| Description |
xiii, 241 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Series |
The cultural history of television |
|
Cultural history of television.
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-234) and index. |
| Contents |
Pt. 1. Making nothing. Jerry and Larry -- A guy walks into NBC... -- Who (almost) killed the pilot? -- Ensemble alchemy -- Pt. 2. The world in Seinfeld. The four -- The people in their neighborhood -- Faith, race, and place in Seinfeld's New York -- Jerry and company in the world and in the bedroom -- Pt. 3. After Seinfeld. The spectacle, the disappointment, and the brilliance of the finale -- Television legacy -- Critiques and missteps -- Seinfeld today -- The ranking : every episode, from best to worst. |
| Summary |
"This book traces the history of Seinfeld's path onto NBC's schedule and rise up the Nielsen ratings, offering a fresh look at the episodes themselves. It pays close attention to the writers and writing of the show, carefully analyzing individual episodes to articulate exactly what was so groundbreaking and assessing its broader cultural impact"-- Provided by publisher. |
|
Since coming to an end at the pinnacle of its popularity, Seinfeld’s story continues. The show’s enduring appeal has helped earn its creators billions of dollars and counting. Many of the most popular and acclaimed comedy series of the twenty-first century are direct descendants of Seinfeld’s style, and the show’s ideas are now woven into the ways people think and behave. The greatest sitcom of the final years of the broadcast era, Seinfeld broke the rules, changed both television and America forever, and remains a living part of American culture. Seinfeld: A Cultural History explores the show’s history with an engaging look at the show’s legendary co-creators, its supporters (and skeptics) at NBC, and its award-winning cast. By all the traditional rules of television, Seinfeld never should have made it to the air. Paul Arras pays close attention to the writers and writing of the show, offering a fresh look at the episodes themselves and assessing its broader cultural impact. Throughout he also dissects the show’s main quartet and the other memorable characters that foursome interacted with over the show’s eight seasons. With deep perception and good humor, this book considers what the adventures of Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine reveal about the nineties and what messages they pass along to twenty-first century viewers. Seinfeld: A Cultural History will lead any fan of the show back to the series to re-watch old episodes with new insights and observations. Readable and illuminating, the book’s well-researched discussion of the show’s background and legacy is an essential guide for Seinfeld viewers and scholars alike. Most of all, Seinfeld: A Cultural History is an enjoyable way to engage, or reengage, with one of the funniest shows of all time! |
| Subject |
Seinfeld (Television program)
|
|
Seinfeld (Television program) (OCoLC)fst01382414
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| Other Form: |
Online version: Arras, Paul, 1981- Seinfeld Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2020] 9781538126882 (DLC) 2019056195 |
| ISBN |
9781538126875 (hardcover) |
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1538126877 (hardcover) |
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9781538126882 electronic publication |
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