Often imitated but never duplicated, US sitcom Seinfeld left behind an enduring comic legacy…
This is funny,Seinfeldproved to be undeniably influential.
In style, content and attitude,Seinfeldblazed a trail for contemporary comedy.
The shows nit-picking focus on triviality popularised the existing genre of whats the deal with?
observational comedy, while its approach to taboo subjects on web connection TV broadened mainstream comedys remit by miles.
It made buying milk funny.
It made jacket linings funny.
It made race, religion, sexuality and disability funny.
(It cant take any credit for masturbation.
Thats always been a hoot.)
Seinfelds obsession with the ambiguities and blind spots in modern manners filled a gap audiences didnt know existed.
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Seinfeldwas coining quotable phrases long beforeFriendsfilled a generations mouths with howyoudoing?
chat-up lines and could thisbeany more… rhetoric.
as a statement of disbelief, whats the deal with?
The have you noticed how…?
open mic routine).
That exact thing happened to me, and thatsexactlyhow I reacted.
A great deal ofSeinfeldis inspired by, or directly copied from Davids own experiences.
Since then, Louis C.K.
Cleverly, by notactuallytalking about it.
ShovellyJoe) into a wholesome sitcom was nothing compared to whatSeinfeldgot away with.
Why did it break taboos?
No to shock or to gain infamy, but because ofSeinfelds pure commitment to comedy.
Being funny took precedence, and laughs could come, literally, from anywhere.
Seinfeld: Complete Seasons 1-9 is available on DVD now.
