Seinfeld

Seinfeld: Season 1

Network: NBC
Series Premiere Date: Jul 5, 1989
Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9

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Critic Reviews
User Reviews
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Metascore

78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score

8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 73 Ratings

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Seinfeld

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Universal acclaim- based on 73 Ratings

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Starring: Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander
Summary: This is a show about nothing; however, for a show about nothing, this show has many complex plots, sub-plots, is very well written and put together. So much so that until the public caught onto the series, the television critics were responsible for helping to keep it alive. The critics further went on and made the series victorious in every category it was eligible for in the 1st Annual American Television Awards. Seinfeld has also won a few Emmy Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award for 1992 and many more. Many of the early episodes were based on the life experiences of series co-creator, Larry David. Stories such as The Stock Tip and The Jacket really happened, as did many others. Across the hall from Larry lived a man named Kenny Kramer, who aside from the physical comedy aspects, lives the life of TV Kramer. Find out all about him at the real Kramer's web site. Some aspects were based on Jerry's life. Jerry's real address in NYC when he was struggling comic was 129 W. 81 St., this is the address used for his building in the series. In the series, Jerry lives in apartment 5A, Kramer in 5B. Viewer Jason Dean Vaupel notes that in a couple of episodes of the second season, Jerry lives in apartment 3A. And Newman's apartment has usually been 5E, but viewer Jeff Holland notes that it sometimes is 5F and that 5E was rented out to someone else as already noted in the episode, The Conversion. Their building is called The Shelley according to viewer Kipp Teague whose discerned that from the awning on the building. However, that building is actually located in Los Angeles, the building at the real address in NYC is much different. Jeff Holland also notes that The Shelley has no visible fire escapes, but there is one outside of Jerry's window. Other aspects are composite of both lives. For example, Elaine's character is half based on Jerry's ex-girlfriend Carol Leifer. Carol joined the production staff in the 5th season. An ex-girlfriend of Larry David's, named Monica Yates, whose father was a noted writer in the other half of the Elaine equation. Larry David once wore a suede jacket that got wet while meeting her father. Another viewer, Bobby Bank, notes that a tribute to Jerry's father is seen in occasional episodes. Jerry's father, named Kal, worked in the sign business, so occasionally in the background you may see a sign that says Kal's Signs. Bobby stated in a trade magazine for the sign industry called Signs of the Times that he... Quote:
had the pleasure of meeting and working with Kal in the early 70s when we were producing Jewelite (Bobby's company) letters for him. I remember Kal saying, 'Bobby, you should meet my son Jerry. He's a real funny guy.'

Viewer Robert Buchanan also reminds me that it is ironic that Jerry's father's name is Kal, and Superman's real Kryptonian name is Kal-El.

Most every episode takes place in Jerry's apartment; however, there are (of course) a few exceptions: The Chinese Restaurant, The Pen, The Parking Garage, The Subway, The Limo, The Airport, The Movie, The Hamptons, The Merv Griffin Show & The Dealership. While no activity occurs there, an empty apartment is shown in The Puerto Rican Day.

First Telecast: July 5, 1989

Last Telecast: May 14, 1998

Episodes: 180 Color Episodes + 1 Special

Ratings History
Season 1= Not in the Top 30
Season 2= Not in the Top 30
Season 3= Not in the Top 30
Season 4= 25
Season 5= 3
Season 6= 1
Season 7= 2
Season 8= 2
Season 9= 1… Expand
Genre(s): Comedy

Show Type: Ended
Season 1 premiere date: Jul 5, 1989
Episode Length: 30
Air Time: 09:00 PM
More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:

Positive: 8 out of 9
Mixed: 1 out of 9
Negative: 0 out of 9

Los Angeles Times
Reviewed by: Howard Rosenberg
Feb 21, 2013

100

This is just the kind of amusingly off-center comedy now missing from NBC's lineup, one of those rare, delightful meshings of concept, cast and execution, with producer Tom Cherones providing inspired direction. Nothing is forced. [31 May 1990, p.F9]

All this critic's reviews
Houston Chronicle
Reviewed by: Ann Hodges
Feb 21, 2013

80

It works. It's different. It's fun, offbeat and charming. [31 May 1990, p.5]

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Philadelphia Inquirer
Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
Feb 21, 2013

80

Funny. The characters, even the hip comic star, become likable very quickly. Despite yourself, you'll be laughing before the first commercial. [31 May 1990, p.C11]

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USA Today
Reviewed by: Matt Roush
Feb 21, 2013

40

Lacking much in the way of attitude, the show seems obsolete and irrelevant. What it boils down to is that Seinfeld, likable as he may be, is a mayonnaise clown in a world that requires a little horseradish. [31 May 1990, p.3D]

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See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review

Score distribution:

Positive: 11 out of 13
Mixed: 0 out of 13
Negative: 2 out of 13

tvbuff

10

Funniest show I've ever seen, bar none. I can still watch the re-runs over and over. I use a phrase or analogy from the show it seems like every day at work. I think an under-appreciated aspect of this show is all the star (or at the time soon to be star) cameos. Courtney Cox, James Spader, Jane Leeves, Kathy Griffin and Teri Hatcher to name a few. Also hardly any cussing needed so can even watch with kids in the room without cringing too much. Most of the sexual humour while obvious was subtle at the same time.… Expand

Helpful? 2 of 3 users said Yes.
Rob274

10

This show is the best show ever! (That is not animated). Also their jokes are SO halarious, I needed to buy more seasons of this show!! Even the theme song is entertaining!! I need to see it more and more! Even though the show is about nothing, it means everything to everybody! A BEST SOLID 10/10!… Expand

Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.
Beats

10

Though this season was technically 4 episodes...Seinfeld is a great show. 10 out of 10 for everything. The Show about nothing means something to everyone.… Collapse

Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
drlowdon

7

Despite the fact that Seinfeld never received a prime time slot on terrestrial UK television it is, quite rightly, regarded as one of the greatest sit-coms of all time with 76 million viewers tuning in to watch the finale in the US.

Jerry Seinfeld plays a less successful version of himself living in New York and surrounded by a group of crazy friends, each of whom truly are great comedy characters. While they are certainly funny the 16 episodes in the first two seasons certainly don't show Seinfeld at its best but season three is when 'the show about nothing' really began to hit its stride. With the foundations laid in the first two seasons, the writers and actors started to create far more consistent characters and scripts and we also start to see what made the show great, taking minimal plotlines and crafting comedy gold using some of the best sit-com characters ever seen on television.

A must see comedy show.… Expand

Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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TV

Ranked: The Best Summer TV Series of All Time

Published: June 8, 2011

While summer is traditionally a time of reruns and discarded shows, TV occasionally gives us a summer gem. We pick out 20 of the best summer television debuts of all time, from "Seinfeld" to "The Wire."

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