Self-evidently one of the most successful and influential television shows, Seinfeld has stolen the hearts of millions. With its debut in 1989, it completely changed the sitcom landscape and defied the previous TV show conventions. Seinfeld paved a new road and suggested that a show might not always centre on important issues but also focus on the small bits and pieces of life. The show became one of the most influential shows through its underpinning.
An associate professor of Media and Screen Studies at Northeastern University, Joanne Morreale, recalls the essay she had written on examining the cultural spectacle of the Seinfeld finale. The show paved the way for many other similar shows like ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ ‘Two and a Half Men’, ‘Two Broke Girls’, and ‘Arrested Development’.
The finale of the show which ended with the arrest of the four main characters- Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer getting arrested for refusing to help a carjacking victim. Morreale explains how Seinfeld became a cultural phenomenon through its references and inside jokes. The show brought about an era referred to as “cringe comedy” as it never particularly focused on any issue in particular. Sitcoms no longer revolved around “family” but a “group of friends”. The show ushered in an era of sitcoms blended with fiction and reality.
When asked if she sees another show gaining as much popularity as Seinfeld, Morreale says, “I think we will see something similar with Game of Thrones. It will be extensively hyped and people will have parties and gatherings. And the ending will be shrouded in secrecy. Lost was similar—they shot three different endings to keep it a secret. And the end of The Sopranos has become legendary.”
She says TV writers often look for criticism online and tend to change the plot to the liking of the audience to avoid any further criticism which may make them discontinue watching the show. With the changing tides of TV shows, Morreale notices a change in audience behaviour as well. A lot can be known about a person from the TV show they choose to watch, she says.
Subarna Basu