That was Seinfeld, this is now, says Jason Alexander

[Brian Damage]

SELFISH, stingy and insecure - George Costanza would infuriate any hotel concierge. But Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld fame, is the opposite.

At Crown yesterday, the star wondered why high-roller hotels always protected him with security guards.

"I feel a little shaken when the muscle turns up," he said.

"Do these guys know something I don't? Are threats being made? Because, generally, I walk through the world pretty much on my own."

Alexander is here to headline a "Comedy Spectacular" featuring top Australian stand-up comics.

And he had some advice for comics wanting to stay funny.

"It's not a matter of hunger so much. It's about attachment. Comedy works best when people recognise themselves," he said.

"And if you start to reflect situations or a way of thinking that isn't reflective of the average person, that's when you can start to fall apart."

When local comic Peter Helliar read out Alexander's CV at a press conference launching the event, the American interrupted.

"Don't forget my work in porn," he yelled out before noting he was wearing the same shirt he had donned in a decade-old picture at the event promoting the show.

It's 18 years since Seinfeld started, but Alexander will always be known as George.

"I assume on my tombstone it will say: 'Here was George'," he said.

"It's never far away and that's fine with me.

"I had a great time doing the show, I loved doing the character and am fully aware and guessing there will probably not be anything more successful in my life than that show.

"If I am walking around the casino though, and you yell out 'George' I don't tend to turn around. It's not an arrogant thing, it's just that I used to and they were actually calling someone named George."

Alexander, 48, has since starred in sitcoms and musicals (The Producers).

In a recent TV version of A Christmas Carol, he played opposite Kelsey Frasier Grammer.

"I didn't know Kelsey really well until we did that movie together," he said. "Our paths hadn't crossed."

Between gigs at Crown, Alexander may explore Melbourne on his favoured mode of transport -- a scooter.

"That all started when I was in Las Vegas one time. The ballroom where I was performing was a great distance away so as a joke, I said, 'This is ridiculous. I don't WALK!'

"Next thing, this little motor turns up. Unbelievable!" with AAP

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...2-2862,00.html

[Seinatra]

Interesting, thanks Brian.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"If I am walking around the casino though, and you yell out 'George' I don't tend to turn around. It's not an arrogant thing, it's just that I used to and they were actually calling someone named George."

That's hilarious! I'm sure he gets that all the time!

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"That all started when I was in Las Vegas one time. The ballroom where I was performing was a great distance away so as a joke, I said, 'This is ridiculous. I don't WALK!'
"Next thing, this little motor turns up. Unbelievable!" with AAP

Using a mode of transportation other than walking is a great idea. Those casinos are massive. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are at least a mile in length!

Thanks for that info, that's cool that he's going to Australia. That's a great place!

Andrea

[Will Dockery]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

SELFISH, stingy and insecure - George Costanza would infuriate any hotel concierge. But Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld fame, is the opposite.

At Crown yesterday, the star wondered why high-roller hotels always protected him with security guards.

"I feel a little shaken when the muscle turns up," he said.

"Do these guys know something I don't? Are threats being made? Because, generally, I walk through the world pretty much on my own."

Alexander is here to headline a "Comedy Spectacular" featuring top Australian stand-up comics.

And he had some advice for comics wanting to stay funny.

"It's not a matter of hunger so much. It's about attachment. Comedy works best when people recognise themselves," he said.

"And if you start to reflect situations or a way of thinking that isn't reflective of the average person, that's when you can start to fall apart."

When local comic Peter Helliar read out Alexander's CV at a press conference launching the event, the American interrupted.

"Don't forget my work in porn," he yelled out before noting he was wearing the same shirt he had donned in a decade-old picture at the event promoting the show.

It's 18 years since Seinfeld started, but Alexander will always be known as George.

"I assume on my tombstone it will say: 'Here was George'," he said.

"It's never far away and that's fine with me.

"I had a great time doing the show, I loved doing the character and am fully aware and guessing there will probably not be anything more successful in my life than that show.

"If I am walking around the casino though, and you yell out 'George' I don't tend to turn around. It's not an arrogant thing, it's just that I used to and they were actually calling someone named George."

Alexander, 48, has since starred in sitcoms and musicals (The Producers).

In a recent TV version of A Christmas Carol, he played opposite Kelsey Frasier Grammer.

"I didn't know Kelsey really well until we did that movie together," he said. "Our paths hadn't crossed."

Between gigs at Crown, Alexander may explore Melbourne on his favoured mode of transport -- a scooter.

"That all started when I was in Las Vegas one time. The ballroom where I was performing was a great distance away so as a joke, I said, 'This is ridiculous. I don't WALK!'

"Next thing, this little motor turns up. Unbelievable!" with AAP

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...2-2862,00.html

A good read, eight years later, though, wish Jason Alexander had have surprised himself and found another success.

Maybe in the near future.