Entertainment >
TV Characters & Personalities
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedShould Jerry Seinfeld star in another television sitcom?
Results so far:
| Yes | 41% | 185 votes | Total: 454 votes | |
| No | 59% | 269 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesEver since the television show "Seinfeld" ended in 1998, the debate has raged on over whether or not Jerry Seinfeld should star in another television series. Unfortunately, much to the chagrin of many fans, Mr. Seinfeld has made it clear in many interviews that he has no desire to return to the world of television sitcoms.
It has been years since Seinfeld has entertained us as a loveable but neurotic stand-up comic living in a Manhattan apartment, sharing adventures with his zany friends George, Elaine, and Kramer. Over a decade later, Jerry Seinfeld remains a neurotic stand-up comic, but he is no longer the loveable type. When he's not lending his voice to second-rate animated films, Mr. Seinfeld shows up as a guest on shows like Larry King, where he comes off as a smug and miserable entertainer who still likes to believe that he is on top of the world.
Well here's a newsflash, Mr. Seinfeld. It's 2009, and you haven't been relevant since your forgettable appearances in American Express commercials. While there's much to be said for going out on top, as you did when the Seinfeld series ended over a decade ago, it must be understood that in the world of television, out of sight means out of mind. It's one thing to go out on top if you are an athlete, as did Mario Lemieux or Michael Strahan, but retiring from television is a sufe-fire way to ruin a legacy which had taken years to build.
Surely it must bother Jerry Seinfeld knowing that the only cast members who were able to maintain a legitimate television career into the 21st century are those who only had bit parts in Seinfeld's series. Jerry Stiller, who played George Costanza's father, went on to be one of the stars of "King Of Queens". John O'Hurley, known to Seinfeld fans as J. Peterman, went on to host Family Feud. Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine's boyfriend in 11 episodes, is the voice of Joe Swanson on the hit animated series "Family Guy". Even Bryan Cranston, who played Jerry's dentist in 5 episodes of Seinfeld, went on to become a star as Hal on television's "Malcolm in the Middle".
Fate has not been so kind to the main characters of Seinfeld. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has starred in several small-screen bombs. Jason Alexander also has a history of starring in sitcom flops. Michael Richards got back into the news after making off-color remarks at a comedy club. And what about the alleged King of Comedy himself, the once-great Jerry Seinfeld? He's the voice of an animated insect in the mind-numbingly bad animated film "Bee Movie".
Jerry Seinfeld was once on top of the world, and ended his series under the guise of being able to get out while the getting was good. Perhaps he was right. Outside of "Seinfeld", none of the stars have produced anything remotely entertaining. If Mr. Seinfeld wants to believe that he went out on top, he has every right to do so. But the reality is that being the best comes along with the responsibility of having to prove it on a continual basis, something Jerry Seinfeld can only accomplish by returning to television.
Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
"Seinfeld" is the most popular program in the history of television. Barring a few of the earliest episodes, in which writers Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David struggled a bit to define their characters' voices, one would be hard-pressed to find an episode that isn't hilarious. Week after week the show continued to raise it's own bar, and then hop right over it.
Jerry Seinfeld himself confessed that one of the main reasons he decided to stop making new "Seinfeld" episodes is because he was concerned about the show tapering off and losing it's edge, funniness, and audience. In other words, he wanted to go out on top. Which is exactly what he did.
The last season was brilliant, and capped off with a series finale that got decidedly mixed reviews, but has stood up to the test of time. Many people, myself included, didn't truly appreciate the finale until watching it again years later. Seinfeld wanted to go out on top, and he did.
Then Jerry Seinfeld disappeared. A few years later, the other half of the "Seinfeld" comedy dream team, Larry David, began producing "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which turned out to be a big hit for HBO (and a truly magnificent show). A hole that Jerry Seinfeld left behind was being filled. People stopped wondering what had become of Jerry.
Then the promo machine began churning for "Bee Movie." Children everywhere clapped and giggled as a little yellow bug buzzed around the screen. They were blissfully unaware that Mom and Dad were cringing. What has our beloved Seinfeld done? He's been gone for over ten years and THIS is his triumphant return?
The sad truth is that Jerry Seinfeld seems to have matured a bit too much. He's a husband and a Dad. He's put on a few comfortable pounds and smile is a little too genuine, a little too happy. The cynicism appears to be drained out of him. This is great news for Jerry Seinfeld, but bad news for those of us who want to hear him obsess over a date who eats her peas one at a time. Jerry Seinfeld can no longer pass as the single bachelor in the modest New York apartment. Which is exactly what we need him to be.
Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- TV Characters & Personalities
- Have the Gosselin kids from "Jon & Kate Plus 8" been helped, or hurt, by the TLC show documenting their lives?
- Who is a better co-host with Regis, Kathie Lee or Kelly?
- Did Kristy Lee Cook's scandal impact her elimination from American Idol?
- Who is the better survivalist?
- Regis Philbin at 75: Is it time for him to retire?
