Seinfeld
Seinfeld
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Seinfeld

"A show about nothing."

8.3
Yr 1989
Status Ended
Comedy
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

A stand-up comedian and his three offbeat friends weather the pitfalls and payoffs of life in New York City in the '90s. It's a show about nothing.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 92 /100

Seinfeld is widely regarded as a titan of the sitcom genre and a cornerstone of American pop culture. Critics praise the series for its top-notch writing, refreshing cast, and status as a classic that redefined television comedy, often noted for being surprisingly densely plotted despite its famous reputation as a show about nothing.

“To say that Seinfeld is an iconic American television comedy would be a monumental understatement.”

“Seinfeld is often the most densely plotted of all TV comedies.”

“Seinfeld is a titan of the sitcom genre.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • CA • UK
Netflix Standard with Ads
US • CA • UK
Crave
CA
Why fans love it

The sharp, irreverent tone of this comedy stems from its commitment to mining humor out of the mundane friction of daily routines. By focusing on the small inconveniences that usually go unremarked, the writers turned minor social etiquette and petty grievances into the central engines of the plot. It captured a specific snapshot of Manhattan life in the late eighties and nineties through observational humor that remains distinct even decades later.

The chemistry between the four leads drives the show as they navigate their own self-interested worlds. Jerry Seinfeld anchors the group with his stand-up background, framing the chaos his friends cause with a detached, deadpan sensibility. The writing avoids traditional sitcom Sentimentality, preferring to leave its characters in the same flawed state they started in each week. This refusal to offer growth or moral lessons kept the episodes focused on the comedic potential of every social misstep.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 180 eps
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld
as Jerry Seinfeld
180 episodes
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander
as George Costanza
180 episodes
Michael Richards
Michael Richards
as Cosmo Kramer
180 episodes
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
as Elaine Benes
180 episodes
Brian George
Brian George
as Babu Bhatt
4 episodes
Jane Leeves
Jane Leeves
as Marla Penny
6 episodes
Reni Santoni
Reni Santoni
as Poppie
5 episodes
Bruce Mahler
Bruce Mahler
as Rabbi Glickman
4 episodes
Show 67 more
Teri Hatcher as Sidra Holland 5 episodes Brian Doyle-Murray as Mel Sanger 5 episodes Steve Hytner as Kenny Bania 7 episodes Daniel von Bargen as Kruger 4 episodes Danny Woodburn as Mickey Abbott 7 episodes Frances Bay as Mabel Choate 5 episodes Len Lesser as Uncle Leo 15 episodes Victor Raider-Wexler as Dr. Wexler 5 episodes Patrick Warburton as David Puddy 11 episodes Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. Ross 6 episodes Melanie Smith as Rachel Goldstein 4 episodes Sandy Baron as Jack Klompus 6 episodes Ian Abercrombie as Justin Pitt 8 episodes Richard Herd as Wilhelm 13 episodes Phil Morris as Jackie Chiles 6 episodes Kevin Page as Stu Chermack 7 episodes Wayne Wilderson as Walter 4 episodes Tom Wright as Mr Morgan 4 episodes David Dunard as Security Guard 4 episodes Stephen McHattie as Dr. Reston 4 episodes Larry Charles as Man on Raft #2 5 episodes David Blackwood as Stan 7 episodes Lawrence Mandley as Monk's Manager 6 episodes Steve Skrovan as Man in Restaurant 5 episodes Bob Balaban as Russell Dalrymple 6 episodes Peter Crombie as 'Crazy' Joe Davola 6 episodes Gina Hecht as Dana Foley 4 episodes Jennifer Campbell as Tia Van Camp 4 episodes Norman Brenner as Man on Sidewalk 29 episodes Kari Coleman as Allison 4 episodes Barney Martin as Morty Seinfeld 24 episodes Liz Sheridan as Helen Seinfeld 25 episodes Heidi Swedberg as Susan Ross 30 episodes Ping Wu as Ping 5 episodes Larry David as George Steinbrenner (voice) 44 episodes Deck McKenzie as Security Guard 13 episodes Estelle Harris as Estelle Costanza 29 episodes Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza 29 episodes Peter Mehlman as Man in Restaurant 6 episodes Marty Rackham as Jake Jarmel 4 episodes Peggy Lane as Waitress 12 episodes Karen Wilkie as Woman on 'Jerry' Set 5 episodes Lisa Pescia as Joanne 5 episodes Wayne Knight as Newman 49 episodes Julie Claire as Receptionist 4 episodes Bob Shaw as Paul 4 episodes Tom Gammill as Office Worker 4 episodes Pete G. Papanickolas as Man on 'Jerry' Set 7 episodes Annie Korzen as Doris 6 episodes Steve Koren as Juror 4 episodes Darin Henry as Man in 'Jerry' Audience 5 episodes James Lansbury as Herb 4 episodes Randy Carter as Man In Theatre 6 episodes Lauren Bowles as Waitress 9 episodes Brenda Strong as Sue Ellen Mischke 5 episodes David Mandel as Twitching Patient 5 episodes Dave Richardson as Dan 6 episodes Lisa Mende as Carol 5 episodes Joe Urla as Dugan 6 episodes Richard Fancy as Lippman 11 episodes Warren Frost as Henry Ross 6 episodes John O'Hurley as J. Peterman 22 episodes Ruth Cohen as Ruthie Cohen (uncredited) 100 episodes Bryan Cranston as Tim Whatley 7 episodes Peter Blood as Jay Crespi 7 episodes Jon Hayman as Donald Sanger (voice) 5 episodes Lee Bear as George Steinbrenner 12 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Seinfeld overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

new york city observational comedy manhattan, new york city sitcom stand-up comedian irreverent sharp
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
July 05, 1989
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
2,411