20 Mind-Blowing Facts You Didn't Know About Seinfeld
3. Seinfeld Rarely Says His "Catchphrase"
If you ask anyone to impersonate Jerry Seinfeld, they'll probably say the iconic catchphrase, "What's the deal with ________?" But there's one problem. Even though Seinfeld is the world's most famous observational comic and many impressionists use this phrase while impersonating him, Seinfeld rarely says it.
Of the 172 episodes of Seinfeld, there are only four episodes where the titular character says this legendary quote. However, each time he says it, it's clear he is not trying to be directly funny; he is mocking bad observational humour.
In one episode, he starts a show with the bit, "What's the deal with homework? You're not working on your home!" causing the crowd to boo. When characters say "What's the deal with ________?" to him (which only happens four times), he never finds their observations funny.
His association with this quote originated from a SNL sketch he appeared in called Stand Up And Win. He plays a game show host who starts each quiz question with "What's the deal with _________?" Seinfeld never found this phrase funny and only used it to ridicule bad comics who were copying his style.