Jerry Seinfeld portrayed himself as a young single comic in New York coping with dating, nutty friends, and the indignities of city life. The show revolved around Jerry; Elaine, his ex-girlfriend and platonic pal; George, his worrywart best friend; and eccentric entrepreneur Kramer, the next-door neighbor who constantly wandered in and out of his apartment.
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.
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.
Cast and Characters
- Jerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld
- Jason Alexander as George Costanza
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benis
- Michael Richards as Cosmo Krammer
- Wayne Knight as Newman
- Liz Sheridan as Helen Seinfeld
- Barney Martin as Morty Seinfeld
- Estelle Harris as Estelle Costanza
- Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza
- Heidi Swedberg as Susan Ross
- Len Lesser as Uncle Leo
- John O'Hurley as Jacopo Peterman
- Steve Hytner as Kenny Bania
- Patrick Warburton as David Putty
- Ian Abercrombie as Mr. Pitt
- Bryan Cranston as Tim Whatley
- Phil Morris as Jackie Chiles
Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule
First Telecast: May 31, 1990Last Telecast: May 14, 1998
Number of Seasons: 9
Number of Episodes: 180
Original Network: NBC
Original Primetime TV Schedule:
- May 1990- July 1990, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
- January 1991- February 1991, NBC, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
- April 1991- June 1991, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
- June 1991- December 1991, NBC, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
- December 1991- January 1993, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
- February 1993- August 1993, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
- August 1993- May 1998, NBC, Thursday 9:00-9:30pm
Theme Song and Intro
Listen to theme song:
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Seinfeld On DVD
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| Season 7 | Season 8 | Season 9 | Complete Series |
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