First published 2016
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong tells the story of how two comedians transformed television with their show about nothing. Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David created a sitcom they thought nobody would watch, centered on a New York comedian chatting with his friends. NBC bought the show despite doubts and buried it in the summer schedule. Viewers discovered it anyway. What started with a small audience grew into a cultural force that attracted nearly forty million weekly viewers over nine seasons. Armstrong explores how the series affected both its creators and its fans. She shows how the show's influence extends far beyond television, creating a world where the Soup Nazi continues his catchphrase, Kenny Kramer gives New York tours based on show locations, and fans recreate Jerry's puffy shirt and Elaine's dancing. The book examines both the production process and the devoted community that keeps the show alive decades later.
Genres: contemporary, non-fiction, comedy
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, cultural-impact
Setting: New York
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
307 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster