If there's ever a contest to decide which show is the greatest in television history, may I recommend Seinfeld? The sitcom, which went off the air many years ago and now lives in the realm of reruns and box sets, still remains as the go-to choice for many when they need a genuine laugh, and not just a brief chuckle. Its sarcastic, pessimistic attitude toward life is what draws fans to it and keeps out the dust of time. First appearing on television screens in the early 1990's and starring titular comedian Jerry Seinfeld in the main role, Seinfeld follows the lives of four unconventional New Yorkers who bear no compassion or generosity to anyone but themselves, which leads to humorous disasters at their own expense. The show itself was immensely popular in its day, generating awards and nine seasons on the air, and currently enjoys a cemented status in syndication. And although there are numerous comedies currently making rounds on social media and the columns of critics that would like to usurp Seinfeld from the top, there is little they can do to replace an icon of television that provided people with endless quotes and moments to put in their everyday language. …show more content…
Traditionally, the common premise of sitcoms focuses on well-meaning characters dealing with an idealistic or strange world, with the jokes being shallow and dependent on a laugh track. The humor in Seinfeld is different, based entirely on daily life as it happens, at the worst moments to average people. One example of this can be found in the episode "The Parking Garage", where the characters are unable to locate their car in a massive parking complex, forcing them to walk around asking for help from people who don't care. While the plot of this episode sounds plain and uncomedic, the character's harsh reactions to the callous nature of others and the ensuing confrontations make it a