Jerry Seinfeld Speaks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 11-19-2004, 11:16 AM

http://www.tvguide.com/tv/coverstory/

Jerry Seinfeld Speaks Out

With the DVD release of the first 30 episodes of Seinfeld arriving in stores November 23, and the upcoming making-of documentary The Seinfeld Story airing on NBC November 25, Jerry Seinfeld, the master of the comedy domain, sat down with TV Guide's Bruce Fretts for this exclusive Q&A. And if that's not enough for you big fans, you can read more of Bruce's interview, as well as his conversation with the rest of the much-loved gang — Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Larry David — in this week's magazine, available on newsstands.

TVG: Are you surprised the show is still so popular?

Jerry Seinfeld: Yes. When the show went off the air, we thought, 'That's it, that's the end, it was a great run.' And now there are these 10-year-old kids coming up to me who just found it, and they like it. The humor is still there. That's the ultimate test of quality.

TVG: Why do you think it's held up so well?

JS: Because funny things just last — if they're not trick-funny. It's not gimmick-funny or shortcut-funny. There are a lot of ways to score runs without getting a real hit. But all our hits were legitimate singles, doubles and triples. We put the bat on the ball.

TVG: What impact do you think Seinfeld had on TV?

JS: Sadly, virtually none. I felt like the show should have had more and better imitators.

TVG: But weren't there quite a few imitators for a while?

JS: Were there? I guess there were a couple. You know what the show was about? It was really about outsiders getting hold of a network television show. Larry David and I had nothing to do with television. We didn't have any résumé, we didn't have any experience, and TV went back to cranking out the same old network junk by the same old people that had failed three times earlier.

TVG: Are you surprised Larry has become such a big star with Curb Your Enthusiasm?

JS: No, he was always a star to me.

TVG: But did you expect him to step in front of the camera?

JS: I wanted him to. When he made that movie Sour Grapes and he was in some scene, I just said to him, "You are so funny on camera. I wished you were in the whole movie."

TVG: You're a family man now. Did you feel like you didn't have time for a wife and kids when you were doing the show?

JS: Oh, definitely. The way my life has worked out is actually pretty good for the type of personality I have. I really like to focus on what I'm doing. I cannot conceive of having to leave a family all the time to go to work. To have been torn between those two things would have been torture for me. I don't know how other people do it.

Brian Damage · 11-19-2004, 11:46 AM

I never saw a DVD get so much attention as this one. It is going to sell big time.

Seinatra · 11-19-2004, 09:58 PM

Interesting - I liked his thoughts on the lasting impact - "Sadly, virtually none"

Maestro · 11-19-2004, 11:14 PM

>"Sadly, virtually none...I felt like the show should have had more and better imitators."<

I think that was just Jerry's way of bashing the most other shows, like the copycats weren't any good.

I look forward to watching the T-Day show.

IGNTBone · 11-21-2004, 01:56 AM

Wow. So many DVDs in high demand this season...

- Seinfeld
- Rise & Fall of ECW
- Strong Bad E-Mails

Should be one hell of a holiday shopping season this year.

11-19-2004, 11:16 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Jerry Seinfeld Speaks http://www.tvguide.com/tv/coverstory/ Jerry Seinfeld Speaks Out With the DVD release of the first 30 episodes of Seinfeld arriving in stores November 23, and the upcoming making-of documentary The Seinfeld Story airing on NBC November 25, Jerry Seinfeld, the master of the comedy domain, sat down with TV Guide's Bruce Fretts for this exclusive Q&A. And if that's not enough for you big fans, you can read more of Bruce's interview, as well as his conversation with the rest of the much-loved gang — Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Larry David — in this week's magazine, available on newsstands. TVG: Are you surprised the show is still so popular? Jerry Seinfeld: Yes. When the show went off the air, we thought, 'That's it, that's the end, it was a great run.' And now there are these 10-year-old kids coming up to me who just found it, and they like it. The humor is still there. That's the ultimate test of quality. TVG: Why do you think it's held up so well? JS: Because funny things just last — if they're not trick-funny. It's not gimmick-funny or shortcut-funny. There are a lot of ways to score runs without getting a real hit. But all our hits were legitimate singles, doubles and triples. We put the bat on the ball. TVG: What impact do you think Seinfeld had on TV? JS: Sadly, virtually none. I felt like the show should have had more and better imitators. TVG: But weren't there quite a few imitators for a while? JS: Were there? I guess there were a couple. You know what the show was about? It was really about outsiders getting hold of a network television show. Larry David and I had nothing to do with television. We didn't have any résumé, we didn't have any experience, and TV went back to cranking out the same old network junk by the same old people that had failed three times earlier. TVG: Are you surprised Larry has become such a big star with Curb Your Enthusiasm? JS: No, he was always a star to me. TVG: But did you expect him to step in front of the camera? JS: I wanted him to. When he made that movie Sour Grapes and he was in some scene, I just said to him, "You are so funny on camera. I wished you were in the whole movie." TVG: You're a family man now. Did you feel like you didn't have time for a wife and kids when you were doing the show? JS: Oh, definitely. The way my life has worked out is actually pretty good for the type of personality I have. I really like to focus on what I'm doing. I cannot conceive of having to leave a family all the time to go to work. To have been torn between those two things would have been torture for me. I don't know how other people do it.

11-19-2004, 11:46 AM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I never saw a DVD get so much attention as this one. It is going to sell big time.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

11-19-2004, 09:58 PM	#3
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	Interesting - I liked his thoughts on the lasting impact - "Sadly, virtually none"

11-19-2004, 11:14 PM	#4
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	>"Sadly, virtually none...I felt like the show should have had more and better imitators."< I think that was just Jerry's way of bashing the most other shows, like the copycats weren't any good. I look forward to watching the T-Day show.

11-21-2004, 01:56 AM	#5
IGNTBone Member Senior Member Join Date: May 03, 2000 Location: Tequesta, FL Posts: 1,201	Wow. So many DVDs in high demand this season... - Seinfeld - Rise & Fall of ECW - Strong Bad E-Mails Should be one hell of a holiday shopping season this year.