Seinfeld: Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 5, 1989
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
Seinfeld Image
Metascore
78 out of 100

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

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 70 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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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

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 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
  2. 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]
    All this critic's reviews
  3. 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]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. 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]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. 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.… Collapse
  2. 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
  3. 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.… Expand
  4. WarWalker
    7
    I actually do like many of the Seinfeld episodes, but I feel the show as a whole is overrated. The first season was atrocious. And I couldn't stand the Jerry character, nor his parents. All three were so uninteresting and not amusing. Elaine and George make the show. They're both genuine and crazy (and genuinely crazy). Kramer tries way too hard, but in his own way he makes his eccentricity convincing and usually comical. Was it a very funny show? Yes, usually. But is it deserving of 10 stars? No, I think it sits behind other great comedy sitcoms such as Friends.… Expand

See all 12 User Reviews

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