10 TV Shows With No Redeemable Characters

While some of these shows’ characters were irredeemable by virtue of their background or the writers’ incompetence, only Seinfeld set out with a goal of creating a cast of terrible characters. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld’s mantra was famously “no hugging, no learning”, and over nine seasons, they stuck to this vibe resolutely.

Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine are by no means evil, but what they are is completely untouched by the niceties of society. A foursome of the most selfish characters ever created, they stick to one another like glue, having alienated the rest of New York, but are nonetheless ready to betray one another at a moment’s notice should they themselves benefit from doing so.

We’ve seen the New York Four ruin countless relationships (their own and others’) for the pettiest of reasons; cause the closure of several small businesses; make enemies across town; and cause at least one death through sheer stinginess.

And yet, without exception, it works. The Seinfeld crew reflect the worst in each one of us, but there’s nary a viewer who can’t recognise some of their own behaviour in that of the crew. They can never, ever change, but we wouldn’t want them to.