I read today, that during Seinfeld's original run, there was somewhat of a controversy about a lack of minority characters on the show. Was this true? Personally, I think there were alot of minorities on the show. Granted they weren't the stars, but there were alot. For instance, Mr. Morgan, Carl the exterminator, Winona, Ping, Jackie Chiles etc, etc.

:crybaby:
I bet there were gripes & whiners ( I remember there was some kind of controversy).... Jer & crew did racism, sexism, agism, and about every 'ism' you can muster.

Like Jerry cared:
"This offends you as a Jew?" ..... "NO, as a comedian!" :D

Considering the show revolves around 4 white 30 somethings, the blend seemd appropriate to me... & yes... I do realize NYC is full of cultural diversity.

Seinfeld specialized in tap dancing around the politically incorrect. They did poke certain types of fun at racism (looks like Sugar Ray?.... Karl the exterminator... Indian Giver... the whole Cigar Store Indian thing.... Anti-Semitism & getting hot & heavy at Schindler's List) and I think was pretty bold about it.... sometmes one can point out absurdity by being absurd.

...but remember....

in the same fashion they also poked at the deaf, the blind, the handicaped, the homeless, the old, married life, single life & dating, the freaks (E: "Yeah, and when I see freaks in the street I never, ever stare at them. Yet, I'm careful not to look away, see, because I want to make the freaks feel comfortable"), the idiots, the gay community ("not that there's anything wrong with that), masterbation, fake orgasm, Judism, Catholisism, even Latvian Orthodox & about every other touchy subject you could think of.

The dialog & plots would artfully tap dance around such subjects with a finese that kept the censors a week behind & scratching there heads..... come on.... 051 The Contest.... the whole storyline centers on masterbation & they never uttered the word.... there's even the ripe virgin in the mix to complicate Jer's relm.

...there's working below the equator & The Tap, the continued coversations about cunnilingus and the gal putting the kilbosh on such a journey ("everything seemed to be going along fine") that were episode subjects on prime time must see TV.

...there's Shrinkage, Backed Up, Slipping One Past the Goalie, Sexual Perjury, the Sexual Camel, Public Fornicator, Home Bed Advantage, Make up Sex,Congical Visit Sex & the much sought after Fugitive Sex....

That's comedy I tell you!
Seinfeld pulled it off quite eloquently considering they were such rabid Anti-Dentites.

I wouldn't doubt that there were some pu$$ies out there that complained about it. The show was one of the most successful shows of all time, so no matter how you argue it, you can't win.

Besides, UPN more than makes up for that...so does BET

Originally posted by Dutabi84
Besides, UPN more than makes up for that...so does BET

I agree 100%

Maestro couldn't have said it any better. I think Seinfeld had an excellent array of ethnic personalities.

Thank you Brian,

I thought that post rocked & was hoping for some feed back :)

Hey Maestro I though it rocked too. :kiss: ;)

There was definetly controversy that a show based in NYC focused on 4 white folks. As the show grew more successful the complaints grew. I think Jerry's best friend is George Wallace, who appeared as the unfocused doctor in the Desperado singing episode so I dont think there is anything to the complaints.

The episode with Elaine dating a black guy? also seemed to play to the critics.

Great job Maestro. While I tend to drop a one-liner on the threads you do a yeoman's job of building up a solid response to many questions relating to the show's premise, and the plot lines and cross-references.

:lol: ...forgot about Elaine dating that guy...
she took him to Mexican restaraunts just to be safe. That's pretty insane.

& thanx 'Lainie & G- it's only 'cause I've had the time to make such posts the last couple of months.

You should have your own daily or weekly thread called Maestro's 2 cents. I think it would be great. :D

good idea :idea:

... brought to you by Hennigans barrel aged Scotch. I think Maestro lays out his 2 cents whenever he feels the need.

I'm still waiting for an excerpt from his book, The SeinGeeks Guide to the Universe.

:eek: He wrote a book! Are you serious?!?

I heard he compiled tons of information about the show, but I'm not 100% sure if he actually wrote a book.