7 Things Fans Couldn’t Get Enough Of In Seinfeld
2. A Show About Nothing?
Due to its success and era defining
status, Seinfeld is without question the archetypal American sitcom. The hit
show is often parodied and has been seen to influence many other shows of an
admittedly lower quality (Mulaney etc.). But for some comedy fans with a slightly
more British palate, Seinfeld can rankle with those who have a disposition
towards the subtler end of the comedy spectrum. The punctuating laugh track
perhaps the clearest example of this.
However, to assume Seinfeld is underserving of its social status and widespread critical acclaim is to do the shows writers and performers a great disservice. Seinfeld is often described as the “show about nothing”, but this is a fact the creators revel in. The show finds its humour in the inane, nonsensical anxieties of the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Fans enjoy seeing conversations they might have- just with better writing, comedic delivery and lighting.
Seinfeld operates at the peak of comedy because it is incongruous- it subverts our expectations time and time again. These characters fundamentally are bad people, they never learn from their mistakes and impressively don’t seem to care. This is a show that will happily do away with character development and plotlines if it culminates in a laugh. And that in essence is the show. Seinfeld is funny, which is something few shows truly achieve. We root for these characters and fans love the show because it is irrepressibly funny.
The show is about being funny, and that’s what fans love about the show more than anything else.