What Really Makes Seinfeld So Funny
What Makes Seinfeld a Great Sitcom
I am a fan of many sitcoms; 'The Office,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' 'Parks and Recreation,' 'Friends,' 'Cheers,' 'That 70's Show,' as well as countless others. Yet not one single sitcom makes me laugh as much or as hard as 'Seinfeld' does ('Cheers' is a very close second though). Sure there are truly funny episodes from the sitcoms I listed above, but there's something different about the episodes from 'Seinfeld.' It may simply be that the humor of 'Seinfeld' is particularly to my liking, but I think I've finally figured out why.
First, let's start with the characters of 'Seinfeld' and how they are designed. When examining the character of Kramer, it is easy to see how he represents much of the show's physical comedy. His goofy persona paired with his physical spasms and outbursts are responsible for many of the best gags to be seen in the show. It's a testament to his comedical effect when I find myself laughing literally every single time he enters through the door into Jerry's apartment. Next is Jerry Seinfeld himself, who is responsible for much of the observational humor. He's always remarking on the actions of either his friends or his numerous girlfriends. These remarks and opinions often lead to the central conflicts of episodes, allowing the rest of the cast to work off and around those conflicts. Finally, we come to George and Elaine, who are almost two sides of the same coin. Each represent the comedy to be found in the workplace, as many of their jokes and conflicts come from their various jobs.
While many sitcoms have various comedic traits assigned to their characters, I feel as if 'Seinfeld' really nailed the key essence of comedy. If you had to trace comedy down to its' roots, it would all relate to that of the physical, the observational nature, and the work/occupation. For comedy to be it's most effective it has to be kept simple, as we've all heard jokes that take way too long to get to the punchline, ultimately rendering the joke bland and uninteresting. I feel as if that's why the main cast of 'Seinfeld' works so well, because they are simple enough to be able to lay a groundwork which can then be built off of.
Another key part of what makes 'Seinfeld' great is how the episodes themselves are structured. When I go watch a show like 'Parks and Recreation,' almost every single episode ends with a resolution of conflict, and a smile on everyone's faces. There's nothing inherently wrong with this, as it ensures a good time for the viewer and can warm the heart on a down day. Not all sitcoms are like this, but I feel as if the majority are.
For 'Seinfeld' though, almost every single episode ends in conflict for the characters. Signified by a freeze frame, usually a character finds themselves in more trouble at the end of an episode than they were at the beginning. There are no conflict resolutions in 'Seinfeld.' I can count on one hand how many happy endings I've seen throughout the course of 'Seinfeld.' While at first this may seem horrifically nihilistic, the endings of 'Seinfeld' episodes are far more tongue-in-cheek than depressing. It was simply a way to generate one last laugh out of the audience before rolling the credits.
Another reason why 'Seinfeld' is such a great sitcom is due to the actual conflicts themselves. The conflicts are so down to earth, relatable, and even mundane that they can easily relate to those of audience. Pretty much every single episode is based off one of the quirks of life; whether it be settling a bet with an old high school rival, the struggle to find a decent place to nap during work hours, a failed attempt to make a comeback to a fellow employee, etc. It truly says something about the quality of writing and conflicts of the show when I find myself constantly referencing the show when I find myself in similar situations as presented in the show. I've heard it said that there is a 'Seinfeld' episode for every aspect of life, and this statement is absolutely true.
But truly, I believe the reason why 'Seinfeld' is such an acclaimed and truly remarkable show is that it is truly timeless. Sure, take a look at the fashion choices or technology or car models present in the show and you'll immediately see the 90s, but I'm speaking about the writing and jokes here. The greatest pieces of art have a timeless quality to them; the ability to transcend generations while still retaining value and importance. Most of the jokes and humor to be found in 'Seinfeld' are so incredibly relatable even to today's modern audience, 20 plus years later. It's almost even become a staple of our culture, with iconography and quotes from the show becoming brewed into our visual mediums and daily language.
'Seinfeld' really is one of those era defining shows. It's up there with the all-time greats commonly found on Greatest Shows lists. It never ceases to leave me laughing, and I'm sure that I'll be watching it decades from now. It truly is one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, and easily my favorite of all-time.
Source: https://medium.com/@caringer86/what-makes-seinfeld-a-great-sitcom-d5d7b9ec4ed5
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