The Controversy Surrounding Seinfeld's Finale: A Polarizing Masterpiece

Summary

The Seinfeld ending was highly controversial and still divides fans today, with some feeling it failed to live up to the show's overall brilliance.

In the final episode, there was a humorous interpretation of the "Good Samaritan Law," accompanied by delightful appearances from well-liked supporting characters. Despite facing criticism, the ending remained faithful to the characters and the show's principle of avoiding sentimental moments and moral lessons. Introducing a revival or continuation would diminish the conclusive nature of the original ending.

Few television episodes have generated as much controversy as the Seinfeld finale, despite the overall adoration from fans of the series. Originally airing on May 14, 1998, "The Finale" was an hour-long culmination that reintroduced every character whom Jerry, George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), or Kramer (Michael Richards) had wronged during the show's nine-year run. Opinions about the episode have been firmly divided, with fans either loving or hating the polarizing conclusion of Seinfeld.

Given the numerous classic episodes the show produced in the '90s, such as "The Contest," "The Soup Nazi," and "The Puffy Shirt," it was always going to be a challenging task to satisfy everyone and deliver a memorable finale. The general consensus is that the Seinfeld finale failed to live up to expectations, with comparisons drawn to other shows like Lost, Dexter, and Game of Thrones, which also garnered criticism for their lackluster endings. However, amidst the overwhelming disapproval, it is important to recognize that the two-part episode still possesses its own merits and should not be labeled as a complete disaster, as some have done with the Seinfeld ending.

What Happens In Seinfeld's Finale

Jerry receives the long-awaited news that he has successfully struck a deal with NBC to produce "Jerry," the fictional show-within-a-show that was the focus of the meta storyline in Season 4. As a gesture of goodwill, NBC lends Jerry their private jet, and the group decides to celebrate by embarking on a trip to Paris. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when Kramer accidentally stumbles into the cockpit, resulting in a crash landing in the fictional town of Latham, Massachusetts.

While waiting for the necessary repairs to be made, the group finds themselves witnessing a carjacking in Latham. In typical Seinfeld fashion, instead of offering assistance, they find humor in the situation and Kramer even captures it on video. Unfortunately for them, the victim reports their lack of intervention to the authorities, leading to their arrest under the "Good Samaritan Law," which mandates bystander help in the face of a crime. To defend themselves, they enlist the services of Jackie Chiles (played by Phil Morris), a recurring character who satirizes lawyer Johnnie Cochran. This decision angers the district attorney, prompting him to search for any incriminating evidence he can find on the four friends.

The DA presents testimony from several witnesses who have had negative encounters with Jerry and his friends: Mabel Choate, an elderly woman who was mugged by Jerry for a marble rye; Sidra, whom Jerry ended his relationship with because of rumors about breast implants; Dr. Wexler, who observed George's happiness after Susan's passing; Leslie, the low talker whose "Puffy Shirt" Jerry mocked on national television; the Soup Nazi, who claimed that Elaine ruined his business; and Babu Bhatt, who believed that Jerry played a role in him being deported. These damaging testimonies lead to a guilty verdict. In the final scenes of Seinfeld, all four characters find themselves in prison, where Jerry receives heckles while performing standup comedy for the inmates.

Why Fans Hated Seinfeld's Finale

Adding to the already sky-high expectations surrounding the much-anticipated finale of Seinfeld, regarded as the greatest sitcom ever made, co-creator Larry David, who had departed from the show after Season 7, returned to pen the ultimate script. However, when a staggering 76 million viewers tuned in, many felt that it missed the mark. Seinfeld had built a triumphant formula of making audiences cheer for detestable characters, mainly due to their uproarious antics. Surprisingly, the finale departed from the usual Seinfeld shenanigans. Trying to summarize all the reprehensible actions carried out throughout the entire series within a mere hour became somewhat overwhelming.

Some also discovered that the final episode compromised the fundamental concept of the show. The essence of Seinfeld lies in its portrayal as a "show about nothing," where each episode showcases the characters experiencing comical situations of trivial importance (such as choosing pastries for a dinner party or attempting to secure a table at a Chinese restaurant) and subsequently making self-centered decisions that exacerbate the situation. Yet, none of the episodes carried any genuine repercussions.

Even when the characters made subsequent appearances, they appeared to forgive Jerry and his friends for any previous transgressions committed in earlier episodes. Consequently, when they were ultimately confronted with the consequences of their actions, certain viewers perceived it as a betrayal of what made the show exceptional. As described by USA Today, it "may remind viewers of the last episode of NBC's St. Elsewhere, which essentially conveyed to dedicated fans that they had been investing their time in a mere figment of a child's imagination."

Despite stating his satisfaction with the Seinfeld ending in a 2014 Reddit AMA, Seinfeld appeared to retract those remarks in a 2017 interview at the New Yorker Festival. "I sometimes feel like perhaps we shouldn't have even proceeded," he remarked. "There was immense pressure on us at that time to create one final grand show, but grandeur is always detrimental in comedy." Jason Alexander referred to it as "a good episode, but not a great one" in an interview with Emmy TV. Julia Louis-Dreyfus famously quipped on David Letterman's final episode, "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of yet another disappointingly grand series finale."

Why Seinfeld's Ending Is Great

TV show finales are often expected to be the best episodes of the entire series, and this is especially true for a beloved show like Seinfeld, which had many overwhelming successes throughout its run. While not every show can reach the same level as Breaking Bad, when we remove the hype and expectations and view the episode on its own, it remains a funny and well-crafted episode. The "Good Samaritan Law" is the epitome of a Seinfeld joke, taking something ridiculous and annoying from the real world and playing it out to its fullest. Nearly every beloved side character makes an appearance, and their comedic contributions go beyond just making a cameo.

George Steinbrenner arrives for his testimony, only to be interrupted by Frank Costanza's outburst about the $12 million given to Hideki Irabu, referencing a previous rant from "The Caddy." Leslie the Low Talker speaks so quietly that the court cannot hear her. After Jackie Chiles sleeps with Sidra, he revives the famous line by informing Jerry that "they're real, and they're spectacular!" Most of the cameos contribute to the episode's storyline, rather than being thrown in without purpose.

While some may argue that the Seinfeld ending did not stay true to the formula, it certainly remained faithful to the characters. Jerry and his friends were never destined for a happy ending. The show famously followed the mantra of "no hugging, no learning." Although Seinfeld could have explored a romantic relationship between Jerry and Elaine or given him his own NBC show, these scenarios would not have fit within the show's universe. Larry David expressed to Grantland that he and Jerry were not interested in an emotional journey, which was the right mindset to adopt. While fans may have desired something else, the show remained consistent.

The Ending Of Seinfeld Won't Be Followed Up – Which Makes It Better

Seinfeld, unlike many other popular TV shows, has not received a reboot. This decision has actually improved the ending, despite it being controversial. Shows like Sex and the City, Charmed, and Gilmore Girls have all come back after their initial endings, but Seinfeld's conclusion was final. It was satisfying to finally see the characters face consequences for their self-centered behavior throughout the series, providing closure for the long-running show. Reviving Seinfeld would diminish the impact of the ending, making all their antics and punishments meaningless.

Even though there have been jokes about Seinfeld returning, Jerry Seinfeld himself has been clear that it will not happen. During a discussion about the show's transition to Netflix, the comedian expressed that bringing it back would be sad. "It would seem sad to me. It would seem like we couldn't think of a new idea," he stated. Despite the mixed reception of the Seinfeld ending, it effectively concluded the show and ensured that it would not be resurrected.

Jerry Seinfeld Knew When To End The Show

Part of the reason why the Seinfeld ending did not resonate well with everyone could be attributed to the confusion surrounding the loss of the most popular show on television. Seinfeld underwent significant changes from its struggling beginnings in season 1, where it constantly feared cancellation, to becoming a massive hit with no signs of decline by season 9. However, Jerry Seinfeld (via Esquire) himself admits that the decision to end the show was an easy and unanimous one among the cast when they gathered in his dressing room at the start of season 9. Seinfeld recalls the discussion they had, acknowledging their fortunate success and questioning if they should push their luck further. They all agreed that the timing was right to conclude the show.

Considering Jerry Seinfeld's career and his approach to the show, reaching this decision is not surprising at all. Seinfeld has consistently prioritized leaving behind a solid legacy rather than prolonging the show indefinitely. His dedication to perfecting his jokes through rewriting reflects his determination to achieve excellence, and he has no interest in continuing and potentially tarnishing the once-great show. While fans may debate the Seinfeld ending, Jerry Seinfeld's lesson in knowing when to walk away is a valuable one that other shows can learn from.

Jerry Seinfeld Hinted At A Second Ending

Seinfeld, who has previously been vocal about not wanting to return to the series and having no interest in a revival season, may have had a change of heart. In a stand-up comedy performance on October 7, 2023, footage captured Seinfeld discussing a forthcoming project with Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld. Seinfeld hinted at something significant happening related to the show's ending, indicating that both he and David had been contemplating it.

A form of Seinfeld reunion took place on David's HBO program, Curb Your Enthusiasm. In the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which aired in 2009, the central storyline involved Larry attempting to organize a Seinfeld reunion as an attempt to win back his wife, who had left him in the previous season. This particular season of Curb Your Enthusiasm prominently featured the Seinfeld cast reuniting and portraying their characters, albeit as a self-aware meta-reunion. However, it's worth noting that this reunion occurred well over a decade ago. Considering that Seinfeld and David are currently collaborating on a project that could alter the Seinfeld ending, while not essential, it would certainly be exciting to witness the characters back together once again.