodes are based on the writers' real-life experiences, with the experiences reinterpreted for the characters' storylines. For example, George's storyline, "]", is based on Larry David's experience at '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=212 |title=Seinfacts: The Revenge |publisher=] |access-date=December 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150813/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=212 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]" is also based on David's experiences. "]" storyline is based on Peter Mehlman's lawyer friend, who could not get a bad smell out of his car. "]" is based on Dan O'Keefe's dad, who made up his own holiday—].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=910 |title=The Strike |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150844/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=910 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Other stories take a variety of turns. "]" consists of George, Jerry and Elaine waiting for a table throughout the entire episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=206 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Chinese Restaurant |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111123925/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=206 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 }}</ref> "]", revolving around ], extends through two episodes. "]" is famous for using ], and was inspired by a similar plot device in a ] play, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=908 |title=The Betrayal |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150839/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=908 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Some stories were inspired by headlines and rumors, as explained in the DVD features "Notes About Nothing", "Inside Look", and "Audio Commentary". In "]", Kramer's lawsuit is roughly similar to the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |title=The Maestro |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150829/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]" is based primarily on rumors that Larry Charles heard about Jerry Seinfeld's sexuality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=416 |title=The Outing |publisher=] |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150823/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=416 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref>


Much of the show's humor is based upon repeated use of irony, incongruity, and (oftentimes unfortunate) coincidences. Additionally, guest characters are frequently introduced with little to no context, with a humorous focus on the atypical names of these characters, which often contain alliteration. In keeping with Seinfeld's reputation as a clean comedian,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burkeman |first=Oliver |last2= |date=January 5, 2014 |title=Jerry Seinfeld on how to be funny without sex and swearing |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jan/05/jerry-seinfeld-funny-sex-swearing-sitcom-comedy |access-date=July 12, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> though the show frequently contains dialogue around sexual themes, the show notably avoids using almost all explicit sexual terminology. Notably, in the popular episode "]," whose plot line concerns a contest amongst the main characters to see which one can go the longest without masturbating, the word 'masturbation' is never mentioned. ''Seinfeld'' broke several conventions of mainstream television. David is credited with refusing to follow a predictable sitcom formula that would have a romantic relationship develop between Jerry and Elaine.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hurd|first=Robert.|date=2006|title=Taking Seinfeld Seriously: Modernism in Popular Culture|journal=New Literary History|volume=37|issue=4|pages=761–776 |doi=10.1353/nlh.2007.0005|s2cid=55842151|issn=1080-661X}}</ref>
==Themes==
The series was often described as "a show about nothing".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/seinfeld_7775675.shtml |title=Seinfeld |publisher=BBC |access-date=May 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427105254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/seinfeld_7775675.shtml |archive-date=April 27, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/work/276165|title=Seinfeld: Overview|author=Erickson, Hal |publisher=]|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> However, Seinfeld in 2014 stated "the pitch for the show, the real pitch, when Larry and I went to NBC in 1988, was we want to show how a comedian gets his material. The show about nothing was just a joke in an episode many years later, and Larry and I to this day are surprised that it caught on as a way that people describe the show, because to us it's the opposite of that."<ref>{{cite web|last=Seinfeld|first=Jerry|title=Jerry Seinfeld here. I will give you an answer. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/jerry_seinfeld_here_i_will_give_you_an_answer/ceitvvp|website=Reddit|date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> David similarly commented, "I like taking the worst qualities that a person has and trying to make something funny out of it. Doesn’t everybody do terrible things and have terrible thoughts? Just by trying to be as funny, you’re going to deal with a lot of things that are real, so the show’s really about something. The whole thing about the show being about nothing is ridiculous."<ref>{{cite video |title=Seinfeld Season 5: Notes about Nothing - "The Mango" |medium=DVD |publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |year=2005}}</ref> Much of the show's humor is based upon repeated use of irony, incongruity, and (oftentimes unfortunate) coincidences.


''Seinfeld'' broke several conventions of ] television. David is credited with refusing to follow the predictable sitcom formula that would have a blossoming romantic relationship develop between Jerry and Elaine.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hurd|first=Robert.|date=2006|title=Taking Seinfeld Seriously: Modernism in Popular Culture|journal=New Literary History|volume=37|issue=4|pages=761–776 |doi=10.1353/nlh.2007.0005|s2cid=55842151|issn=1080-661X}}</ref> The show offers no growth or reconciliation to its characters, and eschews sentimentality.<ref name="baltimore sun">{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-05-03-1998123008-story.html|title=The world according to 'Seinfeld' No hugging, no learning. No aging, commitment or obligation. We've laughed at such postmodern sentiments for nine years. Is there anything wrong with that?|last=Zurawik|first=David|date=May 3, 1998|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> An episode is typically driven by humor interspersed with the superficial conflicts of characters with peculiar dispositions. Many episodes revolve around the characters' involvement in the lives of others with typically disastrous results. On the set, the notion that the characters should not develop or improve throughout the series was expressed as the "no hugging, no learning" rule.<ref name="baltimore sun"/> Also unlike most sitcoms, there are no moments of ]; the audience is never made to feel sorry for any of the characters. Even Susan's death in "]" elicits no genuine emotions from anybody in the show.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1996/06/07/latest-tv-trend-death|title=Latest TV trend: Death|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Nisid|last=Hajari|date=June 7, 1996|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> ''Seinfeld'' does not shy away from making light of tough topics, from death to illness to disability.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Iannone|first=Carol|date=Spring 2018 |title=Seinfeld: The Politically Incorrect Comedy: Far from being about nothing, the greatest sitcom of the 1990s was a satire of a world without rules. |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A537983199/AONE?u=aacc_ref&sid=AONE&xid=995520ed.|journal=Modern Age|pages=51|via=Academic OneFile}}</ref><ref name="politically-incorrect">{{cite web |last=Iannone |first=Carol |title=Seinfeld: The Politically Incorrect Comedy |url=https://isi.org/modern-age/seinfeld-the-politically-incorrect-comedy/ |website=isi.org |date=April 11, 2018 |publisher=Modern Age |access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> The show offers no growth or reconciliation to its characters and eschews sentimentality.<ref name="baltimore sun">{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-05-03-1998123008-story.html|title=The world according to 'Seinfeld' No hugging, no learning. No aging, commitment or obligation. We've laughed at such postmodern sentiments for nine years. Is there anything wrong with that?|last=Zurawik|first=David|date=May 3, 1998|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> An episode is typically driven by humor interspersed with the superficial conflicts of characters with peculiar dispositions. Many episodes revolve around the characters' involvement in the lives of others, with typically disastrous results. On the set, the notion that the characters should not develop or improve throughout the series was expressed as the "no hugging, no learning" rule. Larry David was adamant from the beginning that he did not want the characters to mature, grow or learn from their past mistakes. <ref name="baltimore sun" /> The characters are "thirty-something singles with vague identities, no roots, and conscious indifference to morals."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hurd |first=R. Wesley |date=June 1998 |title=Postmodernism: A New Model of Reality |url=http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/philosophy/articles/postmod.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624102627/http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/philosophy/articles/postmod.html |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2007 |publisher=McKenzie Study Center}}</ref> Also unlike most sitcoms, there are no moments of ]; the audience is never made to feel sorry for any of the characters. Even Susan's death in "]" elicits no genuine emotions from anybody in the show.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1996/06/07/latest-tv-trend-death|title=Latest TV trend: Death|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Nisid|last=Hajari|date=June 7, 1996|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> ''Seinfeld'' does not shy away from making light of tough topics, from death to illness to disability.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Iannone|first=Carol|date=Spring 2018 |title=Seinfeld: The Politically Incorrect Comedy: Far from being about nothing, the greatest sitcom of the 1990s was a satire of a world without rules. |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A537983199/AONE?u=aacc_ref&sid=AONE&xid=995520ed.|journal=Modern Age|pages=51|via=Academic OneFile}}</ref><ref name="politically-incorrect">{{cite web |last=Iannone |first=Carol |title=Seinfeld: The Politically Incorrect Comedy |url=https://isi.org/modern-age/seinfeld-the-politically-incorrect-comedy/ |website=isi.org |date=April 11, 2018 |publisher=Modern Age |access-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref>


The characters are "thirty-something singles with vague identities, no roots, and conscious indifference to morals".<ref>{{cite web|title=Postmodernism: A New Model of Reality|url=http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/philosophy/articles/postmod.html|first=R. Wesley|last=Hurd|date=June 1998|publisher=McKenzie Study Center|access-date=June 30, 2007|archive-date=June 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624102627/http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/philosophy/articles/postmod.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Usual conventions, like isolating the characters from the actors playing them and separating the characters' world from that of the actors and audience, were broken. One such example is the ] where the characters promote a TV sitcom series named ''Jerry''. The ], ''Jerry'', was much like ''Seinfeld'' in that it was "about nothing" and Seinfeld played himself. The fictional ''Jerry'' was launched in the season four finale, but unlike ''Seinfeld'', it wasn't picked up as a series. ''Jerry'' is one of many examples of ] in the show. There are no fewer than twenty-two fictional movies featured, like ''Rochelle, Rochelle''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/10/all-the-fictional-movies-on-seinfeld-ranked/|title=All The Fictional Movies On 'Seinfeld,' Ranked|work=UPROXX|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> Because of these several elements, ''Seinfeld'' became the first TV series since '']'' to be widely described as ].<ref name="Grenz">{{cite book|title=A Primer on Postmodernism|isbn=978-0-8028-0864-6|last=Grenz|first=Stanley J.|author-link=Stanley Grenz|publisher=]|date=February 1996}}</ref> The show frequently engages in fourth-wall-breaking humor and self-satire. One such example is the ], where the characters promote a TV sitcom series named ''Jerry''. The ], ''Jerry'' was much like ''Seinfeld'' in that it was "about nothing," and Seinfeld played himself. The fictional ''Jerry'' was launched in the Season 4 finale, but unlike ''Seinfeld'', it wasn't picked up as a series. ''Jerry'' is one of many examples of ] in the show. There are no fewer than 22 fictional movies featured, like ''Rochelle, Rochelle''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/10/all-the-fictional-movies-on-seinfeld-ranked/|title=All The Fictional Movies On 'Seinfeld,' Ranked|work=UPROXX|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> Because of these several elements, ''Seinfeld'' became the first TV series since '']'' to be widely described as ].<ref name="Grenz">{{cite book|title=A Primer on Postmodernism|isbn=978-0-8028-0864-6|last=Grenz|first=Stanley J.|author-link=Stanley Grenz|publisher=]|date=February 1996}}</ref>


Seinfeld is an avid ] fan, and has cited '']'' as an influence on ''Seinfeld.'' "Everybody on the show knows I'm a fan. We're always joking about how we do stuff from their show. George and I will often get into a riff that has the rhythm from the old Abbott and Costello shows. And sometimes I'll hit George in the chest the way Abbott would hit Costello." The series includes numerous references to the team. George Costanza's middle name is "Louis," after Costello.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/21/arts/seinfeld-as-opening-act-for-abbott-and-costello.html|title=Seinfeld as Opening Act For Abbott and Costello|first=Bill|last=Carter|date=November 21, 1994|access-date=January 19, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|url-access=limited}}</ref> "]" episode features a cantankerous character named "Sid Fields" as a tribute to the landlord on the team's TV show. Kramer's friend is named Mickey Abbott. A copywriter for the J. Peterman catalog is named Eddie Sherman, after the team's longtime agent. In Episode 30, Kramer hears the famous Abbott and Costello line, "His father was a mudder. His mother was a mudder." Seinfeld is an avid ] fan and has cited '']'' as an influence on ''Seinfeld'': "Everybody on the show knows I'm a fan. We're always joking about how we do stuff from their show. George and I will often get into a riff that has the rhythm from the old Abbott and Costello shows. And sometimes, I'll hit George in the chest the way Abbott would hit Costello." The series includes numerous references to the team. George Costanza's middle name is "Louis", after Costello.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/21/arts/seinfeld-as-opening-act-for-abbott-and-costello.html|title=Seinfeld as Opening Act For Abbott and Costello|first=Bill|last=Carter|date=November 21, 1994|access-date=January 19, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|url-access=limited}}</ref> "]" episode features a cantankerous character named "Sid Fields" as a tribute to the landlord on the team's TV show. Kramer's friend is named Mickey Abbott. A copywriter for the J. Peterman catalog is named Eddie Sherman, after the team's longtime agent. In Episode 30, Kramer hears the famous Abbott and Costello line, "His father was a mudder. His mother was a mudder."


==Catchphrases== ===Catchphrases===
Many terms were coined, popularized, or re-popularized in the series' run and have become part of popular culture,<ref>{{cite news|author=Caryn James|url=https://www.nytimes.com/specials/seinfeld/sein5-11parting.html|title=Goodbye! Already|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 22, 2007|date=May 12, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123105924/http://www.nytimes.com/specials/seinfeld/sein5-11parting.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=January 23, 2008|url-access=limited}}</ref> including "]",<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/celebrity/seinfeld-assesses-influence/|title=SEINFELD ASSESSES INFLUENCE|magazine=People|access-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080126200103/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,615581,00.html|archive-date=January 26, 2008}}</ref> "]", and "]". Many terms were coined, popularized, or re-popularized in the series' run and have become part of popular culture,<ref>{{cite news|first=Caryn|last=James|url=https://www.nytimes.com/specials/seinfeld/sein5-11parting.html|title=Goodbye! Already|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 22, 2007|date=May 12, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123105924/http://www.nytimes.com/specials/seinfeld/sein5-11parting.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=January 23, 2008|url-access=limited}}</ref> including "]",<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 22, 1999 |title=SEINFELD ASSESSES INFLUENCE |url=https://people.com/celebrity/seinfeld-assesses-influence/ |url-status=live |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080126200103/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,615581,00.html |archive-date=January 26, 2008 |access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> "]", "]", and "]." The lexicon of Seinfeldian code words and recurring phrases that evolved around particular episodes is referred to as ], which is also the title of Jerry Seinfeld's best-selling book on humor.<ref name="Grenz" /> These terms include "]", "]", "]", and "]".


===Consumer products===
The lexicon of Seinfeldian code words and recurring phrases that evolved around particular episodes is referred to as ], the title of Jerry Seinfeld's best-selling book on humor.<ref name="Grenz" /> These terms include "]", "]", "]" and "]".
A recurring feature of ''Seinfeld'' was its inclusion of specific products, especially ], as plot points. These might be a central feature of a plot (e.g., ], ], ], ], bite-size ], ], ], ], ] Coffee Cake and ]), or an association of candy with a guest character (e.g. ] bars) or simply a conversational aside (e.g., ], ], ]). A large number of non-candy products were also featured throughout the series.


The show's creators claim that they weren't engaging in a product placement strategy for commercial gain. One motivation for the use of real-world products, entirely unrelated to commercial considerations, is the comedy value of funny-sounding phrases and words. "I knew I wanted Kramer to think of watching the operation like going to see a movie," explained ''Seinfeld'' writer/producer Andy Robin in an interview published in ''The Hollywood Reporter''. "At first, I thought maybe a piece of popcorn falls into the patient. I ran that by my brother, and he said, 'No, Junior Mints are just funnier.'"<ref>{{cite news|title=A look at some of the biggest hits in movie and TV product placement|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011140335/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |work=]|date=April 28, 2005|access-date=November 10, 2007|author=<!--Not stated-->}}</ref>
==Music==
A signature of ''Seinfeld'' is its theme music. Composed by ], it consists of distinct solo ] ] riffs which open the show and connect the scenes, often accompanied by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQ7y5OeHWI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/oaQ7y5OeHWI| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Entertainment Tonight – Jonathan Wolff Seinfeld music|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The bass music eventually replaced the original piano/synth music by Jep Epstein when it was played again after the first broadcast of ]. The show lacked a traditional title track and the riffs were played over the first moments of dialogue or action. They vary throughout each episode and are played in an improvised funk style, matching the timing of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy delivery or transitions in the editing. An additional musical theme with an ensemble, led by a synthesized mid-range brass instrument, ends each episode.


Many advertisers capitalized on the popularity of ''Seinfeld''. ] created a ] where Jerry Seinfeld and an animated ] (voiced by ], who played the role of Puddy) starred in its commercial. The makers of the ] created the "Spongeworthy" game on their website, inspired by "]." An advertisement featured Jason Alexander in a ] commercial. In this, Alexander acts much like his character George, and his relationship with ] plays on George's relationship with Steinbrenner. Similarly, Michael Richards was the focus of a series of advertisements for ], which ran in ], where he dressed and acted precisely like Kramer, including the trademark bumbling pratfalls. In addition, the show occasionally incorporated fictional products like a ] brand called "Hennigan's" (a blend of "]" and "]") and a ] product called "Beef-a-reeno" (a parody of "]").
In "]", the first episode of season three, the bumper music featured a ] female jazz singer who sang a phrase that sounded like "easy to beat". Jerry Seinfeld and executive producer Larry David both liked Wolff's additions, and three episodes were produced with this new style of music. However, they had neglected to inform NBC and Castle Rock executives of the change, and when the season premiere aired, the executives were surprised and unimpressed and requested that they return to the original style. The subsequent two episodes were redone, leaving this episode as the only one with additional music elements.<ref>Season 3 DVD: Inside Look of 'The Note'</ref> In the commentary of "The Note", Louis-Dreyfus facetiously suggests it was removed because the perceived lyric related closely to the low ratings at the time.<ref>Season 3 DVD: 'The Note' commentary</ref>


===Music===
In the final three seasons, the bits were tweaked slightly with more frantic rhythms; a bass guitar was added in addition to the sampled bass from earlier seasons. Throughout the show, the main theme could be restyled in different ways depending on the episode. For instance, in "The Betrayal", part of which takes place in India, the theme is heard played on a ].
A signature of ''Seinfeld'' is its theme music. Composed by ], it consists of distinct solo ] ] riffs that open the show and connect the scenes, often accompanied by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQ7y5OeHWI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/oaQ7y5OeHWI| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Entertainment Tonight – Jonathan Wolff Seinfeld music|work=YouTube|date=July 11, 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The bass music eventually replaced the original piano/synth music by Jep Epstein when it was played again after the first broadcast of ]. The show lacked a traditional title track and the riffs were played over the first moments of dialogue or action. They vary throughout each episode and are played in an improvised funk style, matching the timing of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy delivery or transitions in the editing. An additional musical theme with an ensemble, led by a synthesized mid-range brass instrument, ends each episode.


In "]," the first episode of Season 3, the bumper music featured a ] female jazz singer who sang a phrase that sounded like the tune ''Easy to Beat''. Jerry Seinfeld and executive producer Larry David both liked Wolff's additions, and three episodes were produced with this new style of music. However, they had neglected to inform NBC and Castle Rock executives of the change, and when the season premiere aired, the executives were surprised and unimpressed and requested that they return to the original style. The subsequent two episodes were redone, leaving this episode as the only one with additional music elements.<ref>Season 3 DVD: Inside Look of 'The Note'</ref> In the commentary of "The Note," Louis-Dreyfus facetiously suggests it was removed because the perceived lyric related closely to the low ratings at the time.<ref>Season 3 DVD: 'The Note' commentary</ref> In the final three seasons, the bits were tweaked slightly with more frantic rhythms; a bass guitar was added in addition to the sampled bass from earlier seasons. Throughout the show, the main theme could be restyled in different ways depending on the episode. For instance, in "The Betrayal," part of which takes place in India, the theme is heard played on a ]. The soundtrack was given a digital release on July 2, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/seinfeld-soundtrack-to-be-released-1235009969/|title='Seinfeld' Soundtrack to Be Released… Finally (EXCLUSIVE)|work=Variety|first=Jon|last=Burlingame|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>
The soundtrack was given a digital release on July 2, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/seinfeld-soundtrack-to-be-released-1235009969/|title='Seinfeld' Soundtrack to Be Released… Finally (EXCLUSIVE)|publisher=Variety|first=Jon|last=Burlingame|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>
{{Track listing {{Track listing
| headline = ''Seinfeld'' (Original Television Soundtrack) | headline = ''Seinfeld'' (Original Television Soundtrack)
| extra_column = Episode(s) | extra_column = Episode(s)


| all_music = ] | all_music = Jonathan Wolff.


| title1 = ''Seinfeld'' Theme | title1 = ''Seinfeld'' Theme
Line 234: Line 232:
| length33 = 0:29 | length33 = 0:29
}} }}

==Cast and characters==
===Main characters===
]
* ] (]) – Jerry is a "minor ]" ] who is often depicted as "]" amid the general insanity generated by the people in his world. The in-show character is a mild ] and ] as well as an avid ], ], and ] fan. Jerry's apartment is the center of a world visited by his eccentric friends and a focus of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=jerry&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Jerry |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212015442/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters |archive-date=December 12, 2007 }}</ref>
* ] (]) – George has been Jerry's best friend since high school. He is stingy, conniving, pedantic, and jealous of others' achievements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seinfeld – Cast and Characters |url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=george&type=char |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127162844/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=george&type=char |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |access-date=March 7, 2012 |publisher=Sony Pictures}}</ref> He is depicted as a loser who is perpetually lacking confidence about his capabilities. He rants and lies easily about his profession, relationships, and almost everything else, which usually creates trouble for him later. He often uses the alias Art Vandelay when lying or concocting a cover story. Despite these shortcomings, George is very reliable to his friends and has success in dating women, and he eventually secures a steady career as an assistant to the traveling secretary for the ]. The character of George was based on Larry David himself.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Mark |date=2023-03-13 |title=Seinfeld Had A "Real" George Costanza (Not Larry David) |url=https://screenrant.com/seinfeld-real-george-costanza-explained/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
* ] (]) – Elaine is Jerry's ex-girlfriend and later friend. Generally depicted as smarter than her friends, she is friendly while also being sarcastic, somewhat elitist, and hot-tempered. She is occasionally depicted as ] or ], without the strength of conviction to keep this up regularly. She sometimes tends to be too honest with people (usually by losing her temper), which often gets her into trouble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=elaine&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Elaine |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217220207/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=elaine&type=char |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref> She usually gets caught up in her boyfriends' quirks, eccentric employers' unusual behaviors and idiosyncrasies, and the maladjustment of total strangers. She tends to make poor choices in men she dates and is often overly reactive. She works for a time at Pendant Publishing with Mr. Lippman. Later she is hired as a personal assistant for Mr. Pitt. She eventually worked for the J. Peterman catalog as a writer. Elaine is popularly described as an amalgamation of David's and Seinfeld's girlfriends during their early days in ] as struggling comedians.
* ] (]) – Kramer is Jerry's ] neighbor. His trademarks include his humorous upright ], vintage clothes, and energetic sliding bursts through Jerry's apartment door. Kramer was heavily based on a neighbor of David's during his amateur comedic years in Manhattan.<ref name=":1" /> At times, he appears ], uneducated, and impulsive, and at other times, quick-witted, helpful, and empathetic; similarly he is exaggeratedly successful, socially, with his charisma and laid-back personality. This is seen in his success with women and employers. He has been described as a "] doofus." Although he never holds a steady job, he is rarely short of money and frequently invents wacky schemes that often work at first but eventually fail. Kramer is friends with ], and they work well together despite their differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=kramer&type=char |title=Seinfeld Cast and characters – Kramer |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217215856/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/about/?sl=cast_and_characters&tab=kramer&type=char |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref>

===Recurring characters===
{{Main|List of Seinfeld characters}}
Many characters have made multiple appearances, notably Jerry's parents, Morty and Helen Seinfeld, who reside in Florida; George's parents, the overbearing Frank and Estelle Costanza; George's on-again, off-again fiancée Susan Ross; Jerry's ]; Elaine's variety of bosses, Mr. Lippman, Mr. Pitt and J. Peterman; Elaine's on-again, off-again boyfriend David Puddy; and Kramer's friend, ], a mail carrier who lives in the same building and is Jerry's nemesis. In addition to recurring characters, ''Seinfeld'' features numerous celebrities who appear as themselves or as girlfriends, boyfriends, bosses, and other acquaintances.

; Seinfeld's girlfriends
A number of actresses made guest appearances as Seinfeld's love interests in single episodes:

* Isabel (]) – "]" (season 3, episode 9)
* Nina (]) – "]" (season 3, episode 20)
* Marla (]) – "]" (season 4, episode 10)
* Sidra (]) – "]" (season 4, episode 19)
* Amy (]) – "]" (season 5, episode 3)
* Jody (]) – "]" (season 5, episode 9)
* Jane (]) – "]" (season 5, episode 12)
* Meryl (]) – "]" (season 5, episode 17)
* Margaret (]) - "]" (season 6, episode 2)
* Jeannie (]) – "]" (season 7, episode 24)
* Ellen (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 14)
* Jenna (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 16)
* Beth (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 19)
* Valerie (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 20)
* Alex (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 21)
* Lanette (]) – "]" (season 8, episode 22)
* Patty (]) – "]" (season 9, episode 3)
* Sara (]) – "]" (season 9, episode 7)


==Episodes== ==Episodes==
Line 239: Line 271:
{{:List of Seinfeld episodes}} {{:List of Seinfeld episodes}}


], a diner at ] and Broadway in Manhattan, was used as the exterior image of ] in the show]]
''Seinfeld'' stood out from family and group ] of its time. The principal characters are not related by family or work connections but remain distinctly close friends throughout the series.
Compared to other family and group ] of the era, ''Seinfeld'' stood out. The principal characters are not related by family or work-associated connections but remain distinctly close friends throughout the series. Many characters were based primarily on Seinfeld's and David's real-life acquaintances. Two prominent recurring characters were fictional depictions of actual well-known people: ] of the ] catalog (based on ])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=707 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516044745/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=707 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and ], owner of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173017/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> Many characters were introduced as new writers got involved with ''Seinfeld''. Other characters based on real people include the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=706 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119040252/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=706 |archive-date=January 19, 2012 }}</ref> and ], who was based on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009191401/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 }}</ref>

], a ] at ] and ] in ], that was used as the exterior image of ] in the show]]
Many characters were based primarily on Seinfeld's and David's real-life acquaintances. Two prominent recurring characters were based on well-known people: ] of the ] catalog (based on ]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=707 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516044745/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=707 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and ], owner of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173017/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> Many characters were introduced as new writers got involved with ''Seinfeld''. Other characters based on real people include the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=706 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119040252/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=706 |archive-date=January 19, 2012 }}</ref> and ], who was based on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009191401/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=703 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 }}</ref>


''Seinfeld'' follows its structure: story thread is presented at the beginning of every episode, which involves the characters starting in their situations. Rapid scene shifts between plot lines bring the stories together. Even though it does not follow a pattern as other sitcoms, the characters' stories variously intertwine in each episode. Despite the separate plot strands, the narratives reveal the creators' "consistent efforts to maintain the intimacy" among the small cast of characters.<ref>Gantz, Katherine. ''"Not That There's Anything Wrong with That": Reading the Queer in Seinfeld''. In Calvin Thomas (Ed.). ''Straight with a Twist: Queer Theory and the Subject of Heterosexuality''. Champaign. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. {{ISBN|0-252-06813-0}}</ref> Episodes have separate plot strands, but the characters' stories often intertwine at the end. The narratives reveal the creators' "consistent efforts to maintain the intimacy" among the small cast of characters.<ref>Gantz, Katherine. ''"Not That There's Anything Wrong with That": Reading the Queer in Seinfeld''. In Calvin Thomas (Ed.). ''Straight with a Twist: Queer Theory and the Subject of Heterosexuality''. Champaign. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. {{ISBN|0-252-06813-0}}</ref>


The show maintains a strong sense of ]—characters and plots from past episodes are often referenced or expanded on. Occasionally, story arcs span multiple episodes and even entire seasons, the most memorable being ], which revolved around the ] pitch to NBC by Jerry and George. Another example is Jerry's girlfriend Vanessa, who appears in "]" and he ends the relationship when things do not work out in "]". Other examples are Kramer getting his jacket back and Elaine heading the "Peterman catalog". ], the head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons, was praised for keeping a close eye on minor details and making sure the main characters' lives remained consistent and believable. '']''—David's later comedy series—expanded on this idea by following a specific theme for all but one season in the series. The show maintains a strong sense of ], as characters and plots from past episodes are often referenced or expanded on. Occasionally, story arcs span multiple episodes or entire seasons, such as ], which revolves around the ] pitch to NBC by Jerry and George. Another example is Jerry's girlfriend Vanessa, who appears in "]" and with whom he ends the relationship when things do not work out in "]". ], the head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons, was praised for keeping a close eye on minor details and ensuring the main characters' lives remained consistent and believable. '']'', David's later comedy series, also had an overarching plot for all but the first season.


A major difference between ''Seinfeld'' and sitcoms that preceded it is that the principal characters never learn from their mistakes. In effect, they are indifferent and even callous towards the outside world and sometimes one another. A ] of the show's producers was: "No hugging, no learning".<ref>{{cite news|title=About Seinfeld|url=http://www.tv1.com.au/Shows/Seinfeld/About/|publisher=]|access-date=January 22, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831074136/http://www.tv1.com.au/Shows/Seinfeld/About/|archive-date=August 31, 2007}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s TV critic ] has described them as "a group dynamic rooted in jealousy, rage, insecurity, despair, hopelessness, and a touching lack of faith in one's fellow human beings".<ref>Tucker, Ken. "The Fantastic 4" in ''Entertainment Weekly'': Special Seinfeld Issue. ''Entertainment Weekly''. May 4, 1998, p. 13.</ref> This leads to very few happy endings, except at somebody else's expense. More often in every episode, situations resolve with characters getting a justly deserved ]. A major difference between ''Seinfeld'' and the sitcoms that preceded it is that the principal characters never learn from their mistakes. In effect, they are indifferent and even callous toward the outside world and sometimes one another. A ] of the show's producers was "No hugging, no learning."<ref>{{cite news|title=About Seinfeld|url=http://www.tv1.com.au/Shows/Seinfeld/About/|publisher=]|access-date=January 22, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831074136/http://www.tv1.com.au/Shows/Seinfeld/About/|archive-date=August 31, 2007}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s TV critic ] has described them as "a group dynamic rooted in jealousy, rage, insecurity, despair, hopelessness, and a touching lack of faith in one's fellow human beings."<ref>Tucker, Ken. "The Fantastic 4" in ''Entertainment Weekly'': Special Seinfeld Issue. ''Entertainment Weekly''. May 4, 1998, p. 13.</ref> This leads to very few happy endings, except at somebody else's expense. More often in every episode, situations resolve with characters getting a justly deserved ].


===Seasons 1–3=== === Seasons 1–3 ===
{{Main|Seinfeld season 1|Seinfeld season 2|Seinfeld season 3}}
] ]
The show premiered as '']'' on July 5, 1989. After it aired, a pickup by NBC seemed unlikely and the show was offered to ], which declined to pick it up. ], head of late night and special events for NBC, however, diverted money from his budget by canceling a ], and the next 4 episodes were filmed.<ref name="Season 1 & 2 DVD review">{{cite web|last=Boudreaux |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.tvdvdreviews.com/seinfeld1.html |title=Seinfeld: Season 1 & 2 DVD Review |publisher=tvdvdreviews.com |date=November 24, 2004 |access-date=April 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418075527/http://www.tvdvdreviews.com/seinfeld1.html |archive-date=April 18, 2008 }}</ref>{{r|littlefield20120529}} These episodes were highly rated as they followed summer re-runs of '']'' on Thursdays at 9:30&nbsp;p.m., and the series was finally picked up. At one point NBC considered airing these episodes on Saturdays at 10:30&nbsp;p.m., but gave that slot to a short-lived sitcom called '']''. The series was renamed simply ''Seinfeld'' after the failure of short-lived 1990 ] series ''The Marshall Chronicles''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lI_qCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT21|title=Seinfeld FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Show About Nothing|first=Nicholas|last=Nigro|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2015|isbn=9781495035357}}</ref> After airing the remaining four episodes of its first season the summer of 1990, NBC ordered thirteen more episodes. David believed that he and Seinfeld had no more stories to tell, and advised Seinfeld to turn down the order, but Seinfeld agreed to the additional episodes.<ref name="littlefield20120529">{{cite interview|title=QA: Former NBC honcho offered Jerry Seinfeld over $100 million for one more 'Seinfeld' season|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/qa-former-nbc-honcho-offered-jerry-seinfeld-over-100-million-for-one-more-seinfeld-season|date=May 29, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2022|last=Littlefield|first=Warren|subject-link=Warren Littlefield|interviewer=Gostin, Nicki|work=Fox411}}</ref> Season two was bumped off its scheduled premiere of January 16, 1991, due to the outbreak of the ]. It settled into a regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9:30&nbsp;p.m. and eventually flipped with veteran series '']'' to 9:00.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/26/us/seinfeld-says-it-s-all-over-and-it-s-no-joke-for-nbc.html|title=Seinfeld Says It's All Over, And It's No Joke for NBC|date=May 5, 1998|work=]|first=Bill|last=Carter|url-access=limited}}</ref> The show premiered as '']'' on July 5, 1989. After it aired, a pickup by NBC seemed unlikely, and the show was offered to ], which declined to pick it up. ], head of late night and special events for NBC, however, diverted money from his budget by canceling a ], and the next four episodes were filmed.<ref name="Season 1 & 2 DVD review">{{cite web|last=Boudreaux |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.tvdvdreviews.com/seinfeld1.html |title=Seinfeld: Season 1 & 2 DVD Review |publisher=tvdvdreviews.com |date=November 24, 2004 |access-date=April 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418075527/http://www.tvdvdreviews.com/seinfeld1.html |archive-date=April 18, 2008 }}</ref>{{r|littlefield20120529}} These episodes were highly rated as they followed summer re-runs of '']'' on Thursdays at 9:30&nbsp;p.m., and the series was finally picked up. At one point, NBC considered airing these episodes on Saturdays at 10:30&nbsp;p.m. but gave the slot to a short-lived sitcom called '']'' instead. The series was renamed simply ''Seinfeld'' as a precautionary measure due to the failure of the short-lived 1990 ] series with a similarly sounding title, ''The Marshall Chronicles''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lI_qCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT21|title=Seinfeld FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Show About Nothing|first=Nicholas|last=Nigro|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2015|isbn=9781495035357}}</ref> After airing the remaining four episodes of its first season the summer of 1990, NBC ordered 13 more episodes. David believed that he and Seinfeld had no more stories to tell and advised Seinfeld to turn down the order, but Seinfeld agreed to the additional episodes.<ref name="littlefield20120529">{{cite interview|title=QA: Former NBC honcho offered Jerry Seinfeld over $100 million for one more 'Seinfeld' season|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/qa-former-nbc-honcho-offered-jerry-seinfeld-over-100-million-for-one-more-seinfeld-season|date=May 29, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2022|last=Littlefield|first=Warren|subject-link=Warren Littlefield|interviewer=Gostin, Nicki|work=Fox411}}</ref> Season 2 was bumped off its scheduled premiere of January 16, 1991, due to the outbreak of the ]. It settled into a regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9:30&nbsp;p.m. and eventually flipped with veteran series '']'' to 9 p.m.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/26/us/seinfeld-says-it-s-all-over-and-it-s-no-joke-for-nbc.html|title=Seinfeld Says It's All Over, And It's No Joke for NBC|date=May 5, 1998|work=]|first=Bill|last=Carter|url-access=limited}}</ref>


TV critics championed ''Seinfeld'' in its early seasons, even as it was slow to cultivate a substantial audience. For the first three seasons, Jerry's stand-up comedy act would bookend an episode, even functioning as transitions during the show. A few episodes set a benchmark for later seasons. "]" establishes Jerry and Elaine's relationship by setting rules about sleeping together and remaining friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=213 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Deal |publisher=Sony Pictures |date=May 2, 1991 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010172948/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=213 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> "]" was the first episode shot with no audience for the episode and, after "]", with not showing Jerry's apartment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=306 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Parking Garage |publisher=Sony Pictures|access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116052213/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=306 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 }}</ref> "]" contains a crossover to ] show '']'', marking the first such cooperation between rival networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=321 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Keys|publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010172940/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=321 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> "]" introduces George, Kramer and Elaine as having their own storylines for the first time. Although Castle Rock Entertainment's Glenn Padnick thought Seinfeld was too generous, showcasing his co-stars' comedic talent became a trademark throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=203 |title=Seinfeld -– Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114031559/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=203 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 }}</ref> TV critics championed ''Seinfeld'' in its early seasons, even as it was slow to cultivate a substantial audience. For the first three seasons, Jerry's stand-up comedy act would bookend at the beginning and end of each episode, even functioning as transitions during the show. A few episodes set a benchmark for later seasons. "]" establishes Jerry and Elaine's relationship by setting rules about having sex while remaining friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=213 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Deal |publisher=Sony Pictures |date=May 2, 1991 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010172948/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=213 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> "]" was the first episode shot with no audience for the episode and, after "]", to not show Jerry's apartment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=306 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Parking Garage |publisher=Sony Pictures|access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116052213/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=306 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 }}</ref> "]" contains a crossover to ] show '']'', marking the first such cooperation between rival networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=321 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Keys|publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010172940/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=321 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> "]" introduces George, Kramer and Elaine as having their own storylines for the first time. Although Castle Rock Entertainment's Glenn Padnick thought Seinfeld was too generous, showcasing his co-stars' comedic talent became a trademark throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=203 |title=Seinfeld -– Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114031559/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=203 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 }}</ref>


Larry Charles wrote an episode for season two, "The Bet", in which Elaine buys a gun from Kramer's friend. This episode was not filmed because the content was deemed unacceptable, and was replaced by the episode "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=207 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The phone message |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150808/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=207 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]", aired in season three, was intended for season two. In the beginning of this episode, Jerry clears up the continuity error over George's real estate job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=209 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219225606/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=209 |archive-date=December 19, 2008 }}</ref> Larry Charles wrote an episode for Season 2, "]," in which Elaine buys a gun from Kramer's friend. This episode was not filmed because the content was deemed unacceptable, and it was replaced by the episode "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=207 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The phone message |publisher=Sony pictures |access-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150808/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=207 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> "]," which aired during Season 3, was initially intended for Season 2. At the beginning of this episode, Jerry clears up the continuity error over George's real estate job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=209 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219225606/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=209 |archive-date=December 19, 2008 }}</ref>


===Seasons 4–5=== === Seasons 4–5 ===
{{Main|Seinfeld season 4|Seinfeld season 5}}
Season four marked the sitcom's entry into the ] Top 30, coinciding with several popular episodes, such as "]" in which George and the bubble boy argue over '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=407 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118152059/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=407 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" in which Jerry and Kramer accidentally fumble a mint in the operating room.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=421 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925045350/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=421 |archive-date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref> This was the first season to use a story arc of Jerry and George creating their own sitcom, ''Jerry''. Also at this time, the use of Jerry's stand-up act slowly declined, and the stand-up segment in the middle of ''Seinfeld'' episodes was cut.
Season 4 marked the sitcom's entry into the ] Top 30. It contains several of the most popular episodes, such as "]" in which George and the bubble boy argue over '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=407 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118152059/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=407 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" in which Jerry and Kramer accidentally fumble a mint in the operating room.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=421 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925045350/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=421 |archive-date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref> This was the first season to use a story arc of Jerry and George creating their own sitcom, ''Jerry''. Also, at this time, the use of Jerry's stand-up act slowly declined, and the stand-up segment in the middle of ''Seinfeld'' episodes was cut.


Much publicity followed the controversial episode, "]", an ]-winning episode written by David, whose subject matter was considered inappropriate for prime time network TV. To circumvent this taboo, the word "]" was never used in the script, instead substituted for by a variety of oblique references.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=411 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173057/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=411 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> Midway through that season, ''Seinfeld'' was moved from its original 9:00&nbsp;p.m. time slot on Wednesdays to 9:30&nbsp;p.m. on Thursdays, following '']'' again, which gave the show even more popularity. Ratings also sparked the move, as ]'s sitcom '']'' on ABC had aired at the same time and ''Improvement'' kept beating ''Seinfeld'' in the ratings. NBC moved the series after ] announced the end of ''Cheers'' and ''Seinfeld'' quickly surpassed the ratings of the 9:00&nbsp;p.m. ''Cheers'' reruns that spring.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-04-ca-474-story.html|author=Cerone, Daniel|title=Seinfeld Is Suddenly Something|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 1993|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The show won an Emmy Award for ''Outstanding Comedy Series'' in 1993, beating out its family-oriented, time-slot competitor ''Home Improvement'', which was only in its second season on rival network ABC. Much publicity followed the controversial episode "]," an ]-winning episode written by David, whose subject matter was considered inappropriate for prime-time network TV. To circumvent this taboo, the word "]" was never used in the script, instead substituted for by a variety of oblique references.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=411 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173057/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=411 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> Midway through that season, ''Seinfeld'' was moved from its original 9:00&nbsp;p.m. time slot on Wednesdays to 9:30&nbsp;p.m. on Thursdays, following '']'' again, which gave the show even more popularity. Ratings also sparked the move, as ]'s sitcom '']'' on ABC had aired at the same time, and ''Home Improvement'' kept beating ''Seinfeld'' in the ratings. NBC moved the series after ] announced the end of ''Cheers'' and ''Seinfeld'' quickly surpassed the ratings of the 9:00&nbsp;p.m. ''Cheers'' reruns that spring.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-04-ca-474-story.html|author=Cerone, Daniel|title=Seinfeld Is Suddenly Something|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 1993|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The show won an Emmy Award for ''Outstanding Comedy Series'' in 1993, beating out its family-oriented, time-slot competitor ''Home Improvement'', which was only in its second season on rival network ABC.


Season five was an even bigger ratings-hit, consisting of popular episodes, such as "]" in which Jerry feels embarrassed wearing a "pirate" shirt on '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=503 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117030920/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=503 |archive-date=November 17, 2012 }}</ref> "]" featuring ], the ] then-mayor-elect of New York,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=508 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118040205/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=508 |archive-date=November 18, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" in which George, doing the opposite of what his instincts tell him he should do, lands a job with the New York Yankees and Elaine leaves "Pendant Publishing" because of a comedy of errors that led to its demise. Another story arc has George returning to live with his parents. In the midst of the story arc, Kramer creates and promotes his ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Opposite |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173017/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> The show was again nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, but lost to the ''Cheers'' spin-off '']'', then in its first season. ''Seinfeld'' was nominated for the same award every year for its entire run but, after its win at the ] in 1994, always lost to ''Frasier'', which went on to win a record 39 Emmy Awards in its 11-season run. Season 5 was an even bigger ratings hit, consisting of popular episodes, such as "]" in which Jerry feels embarrassed wearing a "pirate" shirt on '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=503 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117030920/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=503 |archive-date=November 17, 2012 }}</ref> "]" featuring ], the ] then-mayor-elect of New York,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=508 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118040205/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=508 |archive-date=November 18, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" in which George, doing the opposite of what his instincts tell him he should do, lands a job with the New York Yankees and Elaine leaves "Pendant Publishing" because of a comedy of errors that led to its demise. Another story arc has George returning to live with his parents. Amid the story arc, Kramer creates and promotes his ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Opposite |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173017/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=521 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> The show was again nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, but lost to the ''Cheers'' spin-off '']'', then in its first season. ''Seinfeld'' was nominated for the same award every year for its entire run but, after its win at the ] in 1994, always lost to ''Frasier'', which went on to win a record 39 Emmy Awards in its 11-season run.


===Seasons 6–7=== === Seasons 6–7 ===
{{Main|Seinfeld season 6|Seinfeld season 7}}
In season six, ] replaced ] as director of the show. The series remained well-regarded and produced some of its most famous episodes, such as "]" in which Jerry is put through a lie detector test to make him admit that he watched '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=615 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=January 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201175528/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=615 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref> "]" in which Kramer's mom, Babs, reveals that his first name is Cosmo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=610 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Switch |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031736/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=610 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and "]" in which Elaine meets J. Peterman for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=621 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117122953/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=621 |archive-date=November 17, 2011 }}</ref> Story arcs used in this season were Elaine working as a personal assistant to her eccentric boss Justin Pitt and George's parents' temporary separation. This was the first season in which ''Seinfeld'' reached No. 1 in the Nielsen Ratings. The use of Jerry's stand-up act declined with the end stand-up segment no longer appearing, as the storylines for all four characters grew denser.
In Season 6, ] replaced ] as director of the show. The series remained well regarded and produced some of its most famous episodes, such as "]", in which Jerry is put through a lie detector test to make him admit that he watched ''];''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=615 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=January 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201175528/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=615 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref> "]", in which Kramer's mom, Babs, reveals that his first name is Cosmo;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=610 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Switch |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031736/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=610 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and "]", in which Elaine meets J. Peterman for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=621 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117122953/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=621 |archive-date=November 17, 2011 }}</ref> Story arcs used in this season were Elaine working as a personal assistant to her eccentric boss Justin Pitt and George's parents' temporary separation. This was the first season in which ''Seinfeld'' reached No. 1 in the Nielsen Ratings. The use of Jerry's stand-up act declined, and the end stand-up segment no longer appeared because the storylines for all four characters grew denser.


In season seven, a story arc involved George getting engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Susan Ross, after the pilot ''Jerry'' proved unsuccessful. In it, George spends most of the season regretting and trying to get out of the engagement. Along with the regular half-hour episodes, two notable one-hour episodes were "]" in which George plans to date award-winning actress ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=714 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516034018/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=714 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and "]" with Elaine and Sue Ellen participating in a bidding war to buy JFK's golf clubs in an auction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=721 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=]|access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031807/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=721 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> In Season 7, a story arc involved George getting engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Susan Ross, after the pilot ''Jerry'' proved unsuccessful. In it, George spends most of the season regretting and trying to get out of the engagement. Along with the regular half-hour episodes, two notable one-hour episodes were "]," in which George plans to date award-winning actress ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=714 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516034018/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=714 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> and "]," with Elaine and Sue Ellen Mischke participating in a bidding war to buy JFK's golf clubs in an auction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=721 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=]|access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031807/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=721 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref>


===Seasons 8–9=== === Seasons 8–9 ===
{{Main|Seinfeld season 8|Seinfeld season 9}}
The last two seasons were described as fans for being distinct from the earlier seasons. Most noticeably, David left the writing crew (but returned to write "]" in 1998), resulting in Seinfeld taking over David's duties as ], and, under the direction of a new writing staff, ''Seinfeld'' became a faster-paced show. The show no longer contained extracts of Jerry performing stand-up comedy—Jerry had no time or energy for this with his new responsibilities—and storylines occasionally delved into fantasy and broad humor. For example, in "]", Elaine is torn between exact opposites of her friends and Jerry dates a woman who has the now-famous "man hands".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=803 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Bizarro Jerry |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117185550/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=803 |archive-date=January 17, 2012 }}</ref> Some notable episodes from season eight include "]" showing Elaine's horrible dancing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=804 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Little Kicks |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173001/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=804 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" which portrays the '']'' chicken restaurant which opened during that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=808 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures|access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516045149/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=808 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> A story arc in this season involves Peterman going to ] in "]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=801 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516041857/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=801 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> until he recovered from a nervous breakdown in "]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=813 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219023930/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=813 |archive-date=December 19, 2011 }}</ref> followed by Elaine writing Peterman's biography in "]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=814 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130032028/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=814 |archive-date=November 30, 2012 }}</ref> which leads to Kramer's parody of Kenny Kramer's Reality Tour seen in "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=821 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Muffin Tops |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173006/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=821 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref>
''Seinfeld's'' final two seasons were considered distinct from the earlier seasons. Most noticeably, David left the writing crew (but returned to write "]" in 1998), resulting in Seinfeld taking over David's duties as ], and, under the direction of a new writing staff, ''Seinfeld'' became a faster-paced show. The show no longer contained extracts of Jerry performing stand-up comedy—Jerry had no time or energy for this with his new responsibilities—and storylines occasionally delved into fantasy and broad humor. For example, in "]", Elaine is torn between exact opposites of her friends and Jerry dates a woman who has the now-famous "man hands".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=803 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Bizarro Jerry |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117185550/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=803 |archive-date=January 17, 2012 }}</ref> Some notable episodes from Season 8 include "]" showing Elaine's horrible dancing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=804 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Little Kicks |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173001/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=804 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> and "]" which portrays the '']'' chicken restaurant which opened during that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=808 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures|access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516045149/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=808 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> A story arc in this season involves Peterman going to ] in "]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=801 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516041857/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=801 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> until he recovered from a nervous breakdown in "]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=813 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219023930/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=813 |archive-date=December 19, 2011 }}</ref> followed by Elaine writing Peterman's biography in "]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=814 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sonypictures.com |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130032028/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=814 |archive-date=November 30, 2012 }}</ref> which leads to Kramer's parody of Kenny Kramer's Reality Tour seen in "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=821 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Muffin Tops |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173006/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=821 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref>


The final season included episodes like "]" in which Kramer converts his apartment into a talk-show studio and plays the character of talk-show host,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=906 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031219/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=906 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> "]" that presents in reverse chronological order what happened to Sue Ellen's wedding in India, and "]" in which George pushes a '']'' machine across the street, mimicking the action of the game itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=918 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Frogger |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173013/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=918 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> The last season included a story arc in which Elaine has an on/off relationship with ]. Despite the enormous popularity and willingness of the cast to return for a tenth season, Seinfeld decided to end the show after season nine, believing he would thereby be able to ensure the show would maintain its quality and go out on top.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=19971226&id=dMEKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6835,4244882&hl=en |title='Seinfeld' to end on 'peak' this spring |last1=Bauder |first1=David |date=December 26, 1997 |website=Google News |publisher=The Daily Courier |access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref> NBC offered him over $100 million for a tenth season, but Seinfeld declined.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/05/29/qa-former-nbc-honcho-offered-jerry-seinfeld-over-100-million-for-one-more.html |title=QA: Former NBC honcho offered Jerry Seinfeld over $100 million for one more 'Seinfeld' season |author=Nicki Gostin |date=May 29, 2012 |website=Fox News |access-date=September 14, 2017 }}</ref> The final season included episodes like "]" in which Kramer converts his apartment into a talk-show studio and plays the character of talk-show host,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=906 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516031219/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=906 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 }}</ref> "]" that presents in reverse chronological order what happened to Sue Ellen's wedding in India, and "]" in which George pushes a '']'' machine across the street, mimicking the action of the game itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=918 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Frogger |publisher=Sony Pictures |access-date=September 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173013/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=918 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> The last season included a story arc in which Elaine has an on/off relationship with ]. Despite the enormous popularity and willingness of the cast to return for a tenth season, Seinfeld decided to end the show after Season 9, believing he would thereby be able to ensure the show would maintain its quality and go out on top.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=19971226&id=dMEKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6835,4244882&hl=en |title='Seinfeld' to end on 'peak' this spring |last1=Bauder |first1=David |date=December 26, 1997 |website=Google News |publisher=The Daily Courier |access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref> NBC offered Seinfeld $110 million—a record $5 million an episode for a 22-episode tenth season—but he declined.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/qa-former-nbc-honcho-offered-jerry-seinfeld-over-100-million-for-one-more-seinfeld-season/ |title=QA: Former NBC honcho offered Jerry Seinfeld over $100 million for one more 'Seinfeld' season |first=Nicki |last=Gostin |date=May 29, 2012 |website=Fox News |access-date=September 14, 2017 }}</ref>


A major controversy caused in this final season was the accidental burning of a ] by Kramer in "]". This scene caused a furor among Puerto Ricans, and as a result, NBC showed this episode only once. Seinfeld defused the protestors by not letting this episode continue in syndication, as revealed in "Inside Look" on DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=920 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Puerto Rican Day |access-date=October 25, 2008 |publisher=Sony Pictures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150849/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=920 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> However, the episode would be added to the syndicated rerun package several years later uncut.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2002/10/30/forbidden-seinfeld-puerto-rican-flag-burning-episode-slips-back-on-air/ |title=Forbidden 'Seinfeld'; Puerto Rican Flag Burning Episode Slips Back On Air |last=Starr |first=Michael |newspaper=New York Post |date=October 30, 2002 |access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> A major controversy caused in the ninth season was the accidental burning of a ] by Kramer in "]." This scene caused a furor among Puerto Ricans, and as a result, NBC showed this episode only once. Seinfeld defused the protestors by not letting this episode continue in syndication, as revealed in "Inside Look" on DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=920 |title=Seinfeld – Now Playing – The Puerto Rican Day |access-date=October 25, 2008 |publisher=Sony Pictures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216150849/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/episode_guide/?sl=episode&ep=920 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> However, the episode would be added to the syndicated rerun package several years later uncut.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2002/10/30/forbidden-seinfeld-puerto-rican-flag-burning-episode-slips-back-on-air/ |title=Forbidden 'Seinfeld'; Puerto Rican Flag Burning Episode Slips Back On Air |last=Starr |first=Michael |newspaper=New York Post |date=October 30, 2002 |access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>


===Series finale=== ===Series finale===
{{Main|The Finale (Seinfeld)}} {{Main|The Finale (Seinfeld)}}
After nine years on the air, NBC and Seinfeld announced on December 25, 1997, that the series would end production the following spring in 1998. The announcement made the front page of the major New York newspapers, including '']''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Bill |title=Seinfeld Says It's All Over, And It's No Joke for NBC |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/26/us/seinfeld-says-it-s-all-over-and-it-s-no-joke-for-nbc.html |access-date=May 17, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 26, 1997 |page=A1|url-access=limited}}</ref> Seinfeld was featured on the cover of '']'' magazine's first issue of 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101980112,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129064628/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101980112,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2005|title=Time Magazine Cover: Jerry Seinfeld|date=January 12, 1998|access-date=May 17, 2007|magazine=Time}}</ref> The series ended with a 75-minute episode (cut to 60 minutes in ], in two parts) written by co-creator and ex-executive producer Larry David, which aired on May 14, 1998. Before the finale, a 45-minute retrospective clip show, "]", was aired. The retrospective was expanded to an hour after the original airing and aired again on NBC as an hour-long episode, and has since aired in syndication. After nine years on the air, NBC and Seinfeld announced on December 25, 1997, that the series would end production the following spring in 1998. The announcement made the front page of the major New York newspapers, including '']''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Bill |title=Seinfeld Says It's All Over, And It's No Joke for NBC |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/26/us/seinfeld-says-it-s-all-over-and-it-s-no-joke-for-nbc.html |access-date=May 17, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 26, 1997 |page=A1|url-access=limited}}</ref> Seinfeld was featured on the cover of '']'' magazine's first issue of 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101980112,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129064628/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101980112,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2005|title=Time Magazine Cover: Jerry Seinfeld|date=January 12, 1998|access-date=May 17, 2007|magazine=Time}}</ref> The series ended with a 75-minute episode (cut to 60 minutes in ], in two parts) written by co-creator and ex-executive producer Larry David, which aired on May 14, 1998. Before the finale, a 45-minute retrospective clip show, "]," was aired. The retrospective was expanded to an hour after the original airing and aired again on NBC as an hour-long episode, and has since aired in syndication.


It was the first episode since the finale of season seven, "]", to feature opening and closing stand-up comedy acts by Seinfeld. The finale was filmed before an audience of NBC executives and friends of the show. The press and public were shut out of the taping to keep its plot secret; those who attended the shoot of the final episode were required to sign written "vows of silence".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9804/08/seinfeld.email/|title=The 'Seinfeld' e-mail for April 8, 1998 |publisher=]|date=April 8, 1998|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> The secrecy only seemed to increase speculation about how the series would end. The producers of the episode tweaked the media about the hype, spreading a false rumor about Newman ending up in the hospital and Jerry and Elaine sitting in a chapel, presumably to marry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/36158/clues_seinfeld_sign_off|title=Clues to "Seinfeld" Sign Off|author=Ryan, Joal|publisher=]|date=March 27, 1998|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> It was the first episode since the finale of season 7, "]", to feature opening and closing stand-up comedy acts by Seinfeld. The finale was filmed before an audience of NBC executives and friends of the show. The press and public were shut out of the taping to keep its plot secret; those who attended the shoot of the final episode were required to sign written "vows of silence".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9804/08/seinfeld.email/|title=The 'Seinfeld' e-mail for April 8, 1998 |publisher=]|date=April 8, 1998|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> The secrecy only seemed to increase speculation about how the series would end. The episode's producers gave false information to the media, spreading a rumor about Newman ending up in the hospital and Jerry and Elaine sitting in a chapel, presumably to marry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/36158/clues_seinfeld_sign_off|title=Clues to "Seinfeld" Sign Off|author=Ryan, Joal|publisher=]|date=March 27, 1998|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>


The final episode enjoyed a historic audience,<ref>{{Cite news|title = 'Seinfeld's' Finale Ends Up in Sixth Place of All Time|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-16-ca-50143-story.html|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = May 16, 1998|access-date = February 16, 2022|issn = 0458-3035|first = Brian|last = Lowry}}</ref> estimated at 76.3 million viewers<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nededog |first1=Jethro |title=The 20 most-watched TV show finales of all time, ranked |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/most-watched-tv-show-finales-of-all-time-2017-5 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> (58% of all viewers that night) making it the fourth-most watched regular series finale in U.S. TV history, behind '']'', ''Cheers'', and '']''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=2004-05-08|title='Friends' Finale's Audience Is the Fourth Biggest Ever|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/08/arts/friends-finale-s-audience-is-the-fourth-biggest-ever.html|access-date=2021-07-16|issn=0362-4331|url-access=limited}}</ref> However, the finale received mixed reviews from critics and fans of the show. The finale poked fun at the many rumors that were circulating, seeming to move into multiple supposed plots before settling on its true storyline—a lengthy trial where the gang is prosecuted for violating a "]" law and sentenced to prison terms. The final episode enjoyed a historic audience,<ref>{{Cite news|title = 'Seinfeld's' Finale Ends Up in Sixth Place of All Time|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-16-ca-50143-story.html|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = May 16, 1998|access-date = February 16, 2022|issn = 0458-3035|first = Brian|last = Lowry}}</ref> estimated at 76.3 million viewers<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nededog |first1=Jethro |title=The 20 most-watched TV show finales of all time, ranked |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/most-watched-tv-show-finales-of-all-time-2017-5 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> (58% of all viewers that night) making it the fourth-most watched regular series finale in U.S. TV history, behind '']'', ''Cheers'', and '']''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=May 8, 2004|title='Friends' Finale's Audience Is the Fourth Biggest Ever|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/08/arts/friends-finale-s-audience-is-the-fourth-biggest-ever.html|access-date=July 16, 2021|issn=0362-4331|url-access=limited}}</ref> However, the finale received mixed reviews from critics and fans of the show. The finale poked fun at the many rumors that were circulating, seeming to move into multiple supposed plots before settling on its actual storyline—a lengthy trial where the gang is prosecuted for violating a "]" law and sentenced to prison terms.


According to '']'' magazine, Seinfeld's earnings from the show in 1998 came to US$267 million, including syndication earnings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-03-08-9903090088-story.html|title=Seinfeld's $267 Million Tops Celebrity-pay List In Forbes|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 8, 1999|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> He refused NBC's offer of $5 million per episode, or over $100 million total, to continue into a tenth season. The offer NBC made to Seinfeld was over three times higher per episode than anyone on TV had ever been offered before.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/where-does-the-cast-of-big-bang-theory-rank-among-the-25-highest-paid-tv-stars-of-all-time/|title=The Highest Paid TV Actors Of All Time Per Per Episode|work=UPROXX|date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> Seinfeld told the network that he was not married nor had children, and wished to focus on his personal life.<ref name="cnnrating">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/26/seinfeld/|title=Seinfeld calls decision to end show "all about timing"|work=CNN|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=December 26, 1997|access-date=December 18, 2007}}</ref>{{r|littlefield20120529}} As reported in July 2007, he was the second-highest earner in the TV industry, earning at the time $60 million a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2007/10/01/Oprah-Seinfeld-top-TVs-richest/UPI-91401191240657/|title=Oprah and Seinfeld top TV's richest|access-date=December 18, 2007}}</ref> The episode became the first to command over $1 million a minute for advertising–a mark previously attained only by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1997-06-01/seinfeld|title=Seinfeld|website=]|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> According to '']'' magazine, Seinfeld's earnings from the show in 1998 came to US$267 million, including syndication earnings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-03-08-9903090088-story.html|title=Seinfeld's $267 Million Tops Celebrity-pay List In Forbes|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 8, 1999|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> He refused NBC's offer of $5 million per episode, or over $100 million total, to continue into a tenth season. The offer NBC made to Seinfeld was over three times higher per episode than anyone on TV had ever been offered before.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/where-does-the-cast-of-big-bang-theory-rank-among-the-25-highest-paid-tv-stars-of-all-time/|title=The Highest Paid TV Actors Of All Time Per Per Episode|work=UPROXX|date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> Seinfeld told the network that he was not married nor had children, and wished to focus on his personal life.<ref name="cnnrating">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/26/seinfeld/|title=Seinfeld calls decision to end show "all about timing"|work=CNN|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=December 26, 1997|access-date=December 18, 2007}}</ref>{{r|littlefield20120529}} As reported in July 2007, he was the second-highest earner in the TV industry, earning at the time $60 million a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2007/10/01/Oprah-Seinfeld-top-TVs-richest/UPI-91401191240657/|title=Oprah and Seinfeld top TV's richest|date=October 1, 2007|access-date=December 18, 2007}}</ref> The episode became the first to command over $1 million a minute for advertising—a mark previously attained only by the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1997-06-01/seinfeld|title=Seinfeld|website=]|date=June 2, 1997 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

===Syndication===
According to ], chairman of ] (parent company of Castle Rock), ''Seinfeld'' made $2.7 billion through June 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pilkington|first=Ed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/jun/07/jerry-seinfeld-rerun-repeat-fees|title=TV show Seinfeld earn $2.7bn from reruns|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 7, 2010|access-date=June 7, 2010|location=London}}</ref> {{asof|2017|02}} the show had made an estimated $4.06 billion in syndication. ], who invested in the show, later said, "We calculated what it would get us if it made it to syndication. We were wrong by a factor of five".<ref name="craw20170208">{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2017/02/08/steve-bannon-is-still-making-money-from-seinfeld-reruns/ |title=Steve Bannon is still making money from 'Seinfeld' reruns |last=Craw |first=Victoria |date=February 8, 2017 |work=The New York Post |access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> In September 2019, it was announced ] (now ]) had acquired cable syndication rights to the series from ], with it airing on ] beginning in October 2021 and Nick At Nite in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/seinfeld-viacom-cable-rights-comedy-series-comedy-central-paramount-network-tv-land-1202740519/|title='Seinfeld': Viacom Nabs Cable Rights To Comedy Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=September 21, 2019|access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/seinfeld-comedy-central-series-new-cable-home-jerry-seinfeld-promo-video-1234833717/ |title='Seinfeld': Comedy Central To Be Series' Exclusive New Cable Home; Jerry Seinfeld Stars In Promo Touting Lunch |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=September 15, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>

==Production==
''Seinfeld'' began as a 23-minute pilot titled '']''. Created by ] and ], developed by NBC executive Rick Ludwin, and produced by ], it was a mix of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy routines and idiosyncratic, conversational scenes focusing on mundane aspects of everyday life like laundry, the buttoning of the top button on one's shirt, and the effort by men to interpret the intent of women spending the night in Seinfeld's apartment.<ref name=TVGuide>Battaglio, Stephen (June 30, 2014). "'Annoying' 'Disorienting' 'Boring': On ''Seinfeld's'' 25th anniversary an exclusive look at the memo that almost killed the show". '']''. pp. 18–19.</ref>

The pilot was filmed at Stage 8 of ] studios, the same studio where '']'' was filmed (seen by the crew as a good omen),<ref>{{cite video|people=]|title=Seinfeld Seasons 1 & 2: Inside Looks – "The Seinfeld Chronicles"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 23, 2004}}</ref> and was recorded at Ren-Mar Studios in ].<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN>{{cite video|title=Seinfeld Seasons 1 & 2: Notes about Nothing – "The Seinfeld Chronicles"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 23, 2004}}</ref> The pilot was first screened to a group of two dozen NBC executives in ], in early 1989. It did not yield the explosion of laughter garnered by the pilots for the decade's previous NBC successes like '']'' and ''].'' ] was not convinced the show would work. A Jewish man from New York himself, Tartikoff characterized it as "Too New York, too Jewish" (a sentiment which would also lead to the Cosmo character's later surname change from the more Jewish-sounding Kessler to Kramer).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Krieger|first=Rosalin|date=October 2003|title="Does he say the word Jewish?" – Jewish representations in Seinfeld|journal=Journal for Cultural Research|volume=7|issue=4|pages=387–404|doi=10.1080/1479758032000165048|s2cid=144869141|issn=1479-7585}}</ref> Test audiences were even harsher. NBC's practice at the time was to recruit 400 households by phone to ask them to evaluate pilots it aired on an unused channel on its cable system. An NBC research department memo summarized the pilot's performance among the respondents as "weak", which ], then second-in-command in NBC's entertainment division, called "a dagger to the heart".<ref name=TVGuide/> Comments included, "You can't get too excited about two guys going to the laundromat"; "Jerry's loser friend George isn't a forceful character"; "Jerry needs a stronger supporting cast"; and "Why are they interrupting the stand-up for these stupid stories?"<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/> Seinfeld and David did not see the memo for several years, but after they became aware of it, they hung it in a bathroom on the set. Seinfeld comments, "We thought, if someone goes in to use this bathroom, this is something they should see. It fits that moment."<ref name=TVGuide/>

Around the time the show's pilot was filmed, Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced the show, had also produced another pilot for NBC that featured ] in her almost-similarly eponymous ]. When ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'' tested poorly with audiences, Castle Rock focused on Jillian's series, which tested better with audiences and received a full-season order. ''Ann Jillian'' lasted only a single season of 13 episodes and was off the air by the end of 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/seinfeld-finale-at-20-hidden-tales-vault-a-comedians-bizarro-world-1111377/ |title='Seinfeld' Finale at 20: Hidden Tales From the Vault of a Comedian's Bizarro World |last=Freeman|first=Marc |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 13, 2018 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |quote=Castle Rock, which owned the series, had two pilots at NBC that year: Seinfeld and one with Ann Jillian. Whereas Seinfeld tested poorly, Ann Jillian tested through the roof and earned a 13-episode commitment. Castle Rock decided to focus on that.}}</ref>

When NBC announced its 1989–90 (primetime) schedule in May 1989, ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'' was not included, but the show's supporters did not give up. The pilot first aired on July 5, 1989, and finished second in its time slot against the CBS police drama '']'',<ref name=TVGuide/> receiving a ] of 10.9/19.<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/> The ratings did not exhibit the regional skew Tartikoff predicted, much to the encouragement of the show's supporters. Ludwin canceled one of the ] specials budgeted for that season so the entertainment division had the money to order four more episodes of ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'', which formed the rest of ] (the series was by then retitled to ''Seinfeld'')<ref name=TVGuide/><ref>{{cite web|last=Duffy|first=Mike|url=https://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/1125seinfeld.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723085248/http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/1125seinfeld.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2012|title=Give thanks for 'The 'Seinfeld' Story'|publisher=azcentral.com|date=November 24, 2004|access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref>—a move without which '']'' columnist ] later said there "would be no ''Seinfeld"''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-21-0508210218-story.html |author= Rosenthal, Phil |author-link= Phil Rosenthal |date= August 21, 2005 |title= NBC executive stands apart by taking stands|newspaper=]|access-date= February 16, 2022}}</ref> Although this was a very low order number for a new series—and the smallest sitcom order in TV history<ref name=S1&2DVD-NAN/>—Castle Rock failed to find any other buyers when it shopped the show to other networks, and accepted the order.<ref name=TVGuide/> ''Seinfeld'' did not return to the airwaves until May 30, 1990, and it was another three years before it became a Top 5-rated show. Preston Beckman, in charge of NBC's research department at the time, reminisced, "The show was different. Nobody had seen anything like it. It wasn't unusual for poor-testing shows to get on the air, but it was very rare that they became hits."

When it was first repeated on July 5, 1990, it received a rating of 13.9/26. These ratings were high enough to secure a second season.<ref name="S1&2DVD-NAN" /> NBC research showed that the show was popular with young male adults, a demographic sought after by advertisers. This gave NBC an incentive to keep broadcasting the show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rapp|first=David|url=http://www.americanheritage.com/entertainment/articles/web/20060531-jerry-seinfeld-sitcom-television-nbc-kramer-comedian-stand-up-larry-david.shtml|title=Seinfeld: The Unlikeliest Success Story|publisher=American Heritage|date=May 31, 2006|access-date=March 19, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315041818/http://www.americanheritage.com/entertainment/articles/web/20060531-jerry-seinfeld-sitcom-television-nbc-kramer-comedian-stand-up-larry-david.shtml|archive-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> One DVD reviewer, Britt Gillette, wrote that "this initial episode exhibits the flashes of brilliance that made ''Seinfeld'' a cultural phenomenon."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gillette|first=Britt|url=http://www.articlecity.com/articles/music_and_movies/article_518.shtml|title=Seinfeld (Seasons 1 & 2) DVD Review|publisher=Article City|date=September 20, 2006|access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref>

Other than the pilot, the series was filmed at ], in ]. The first three seasons were filmed on soundstage 19; it then moved to the larger Stage 9 for the remainder of its production.<ref name="Studio Sets Seinfeld">{{cite web |title=Seinfeld Film Locations|url=https://sites.google.com/site/seinfeldfilmlocations/other_locations}}</ref> Despite numerous establishing shots taken in New York City,<ref name="Huffington Post">{{cite web |title=A guide to 'Seinfeld' filming locations in New York City|date=March 10, 2015|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-guide-to-seinfeld-filmi_b_6834026|work=HuffPost}}</ref> all scenes of the actors walking in New York were also filmed at CBS Studio Center, on their New York Street ].<ref name="RobOnLocation.com Youtube">{{cite web |title=New York Backlot at CBS Radford|website = ]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc3TGBoxlBc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/zc3TGBoxlBc| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Other locations on the CBS lot were also used, as well as scenes filmed at ] and ].{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

A source of problems for the cast was the small sets, especially that of Jerry's apartment; Alexander noted "If you knew you were doing a series for nine years, you would never build that set". Adding to the problem was that the scripts contained only minimal physical direction, leaving the actors struggling to come up with actions to perform while speaking. Eventually, they got into a routine of directing each other on how to make their movements look natural. Alexander said this helped them build chemistry with each other.<ref name=productionweek/>

Filming usually went long, as the cast and David were perfectionists. If a joke didn't elicit the reaction they hoped for, they rewrote it and performed it again. In at least one case, "The Marine Biologist", this led to David writing an entirely new scene requiring Alexander to memorize a monologue in only a matter of minutes.<ref name=productionweek>{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye3bFno_1NU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Ye3bFno_1NU| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Jason Alexander discusses a typical week of production on "Seinfeld" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG|date=July 9, 2014 |publisher=YouTube |author=Archive of American Television}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Laugh tracks were used only for matching shots, not for artificially adding laughter.<ref name=productionweek/>

=={{anchor|HD}}High-definition versions==
There are two ] versions of ''Seinfeld''. The first is that of the network TV (non-syndicated) versions in the original aspect ratio of 4:3 that were downscaled for the DVD releases. Clips from this high-definition version in its upscale were seen on ] during ''The Seinfeld Story'' special.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14589923#post14589923|title='Seinfeld' in HD on TBS HD! Page 2|publisher=videojanitor|access-date=September 23, 2009}}</ref> Syndicated broadcast stations and the cable networks ] and ] began airing the syndicated version of ''Seinfeld'' in HD. Unlike the version used for the DVD, Sony Pictures cropped the top and bottom parts of the frame, while restoring previously cropped images on the sides, from the ] source, to use the entire 16:9 frame.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.engadget.com/2008-09-03-seinfeld-goes-hd-on-tbs-hd.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116201359/http://www.engadget.com/topics/hd/2008/09/03/seinfeld-goes-hd-on-tbs-hd|archive-date= January 16, 2013|title=Seinfeld goes HD on TBS HD|date=September 3, 2008|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>


==Reception and legacy== ==Reception and legacy==
Elizabeth Magnotta and Alexandra Strohl analyze the success of ''Seinfeld'' with recourse to the ] of humor: "The Incongruity Theory claims that humor is created out of a violation of an expectation. For humor to result from this unexpected result, the event must have an appropriate emotional climate, {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} the setting, characters, prior discourse, relationships of the characters, and the topic."<ref>{{cite journal| author = Magnotta, Elizabeth and Alexandra Strohl| title = A linguistic analysis of humor: A look at ''Seinfeld''| journal = Working Papers of the Linguistics Circle| volume = 21| issue = 1| pages = 126–135| url = http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/WPLC/article/view/5944|access-date=August 2, 2012| date = November 14, 2011}}</ref> Specifically, Magnotta and Strohl focus on "]", where George is embroiled in yet another lie, and on "]", where George tries to save a few dollars at Elaine's expense by giving her a marked-down ] sweater. Elizabeth Magnotta and Alexandra Strohl analyze the success of ''Seinfeld'' with recourse to the ] of humor: "The Incongruity Theory claims that humor is created out of a violation of an expectation. For humor to result from this unexpected result, the event must have an appropriate emotional climate, {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} the setting, characters, prior discourse, relationships of the characters, and the topic."<ref>{{cite journal| author = Magnotta, Elizabeth and Alexandra Strohl| title = A linguistic analysis of humor: A look at ''Seinfeld''| journal = Working Papers of the Linguistics Circle| volume = 21| issue = 1| pages = 126–135| url = http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/WPLC/article/view/5944|access-date=August 2, 2012| date = November 14, 2011}}</ref> Specifically, Magnotta and Strohl focus on "]", where George is embroiled in yet another lie, and on "]," where George tries to save a few dollars at Elaine's expense by giving her a marked-down ] sweater.

In "Translating ''Seinfeld''", Jennifer Armstrong notes that ''Seinfeld'' is less popular among non-English speakers as its unique style of humor is "too cultural and word-based to make for easy translation".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/24/8809723/jerry-seinfeld-tv-show-international-translation|title=Translating Seinfeld|last=Armstrong|first=Jennifer|date=June 25, 2015|website=The Verge|access-date=December 2, 2018}}</ref> Carol Iannone sums up the legacy of this American hit in her ''Modern Age'' article "''Seinfeld'': The Politically Incorrect Comedy" when she says, "It may be the first situation comedy truly to achieve the status of art".<ref name=":0" /><ref name="politically-incorrect" />


In "Translating ''Seinfeld''", Jennifer Armstrong observes that ''Seinfeld'' is less famous among non-English speakers as its unique style of humor is "too cultural and word-based to make for easy translation".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/24/8809723/jerry-seinfeld-tv-show-international-translation|title=Translating Seinfeld|last=Armstrong|first=Jennifer|date=June 25, 2015|website=The Verge|access-date=December 2, 2018}}</ref> Carol Iannone sums up the legacy of this American hit in her ''Modern Age'' article "''Seinfeld'': The Politically Incorrect Comedy" when she says, "It may be the first situation comedy truly to achieve the status of art."<ref name=":0" /><ref name="politically-incorrect" /> Nod Miller, of the ], has discussed the self-referential qualities of the show:
Nod Miller, of the ], has discussed the self-referential qualities of the show:


{{blockquote|Seinfeld is suffused with ] themes. To begin with, the boundary between reality and fiction is frequently blurred: this is illustrated in the central device of having Jerry Seinfeld play the character, Jerry Seinfeld. In the show's fourth season, several episodes revolved around the narrative of Jerry and George (whose character is co-creator Larry David's alter ego) pitching 'a show about nothing' based on the everyday life of a stand-up comedian to NBC. The reaction of the fictional NBC executives, by all accounts, mirrored the initial responses of those who eventually commissioned Seinfeld. The fourth season ends with ], an episode focusing on the casting, taping, and screening of the show-within-the-show, ''Jerry''. This episode also illustrates neatly the self-referential quality which is one of Seinfeld's hallmarks. The series finale was so replete with references to earlier shows as to render it largely incomprehensible to those not already well-versed in the personae and preoccupations of the Seinfeld universe.<ref>{{cite web| author = Miller, Nod| title = Applying Insights from Cultural Studies to Adult Education: What Seinfeld Says About the AERC| url = http://www.adulterc.org/Proceedings/1999/99miller.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140624022756/http://www.adulterc.org/Proceedings/1999/99miller.htm| url-status=dead| archive-date = June 24, 2014| publisher = Adult Education Research Conference| access-date = August 1, 2012}}</ref>}} {{blockquote|Seinfeld is suffused with ] themes. To begin with, the boundary between reality and fiction is frequently blurred: this is illustrated in the central device of having Jerry Seinfeld play the character Jerry Seinfeld. In the show's fourth season, several episodes revolved around the narrative of Jerry and George (whose character is co-creator Larry David's alter ego) pitching 'a show about nothing' based on the everyday life of a stand-up comedian to NBC. By all accounts, the fictional NBC executives' reaction mirrored the initial responses of those who eventually commissioned Seinfeld. The fourth season ends with ], an episode focusing on the casting, taping, and screening of the show-within-the-show, ''Jerry''. This episode also neatly illustrates the self-referential quality, which is one of Seinfeld's hallmarks. The series finale was so replete with references to earlier shows that it could have been more comprehensible to those not already well-versed in the personae and preoccupations of the Seinfeld universe.<ref>{{cite web| author = Miller, Nod| title = Applying Insights from Cultural Studies to Adult Education: What Seinfeld Says About the AERC| url = http://www.adulterc.org/Proceedings/1999/99miller.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140624022756/http://www.adulterc.org/Proceedings/1999/99miller.htm| url-status=dead| archive-date = June 24, 2014| publisher = Adult Education Research Conference| access-date = August 1, 2012}}</ref>}}


] has edited an anthology of scholarly essays on philosophy in ''Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing''. Some entries include "The Jerry Problem and the ]", "George's Failed Quest for ]: An Aristotelian Analysis", "Elaine's Moral Character", "Kramer the 'Seducer{{'"}}, "Making Something Out of Nothing: Seinfeld, ] and the Tao", "Seinfeld, ], and ]", "Mr. Peterman, the ], and Me", and "Minimally Decent Samaritans and Uncommon Law".<ref>{{cite book| author = Irwin, William| title = ''Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing''|publisher= Open Court 2000|year=2000 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3j3D55NItH0C&q=seinfeld+pitch+aristotelian&pg=PA2018|access-date=August 1, 2012| isbn = 9780812694093}}</ref> ] has edited an anthology of scholarly essays on philosophy in ''Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing''. Some entries include "The Jerry Problem and the ]", "George's Failed Quest for ]: An Aristotelian Analysis", "Elaine's Moral Character", "Kramer the 'Seducer{{'"}}, "Making Something Out of Nothing: Seinfeld, ] and the Tao", "Seinfeld, ], and ]", "Mr. Peterman, the ], and Me", and "Minimally Decent Samaritans and Uncommon Law".<ref>{{cite book| author = Irwin, William| title = ''Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing''|publisher= Open Court 2000|year=2000 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3j3D55NItH0C&q=seinfeld+pitch+aristotelian&pg=PA2018|access-date=August 1, 2012| isbn = 9780812694093}}</ref>


===U.S. television ratings=== ===U.S. television ratings===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" width="100%"} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width:100%"
|- |-
|+ TV viewership in the United States |+ TV viewership in the United States
Line 342: Line 351:
! Viewers<br />(millions) ! Viewers<br />(millions)
|- |-
| style="background:#339be9" | || ''']''' || ] || 5 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episode 1)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 2–5)</small> || July 5, 1989 || June 21, 1990 || rowspan {{n/a}} || rowspan {{n/a}} || 19.26 || "]" | style="background:#339be9" | || ''']''' || ] || 5 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episode 1)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 2–5)</small> || July 5, 1989 || June 21, 1990 || rowspan {{n/a}} || rowspan {{n/a}} || 19.26 || "]"
|| 22.5<ref name="USA Today staff 1990-06-06">{{cite news|url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TIHU89_R9xg/Sq-wLg2qhEI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kyOFwWPCK1w/s1600/Ratings_19900528.jpg|title='Seinfeld' is a standup hit|work=USA Today|date=June 6, 1990|access-date=December 30, 2013|page=D3}}</ref> || 22.5<ref name="USA Today staff 1990-06-06">{{cite news|url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TIHU89_R9xg/Sq-wLg2qhEI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kyOFwWPCK1w/s1600/Ratings_19900528.jpg|title='Seinfeld' is a standup hit|work=USA Today|date=June 6, 1990|access-date=December 30, 2013|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#f7d712;"| || ''']''' || ] || 12 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 1–4, 12)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 5–11)</small> || January 23, 1991 || June 26, 1991 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || 18.07 || "]" | style="background:#f7d712;"| || ''']''' || ] || 12 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 1–4, 12)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 5–11)</small> || January 23, 1991 || June 26, 1991 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || 18.07 || "]"
|| 24.7<ref name="USA Today staff 1991-04-10">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=April 10, 1991|page=D3}}</ref> || 24.7<ref name="USA Today staff 1991-04-10">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=April 10, 1991|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#244d8d" | || ''']''' || ] || 23 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 1–11, 18)</small><br />Wednesday at 9:00 pm <small>(Episodes 12–17, 19–23)</small> || September 18, 1991 || May 6, 1992 || #42 || 12.5 || 17.66 || "]" | style="background:#244d8d" | || ''']''' || ] || 23 || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 1–11, 18)</small><br />Wednesday at 9:00 pm <small>(Episodes 12–17, 19–23)</small> || September 18, 1991 || May 6, 1992 || #42 || 12.5 || 17.66 || "]"
|| 22.3<ref name="USA Today staff 1992-04-01">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=April 1, 1992|page=D3}}</ref> || 22.3<ref name="USA Today staff 1992-04-01">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=April 1, 1992|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#49a9a3" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || Wednesday at 9:00 pm <small>(Episodes 1–3, 5–15)</small><br />Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episode 4)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 16–22)</small><br />Thursday at 8:00 pm <small>(Episode 23)</small><br />Thursday at 8:30 pm <small>(Episode 24)</small> || August 12, 1992 || May 20, 1993 || #25 || 13.7 || 20.91 || "]" | style="background:#49a9a3" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || Wednesday at 9:00 pm <small>(Episodes 1–3, 5–15)</small><br />Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episode 4)</small><br />Thursday at 9:30 pm <small>(Episodes 16–22)</small><br />Thursday at 8:00 pm <small>(Episode 23)</small><br />Thursday at 8:30 pm <small>(Episode 24)</small> || August 12, 1992 || May 20, 1993 || #25 || 13.7 || 20.91 || "]"
|| 32.8<ref name="Gable 1993-05-26">{{cite news|title='Cheers' brings happy times to NBC|work=]|date=May 26, 1993|author=Gable, Donna|page=D3}}</ref> || 32.8<ref name="Gable 1993-05-26">{{cite news|title='Cheers' brings happy times to NBC|work=]|date=May 26, 1993|author=Gable, Donna|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#4c5385" | || ''']''' || ] || 22 ||rowspan="5"| Thursday at 9:00&nbsp;pm|| September 16, 1993 || May 19, 1994 || #3 || 19.6 || 29.59 || "]" and "]" | style="background:#4c5385" | || ''']''' || ] || 22 ||rowspan="5"| Thursday at 9:00&nbsp;pm|| September 16, 1993 || May 19, 1994 || #3 || 19.6 || 29.59 || "]" and "]"
|| 35.0<ref name="USA Today staff 1994-01-12">{{cite news|title='Improvement' leads ABC charge|work=USA Today|date=January 12, 1994|author=DeRosa, Robin|page=D3}}</ref><ref name="USA Today staff 1994-02-14">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=USA Today|date=December 14, 1994|page=D3}}</ref> || 35.0<ref name="USA Today staff 1994-01-12">{{cite news|title='Improvement' leads ABC charge|work=USA Today|date=January 12, 1994|author=DeRosa, Robin|page=D3}}</ref><ref name="USA Today staff 1994-02-14">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=USA Today|date=December 14, 1994|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#6d9cb3" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 22, 1994 || May 18, 1995 || #1 || 20.6 || 30.06 || "]" | style="background:#6d9cb3" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 22, 1994 || May 18, 1995 || #1 || 20.6 || 30.06 || "]"
|| 36.6<ref name="USA Today staff 1995-01-11">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=January 11, 1995|page=D3}}</ref> || 36.6<ref name="USA Today staff 1995-01-11">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=January 11, 1995|page=D3}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#5f5758" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 21, 1995 || May 16, 1996 || #2 || 21.2 || 33.19 || "]" | style="background:#5f5758" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 21, 1995 || May 16, 1996 || #2 || 21.2 || 33.19 || "]"
|| 37.6<ref name="Graham 1995-09-27">{{cite news|title=NBC Sunday starters stumble|work=]|date=September 27, 1995|page=D3|author=Graham, Jefferson}}</ref> || 37.6<ref name="Graham 1995-09-27">{{cite news|title=NBC Sunday starters stumble|work=]|date=September 27, 1995|page=D3|author=Graham, Jefferson}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#b5b7bc;"| || ''']''' || ] || 22 || September 19, 1996 || May 15, 1997 || #2 || 20.5 || 32.48 || "]" | style="background:#b5b7bc;"| || ''']''' || ] || 22 || September 19, 1996 || May 15, 1997 || #2 || 20.5 || 32.48 || "]"
|| 37.3<ref name="USA Today staff 1997-01-22">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=January 22, 1997|page=D3}}</ref> || 37.34<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41303321/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 13–19)|date=January 22, 1997|work=]|access-date=April 9, 2021|via=]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="background:#68471a" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 25, 1997 || May 14, 1998 || #1 || 22.0 || 38.03<br />(32.15)<ref name="ReferenceA">Excluding '']'' (76.26 million viewers) and '']'' (58.53 million viewers)</ref> || "]"<br />("]") | style="background:#68471a" | || ''']''' || ] || 24 || September 25, 1997 || May 14, 1998 || #1 || 22.0 || 38.03<br />(32.15)<ref name="ReferenceA">Excluding '']'' (76.26 million viewers) and '']'' (58.53 million viewers)</ref> || "]"<br />("]")
|| 76.3<ref name="USA Today staff 1998-05-20">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=May 20, 1998|page=D3}}</ref><br />(38.8)<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="USA Today staff 1998-05-13">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings|work=]|date=May 13, 1998|page=D3}}</ref> || 76.26<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41306012/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 11–17)|date=May 20, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 24, 2021|via=]}}{{free access}}</ref><br />(38.78)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304257/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 4–10)|date=May 13, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 24, 2021|via=]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|} |}


===Awards and nominations=== ===Awards and honors===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Seinfeld}} {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Seinfeld}}
''Seinfeld'' has received awards and nominations in various categories throughout the mid-1990s. It was awarded the ] for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, ] for Best TV-Series (Comedy) in 1994 and ] for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 1995, 1997 and 1998.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014032643/http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search |date=October 14, 2011 }} "Seinfeld" "1993" emmys.org. Retrieved on May 8, 2008</ref><ref name="1st ASG awards"> Retrieved on March 14, 2008</ref><ref name="3rd ASG awards"> "Seinfeld" Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved on March 14, 2008,</ref><ref name="4th ASG awards"> Retrieved on March 14, 2008,</ref> Apart from these, the show was also nominated for an Emmy award from 1992 to 1998 for Outstanding Comedy Series, Golden Globe award from 1994 to 1998 for Best TV-Series (Comedy), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series from 1995 to 1998. The show even received the ] in 1993.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014032643/http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search |date=October 14, 2011 }} search "Seinfeld" and years "1992 to 1998" emmys.org. Retrieved on May 8, 2008</ref> ''Seinfeld'' has received awards and nominations in various categories throughout the mid-1990s. It was awarded the ] for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, ] for Best TV Series (Comedy) in 1994, and ] for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 1995, 1997 and 1998.<ref name="1st ASG awards">{{Cite web|title=The Inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards &#124; Screen Actors Guild Awards|url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/inaugural-screen-actors-guild-awards|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=www.sagawards.org}}</ref><ref name="3rd ASG awards">{{Cite web|title=The 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards &#124; Screen Actors Guild Awards|url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/3rd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=www.sagawards.org}}</ref><ref name="4th ASG awards">{{Cite web|title=The 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards &#124; Screen Actors Guild Awards|url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/4th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=www.sagawards.org}}</ref> Apart from these, the show was also nominated for an Emmy award from 1992 to 1998 for Outstanding Comedy Series, Golden Globe award from 1994 to 1998 for Best TV-Series (Comedy), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series from 1995 to 1998. The show even received the ] in 1993.


'']'' named it the ] in 2002.<ref name=tvguideTop50/> and in 2013, the magazine ranked it as the second-greatest TV show.<ref name="auto"/> A 2015 '']'' survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named ''Seinfeld'' as their #5 favorite show.<ref name="thr20150916">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/ |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |date=2015-09-16 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref> '']'' named it the ] in 2002,<ref name=tvguideTop50/> and in 2013, the magazine ranked it as the second-greatest TV show.<ref name="auto"/> A 2015 '']'' survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named ''Seinfeld'' as their #5 favorite show.<ref name="thr20150916">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/ |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |date=September 16, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, '']'' ranked ''Seinfeld'' as the sixth-greatest TV show of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/seinfeld-6-1234599287/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=September 30, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, '']'' ranked ''Seinfeld'' as the eighth-greatest TV show of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|work=Variety|date=December 20, 2023}}</ref>


==Distribution==
==Consumer products==
Free streaming service ] has been running ''Seinfeld'' in its original 4:3 format since February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/channel-4s-all-4-acquires-u-k-streaming-rights-to-seinfeld-1203492378/|title=Channel 4's All 4 Acquires U.K. Streaming Rights to 'Seinfeld'|date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> On April 29, 2015, it was officially announced, during ]'s ] presentation in ], that all nine seasons of ''Seinfeld'' would ] on the platform starting in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/29/8513149/seinfeld-streaming-exclusively-hulu|title=Hulu confirms it's the exclusive streaming home of Seinfeld|first=Jacob|last=Kastrenakes|publisher=Vox Media|work=The Verge|date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=hulu|number=593416595621453825|title=In the beginning, there was TV. Yada yada yada. "Seinfeld" is coming soon to #hulu. #HuluUpfront15|author=Hulu|date=April 29, 2015|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The deal was for around $130 million to $180 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/28/8512345/hulu-reportedly-lands-streaming-rights-to-all-180-seinfeld-episodes|title=Hulu reportedly lands streaming rights to all 180 Seinfeld episodes|first=Sam|last=Byford|publisher=Vox Media|work=The Verge|date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407210059/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/28/8512345/hulu-reportedly-lands-streaming-rights-to-all-180-seinfeld-episodes |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 20, 2015, ] announced that every episode would be available starting June 24, 2015.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=hulu|number=601058892932485120|title=Sweet Fancy Moses, every "Seinfeld" episode is on #hulu 6/24. Get ready for #AllTheNothing|author=Hulu|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> Hulu's streaming rights for the series expired on June 23, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nexttv.com/news/seinfeld-set-to-depart-hulu-on-june-23-transition-to-netflix | title= 'Seinfeld' Set to Depart Hulu on June 23, Transition to Netflix | first = Daniel | last = Frankel | access-date = July 14, 2021 | work = Next TV | date= June 16, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/seinfeld-leaving-hulu.html|title=Say Your Good-byes, Seinfeld Is Leaving Hulu This Month|last1=Salazar|first1=Savannah|last2=Adalian|first2=Josef|date=June 17, 2021|website=Vulture|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> In January 2017, ] acquired the UK rights to all seasons of ''Seinfeld'' for its ] streaming service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/amazon-gets-seinfeld-in-uk/|title=Amazon gets Seinfeld in UK}}</ref>
A recurring feature of ''Seinfeld'' was its inclusion of specific products, especially ], as plot points. These might be a central feature of a plot (e.g., ], ], ], ], bite-size ], ], ], ], ] Coffee Cake and ]), or an association of candy with a guest character (e.g. ] bars) or simply a conversational aside (e.g., ], ], ]). A large number of non-candy products were also featured throughout the series.


On November 8, 2016, the Australian streaming service ] announced via ] that later in the week all episodes would be available to stream for the first time in Australia.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=StanAustralia|number=795732579492110336|title=You're going to want to turn your sound on for this announcement...|author=Stan|access-date=February 16, 2022|date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> All episodes were available from November 11, 2016, with the remastered versions of all episodes on the service featuring HD and Widescreen enhancements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediaweek.com.au/stan-seinfeld-sony-pictures/|title=180 Seinfeld episodes come to Stan with new Sony Pictures Television deal |website=MediaWeek|access-date=November 29, 2016|date=November 7, 2016 }}</ref> The widescreen offered was cropped from the original 4:3 format negatives, thus resulting in better visual quality than the previously available DVD version, however, the top and bottom portions of the frame were cut out to achieve the widescreen aspect ratio. In April 2020, all seasons of ''Seinfeld'' were also made available on-demand via pay television service ], as well as its internet-based alternative ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-opens-comedy-vaults-with-complete-seasons-of-classics/|title=Foxtel opens comedy vaults with complete seasons of classics |website=MediaWeek|date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref>
The show's creators claim that they weren't engaging in a product placement strategy for commercial gain. One motivation for the use of real-world products, quite unrelated to commercial considerations, is the comedy value of funny-sounding phrases and words. "I knew I wanted Kramer to think of watching the operation like going to see a movie", explained ''Seinfeld'' writer/producer Andy Robin in an interview published in ''The Hollywood Reporter''. "At first, I thought maybe a piece of popcorn falls into the patient. I ran that by my brother, and he said, 'No, Junior Mints are just funnier.'"<ref>{{cite news|title=A look at some of the biggest hits in movie and TV product placement|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011140335/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |work=]|date=April 28, 2005|access-date=November 10, 2007|author=<!--Not stated-->}}</ref>


In September 2019, ] and ] announced that Netflix had acquired the exclusive global streaming rights for ''Seinfeld'', starting on October 1, 2021, superseding the above Hulu and Amazon rights. As of 2023, Netflix's version of ''Seinfeld'' is available in ].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/09/netflix-becomes-master-of-seinfeld-domain-buys-exclusive-streaming-rights/ | title= It's real and it's spectacular: Netflix buys exclusive rights to stream Seinfeld | first = Sam | last = Machkovech | date = September 16, 2019 | access-date = September 16, 2019 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/16/20868736/seinfeld-netflix-2021-hulu-friends-streaming-wars|title=Seinfeld is heading to Netflix in 2021|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=September 16, 2019|website=The Verge|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/seinfeld-why-seinfeld-leaving-hulu-when-seinfeld-coming-netflix-1603317|title='Seinfeld': Why It's Leaving Hulu and When It's Coming to Netflix|last=Desborough|first=Jenny|date=June 23, 2021|website=Newsweek|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/06/seinfeld-not-on-streaming-netflix-hulu.html|title=Seinfeld Won't Be Streaming Anywhere for a While, and That's Good for Netflix|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=June 17, 2021|website=Vulture|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/netflix-announces-premiere-date-for-180-episode-seinfeld-library-issues-cheeky-press-release/|title=Netflix Announces Premiere Date For 180-Episode 'Seinfeld' Library, Issues Cheeky Press Release|last=Tapp|first=Tom|date=September 1, 2021|website=]|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> The transition was criticized as the show, initially displayed in 4:3 aspect ratio, had been converted to 16:9, resulting in some gags getting cropped, similarly to how '']'' was initially rendered on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/seinfeld-netflix-episodes-cropped-widescreen-ratio|title=Seinfeld Is Finally On Netflix, But There's a Catch|website=GQ|last=Rindner|first=Grant|date=October 5, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/seinfeld-netflix-hd-cropping-removes-jokes-183004013.html|title='Seinfeld' hits Netflix, but some jokes have been cropped out of view|website=Engadget|last=Ingraham|first=N.|date=October 3, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/1/22704399/seinfeld-aspect-ratio-netflix-4k-widescreen-letterbox-streaming-hd|title=What's the deal with Seinfeld's aspect ratio on Netflix?|website=The Verge|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=October 1, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref> Netflix has yet to comment on this situation.
Many advertisers capitalized on the popularity of ''Seinfeld''. ] created a ] where Jerry Seinfeld and an animated ] (voiced by ], who played the role of Puddy) starred in its commercial. The makers of the ] created the "Spongeworthy" game, on their website, inspired by "]". An advertisement featured Jason Alexander in a ] commercial. In this, Alexander acts much like his character George, and his relationship with ] plays on George's relationship with Steinbrenner. Similarly, Michael Richards was the focus of a series of advertisements for ] which ran in ] where he dressed and acted exactly like Kramer, including the trademark bumbling pratfalls.


===Home media releases===
In addition, the show occasionally incorporated fictional products like a ] brand called "Hennigan's" (a blend of "]" and "]") and a ] product called "Beef-a-reeno" (a parody of "]").
The hour-long, two-part ] episode "]" became the first ''Seinfeld'' episode available on home video when it was released on ] in 1995 by food company ]. ] (formerly Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment) released all nine seasons of ''Seinfeld'' on ] in Regions 1, 2, and 4 between 2004 and 2007.<ref name="TV show region 1"/> On November 6, 2007, ''Seinfeld: The Complete Series'' was released on DVD. The complete series box set includes a 2007 "roundtable" reunion of the four main cast members and Larry David; only highlights of this were also included in the Season 9 set.


The first complete series box set in Australia (Region 4) was released on October 24, 2007. The second boxset was released on December 2, 2008, and was a Collectible Fridge design packaging. On August 5, 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - Complete Collection|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2208972/Seinfeld---Complete-Collection|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> another Limited-Edition boxset was released, similar to the first boxset but does not include the book and the packaging was slightly different. On November 23, 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - The Complete Series|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/seinfeld-the-complete-series-32-dvd|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=JB Hi-Fi|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112005442/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/seinfeld-the-complete-series-32-dvd|url-status=dead}}</ref> an additional Limited-Edition boxset was released. On November 14, 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld – Season 1-9 {{!}} Complete Series – Festivus Edition|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2395111/Seinfeld---Season-1-9--Complete-Series---Festivus-Edition|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> a ''Festivus Celebration Edition'' was released which contained napkins and cups, playing cards and thumb wrestle gadgets. On August 12, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld – Season 1–9 {{!}} Complete Series|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2518134/Seinfeld---Season-1-9--Complete-Series|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> yet another ''Complete Series'' boxset was released.
==Home media==
===VHS release===
The hour-long, two-part ] episode "]" became the first ''Seinfeld'' episode available on home video when it was released on ] in 1995.


The entire series was released on ] (in the cropped 16:9 aspect ratio) and ] (in the original 4:3 aspect ratio) on December 17, 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/seinfeld-blu-ray-release-where-to-buy-1235145585/ |title='Seinfeld' Will Finally Be Released on Blu-Ray on Dec. 17, Just in Time for Festivus |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Jonathan |last=Zavaleta |date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=October 31, 2024}}</ref>
===DVD releases===
] released all nine seasons of ''Seinfeld'' on ] in Regions 1, 2, and 4 between 2004 and 2007.<ref name="TV show region 1"/> On November 6, 2007, ''Seinfeld: The Complete Series'' was released on DVD. The complete series box set includes a 2007 "roundtable" reunion of the four main cast members and Larry David; only highlights of this were also included in the Season 9 set.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
In Australia (Region 4), the first complete series boxset was released on October 24, 2007. This set contained "The Coffee Table Book" and slipcase packaging and was a Limited Edition. In late 2007/2008, all the individual seasons were re-released in a single Amaray style case. The second boxset was released on December 2, 2008, and was a Collectible Fridge design packaging. On August 5, 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - Complete Collection|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2208972/Seinfeld---Complete-Collection|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> another Limited Edition boxset was released, similar to the first boxset but does not include the book and the packaging was slightly different. On November 23, 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - The Complete Series|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/seinfeld-the-complete-series-32-dvd|access-date=2020-12-28|website=JB Hi-Fi|language=en}}</ref> another Limited Edition boxset was released, appearing to be almost identical to the 2009 version with some minor differences. On November 14, 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - Season 1-9 {{!}} Complete Series - Festivus Edition|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2395111/Seinfeld---Season-1-9--Complete-Series---Festivus-Edition|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> a Festivus Celebration Edition was released which contained napkins and cups, playing cards and thumb wrestle gadgets. On August 12, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seinfeld - Season 1-9 {{!}} Complete Series|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2518134/Seinfeld---Season-1-9--Complete-Series|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> another The Complete Series boxset was released, this time the box is blue and contains 8 Amaray style cases.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|- |-
! style="padding:0 8px;" rowspan="2"| DVD name ! style="padding:0 8px;" rowspan="2"| DVD name
Line 406: Line 411:
| November 23, 2004<ref name="TV show region 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Seinfeld/3743|title=Seinfeld region 1 DVD release dates|publisher=]|access-date=March 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405033944/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Seinfeld/3743|archive-date=April 5, 2008}}</ref> | November 23, 2004<ref name="TV show region 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Seinfeld/3743|title=Seinfeld region 1 DVD release dates|publisher=]|access-date=March 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405033944/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Seinfeld/3743|archive-date=April 5, 2008}}</ref>
| November 1, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002W1488|title=Season 1&2 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 2004}}</ref> | November 1, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002W1488|title=Season 1&2 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 2004}}</ref>
| October 13, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-seasons-1-2-4-dvd-set/231401|title=Season 1&2 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | October 13, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-seasons-1-2-4-dvd-set/231401|title=Season 1&2 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=February 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213222608/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-seasons-1-2-4-dvd-set/231401|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 2: Season 3 | Vol 2: Season 3
| November 23, 2004<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | November 23, 2004<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| November 1, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002W148I|title=Season 3 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 2004}}</ref> | November 1, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002W148I|title=Season 3 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 2004}}</ref>
| October 18, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-3-4-dvd-set/231402|title=Season 3 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | October 18, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-3-4-dvd-set/231402|title=Season 3 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=December 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209072602/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-3-4-dvd-set/231402|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 3: Season 4 | Vol 3: Season 4
| May 17, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | May 17, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| June 13, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007XIEUS|title=Season 4 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=June 13, 2005}}</ref> | June 13, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007XIEUS|title=Season 4 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=June 13, 2005}}</ref>
| May 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-4-4-dvd-set/236302|title=Season 4 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | May 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-4-4-dvd-set/236302|title=Season 4 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=October 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003061021/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-4-4-dvd-set/236302|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 4: Season 5 | Vol 4: Season 5
| November 22, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | November 22, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| November 28, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AN33LK|title=Season 5 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 28, 2005}}</ref> | November 28, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AN33LK|title=Season 5 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 28, 2005}}</ref>
| November 23, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/seinfeld-season-5-4-dvd-set/247230|title=Season 5 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | November 23, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/seinfeld-season-5-4-dvd-set/247230|title=Season 5 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114134248/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/seinfeld-season-5-4-dvd-set/247230|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 5: Season 6 | Vol 5: Season 6
| November 22, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | November 22, 2005<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| November 28, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AMYIVU|title=Season 6 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 28, 2005}}</ref> | November 28, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AMYIVU|title=Season 6 (Region 2)|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 20, 2008|date=November 28, 2005}}</ref>
| style="padding:0 8px;"| November 23, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-6-4-dvd-set/247231|title=Season 6 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | style="padding:0 8px;"| November 23, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-6-4-dvd-set/247231|title=Season 6 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=October 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003061026/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-6-4-dvd-set/247231|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 6: Season 7 | Vol 6: Season 7
| style="padding:0 8px;"| November 21, 2006<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | style="padding:0 8px;"| November 21, 2006<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| November 20, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/seinfeld-season-7.html|title=Season 7 (Region 2) review|publisher=dvdactive.com|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref> | November 20, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/seinfeld-season-7.html|title=Season 7 (Region 2) review|publisher=dvdactive.com|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>
| November 8, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-7-4-dvd-set/263167|title=Season 7 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | November 8, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-7-4-dvd-set/263167|title=Season 7 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114130104/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-7-4-dvd-set/263167|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 7: Season 8 | Vol 7: Season 8
| June 5, 2007<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | June 5, 2007<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| June 4, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/reviews/1480 |title=Season 8 (Region 2) review |publisher=realmovienews.com |access-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302155646/http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/reviews/1480 |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref> | June 4, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/reviews/1480 |title=Season 8 (Region 2) review |publisher=realmovienews.com |access-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302155646/http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/reviews/1480 |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref>
| June 13, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-8-4-dvd-set/272374|title=Season 8 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | June 13, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-8-4-dvd-set/272374|title=Season 8 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114125722/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-8-4-dvd-set/272374|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Vol 8: Season 9 | Vol 8: Season 9
| November 6, 2007<ref name="TV show region 1"/> | November 6, 2007<ref name="TV show region 1"/>
| style="padding:0 8px;"| November 19, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/seinfeld-season-9.html|title=Season 9 (Region 2) Review|publisher=dvdactive.com|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref> | style="padding:0 8px;"| November 19, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/seinfeld-season-9.html|title=Season 9 (Region 2) Review|publisher=dvdactive.com|access-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>
| October 24, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-9-4-dvd-set/279328|title=Season 9 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> | October 24, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-9-4-dvd-set/279328|title=Season 9 (Region 4)|publisher=JB Hi-Fi Online|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114130735/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/comedy/seinfeld-season-9-4-dvd-set/279328|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
| Complete Series (Original) | Complete Series (Original)
| November 6, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Jerry-Seinfeld/dp/B000VECAEE/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614993852&sr=8-1 |title=Seinfeld: The Complete Series |website=Amazon.com |access-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> | November 6, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Jerry-Seinfeld/dp/B000VECAEE/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614993852&sr=8-1 |title=Seinfeld: The Complete Series |website=Amazon.com |access-date=December 22, 2021 }}</ref>
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}}
|- |-
| Complete Series (Reissue) | Complete Series (Reissue)
| November 5, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Studio1-Seinfeld-Serie-Completa-DVD-Box/dp/B00EIJTLK4/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1614993852&amp;sr=8-1 |title=Studio1 Seinfeld: La Serie Completa DVD Box Set |website=Amazon.com |access-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> | November 5, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Studio1-Seinfeld-Serie-Completa-DVD-Box/dp/B00EIJTLK4/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1614993852&amp;sr=8-1 |title=Studio1 Seinfeld: La Serie Completa DVD Box Set |website=Amazon.com |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=December 22, 2021 }}</ref>
| style="padding:0 8px;"| October 9, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Seinfeld-Complete-Box-Set-Repackage/dp/B07FVFL6K5/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1611070150&amp;sr=8-3|title = Seinfeld: Complete Series Box Set (Repackage) – DVD|date = October 9, 2018}}</ref> | style="padding:0 8px;"| October 9, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Seinfeld-Complete-Box-Set-Repackage/dp/B07FVFL6K5/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1611070150&amp;sr=8-3|title = Seinfeld: Complete Series Box Set (Repackage) – DVD|date = October 9, 2018}}</ref>
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}}
|} |}


===Streaming=== ===Syndication===
According to ], chairman of ] (parent company of Castle Rock Entertainment), ''Seinfeld'' made $2.7 billion through June 2010 through ] and cable syndication.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pilkington|first=Ed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/jun/07/jerry-seinfeld-rerun-repeat-fees|title=TV show Seinfeld earn $2.7bn from reruns|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 7, 2010|access-date=June 7, 2010|location=London}}</ref> {{as of|2017|02}} the show had made an estimated $4.06 billion in syndication. ], who invested in the show, later said, "We calculated what it would get us if it made it to syndication. We were wrong by a factor of five".<ref name="craw20170208">{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2017/02/08/steve-bannon-is-still-making-money-from-seinfeld-reruns/ |title=Steve Bannon is still making money from 'Seinfeld' reruns |last=Craw |first=Victoria |date=February 8, 2017 |work=The New York Post |access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> In September 2019, it was announced that ] (now ]) had acquired cable syndication rights to the series from ], with it airing on ] beginning in October 2021, ] from May 31, 2022, until November 12, 2022, and ] since February 11, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/seinfeld-viacom-cable-rights-comedy-series-comedy-central-paramount-network-tv-land-1202740519/|title='Seinfeld': Viacom Nabs Cable Rights To Comedy Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=September 21, 2019|access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/seinfeld-comedy-central-series-new-cable-home-jerry-seinfeld-promo-video-1234833717/ |title='Seinfeld': Comedy Central To Be Series' Exclusive New Cable Home; Jerry Seinfeld Stars In Promo Touting Lunch |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=September 15, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref>


==={{anchor|HD}}High-definition versions===
====All 4 (UK)====
There are two ] versions of ''Seinfeld''. The first is that of the network TV (non-syndicated) versions in the original aspect ratio of 4:3 that were downscaled for the DVD releases. Clips from this high-definition version in its upscale were seen on ] during ''The Seinfeld Story'' special.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14589923#post14589923|title='Seinfeld' in HD on TBS HD! Page 2|date=November 21, 1999 |publisher=videojanitor|access-date=September 23, 2009}}</ref> Syndicated broadcast stations and the cable networks ] and ] (and also ]) began airing the syndicated version of ''Seinfeld'' in HD. Unlike the version used for the DVD, Sony Pictures cropped the top and bottom parts of the frame while restoring previously cropped images on the sides from the ] source to use the entire 16:9 frame.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.engadget.com/2008-09-03-seinfeld-goes-hd-on-tbs-hd.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116201359/http://www.engadget.com/topics/hd/2008/09/03/seinfeld-goes-hd-on-tbs-hd|archive-date= January 16, 2013|title=Seinfeld goes HD on TBS HD|date=September 3, 2008|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>
Free streaming service ] has been running ''Seinfeld'' in its original 4:3 format since February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/channel-4s-all-4-acquires-u-k-streaming-rights-to-seinfeld-1203492378/|title=Channel 4's All 4 Acquires U.K. Streaming Rights to 'Seinfeld'|date=February 4, 2020}}</ref>

====Crave (Canada)====
In Canada, the series streamed on ], having left on September 30, 2021.

====Hulu (US)====
On April 29, 2015, it was officially announced, during ]'s ] presentation in ], that all nine seasons of ''Seinfeld'' would ] on the platform starting in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/29/8513149/seinfeld-streaming-exclusively-hulu|title=Hulu confirms it's the exclusive streaming home of Seinfeld|author=Jacob Kastrenakes|publisher=Vox Media|work=The Verge|date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=hulu|number=593416595621453825|title=In the beginning, there was TV. Yada yada yada. “Seinfeld” is coming soon to #hulu. #HuluUpfront15|author=Hulu|date=April 29, 2015|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The deal was for around $130 million to $180 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/28/8512345/hulu-reportedly-lands-streaming-rights-to-all-180-seinfeld-episodes|title=Hulu reportedly lands streaming rights to all 180 Seinfeld episodes|author=Sam Byford|publisher=Vox Media|work=The Verge|date=April 29, 2015}}</ref> On May 20, 2015, ] announced that every episode would be available starting June 24, 2015.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=hulu|number=601058892932485120|title=Sweet Fancy Moses, every "Seinfeld" episode is on #hulu 6/24. Get ready for #AllTheNothing|author=Hulu|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> Hulu's streaming rights for the series expired on June 23, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nexttv.com/news/seinfeld-set-to-depart-hulu-on-june-23-transition-to-netflix | title= 'Seinfeld' Set to Depart Hulu on June 23, Transition to Netflix | first = Daniel | last = Frankel | access-date = July 14, 2021 | work = Next TV | date= June 16, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/seinfeld-leaving-hulu.html|title=Say Your Good-byes, Seinfeld Is Leaving Hulu This Month|last1=Salazar|first1=Savannah|last2=Adalian|first2=Josef|date=2021-06-17|website=Vulture|access-date=2021-07-14}}</ref>

====Prime Video (UK)====
In January 2017, ] acquired the UK rights to all seasons of ''Seinfeld'' for its ] streaming service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/amazon-gets-seinfeld-in-uk/|title=Amazon gets Seinfeld in UK}}</ref>

====Stan (Australia)====
On November 8, 2016, the Australian streaming service ] announced via ] that later in the week all episodes would be available to stream for the first time in Australia.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=StanAustralia|number=795732579492110336|title=You're going to want to turn your sound on for this announcement...|author=Stan|access-date=February 16, 2022|date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> All episodes were available from November 11, 2016, with the remastered versions of all episodes on the service featuring HD and Widescreen enhancements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediaweek.com.au/stan-seinfeld-sony-pictures/|title=180 Seinfeld episodes come to Stan with new Sony Pictures Television deal |website=MediaWeek|access-date=November 29, 2016|date=November 7, 2016 }}</ref> The widescreen offered was cropped from the original 4:3 format negatives, thus resulting in better visual quality than the previously available DVD version, however, the top and bottom portions of the frame were cut out to achieve the widescreen aspect ratio. In April 2020, all seasons of ''Seinfeld'' were also made available on-demand via pay television service ], as well as its internet-based alternative ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-opens-comedy-vaults-with-complete-seasons-of-classics/|title=Foxtel opens comedy vaults with complete seasons of classics |website=MediaWeek|date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>

====Netflix====
In September 2019, ] and ] announced that Netflix had acquired the exclusive global streaming rights for ''Seinfeld'', starting on October 1, 2021, superseding the above Hulu and Amazon rights. As of October 1, 2021, Netflix's version of ''Seinfeld'' is available in ].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/09/netflix-becomes-master-of-seinfeld-domain-buys-exclusive-streaming-rights/ | title= It's real and it's spectacular: Netflix buys exclusive rights to stream Seinfeld | first = Sam | last = Machkovech | date = September 16, 2019 | access-date = September 16, 2019 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/16/20868736/seinfeld-netflix-2021-hulu-friends-streaming-wars|title=Seinfeld is heading to Netflix in 2021|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=2019-09-16|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/seinfeld-why-seinfeld-leaving-hulu-when-seinfeld-coming-netflix-1603317|title='Seinfeld': Why It's Leaving Hulu and When It's Coming to Netflix|last=Desborough|first=Jenny|date=2021-06-23|website=Newsweek|access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/06/seinfeld-not-on-streaming-netflix-hulu.html|title=Seinfeld Won't Be Streaming Anywhere for a While, and That's Good for Netflix|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=2021-06-17|website=Vulture|access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/netflix-announces-premiere-date-for-180-episode-seinfeld-library-issues-cheeky-press-release/|title=Netflix Announces Premiere Date For 180-Episode 'Seinfeld' Library, Issues Cheeky Press Release|last=Tapp|first=Tom|date=2021-09-01|website=]|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> The transition was criticized as the show, initially displayed in 4:3 aspect ratio, had been converted to 16:9, resulting in some gags getting cropped, similarly to how '']'' was initially rendered on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/seinfeld-netflix-episodes-cropped-widescreen-ratio|title=Seinfeld Is Finally On Netflix, But There's a Catch|website=GQ|last=Rindner|first=Grant|date=October 5, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/seinfeld-netflix-hd-cropping-removes-jokes-183004013.html|title='Seinfeld' hits Netflix, but some jokes have been cropped out of view|website=Engadget|last=Ingraham|first=N.|date=October 3, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/1/22704399/seinfeld-aspect-ratio-netflix-4k-widescreen-letterbox-streaming-hd|title=What's the deal with Seinfeld's aspect ratio on Netflix?|website=The Verge|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=October 1, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref> Netflix has yet to comment on this situation.


==After ''Seinfeld''== ==After ''Seinfeld''==


===Another scene=== ===Another scene===
On the November 1, 2007, episode of '']'', Jerry Seinfeld mentioned the possibility of shooting one last scene, after the characters leave jail. He mentioned that he was too busy to do it at the time, but didn't announce what the scene would entail, as its production isn't a certainty.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Episode dated 1 November 2007|series=The Daily Show|series-link=The Daily Show|network=]|credits=Axler, Rachel; Bleyer, Kevin; Blomquist, Richard; Bodow, Steve; Carvell, Tim; Havlan, J.R.; Scott Jacobson, Scott; Javerbaum, David; Karlin, Ben; Kutner, Rob; Lieb, Josh; Means, Sam; Reich, Jason; Ross, Jason; Stewart, Jon|airdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> On the November 1, 2007, episode of '']'', Jerry Seinfeld mentioned the possibility of shooting one last scene after the characters leave jail. He mentioned that he was too busy to do it at the time, but did not announce what the scene would entail, as its production is not a certainty.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Episode dated 1 November 2007|series=The Daily Show|series-link=The Daily Show|network=]|credits=Axler, Rachel; Bleyer, Kevin; Blomquist, Richard; Bodow, Steve; Carvell, Tim; Havlan, J.R.; Scott Jacobson, Scott; Javerbaum, David; Karlin, Ben; Kutner, Rob; Lieb, Josh; Means, Sam; Reich, Jason; Ross, Jason; Stewart, Jon|airdate=November 1, 2007}}</ref> In a commentary from the final season ], Seinfeld outlines that he and Jason Alexander spoke about this scene being in Monk's Cafe, with George saying "That was brutal" about the foursome's stint in prison.<ref>{{cite video|title=]: Notes about Nothing&nbsp;– "The Finale"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>

In a commentary from the final season ], Seinfeld outlines that he and Jason Alexander spoke about this scene being in Monk's Cafe, with George saying "That was brutal" about the foursome's stint in prison.<ref>{{cite video|title=]: Notes about Nothing&nbsp;– "The Finale"|medium=DVD|publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>


On an episode of '']'' that Jerry Seinfeld hosted on October 2, 1999, a sketch was produced that showed what life was like for Jerry behind bars after being transferred to the fictional prison portrayed on the ] series '']''.<ref>]</ref> The roughly four-minute sketch shows the opening credits for the HBO series with clips of Jerry mixed in doing various activities around the prison. The sketch continues and mixes in different storylines from both ''Oz'' and ''Seinfeld'' and has Jerry interacting with various characters from the show in his typical quick-witted, sarcastic way.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/99/99aoz.phtml | title=SNL Transcripts: Jerry Seinfeld: 10/02/99: Oz| date=October 8, 2018}}</ref> On an episode of '']'' that Jerry Seinfeld hosted on October 2, 1999, a sketch was produced that showed what life was like for Jerry behind bars after being transferred to the fictional prison portrayed on the ] series '']''.<ref>]</ref> The roughly four-minute sketch shows the opening credits for the HBO series with clips of Jerry mixed in doing various activities around the prison. The sketch continues and mixes in different storylines from both ''Oz'' and ''Seinfeld'' and has Jerry interacting with various characters from the show in his typical quick-witted, sarcastic way.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/99/99aoz.phtml | title=SNL Transcripts: Jerry Seinfeld: 10/02/99: Oz| date=October 8, 2018}}</ref>


===The ''Seinfeld'' "curse"=== ===The ''Seinfeld'' "curse"===
<!--"SEINFELD CURSE" SECTION — PLEASE NOTE BEFORE EDITING: This section deals exclusively with "Seinfeld curse" shows, that is, shows 1] starring Jason, Michael and Julia in title roles, 2] following directly upon the end of Seinfeld, 3] and which were quickly canceled. DO ''not'' add other shows here, especially shows currently in production; add them above.--> <!--"SEINFELD CURSE" SECTION — PLEASE NOTE BEFORE EDITING: This section deals exclusively with "Seinfeld curse" shows, that is, shows 1] starring Jason, Michael, and Julia in title roles, 2] following directly upon the end of Seinfeld, 3] and which were quickly canceled. DO ''not'' add other shows here, especially shows currently in production; add them above.-->
Louis-Dreyfus, Alexander, and Richards have all tried to launch new sitcoms as title-role characters. Almost every show was canceled quickly, usually within the first season. This gave rise to the term ''Seinfeld curse'': the failure of a sitcom starring one of the three, despite the conventional wisdom that each person's ''Seinfeld'' popularity should almost guarantee a strong, built-in audience for the actor's new show. Shows specifically cited regarding the ''Seinfeld curse'' are Julia Louis-Dreyfus's '']'', Jason Alexander's '']'' and '']'', and Michael Richards' '']''. Louis-Dreyfus, Alexander, and Richards have all tried to launch new sitcoms as title-role characters. Almost every show was canceled quickly, usually within the first season. This gave rise to the term ''Seinfeld curse'': the failure of a sitcom starring one of the three, despite the conventional wisdom that each person's ''Seinfeld'' popularity should almost guarantee a strong, built-in audience for the actor's new show. Shows specifically cited regarding the ''Seinfeld curse'' are Julia Louis-Dreyfus's '']'', Jason Alexander's '']'' and '']'', and Michael Richards' '']''. This phenomenon was mentioned throughout the second season of ]'s HBO program '']'', which aired in 2001. In real life, David has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a curse, saying, "It's so completely idiotic. It's very hard to have a successful sitcom."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gregbaerg.com/articles/David.html|title='Curb's' Larry David: 'Seinfeld' Curse 'Idiotic'|author=Baerg, Greg|publisher=]|date=March 5, 2002|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An Extremely Awkward Encounter with Larry David |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a5955/larry-david-interview-0709/ |first=Scott |last=Raab |date=September 18, 2009 |work=Esquire}}</ref>

This phenomenon was mentioned throughout the second season of ]'s HBO program '']'', which aired in 2001. In real life, David has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a curse, saying, "It's so completely idiotic. It's very hard to have a successful sitcom."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gregbaerg.com/articles/David.html|title='Curb's' Larry David: 'Seinfeld' Curse 'Idiotic'|author=Baerg, Greg|publisher=]|date=March 5, 2002|access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An Extremely Awkward Encounter with Larry David |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a5955/larry-david-interview-0709/ |first=Scott |last=Raab |date=September 18, 2009 |work=Esquire}}</ref>


The success of Louis-Dreyfus in the 2006–2010 ] sitcom '']'', which included winning the ] in 2006, led many to believe that she had broken the curse.<ref>Susman, Gary (March 21, 2006) "" '']'' Retrieved February 16, 2022</ref> In her acceptance speech, Louis-Dreyfus held up her award and exclaimed, "I'm not somebody who really believes in curses, but curse this, baby!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/53166/emmys_clock_into_quot24quot_quotofficequot |last=Hall |first=Sarah|title=Emmys Clock into "24", "Office"|publisher=]|date=August 27, 2006|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The show produced ] to air in ]s in ] for several years, something the other shows did not achieve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-cancels-shows-including-ghost-53669/|title=CBS cancels seven shows, including 'Ghost,' 'Case'|last=Hibberd|first=James|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 18, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The '']'' episode hosted by Louis-Dreyfus made references to the curse. Nevertheless, the series ratings declined soon after and it was cancelled after the fifth season. She went on to win six further Emmys (for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) for her acclaimed performance as Vice President ] in the HBO comedy series '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/awards/julia-louis-dreyfus-wins-emmy-lead-actress-comedy-series-1202559690/|title=Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes Emmy history|last=Turchiano|first=Danielle|date=September 18, 2016|website=Variety|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> After ''Veep'' ended, Louis-Dreyfus officially joined the ] in 2021 as ]. The success of Louis-Dreyfus in the 2006–2010 ] sitcom '']'', which included winning the ] in 2006, led many to believe that she had broken the curse.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Amy|title=Has Julia Louis-Dreyfus broken the 'Seinfeld' curse?|date=March 21, 2006|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/03/21/old_christine_c/|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=EW.com|language=en}}</ref> In her acceptance speech, Louis-Dreyfus held up her award and exclaimed, "I'm not somebody who really believes in curses, but curse this, baby!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/53166/emmys_clock_into_quot24quot_quotofficequot |last=Hall |first=Sarah|title=Emmys Clock into "24", "Office"|publisher=]|date=August 27, 2006|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The show produced ] to air in ]s in ] for several years, something the other shows did not achieve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-cancels-shows-including-ghost-53669/|title=CBS cancels seven shows, including 'Ghost,' 'Case'|last=Hibberd|first=James|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 18, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The '']'' episode hosted by Louis-Dreyfus made references to the curse. Nevertheless, the series' ratings declined soon after, and it was canceled after the fifth season. She went on to win six further Emmys (for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) for her acclaimed performance as Vice President ] in the HBO comedy series '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/awards/julia-louis-dreyfus-wins-emmy-lead-actress-comedy-series-1202559690/|title=Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes Emmy history|last=Turchiano|first=Danielle|date=September 18, 2016|website=Variety|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref>


===''Curb Your Enthusiasm''=== ===''Curb Your Enthusiasm''===
{{Main|Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7|Seinfeld (Curb Your Enthusiasm)}} {{Main|Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7|Seinfeld (Curb Your Enthusiasm)}}
Early in March 2009, it was announced that the ''Seinfeld'' cast would reunite for ] of '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2009/03/05/seinfeld-cast-t|author=Rice, Lynette|title=Exclusive: 'Seinfeld' cast to appear on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'|magazine=]|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The cast first appeared in the third episode of the season, all playing fictional versions of themselves. The season-long story is that Larry David tries to initiate a ''Seinfeld'' reunion show as a ploy to win back his ex-wife, Cheryl. Along with the four main characters, some ''Seinfeld'' supporting actors like ], ] and ] appeared in the ninth episode at a table read for the reunion show. Though much dialogue in ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' is improvised, the plot was scripted, and the ''Seinfeld'' special that aired within the show was scripted and directed by ''Seinfeld'' regular ], making this the first time since ''Seinfeld'' went off the air that the central cast appeared together in a scripted show. Early in March 2009, it was announced that the ''Seinfeld'' cast would reunite for ] of '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2009/03/05/seinfeld-cast-t|author=Rice, Lynette|title=Exclusive: 'Seinfeld' cast to appear on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'|magazine=]|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> The cast first appeared in the third episode of the season, all playing fictional versions of themselves. The season-long story is that Larry David tries to initiate a ''Seinfeld'' reunion show as a ploy to win back his ex-wife, Cheryl. Along with the four main characters, some ''Seinfeld'' supporting actors like ], ] and ] appeared in the ninth episode at a table read for the reunion show. Although much dialogue in ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' is improvised, the plot was scripted, and the ''Seinfeld'' special that aired within the show was scripted and directed by ''Seinfeld'' regular ], making this the first time since ''Seinfeld'' went off the air that the central cast appeared together in a scripted show.


===''Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee''=== ===''Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee''===
{{Main|Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee#ep22|l1=The Over-Cheer (Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee)}} {{Main|Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee#ep22|l1=The Over-Cheer (Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee)}}
], Jason Alexander, and Wayne Knight, playing their respective ''Seinfeld'' characters, appeared in a spot presented during halftime of ] on February 2, 2014.<ref name="Superbowl">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/business/media/halftime-brings-a-much-anticipated-seinfeld-reunion.html?_r=0|title=Halftime Brings a Much-Anticipated 'Seinfeld' Reunion|date=Feb 2, 2014|access-date=Feb 2, 2014|first=Bill|last=Carter|url-access=limited}}</ref> ] came up with the idea of doing such a spot, due in part to the Super Bowl's location being New York City adjacent that year.<ref name="Superbowl" /> An uncut version appeared on ] immediately afterward, as an episode of '']'' titled "The Over-Cheer", establishing Seinfeld's character on the series as an older version of his ''Seinfeld'' character.<ref name="Superbowl" /> Although the spot was used to advertise Seinfeld's web series, it was not considered a commercial, as Sony, which produces the series, did not pay for it.<ref name="Superbowl" /> While Seinfeld indicated that the webisode would probably be the last cast reunion, saying, "I have a feeling you've seen the final coda on that very unique experience",<ref>{{cite web|last=Etkin|first=Jaimie|title=Jerry Seinfeld Thinks That "Seinfeld" Super Bowl Reunion Is The Last One We'll See|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jaimieetkin/jerry-seinfeld-thinks-that-seinfeld-super-bowl-reunion-is-th|work=BuzzFeed |department=Entertainment|access-date=February 18, 2014|date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> since then, ] and ] have also appeared in episodes. ], Jason Alexander, and Wayne Knight, playing their respective ''Seinfeld'' characters, appeared in a spot presented during halftime of ] on February 2, 2014.<ref name="Superbowl">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/business/media/halftime-brings-a-much-anticipated-seinfeld-reunion.html?_r=0|title=Halftime Brings a Much-Anticipated 'Seinfeld' Reunion|date=February 2, 2014|access-date=February 2, 2014|first=Bill|last=Carter|url-access=limited}}</ref> ] came up with the idea of doing such a spot, due in part to the Super Bowl's location being New York City adjacent that year.<ref name="Superbowl" /> An uncut version appeared on ] immediately afterward, as an episode of '']'' titled "The Over-Cheer," establishing Seinfeld's character on the series as an older version of his ''Seinfeld'' character.<ref name="Superbowl" /> Although the spot was used to advertise Seinfeld's web series, it was not considered a commercial, as Sony, which produces the series, did not pay for it.<ref name="Superbowl" /> While Seinfeld indicated that the webisode would probably be the last cast reunion, saying, "I have a feeling you've seen the final coda on that very unique experience," <ref>{{cite web|last=Etkin|first=Jaimie|title=Jerry Seinfeld Thinks That "Seinfeld" Super Bowl Reunion Is The Last One We'll See|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jaimieetkin/jerry-seinfeld-thinks-that-seinfeld-super-bowl-reunion-is-th|work=BuzzFeed |department=Entertainment|access-date=February 18, 2014|date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> since then, ] and ] have also appeared in episodes.


== Notes == == Notes ==
Line 511: Line 498:
* {{cite book |last=Fretts |first=Bruce |title=The Entertainment Weekly Seinfeld Companion |location=New York| publisher=Warner Books |year=1993 |isbn=0-446-67036-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/entertainmentwee00fret |url-access=registration}} * {{cite book |last=Fretts |first=Bruce |title=The Entertainment Weekly Seinfeld Companion |location=New York| publisher=Warner Books |year=1993 |isbn=0-446-67036-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/entertainmentwee00fret |url-access=registration}}
* Dawson, Ryan (2006). '''' ]. * Dawson, Ryan (2006). '''' ].
* {{cite book |editor=William Irwin |title=Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing |location=Peru, Illinois |publisher=Open Court Publishing Company |date=1999 |isbn=0-8126-9409-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinfeldphilosop00irwi/ |url-access=registration}}. * {{cite book |editor-first=William |editor-last=Irwin |title=Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing |location=Peru, Illinois |publisher=Open Court Publishing Company |date=1999 |isbn=0-8126-9409-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinfeldphilosop00irwi/ |url-access=registration}}.
* Gantz, Katherine. ''"Not That There's Anything Wrong with That": Reading the Queer in Seinfeld''. In Calvin Thomas (Ed.). ''Straight with a Twist: Queer Theory and the Subject of Heterosexuality''. Champaign. Illinois: ]. {{ISBN|0-252-06813-0}}. * Gantz, Katherine. ''"Not That There's Anything Wrong with That": Reading the Queer in Seinfeld''. In Calvin Thomas (Ed.). ''Straight with a Twist: Queer Theory and the Subject of Heterosexuality''. Champaign. Illinois: ]. {{ISBN|0-252-06813-0}}.
* {{cite book| last=Gattuso |first=Greg |title=The Seinfeld Universe: The Entire Domain| location=New York |publisher=Citadel Press |date=1996 |isbn=0-8065-2001-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinfelduniverse0000gatt/ |url-access=registration}}. * {{cite book| last=Gattuso |first=Greg |title=The Seinfeld Universe: The Entire Domain| location=New York |publisher=Citadel Press |date=1996 |isbn=0-8065-2001-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinfelduniverse0000gatt/ |url-access=registration}}.
* Murphy, Noah. ''Seinfeld: A Beginner's Guide''. Brisbane: Penguin Books. 2011. * Murphy, Noah. ''Seinfeld: A Beginner's Guide''. Brisbane: Penguin Books. 2011.
* {{cite book| last=Seinfeld |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Seinfeld |title=SeinLanguage |publisher=Bantam |year=1993 |isbn=0-553-09606-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinlanguage00sein/ |url-access=registration}}. * {{cite book| last=Seinfeld |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Seinfeld |title=SeinLanguage |publisher=Bantam |year=1993 |isbn=0-553-09606-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/seinlanguage00sein/ |url-access=registration}}.
* Weaver, D.T. & Oliver, M.B. (2000) Summary of the paper: * Weaver, D.T. & Oliver, M.B. (2000) Summary of the paper:
{{Refend}} {{Refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
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* {{Official website}} * {{Official website}}
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Latest revision as of 06:39, 21 December 2024

American television sitcom (1989–1998) This article is about the American television sitcom. For other uses, see Seinfeld (disambiguation).

Seinfeld
GenreSitcom
Slice of life
Cringe comedy
Dark comedy
Created by
ShowrunnerLarry David (seasons 1–7)
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerJonathan Wolff
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes180 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseJuly 5, 1989 (1989-07-05) –
May 14, 1998 (1998-05-14)
Related
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Seinfeld (/ˈsaɪnfɛld/ SYNE-feld) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, with a total of nine seasons consisting of 180 episodes. Its ensemble cast stars Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself and focuses on his personal life with three of his friends: best friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander), former girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and neighbor from across the hall, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards).

Seinfeld is set mostly in and around the titular character's apartment in Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York City. It has been described as "a show about nothing", often focusing on the minutiae of daily life. Interspersed in all episodes of the first seven seasons are moments of stand-up comedy from the fictional Jerry Seinfeld, frequently related to the episode's events.

As a rising comedian in the late 1980s, Jerry Seinfeld was presented with an opportunity to create a show with NBC. He asked Larry David, a fellow comedian and friend, to help create a premise for a sitcom. The series was produced by West-Shapiro Productions and Castle Rock Entertainment and distributed by Columbia Pictures Television (now known as Sony Pictures Television). It was largely written by David and Seinfeld along with scriptwriters. A favorite among critics, the series led the Nielsen ratings in Seasons 6 and 9 and finished among the top two (along with ER of the same network) every year from 1994 to 1998. Only two other shows—I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show—finished their runs at the top of the ratings.

Seinfeld is universally regarded as one of the greatest and most influential American shows of all time. It has been ranked among US television's best shows in publications such as Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, and Variety. Its most renowned episodes include "The Chinese Restaurant", "The Soup Nazi", "The Parking Garage", "The Marine Biologist", and "The Contest". In 2013, the Writers Guild of America voted it the second best-written TV series of all time (second to The Sopranos). E! named it the "Number 1 reason the '90s ruled". Quotes from numerous episodes have become catchphrases in popular culture.

Production

Conception

Seinfeld began as a 23-minute pilot titled "The Seinfeld Chronicles". Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, developed by NBC executive Rick Ludwin, and produced by Castle Rock Entertainment, it was a mix of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy routines and idiosyncratic, conversational scenes focusing on mundane aspects of everyday life like laundry, the buttoning of the top button on one's shirt, and the effort by men to interpret the intent of women spending the night in Seinfeld's apartment.

The pilot was filmed at Stage 8 of Desilu Cahuenga studios, the same studio where The Dick Van Dyke Show was filmed (seen by the crew as a good omen), and was recorded at Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood. The pilot was first screened to a group of two dozen NBC executives in Burbank, California, in early 1989. It did not yield the explosion of laughter garnered by the pilots for the decade's previous NBC successes like The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls. Brandon Tartikoff was not convinced the show would work. A Jewish man from New York himself, Tartikoff characterized it as "Too New York, too Jewish" (a sentiment which would also lead to the Cosmo character's later surname change from the more Jewish-sounding Kessler to Kramer). Test audiences were even harsher. NBC's practice at the time was to recruit 400 households by phone to ask them to evaluate pilots it aired on an unused channel on its cable system. An NBC research department memo summarized the pilot's performance among the respondents as "weak", which Warren Littlefield, then second-in-command in NBC's entertainment division, called "a dagger to the heart". Comments included, "You can't get too excited about two guys going to the laundromat", "Jerry's loser friend George isn't a forceful character", "Jerry needs a stronger supporting cast", and "Why are they interrupting the stand-up for these stupid stories?" Seinfeld and David did not see the memo for several years, but after they became aware of it, they hung it in a bathroom on the set. Seinfeld comments, "We thought, if someone goes in to use this bathroom, this is something they should see. It fits that moment."

Around the time the show's pilot was filmed, Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced the show, had also produced another pilot for NBC that featured Ann Jillian in her almost-similarly eponymous TV series. When The Seinfeld Chronicles tested poorly with audiences, Castle Rock focused on Jillian's series, which tested better with audiences and received a full-season order. Ann Jillian lasted only a single season of 13 episodes and was off the air by the end of 1990.

First seasons

When NBC announced its 1989–90 (primetime) schedule in May 1989, The Seinfeld Chronicles was not included, but the show's supporters did not give up. The pilot first aired on July 5, 1989, and finished second in its time slot against the CBS police drama Jake and the Fatman, receiving a Nielsen rating of 10.9/19. The ratings did not exhibit the regional skew Tartikoff predicted, much to the encouragement of the show's supporters. Ludwin canceled one of the Bob Hope specials budgeted for that season so the entertainment division had the money to order four more episodes of The Seinfeld Chronicles, which formed the rest of the show's first season (the series was by then retitled to Seinfeld)—a move without which Chicago Tribune columnist Phil Rosenthal later said there "would be no Seinfeld". Although this was a very low order number for a new series—and the smallest sitcom order in TV history—Castle Rock failed to find any other buyers when it shopped the show to other networks, and accepted the order. Seinfeld did not return to the airwaves until May 30, 1990, and it was another three years before it became a Top 5-rated show. Preston Beckman, in charge of NBC's research department at the time, reminisced, "The show was different. Nobody had seen anything like it. It wasn't unusual for poor-testing shows to get on the air, but it was very rare that they became hits."

When the program was first repeated on July 5, 1990, it received a rating of 13.9/26. These ratings were high enough to secure a second season. NBC research showed that the show was popular with young male adults, a demographic sought after by advertisers. This gave NBC an incentive to keep broadcasting the show. One DVD reviewer, Britt Gillette, wrote that "this initial episode exhibits the flashes of brilliance that made Seinfeld a cultural phenomenon."

Filming

Other than the pilot, the series was filmed at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Los Angeles. The first three seasons were filmed on Soundstage 19; it then moved to the larger Stage 9 for the remainder of its production. Despite numerous establishing shots taken in New York City, all scenes of the actors walking in New York were also filmed at CBS Studio Center, on their New York Street backlot. Street scenes and park scenes were filmed in the CBS Studio Centre's New York Street and Central Park backlots, respectively.

A source of problems for the cast was the small sets, especially that of Jerry's apartment; Alexander noted, "If you knew you were doing a series for nine years, you would never build that set." Adding to the problem was that the scripts contained only minimal physical direction, leaving the actors needing help to come up with actions to perform while speaking. Eventually, they got into a routine of directing each other on how to make their movements look natural. Alexander said this helped them build chemistry with each other.

Filming usually went long, as the cast and Larry David were perfectionists. If a joke did not elicit the desired reaction, they rewrote it and performed it again. In at least one case, "The Marine Biologist," this led to David writing an entirely new scene requiring Alexander to memorize a monologue in only a matter of minutes. Laugh tracks were used only for matching shots, not for artificially adding laughter.

Various locations used for establishing shots included Tom's Restaurant at 112th Street and Broadway (Monk's Cafe), Midtown West's Roosevelt Hospital (recurring exterior emergency room scene and indoor scenes in 'The Junior Mint' and 'The Bris'), Cornell Medical Centre at 525 East 68th Street, 22-39 37th Street, Queens (The Costanza's house), the Taconic State Parkway exit to the Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County, New York (driving scene in 'The Bubble Boy'), and the Amagansett farmers market, Long Island ('The Hamptons'). The exterior shot used for Jerry's New York apartment building was actually located at 757 S New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles. The real-life exterior of Pendant Publishing, Elaine's workplace, is located at 1325 Ave of the Americas, New York. The live stand-up comedy performed by Seinfeld at the beginning of most episodes was truly filmed at The Improv, a comedy club at 358 West 44th Street, Manhattan; though it closed in 1993, another comedy club operates at the site today. The Yankee Stadium exterior seen in the show has now been demolished. Most office building establishing shots are real businesses and locations. Various real street locations can be gleaned from the car windows during driving scenes. By the final season, each episode of the series cost $3 million to $3.5 million.

More than 120 episodes make reference to the Superman franchise. Teri Hatcher, who played Lois Lane on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, plays Jerry's girlfriend Sidra. Paula Marshall, who played Christina Riley on the Superboy TV series, portrays the journalist Sharon, who Jerry says reminds him of Lois Lane. Sherman Howard, who played Lex Luthor on Superboy, portrays Roy. Superman logos and figurines frequently appear in Jerry's apartment. Seinfeld and Superman later appear in an American Express commercial. The show was written by David and Seinfeld, along with writers who included Larry Charles, Peter Mehlman, Gregg Kavet, Carol Leifer, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer, Steve Koren, Jennifer Crittenden, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Dan O'Keefe, Charlie Rubin, Marjorie Gross, Alec Berg, Elaine Pope, and Spike Feresten.

Series overview

Plotlines

Many Seinfeld episodes are based on the writers' real-life experiences, with the experiences reinterpreted for the characters' storylines. For example, George's storyline in "The Revenge" is based on Larry David's experience at Saturday Night Live. "The Contest" is also based on David's experiences. "The Smelly Car" storyline is based on Peter Mehlman's lawyer friend, who could not get a bad smell out of his car. "The Strike" is based on Dan O'Keefe's dad, who made up his own holiday: Festivus. Other stories take a variety of turns. "The Chinese Restaurant" consists of George, Jerry, and Elaine waiting for a table throughout the entire episode. "The Boyfriend", revolving around Keith Hernandez, extends through two episodes. "The Betrayal" is famous for using reverse chronology and was inspired by a similar plot device in a Harold Pinter play, Betrayal. Some stories were inspired by headlines and rumors, as explained in the DVD features "Notes About Nothing", "Inside Look" and "Audio Commentary." In "The Maestro," Kramer's lawsuit is roughly similar to the McDonald's coffee case. "The Outing" is based primarily on rumors that Larry Charles heard about Jerry Seinfeld's sexuality.

Themes

The series was often described as "a show about nothing." However, in 2014, Seinfeld stated: "The pitch for the show, the real pitch, when Larry and I went to NBC in 1988, was we want to show how a comedian gets his material. The show "about nothing" was just a joke in an episode many years later, and Larry and I to this day are surprised that it caught on as a way that people describe the show because, to us, it's the opposite of that." David similarly commented: "I like taking the worst qualities that a person has and trying to make something funny out of it. Doesn't everybody do terrible things and have terrible thoughts? Just by trying to be as funny, you're going to deal with a lot of things that are real, so the show's really about something. The whole thing about the show being about nothing is ridiculous."

Much of the show's humor is based upon repeated use of irony, incongruity, and (oftentimes unfortunate) coincidences. Additionally, guest characters are frequently introduced with little to no context, with a humorous focus on the atypical names of these characters, which often contain alliteration. In keeping with Seinfeld's reputation as a clean comedian, though the show frequently contains dialogue around sexual themes, the show notably avoids using almost all explicit sexual terminology. Notably, in the popular episode "The Contest," whose plot line concerns a contest amongst the main characters to see which one can go the longest without masturbating, the word 'masturbation' is never mentioned. Seinfeld broke several conventions of mainstream television. David is credited with refusing to follow a predictable sitcom formula that would have a romantic relationship develop between Jerry and Elaine.

The show offers no growth or reconciliation to its characters and eschews sentimentality. An episode is typically driven by humor interspersed with the superficial conflicts of characters with peculiar dispositions. Many episodes revolve around the characters' involvement in the lives of others, with typically disastrous results. On the set, the notion that the characters should not develop or improve throughout the series was expressed as the "no hugging, no learning" rule. Larry David was adamant from the beginning that he did not want the characters to mature, grow or learn from their past mistakes. The characters are "thirty-something singles with vague identities, no roots, and conscious indifference to morals." Also unlike most sitcoms, there are no moments of pathos; the audience is never made to feel sorry for any of the characters. Even Susan's death in "The Invitations" elicits no genuine emotions from anybody in the show. Seinfeld does not shy away from making light of tough topics, from death to illness to disability.

The show frequently engages in fourth-wall-breaking humor and self-satire. One such example is the story arc, where the characters promote a TV sitcom series named Jerry. The show within a show, Jerry was much like Seinfeld in that it was "about nothing," and Seinfeld played himself. The fictional Jerry was launched in the Season 4 finale, but unlike Seinfeld, it wasn't picked up as a series. Jerry is one of many examples of metafiction in the show. There are no fewer than 22 fictional movies featured, like Rochelle, Rochelle. Because of these several elements, Seinfeld became the first TV series since Monty Python's Flying Circus to be widely described as postmodern.

Seinfeld is an avid Abbott and Costello fan and has cited The Abbott and Costello Show as an influence on Seinfeld: "Everybody on the show knows I'm a fan. We're always joking about how we do stuff from their show. George and I will often get into a riff that has the rhythm from the old Abbott and Costello shows. And sometimes, I'll hit George in the chest the way Abbott would hit Costello." The series includes numerous references to the team. George Costanza's middle name is "Louis", after Costello. "The Old Man" episode features a cantankerous character named "Sid Fields" as a tribute to the landlord on the team's TV show. Kramer's friend is named Mickey Abbott. A copywriter for the J. Peterman catalog is named Eddie Sherman, after the team's longtime agent. In Episode 30, Kramer hears the famous Abbott and Costello line, "His father was a mudder. His mother was a mudder."

Catchphrases

Many terms were coined, popularized, or re-popularized in the series' run and have become part of popular culture, including "Yada, yada, yada", "No soup for you!", "Master of my domain", and "Not that there's anything wrong with that." The lexicon of Seinfeldian code words and recurring phrases that evolved around particular episodes is referred to as Seinlanguage, which is also the title of Jerry Seinfeld's best-selling book on humor. These terms include "man hands", "shrinkage", "regift", and "double dip".

Consumer products

A recurring feature of Seinfeld was its inclusion of specific products, especially candy, as plot points. These might be a central feature of a plot (e.g., Junior Mints, Twix, Chuckles, Jujyfruits, bite-size Three Musketeers, Snickers, Chunky, Oh Henry!, Drake's Coffee Cake and PEZ), or an association of candy with a guest character (e.g. Oh Henry! bars) or simply a conversational aside (e.g., Chuckles, Clark Bar, Twinkies). A large number of non-candy products were also featured throughout the series.

The show's creators claim that they weren't engaging in a product placement strategy for commercial gain. One motivation for the use of real-world products, entirely unrelated to commercial considerations, is the comedy value of funny-sounding phrases and words. "I knew I wanted Kramer to think of watching the operation like going to see a movie," explained Seinfeld writer/producer Andy Robin in an interview published in The Hollywood Reporter. "At first, I thought maybe a piece of popcorn falls into the patient. I ran that by my brother, and he said, 'No, Junior Mints are just funnier.'"

Many advertisers capitalized on the popularity of Seinfeld. American Express created a webisode where Jerry Seinfeld and an animated Superman (voiced by Patrick Warburton, who played the role of Puddy) starred in its commercial. The makers of the Today Sponge created the "Spongeworthy" game on their website, inspired by "The Sponge." An advertisement featured Jason Alexander in a Chrysler commercial. In this, Alexander acts much like his character George, and his relationship with Lee Iacocca plays on George's relationship with Steinbrenner. Similarly, Michael Richards was the focus of a series of advertisements for Vodafone, which ran in Australia, where he dressed and acted precisely like Kramer, including the trademark bumbling pratfalls. In addition, the show occasionally incorporated fictional products like a Scotch brand called "Hennigan's" (a blend of "Hennessy" and "Brannigans") and a canned meat product called "Beef-a-reeno" (a parody of "Beef-a-roni").

Music

A signature of Seinfeld is its theme music. Composed by Jonathan Wolff, it consists of distinct solo sampled electric bass riffs that open the show and connect the scenes, often accompanied by beatboxing. The bass music eventually replaced the original piano/synth music by Jep Epstein when it was played again after the first broadcast of the pilot episode. The show lacked a traditional title track and the riffs were played over the first moments of dialogue or action. They vary throughout each episode and are played in an improvised funk style, matching the timing of Seinfeld's stand-up comedy delivery or transitions in the editing. An additional musical theme with an ensemble, led by a synthesized mid-range brass instrument, ends each episode.

In "The Note," the first episode of Season 3, the bumper music featured a scatting female jazz singer who sang a phrase that sounded like the tune Easy to Beat. Jerry Seinfeld and executive producer Larry David both liked Wolff's additions, and three episodes were produced with this new style of music. However, they had neglected to inform NBC and Castle Rock executives of the change, and when the season premiere aired, the executives were surprised and unimpressed and requested that they return to the original style. The subsequent two episodes were redone, leaving this episode as the only one with additional music elements. In the commentary of "The Note," Louis-Dreyfus facetiously suggests it was removed because the perceived lyric related closely to the low ratings at the time. In the final three seasons, the bits were tweaked slightly with more frantic rhythms; a bass guitar was added in addition to the sampled bass from earlier seasons. Throughout the show, the main theme could be restyled in different ways depending on the episode. For instance, in "The Betrayal," part of which takes place in India, the theme is heard played on a sitar. The soundtrack was given a digital release on July 2, 2021.

All music is composed by Jonathan Wolff.

Seinfeld (Original Television Soundtrack)
No.TitleEpisode(s)Length
1."Seinfeld Theme" 0:52
2."Seinfeld Theme""The Highlights of 100"0:40
3."Seinfeld Theme""The Chronicle"0:33
4."The Jerry Show Theme""The Pilot, Part 2"0:50
5."Kramer's Pimpwalk""The Wig Master"0:53
6."Jerry the Mailman""The Andrea Doria"0:35
7."Himalayan Walking Shoes""The Hot Tub"0:56
8."John Jermaine Jazz #1 (feat. Bob Sheppard)""The Rye"2:52
9."John Jermaine Jazz #2 (feat. Bob Sheppard)""The Rye"2:24
10."John Jermaine Jazz #3 (feat. Bob Sheppard)""The Rye"2:48
11."Kramer's Boombox""The Package"1:15
12."Jerry vs Newman Chase""The Soul Mate"0:32
13."Cable Guy vs Kramer Chase""The Cadillac, Part 2", "The Butter Shave"2:10
14."Noxin""The Cadillac, Part 2"1:18
15."Jesus Is One (feat. Jack Diamond)""The Burning"0:31
16."Kramer's Crappy Banjo""The Muffin Tops"0:37
17."Peterman in Burmese Jungle""The Chicken Roaster"0:37
18."TV Cartoon / Wheels on the Bus""The Contest"1:00
19."Finale Suitcase Montage""The Finale"0:51
20."Waiting for the Verdict Blues""The Finale"0:47
21."This Night Show""The Trip, Part 1"0:50
22."Rock Music Video""The Trip, Part 1"1:22
23."The Lopper""The Frogger"0:33
24."1937 Wedding Cake Waltz""The Frogger"0:39
25."Kramer Bachelor Auction""The Barber"0:52
26."Rochelle, Rochelle the Musical""The Understudy"0:42
27."Pier Contemplation""The Invitations"0:39
28."Loud Dixieland Band""The Mom & Pop Store"1:42
29."Scarsdale Surprise""The Summer of George"0:33
30."Checkmate/Chunnel/Death Blow""The Movie", "The Pool Guy", "The Little Kicks"4:02
31."Blimp""The Puerto Rican Day"2:44
32."The Pain & the Yearning""The Comeback"2:19
33."George's Answering Machine (Greatest American Hero)""The Susie"0:29

Cast and characters

Main characters

Main cast: Seinfeld (upper left); Alexander (upper right); Richards (lower right); Louis-Dreyfus (lower left).
  • Jerry Seinfeld (himself) – Jerry is a "minor celeb" stand-up comedian who is often depicted as "the voice of reason" amid the general insanity generated by the people in his world. The in-show character is a mild germophobe and neat freak as well as an avid Superman, New York Mets, and breakfast cereal fan. Jerry's apartment is the center of a world visited by his eccentric friends and a focus of the show.
  • George Costanza (Jason Alexander) – George has been Jerry's best friend since high school. He is stingy, conniving, pedantic, and jealous of others' achievements. He is depicted as a loser who is perpetually lacking confidence about his capabilities. He rants and lies easily about his profession, relationships, and almost everything else, which usually creates trouble for him later. He often uses the alias Art Vandelay when lying or concocting a cover story. Despite these shortcomings, George is very reliable to his friends and has success in dating women, and he eventually secures a steady career as an assistant to the traveling secretary for the New York Yankees. The character of George was based on Larry David himself.
  • Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) – Elaine is Jerry's ex-girlfriend and later friend. Generally depicted as smarter than her friends, she is friendly while also being sarcastic, somewhat elitist, and hot-tempered. She is occasionally depicted as vegetarian or pescatarian, without the strength of conviction to keep this up regularly. She sometimes tends to be too honest with people (usually by losing her temper), which often gets her into trouble. She usually gets caught up in her boyfriends' quirks, eccentric employers' unusual behaviors and idiosyncrasies, and the maladjustment of total strangers. She tends to make poor choices in men she dates and is often overly reactive. She works for a time at Pendant Publishing with Mr. Lippman. Later she is hired as a personal assistant for Mr. Pitt. She eventually worked for the J. Peterman catalog as a writer. Elaine is popularly described as an amalgamation of David's and Seinfeld's girlfriends during their early days in New York as struggling comedians.
  • Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) – Kramer is Jerry's slacker neighbor. His trademarks include his humorous upright pompadour hairstyle, vintage clothes, and energetic sliding bursts through Jerry's apartment door. Kramer was heavily based on a neighbor of David's during his amateur comedic years in Manhattan. At times, he appears naïve, uneducated, and impulsive, and at other times, quick-witted, helpful, and empathetic; similarly he is exaggeratedly successful, socially, with his charisma and laid-back personality. This is seen in his success with women and employers. He has been described as a "hipster doofus." Although he never holds a steady job, he is rarely short of money and frequently invents wacky schemes that often work at first but eventually fail. Kramer is friends with Newman, and they work well together despite their differences.

Recurring characters

Main article: List of Seinfeld characters

Many characters have made multiple appearances, notably Jerry's parents, Morty and Helen Seinfeld, who reside in Florida; George's parents, the overbearing Frank and Estelle Costanza; George's on-again, off-again fiancée Susan Ross; Jerry's Uncle Leo; Elaine's variety of bosses, Mr. Lippman, Mr. Pitt and J. Peterman; Elaine's on-again, off-again boyfriend David Puddy; and Kramer's friend, Newman, a mail carrier who lives in the same building and is Jerry's nemesis. In addition to recurring characters, Seinfeld features numerous celebrities who appear as themselves or as girlfriends, boyfriends, bosses, and other acquaintances.

Seinfeld's girlfriends

A number of actresses made guest appearances as Seinfeld's love interests in single episodes:

Episodes

Main article: List of Seinfeld episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankRatingViewers (millions)
First airedLast aired
15July 5, 1989 (1989-07-05)June 21, 1990 (1990-06-21)19.2
212January 23, 1991 (1991-01-23)June 26, 1991 (1991-06-26)4612.518.1
323September 18, 1991 (1991-09-18)May 6, 1992 (1992-05-06)4312.517.7
424August 12, 1992 (1992-08-12)May 20, 1993 (1993-05-20)2513.720.0
522September 16, 1993 (1993-09-16)May 19, 1994 (1994-05-19)319.429.6
624September 22, 1994 (1994-09-22)May 18, 1995 (1995-05-18)120.631.1
724September 21, 1995 (1995-09-21)May 16, 1996 (1996-05-16)221.233.1
822September 19, 1996 (1996-09-19)May 15, 1997 (1997-05-15)220.532.3
924September 25, 1997 (1997-09-25)May 14, 1998 (1998-05-14)122.035.5
Tom's Restaurant, a diner at 112th St. and Broadway in Manhattan, was used as the exterior image of Monk's Café in the show

Compared to other family and group sitcoms of the era, Seinfeld stood out. The principal characters are not related by family or work-associated connections but remain distinctly close friends throughout the series. Many characters were based primarily on Seinfeld's and David's real-life acquaintances. Two prominent recurring characters were fictional depictions of actual well-known people: Jacopo Peterman of the J. Peterman catalog (based on John Peterman) and George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. Many characters were introduced as new writers got involved with Seinfeld. Other characters based on real people include the Soup Nazi and Jackie Chiles, who was based on Johnnie Cochran.

Episodes have separate plot strands, but the characters' stories often intertwine at the end. The narratives reveal the creators' "consistent efforts to maintain the intimacy" among the small cast of characters.

The show maintains a strong sense of continuity, as characters and plots from past episodes are often referenced or expanded on. Occasionally, story arcs span multiple episodes or entire seasons, such as Season 4, which revolves around the pilot pitch to NBC by Jerry and George. Another example is Jerry's girlfriend Vanessa, who appears in "The Stake Out" and with whom he ends the relationship when things do not work out in "The Stock Tip". Larry David, the head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons, was praised for keeping a close eye on minor details and ensuring the main characters' lives remained consistent and believable. Curb Your Enthusiasm, David's later comedy series, also had an overarching plot for all but the first season.

A major difference between Seinfeld and the sitcoms that preceded it is that the principal characters never learn from their mistakes. In effect, they are indifferent and even callous toward the outside world and sometimes one another. A mantra of the show's producers was "No hugging, no learning." Entertainment Weekly's TV critic Ken Tucker has described them as "a group dynamic rooted in jealousy, rage, insecurity, despair, hopelessness, and a touching lack of faith in one's fellow human beings." This leads to very few happy endings, except at somebody else's expense. More often in every episode, situations resolve with characters getting a justly deserved comeuppance.

Seasons 1–3

Main articles: Seinfeld season 1, Seinfeld season 2, and Seinfeld season 3
The Los Angeles building used to depict the exterior of Jerry's apartment building at 129 West 81st Street, Manhattan

The show premiered as The Seinfeld Chronicles on July 5, 1989. After it aired, a pickup by NBC seemed unlikely, and the show was offered to Fox, which declined to pick it up. Rick Ludwin, head of late night and special events for NBC, however, diverted money from his budget by canceling a Bob Hope television special, and the next four episodes were filmed. These episodes were highly rated as they followed summer re-runs of Cheers on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m., and the series was finally picked up. At one point, NBC considered airing these episodes on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. but gave the slot to a short-lived sitcom called FM instead. The series was renamed simply Seinfeld as a precautionary measure due to the failure of the short-lived 1990 ABC series with a similarly sounding title, The Marshall Chronicles. After airing the remaining four episodes of its first season the summer of 1990, NBC ordered 13 more episodes. David believed that he and Seinfeld had no more stories to tell and advised Seinfeld to turn down the order, but Seinfeld agreed to the additional episodes. Season 2 was bumped off its scheduled premiere of January 16, 1991, due to the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War. It settled into a regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. and eventually flipped with veteran series Night Court to 9 p.m.

TV critics championed Seinfeld in its early seasons, even as it was slow to cultivate a substantial audience. For the first three seasons, Jerry's stand-up comedy act would bookend at the beginning and end of each episode, even functioning as transitions during the show. A few episodes set a benchmark for later seasons. "The Deal" establishes Jerry and Elaine's relationship by setting rules about having sex while remaining friends. "The Parking Garage" was the first episode shot with no audience for the episode and, after "The Chinese Restaurant", to not show Jerry's apartment. "The Keys" contains a crossover to CBS show Murphy Brown, marking the first such cooperation between rival networks. "The Busboy" introduces George, Kramer and Elaine as having their own storylines for the first time. Although Castle Rock Entertainment's Glenn Padnick thought Seinfeld was too generous, showcasing his co-stars' comedic talent became a trademark throughout the series.

Larry Charles wrote an episode for Season 2, "The Bet," in which Elaine buys a gun from Kramer's friend. This episode was not filmed because the content was deemed unacceptable, and it was replaced by the episode "The Phone Message". "The Stranded," which aired during Season 3, was initially intended for Season 2. At the beginning of this episode, Jerry clears up the continuity error over George's real estate job.

Seasons 4–5

Main articles: Seinfeld season 4 and Seinfeld season 5

Season 4 marked the sitcom's entry into the Nielsen ratings Top 30. It contains several of the most popular episodes, such as "The Bubble Boy" in which George and the bubble boy argue over Trivial Pursuit, and "The Junior Mint" in which Jerry and Kramer accidentally fumble a mint in the operating room. This was the first season to use a story arc of Jerry and George creating their own sitcom, Jerry. Also, at this time, the use of Jerry's stand-up act slowly declined, and the stand-up segment in the middle of Seinfeld episodes was cut.

Much publicity followed the controversial episode "The Contest," an Emmy Award-winning episode written by David, whose subject matter was considered inappropriate for prime-time network TV. To circumvent this taboo, the word "masturbation" was never used in the script, instead substituted for by a variety of oblique references. Midway through that season, Seinfeld was moved from its original 9:00 p.m. time slot on Wednesdays to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, following Cheers again, which gave the show even more popularity. Ratings also sparked the move, as Tim Allen's sitcom Home Improvement on ABC had aired at the same time, and Home Improvement kept beating Seinfeld in the ratings. NBC moved the series after Ted Danson announced the end of Cheers and Seinfeld quickly surpassed the ratings of the 9:00 p.m. Cheers reruns that spring. The show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, beating out its family-oriented, time-slot competitor Home Improvement, which was only in its second season on rival network ABC.

Season 5 was an even bigger ratings hit, consisting of popular episodes, such as "The Puffy Shirt" in which Jerry feels embarrassed wearing a "pirate" shirt on The Today Show, "The Non-Fat Yogurt" featuring Rudy Giuliani, the Republican then-mayor-elect of New York, and "The Opposite" in which George, doing the opposite of what his instincts tell him he should do, lands a job with the New York Yankees and Elaine leaves "Pendant Publishing" because of a comedy of errors that led to its demise. Another story arc has George returning to live with his parents. Amid the story arc, Kramer creates and promotes his coffee table book. The show was again nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, but lost to the Cheers spin-off Frasier, then in its first season. Seinfeld was nominated for the same award every year for its entire run but, after its win at the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1994, always lost to Frasier, which went on to win a record 39 Emmy Awards in its 11-season run.

Seasons 6–7

Main articles: Seinfeld season 6 and Seinfeld season 7

In Season 6, Andy Ackerman replaced Tom Cherones as director of the show. The series remained well regarded and produced some of its most famous episodes, such as "The Beard", in which Jerry is put through a lie detector test to make him admit that he watched Melrose Place; "The Switch", in which Kramer's mom, Babs, reveals that his first name is Cosmo; and "The Understudy", in which Elaine meets J. Peterman for the first time. Story arcs used in this season were Elaine working as a personal assistant to her eccentric boss Justin Pitt and George's parents' temporary separation. This was the first season in which Seinfeld reached No. 1 in the Nielsen Ratings. The use of Jerry's stand-up act declined, and the end stand-up segment no longer appeared because the storylines for all four characters grew denser.

In Season 7, a story arc involved George getting engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Susan Ross, after the pilot Jerry proved unsuccessful. In it, George spends most of the season regretting and trying to get out of the engagement. Along with the regular half-hour episodes, two notable one-hour episodes were "The Cadillac," in which George plans to date award-winning actress Marisa Tomei, and "The Bottle Deposit," with Elaine and Sue Ellen Mischke participating in a bidding war to buy JFK's golf clubs in an auction.

Seasons 8–9

Main articles: Seinfeld season 8 and Seinfeld season 9

Seinfeld's final two seasons were considered distinct from the earlier seasons. Most noticeably, David left the writing crew (but returned to write "The Finale" in 1998), resulting in Seinfeld taking over David's duties as showrunner, and, under the direction of a new writing staff, Seinfeld became a faster-paced show. The show no longer contained extracts of Jerry performing stand-up comedy—Jerry had no time or energy for this with his new responsibilities—and storylines occasionally delved into fantasy and broad humor. For example, in "The Bizarro Jerry", Elaine is torn between exact opposites of her friends and Jerry dates a woman who has the now-famous "man hands". Some notable episodes from Season 8 include "The Little Kicks" showing Elaine's horrible dancing, and "The Chicken Roaster" which portrays the Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken restaurant which opened during that time. A story arc in this season involves Peterman going to Burma in "The Foundation" until he recovered from a nervous breakdown in "The Money", followed by Elaine writing Peterman's biography in "The Van Buren Boys", which leads to Kramer's parody of Kenny Kramer's Reality Tour seen in "The Muffin Tops".

The final season included episodes like "The Merv Griffin Show" in which Kramer converts his apartment into a talk-show studio and plays the character of talk-show host, "The Betrayal" that presents in reverse chronological order what happened to Sue Ellen's wedding in India, and "The Frogger" in which George pushes a Frogger machine across the street, mimicking the action of the game itself. The last season included a story arc in which Elaine has an on/off relationship with Puddy. Despite the enormous popularity and willingness of the cast to return for a tenth season, Seinfeld decided to end the show after Season 9, believing he would thereby be able to ensure the show would maintain its quality and go out on top. NBC offered Seinfeld $110 million—a record $5 million an episode for a 22-episode tenth season—but he declined.

A major controversy caused in the ninth season was the accidental burning of a Puerto Rican flag by Kramer in "The Puerto Rican Day." This scene caused a furor among Puerto Ricans, and as a result, NBC showed this episode only once. Seinfeld defused the protestors by not letting this episode continue in syndication, as revealed in "Inside Look" on DVD. However, the episode would be added to the syndicated rerun package several years later uncut.

Series finale

Main article: The Finale (Seinfeld)

After nine years on the air, NBC and Seinfeld announced on December 25, 1997, that the series would end production the following spring in 1998. The announcement made the front page of the major New York newspapers, including The New York Times. Seinfeld was featured on the cover of Time magazine's first issue of 1998. The series ended with a 75-minute episode (cut to 60 minutes in syndication, in two parts) written by co-creator and ex-executive producer Larry David, which aired on May 14, 1998. Before the finale, a 45-minute retrospective clip show, "The Chronicle," was aired. The retrospective was expanded to an hour after the original airing and aired again on NBC as an hour-long episode, and has since aired in syndication.

It was the first episode since the finale of season 7, "The Invitations", to feature opening and closing stand-up comedy acts by Seinfeld. The finale was filmed before an audience of NBC executives and friends of the show. The press and public were shut out of the taping to keep its plot secret; those who attended the shoot of the final episode were required to sign written "vows of silence". The secrecy only seemed to increase speculation about how the series would end. The episode's producers gave false information to the media, spreading a rumor about Newman ending up in the hospital and Jerry and Elaine sitting in a chapel, presumably to marry.

The final episode enjoyed a historic audience, estimated at 76.3 million viewers (58% of all viewers that night) making it the fourth-most watched regular series finale in U.S. TV history, behind M*A*S*H, Cheers, and The Fugitive. However, the finale received mixed reviews from critics and fans of the show. The finale poked fun at the many rumors that were circulating, seeming to move into multiple supposed plots before settling on its actual storyline—a lengthy trial where the gang is prosecuted for violating a "Duty to Rescue" law and sentenced to prison terms.

According to Forbes magazine, Seinfeld's earnings from the show in 1998 came to US$267 million, including syndication earnings. He refused NBC's offer of $5 million per episode, or over $100 million total, to continue into a tenth season. The offer NBC made to Seinfeld was over three times higher per episode than anyone on TV had ever been offered before. Seinfeld told the network that he was not married nor had children, and wished to focus on his personal life. As reported in July 2007, he was the second-highest earner in the TV industry, earning at the time $60 million a year. The episode became the first to command over $1 million a minute for advertising—a mark previously attained only by the Super Bowl.

Reception and legacy

Elizabeth Magnotta and Alexandra Strohl analyze the success of Seinfeld with recourse to the incongruity theory of humor: "The Incongruity Theory claims that humor is created out of a violation of an expectation. For humor to result from this unexpected result, the event must have an appropriate emotional climate, comprised of the setting, characters, prior discourse, relationships of the characters, and the topic." Specifically, Magnotta and Strohl focus on "The Marine Biologist", where George is embroiled in yet another lie, and on "The Red Dot," where George tries to save a few dollars at Elaine's expense by giving her a marked-down cashmere sweater.

In "Translating Seinfeld", Jennifer Armstrong observes that Seinfeld is less famous among non-English speakers as its unique style of humor is "too cultural and word-based to make for easy translation". Carol Iannone sums up the legacy of this American hit in her Modern Age article "Seinfeld: The Politically Incorrect Comedy" when she says, "It may be the first situation comedy truly to achieve the status of art." Nod Miller, of the University of East London, has discussed the self-referential qualities of the show:

Seinfeld is suffused with postmodern themes. To begin with, the boundary between reality and fiction is frequently blurred: this is illustrated in the central device of having Jerry Seinfeld play the character Jerry Seinfeld. In the show's fourth season, several episodes revolved around the narrative of Jerry and George (whose character is co-creator Larry David's alter ego) pitching 'a show about nothing' based on the everyday life of a stand-up comedian to NBC. By all accounts, the fictional NBC executives' reaction mirrored the initial responses of those who eventually commissioned Seinfeld. The fourth season ends with 'The Pilot', an episode focusing on the casting, taping, and screening of the show-within-the-show, Jerry. This episode also neatly illustrates the self-referential quality, which is one of Seinfeld's hallmarks. The series finale was so replete with references to earlier shows that it could have been more comprehensible to those not already well-versed in the personae and preoccupations of the Seinfeld universe.

William Irwin has edited an anthology of scholarly essays on philosophy in Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing. Some entries include "The Jerry Problem and the Socratic Problem", "George's Failed Quest for Happiness: An Aristotelian Analysis", "Elaine's Moral Character", "Kramer the 'Seducer'", "Making Something Out of Nothing: Seinfeld, Sophistry and the Tao", "Seinfeld, Subjectivity, and Sartre", "Mr. Peterman, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Me", and "Minimally Decent Samaritans and Uncommon Law".

U.S. television ratings

TV viewership in the United States
Season TV season Episodes Timeslot Original air dates Nielsen ratings Most watched episode
Season premiere Season finale Rank Rating Viewers
(millions)
Title Viewers
(millions)
1 1989–90 5 Wednesday at 9:30 pm (Episode 1)
Thursday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 2–5)
July 5, 1989 June 21, 1990 19.26 "The Stake Out" 22.5
2 1990–91 12 Wednesday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 1–4, 12)
Thursday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 5–11)
January 23, 1991 June 26, 1991 18.07 "The Apartment" 24.7
3 1991–92 23 Wednesday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 1–11, 18)
Wednesday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 12–17, 19–23)
September 18, 1991 May 6, 1992 #42 12.5 17.66 "The Letter" 22.3
4 1992–93 24 Wednesday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 1–3, 5–15)
Wednesday at 9:30 pm (Episode 4)
Thursday at 9:30 pm (Episodes 16–22)
Thursday at 8:00 pm (Episode 23)
Thursday at 8:30 pm (Episode 24)
August 12, 1992 May 20, 1993 #25 13.7 20.91 "The Pilot" 32.8
5 1993–94 22 Thursday at 9:00 pm September 16, 1993 May 19, 1994 #3 19.6 29.59 "The Stall" and "The Marine Biologist" 35.0
6 1994–95 24 September 22, 1994 May 18, 1995 #1 20.6 30.06 "The Switch" 36.6
7 1995–96 24 September 21, 1995 May 16, 1996 #2 21.2 33.19 "The Engagement" 37.6
8 1996–97 22 September 19, 1996 May 15, 1997 #2 20.5 32.48 "The Money" 37.34
9 1997–98 24 September 25, 1997 May 14, 1998 #1 22.0 38.03
(32.15)
"The Finale"
("The Puerto Rican Day")
76.26
(38.78)

Awards and honors

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Seinfeld

Seinfeld has received awards and nominations in various categories throughout the mid-1990s. It was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, Golden Globe Award for Best TV Series (Comedy) in 1994, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Apart from these, the show was also nominated for an Emmy award from 1992 to 1998 for Outstanding Comedy Series, Golden Globe award from 1994 to 1998 for Best TV-Series (Comedy), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series from 1995 to 1998. The show even received the Peabody Award in 1993.

TV Guide named it the greatest TV show of all time in 2002, and in 2013, the magazine ranked it as the second-greatest TV show. A 2015 The Hollywood Reporter survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named Seinfeld as their #5 favorite show. In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked Seinfeld as the sixth-greatest TV show of all time. In 2023, Variety ranked Seinfeld as the eighth-greatest TV show of all time.

Distribution

Free streaming service Channel 4 has been running Seinfeld in its original 4:3 format since February 2020. On April 29, 2015, it was officially announced, during Hulu's upfronts presentation in New York, that all nine seasons of Seinfeld would stream on the platform starting in June 2015. The deal was for around $130 million to $180 million. On May 20, 2015, Hulu announced that every episode would be available starting June 24, 2015. Hulu's streaming rights for the series expired on June 23, 2021. In January 2017, Amazon acquired the UK rights to all seasons of Seinfeld for its Amazon Prime Video streaming service.

On November 8, 2016, the Australian streaming service Stan announced via Twitter that later in the week all episodes would be available to stream for the first time in Australia. All episodes were available from November 11, 2016, with the remastered versions of all episodes on the service featuring HD and Widescreen enhancements. The widescreen offered was cropped from the original 4:3 format negatives, thus resulting in better visual quality than the previously available DVD version, however, the top and bottom portions of the frame were cut out to achieve the widescreen aspect ratio. In April 2020, all seasons of Seinfeld were also made available on-demand via pay television service Foxtel, as well as its internet-based alternative Foxtel Now.

In September 2019, Netflix and Sony Pictures announced that Netflix had acquired the exclusive global streaming rights for Seinfeld, starting on October 1, 2021, superseding the above Hulu and Amazon rights. As of 2023, Netflix's version of Seinfeld is available in 4K resolution. The transition was criticized as the show, initially displayed in 4:3 aspect ratio, had been converted to 16:9, resulting in some gags getting cropped, similarly to how The Simpsons was initially rendered on Disney+. Netflix has yet to comment on this situation.

Home media releases

The hour-long, two-part clip show episode "The Highlights of 100" became the first Seinfeld episode available on home video when it was released on VHS in 1995 by food company General Mills. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (formerly Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment) released all nine seasons of Seinfeld on DVD in Regions 1, 2, and 4 between 2004 and 2007. On November 6, 2007, Seinfeld: The Complete Series was released on DVD. The complete series box set includes a 2007 "roundtable" reunion of the four main cast members and Larry David; only highlights of this were also included in the Season 9 set.

The first complete series box set in Australia (Region 4) was released on October 24, 2007. The second boxset was released on December 2, 2008, and was a Collectible Fridge design packaging. On August 5, 2009, another Limited-Edition boxset was released, similar to the first boxset but does not include the book and the packaging was slightly different. On November 23, 2011, an additional Limited-Edition boxset was released. On November 14, 2018, a Festivus Celebration Edition was released which contained napkins and cups, playing cards and thumb wrestle gadgets. On August 12, 2020, yet another Complete Series boxset was released.

The entire series was released on Blu-ray (in the cropped 16:9 aspect ratio) and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (in the original 4:3 aspect ratio) on December 17, 2024.

DVD name Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Vol 1: Seasons 1 & 2 November 23, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 13, 2004
Vol 2: Season 3 November 23, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 18, 2004
Vol 3: Season 4 May 17, 2005 June 13, 2005 May 25, 2005
Vol 4: Season 5 November 22, 2005 November 28, 2005 November 23, 2005
Vol 5: Season 6 November 22, 2005 November 28, 2005 November 23, 2005
Vol 6: Season 7 November 21, 2006 November 20, 2006 November 8, 2006
Vol 7: Season 8 June 5, 2007 June 4, 2007 June 13, 2007
Vol 8: Season 9 November 6, 2007 November 19, 2007 October 24, 2007
Complete Series (Original) November 6, 2007
Complete Series (Reissue) November 5, 2013 October 9, 2018

Syndication

According to Barry Meyer, chairman of Warner Bros. Entertainment (parent company of Castle Rock Entertainment), Seinfeld made $2.7 billion through June 2010 through off-network syndication and cable syndication. As of February 2017 the show had made an estimated $4.06 billion in syndication. Steve Bannon, who invested in the show, later said, "We calculated what it would get us if it made it to syndication. We were wrong by a factor of five". In September 2019, it was announced that Viacom (now Paramount Global) had acquired cable syndication rights to the series from TBS, with it airing on Comedy Central beginning in October 2021, Nick at Nite from May 31, 2022, until November 12, 2022, and TV Land since February 11, 2023.

High-definition versions

There are two high-definition versions of Seinfeld. The first is that of the network TV (non-syndicated) versions in the original aspect ratio of 4:3 that were downscaled for the DVD releases. Clips from this high-definition version in its upscale were seen on NBC during The Seinfeld Story special. Syndicated broadcast stations and the cable networks TBS and Comedy Central (and also Fox) began airing the syndicated version of Seinfeld in HD. Unlike the version used for the DVD, Sony Pictures cropped the top and bottom parts of the frame while restoring previously cropped images on the sides from the 35mm film source to use the entire 16:9 frame.

After Seinfeld

Another scene

On the November 1, 2007, episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld mentioned the possibility of shooting one last scene after the characters leave jail. He mentioned that he was too busy to do it at the time, but did not announce what the scene would entail, as its production is not a certainty. In a commentary from the final season DVD, Seinfeld outlines that he and Jason Alexander spoke about this scene being in Monk's Cafe, with George saying "That was brutal" about the foursome's stint in prison.

On an episode of Saturday Night Live that Jerry Seinfeld hosted on October 2, 1999, a sketch was produced that showed what life was like for Jerry behind bars after being transferred to the fictional prison portrayed on the HBO series Oz. The roughly four-minute sketch shows the opening credits for the HBO series with clips of Jerry mixed in doing various activities around the prison. The sketch continues and mixes in different storylines from both Oz and Seinfeld and has Jerry interacting with various characters from the show in his typical quick-witted, sarcastic way.

The Seinfeld "curse"

Louis-Dreyfus, Alexander, and Richards have all tried to launch new sitcoms as title-role characters. Almost every show was canceled quickly, usually within the first season. This gave rise to the term Seinfeld curse: the failure of a sitcom starring one of the three, despite the conventional wisdom that each person's Seinfeld popularity should almost guarantee a strong, built-in audience for the actor's new show. Shows specifically cited regarding the Seinfeld curse are Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Watching Ellie, Jason Alexander's Bob Patterson and Listen Up, and Michael Richards' The Michael Richards Show. This phenomenon was mentioned throughout the second season of Larry David's HBO program Curb Your Enthusiasm, which aired in 2001. In real life, David has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a curse, saying, "It's so completely idiotic. It's very hard to have a successful sitcom."

The success of Louis-Dreyfus in the 2006–2010 CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, which included winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2006, led many to believe that she had broken the curse. In her acceptance speech, Louis-Dreyfus held up her award and exclaimed, "I'm not somebody who really believes in curses, but curse this, baby!" The show produced enough episodes to air in reruns in syndication for several years, something the other shows did not achieve. The Saturday Night Live episode hosted by Louis-Dreyfus made references to the curse. Nevertheless, the series' ratings declined soon after, and it was canceled after the fifth season. She went on to win six further Emmys (for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) for her acclaimed performance as Vice President Selina Meyer in the HBO comedy series Veep.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Main articles: Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7 and Seinfeld (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Early in March 2009, it was announced that the Seinfeld cast would reunite for season seven of Curb Your Enthusiasm. The cast first appeared in the third episode of the season, all playing fictional versions of themselves. The season-long story is that Larry David tries to initiate a Seinfeld reunion show as a ploy to win back his ex-wife, Cheryl. Along with the four main characters, some Seinfeld supporting actors like Wayne Knight, Estelle Harris and Steve Hytner appeared in the ninth episode at a table read for the reunion show. Although much dialogue in Curb Your Enthusiasm is improvised, the plot was scripted, and the Seinfeld special that aired within the show was scripted and directed by Seinfeld regular Andy Ackerman, making this the first time since Seinfeld went off the air that the central cast appeared together in a scripted show.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

Main article: The Over-Cheer (Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee)

Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Wayne Knight, playing their respective Seinfeld characters, appeared in a spot presented during halftime of Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014. Fox came up with the idea of doing such a spot, due in part to the Super Bowl's location being New York City adjacent that year. An uncut version appeared on Crackle.com immediately afterward, as an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee titled "The Over-Cheer," establishing Seinfeld's character on the series as an older version of his Seinfeld character. Although the spot was used to advertise Seinfeld's web series, it was not considered a commercial, as Sony, which produces the series, did not pay for it. While Seinfeld indicated that the webisode would probably be the last cast reunion, saying, "I have a feeling you've seen the final coda on that very unique experience," since then, Michael Richards and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have also appeared in episodes.

Notes

  1. Some prints of Seinfeld credit the company as Columbia Pictures Television Distribution. Columbia TriStar Television (often credited as Columbia TriStar Television Distribution on prints) took over distribution in 1995, followed by Sony Pictures Television in 2002 (as Sony Pictures Television Studios in the Comedy Central prints since 2021, Nick at Nite prints in 2022, and TV Land prints since 2023) and handling syndication.
  1. The Sony Pictures Television logo from the show's pre-2021 prints is shown at the end of the network's on-screen credits in the TV Land prints.

References

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  2. Armstrong, Jennifer (2016). Seinfeldia. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-1-4767-5610-3.
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  13. ^ Battaglio, Stephen (June 30, 2014). "'Annoying' 'Disorienting' 'Boring': On Seinfeld's 25th anniversary an exclusive look at the memo that almost killed the show". TV Guide. pp. 18–19.
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