Seinfeld

May 15, 2020
Arras pays tribute to the popular sitcom, exploring its massive impact in the 1990s and beyond in this engaging read, which is part analysis of the show and its characters and part glimpse behind the scenes at the efforts to bring Seinfeld to air and keep it there. The show had a rocky beginning in 1988, when NBC expressed interest in developing a show with Jerry Seinfeld, who partnered with then largely unknown writer Larry David for the pilot. It only secured a pickup once the late-night division of NBC stepped up to order a four-episode first season. It took awhile for Seinfeld to find its audience, but eventually viewers fell in love with the show about nothing and the eccentric quartet at its core. Arras offers a lively look at the characters, their struggles, and their romances, as well as providing some background on the cast and their relationships with each other, which changed over the years. Fans will welcome the opportunity to learn more about the beloved, ever-popular series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

June 1, 2020

Seinfeld's (1989-98) history is well documented. After a panned pilot, NBC was willing to order only four episodes for the show's first season. But the series finale brought in 76 million viewers and Super Bowl-size advertising rates. Along the way, the show changed the landscape of American television and added phrases such as "sponge-worthy" and "close talker" to the English lexicon. Arras (communications & media studies, State Univ. of New York Cortland; The Lonely Nineties) covers this ground but takes a fresh approach, demonstrating how Seinfeld reflects the culture of its time and analyzing how well it holds up today. Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer each say something about facets of 1990s American experience: delayed adulthood, yuppiedom, and relationship and career dissatisfaction. The author also points out the American experiences the show missed in its focus on (mostly male) white urban heterosexuals. Although he thoughtfully critiques the show, Arras demonstrates his enthusiasm for the subject, and his personal ranking of all 168 episodes is a fan's labor of love. VERDICT Lively writing, extensive research, and thoughtful analysis combine to make Arras's book a must for those interested in taking a deeper dive into a show about nothing.--Terry Bosky, Madison, WI

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