Summary
Seinfeld season 1 shows the germ of what would make it a great sitcom, but the actors lacked confidence in their characters.
"The Chinese Restaurant" marked a pivotal moment in Season 2 of Seinfeld, where the show truly started to embrace its distinctive tone. While Season 8 experienced a decline in quality following Larry David's departure, it still had notable highlights, albeit losing its direction.
Examining the rankings of Seinfeld seasons from worst to best provides insight into how the show attained its status as a television icon. Seinfeld holds a prominent position in the sitcom genre, but maintaining consistent quality across its 180 episodes spanning nine seasons can be challenging. While even a weak episode or season of Seinfeld surpasses the offerings of many other shows, there are distinct peaks and valleys throughout seasons 1 to 9. These fluctuations can be attributed to the show's experimentation with its format at times, as well as the departure of key creatives. Nonetheless, the best seasons of Seinfeld demonstrate why it remains beloved by audiences.
The departure of co-creator Larry David after season 7 noticeably impacted the show's quality, yet it still managed to be one of the funniest offerings on network television. Unfortunately, the series finale of Seinfeld, which aired in season 9, was widely regarded as one of the worst TV finales ever. However, this judgment does not accurately represent the final season, as it still contains memorable episodes like "The Serenity Now," "The Cartoon," and "The Frogger." With numerous moments that have elicited uproarious laughter and cemented their place in television history, the rankings of Seinfeld seasons highlight the occasional lows but primarily celebrate the many highs of this classic sitcom.
9 Season 1
Seinfeld season 1 may be seen as the starting point for the iconic American sitcom. Despite its roughness, it contains the essence of what would eventually make it great. Consisting of only four episodes, the first season excludes the distinct Seinfeld pilot, titled "The Seinfeld Chronicles." In these episodes, the focus is primarily on Jerry Seinfeld as the main character, with George, Elaine, and Kramer serving as supporting characters. Considering Jerry Seinfeld's admission of being the least skilled actor among the cast, it can at times be challenging to fully connect with him as the protagonist.
The storylines within Seinfeld season 1 range from typical sitcom themes such as competing for a desirable apartment, to more uniquely Seinfeld-esque narratives of social awkwardness, like ending a friendship with a male friend or resorting to unconventional methods to obtain a woman's phone number. The dialogue is sharp and refreshing, presenting something entirely new in the world of sitcoms. However, the actors haven't fully grasped their characters' confidence, even Michael Richards' portrayal of Kramer appearing somewhat reserved compared to later seasons.
8 Season 2
The highlight of Seinfeld season 2 is without a doubt "The Chinese Restaurant," a pivotal episode that marked a significant turning point for the show. Co-written by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the storyline revolves around Jerry, George, and Elaine patiently waiting for their turn at a crowded Chinese restaurant. Interestingly, Larry David had even threatened to quit when the network expressed concerns about the episode's thin premise, resulting in it being pushed towards the later part of season 2. However, "The Chinese Restaurant" was met with critical acclaim, hailed as a refreshing and relatable addition to the sitcom genre.
While the remainder of Seinfeld season 2 may not quite reach the same level of excellence, it is evident that the show is working towards achieving such heights. Another notable moment occurs when Jerry and Elaine's romantic spark is reignited, only to fizzle out again. The "will they/won't they" romance trope was a common feature in network sitcoms, from Sam and Diane in Cheers to Ross and Rachel in Friends. Yet Seinfeld defied expectations by abandoning this subplot, solidifying its reputation as an anti-sitcom. This rebellious decision, culminating in "The Chinese Restaurant," allowed the show's unique tone to confidently shine through, despite some initial growing pains.
7 Season 8
Seinfeld season 8 marks a challenging transitionary period following the departure of Larry David at the end of season 7. Without David's creative influence, Seinfeld occasionally relies too heavily on sitcom clichés. A notable episode, "The Bizarro Jerry," aired on October 4th, 1996. It tells the story of Elaine discovering a group of male friends who closely resemble Jerry, George, and Kramer. Interestingly, a similar storyline was explored by Seinfeld's sitcom rival, Friends, in their season 2 episode "The One With Russ." Here, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) dates a guy who bears a striking resemblance to Ross (David Schwimmer).
The writing in Seinfeld season 8 departs from relatable social situations and veers towards more outlandish antics. Unfortunately, the storylines do not connect as seamlessly as in previous seasons. This season is the first time since season 2 that the show feels somewhat directionless. It's hardly surprising, considering that the show's trademark "no hugging no learning" concept reached its peak with the death of George's fiancée Susan (Heidi Swedberg), a tragic event that had no impact on the main characters. With this loss, it becomes challenging to determine a clear path for the show, making it understandable that Seinfeld season 8 slightly loses its way.
6 Season 9
The Seinfeld finale looms large over season 9, but even within that, there are moments of brilliance that made the sitcom a game-changer. From tantalizing viewers with a potential rekindling of romance between Jerry and Elaine during a turbulent airplane ride, to putting the entire cast on trial for their terrible behavior, the season stayed true to the original vision of its creators, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, with its anti-sitcom spirit. It may have been met with hate, but it's hard to expect a definitive ending from a "show about nothing" that thrived on the lack of character growth.
Much like the finale, Seinfeld season 9 has strong moments, like Elaine unintentionally plagiarizing a cartoon for The New Yorker, or George's dad adopting "serenity row" as a mantra to lower his blood pressure. However, it's also clear that the show starts to recycle some of its greatest successes. "The Puerto Rican Day" essentially follows the same formula as episodes where the characters struggle to reach a destination, like "The Movie" from season 4 or "The Dinner Party" from season 5. Although the show didn't end at its peak, with season 9 as its final installment, it still remained the funniest show on television.
5 Season 3
Reportedly, Seinfeld faced the possibility of cancellation near the end of season 2. However, the network opted to grant it a season 3 under the condition that the writers put in more effort when it came to storylines. Seinfeld season 3 not only met this demand but also embraced the elements that made "The Chinese Restaurant" such a resounding success. A prime example of this is seen in episode 6, "The Parking Garage," where the central plot revolves around the characters' collective struggle to recall Kramer's exact parking spot in a multi-level garage. Season 3 also marked a significant turning point for Seinfeld, as it fully embraced its status as an ensemble show. This meant that each character received their own individual storylines to explore.
In "The Pez Dispenser," for instance, Elaine unintentionally disrupts a piano recital involving George's newfound love interest, Jerry organizes an intervention for a friend who is battling drug addiction, and Kramer finds inspiration to create a cologne that captures the essence of the sea. All these distinct storylines intersect through Jerry's Tweety Pie Pez dispenser. "The Pez Dispenser" serves as an excellent representation of Seinfeld season 3's sophisticated approach to narrative structure and plot development, instilling great promise for the show's future acclaim.
4 Season 6
Season 6 of Seinfeld, within its excellent run from seasons 4 to 7, is considered the weakest due to its lack of memorable episodes compared to the other three seasons. While there are enjoyable episodes like "The Chaperone," where Kramer acts as a personal coach for Jerry's Miss America date, they do not leave a lasting impact like the standout episodes from seasons 4, 5, and 7.
However, season 6 compensates for its lack of memorable episodes by introducing memorable characters. This includes Elaine's on-and-off relationship with Puddy (played by Patrick Warburton), which continues until season 9. It also brings in Bryan Cranston as dentist Tim Whatley and Kenny Bania (portrayed by Steve Hytner), a hack comedian who irritates Jerry. These characters contribute to the rich fictional world of Seinfeld's New York City and become beloved by fans. While it may not be the most outstanding season, it strengthens the series overall with these new additions.
3 Season 5
Seinfeld season 5 is packed with unforgettable episodes and iconic moments. One standout is when Jerry unintentionally agrees to don a pirate costume in "The Puffy Shirt," while another involves George masquerading as a marine biologist and encountering a stranded whale. Notably, this season features "The Fire," where George adamantly refuses to let women, children, and the elderly escape first during a house fire.
Additionally, this season showcases Jerry's problematic purchase of a Native American stereotype from a local cigar store. By this point, creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld were fully comfortable presenting their lead characters as unlikeable. They also recognized the limits they could push on NBC following the success of "The Contest" in the previous season. Consequently, they delved into NSFW topics, including Jerry's struggle to satisfy Elaine in bed and Kramer's scheme to prevent a baby's circumcision at a Bris. Overall, this season fully embraced the comedic potential of these flawed characters.
2 Season 7
Larry David's final season of Seinfeld is like a symphony steadily building up to a climactic moment. It embodies the essence of "no hugging, no learning," and arguably, the season 7 finale "The Invitations," where Susan meets her untimely demise, could have served as the perfect ending for the show. Throughout this season, George's desperate attempts to break off his engagement with Susan take center stage, and his indifference towards wedding planning ultimately leads to her tragic death due to toxic envelopes. Despite the magnitude of this event, George remains unaffected and learns nothing from the experience.
Seinfeld season 7 prominently features the beloved supporting character J. Peterman, Elaine's eccentric boss, portrayed by John O'Hurley. It also introduces the iconic Soup Nazi, who has attained pop culture status and continues to be featured on Seinfeld-related merchandise. Additionally, the hilariously absurd sight of Kramer atop a fire engine in "The Secret Code" contributes to making this season one of Seinfeld's strongest.
1 Season 4
Seinfeld season 4's "Jerry" plot is a rare example of a sitcom successfully incorporating meta elements. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld took advantage of the show's growing popularity by having their fictional counterparts, Jerry and George, collaborate on a sitcom within the show. Remarkably, this storyline never comes across as self-satisfied or excessively clever. In fact, the fourth season is filled with iconic episodes that overshadow the "Jerry" arc. Memorable moments include George's showdown with the Bubble Boy, Kramer's hilariously accurate Junior Mint toss, and the fictional erotic movie, Rochelle, Rochelle.
The show is at the height of its power and popularity, exemplified no better than in "The Contest," Larry David's personal favorite Seinfeld episode. This episode skillfully navigates taboo subjects on network television without crossing any lines that would anger executives or censors. It further establishes Seinfeld as a refreshing and audacious presence in the world of sitcoms, which often rely on tired tropes. Undeniably, Seinfeld is one of the greatest sitcoms ever created, and its fourth season stands as its pinnacle.
