The Unbelievable Darkest Moments in Seinfeld - You Won't Believe What the Sitcom Got Away With!

Seinfeld, one of the most influential sitcoms of the '90s, stands out from its counterparts due to its shockingly dark moments. Despite following a typical sitcom format, with a group of four close friends hanging out in apartments and diners, Seinfeld fearlessly delves into darkness. Co-creator Larry David's manifesto for the show, which emphasized "no hugging, no learning," is evident throughout.

The characters in Seinfeld are hateful and hardly relatable, yet it is precisely this aspect that adds to the humor, particularly during the show's darker moments. Whether it occurs in entire episodes, brief instances, or full season storylines, Seinfeld fearlessly embraces borderline disturbing themes. The absurd actions of Kramer, the self-centeredness of George, and Jerry's surprisingly sadistic behavior are the foundations of nine seasons of iconic episodes and moments that sometimes left audiences hesitant to laugh. On paper, these dark moments could easily be mistaken for scenes from a horror or thriller film, rather than a beloved '90s sitcom.

10 Jerry Uses An Ax To Get Japanese Men Out Of A Dresser

Of all the things about Kramer that have not aged well, renting out space in his apartment to tourists is certainly one of them. It is particularly unsettling how he coerces Japanese tourists to sleep in a chest of drawers. In Seinfeld season 8, episode 7, "The Checks," Jerry shockingly demolishes a dresser drawer with an ax, knowing fully well that there were Japanese men trapped inside. It is difficult to determine which is more disturbing - the act of forcing adults to sleep in a chest of drawers or the blatant joy Jerry derives from ruthlessly swinging an ax at that very furniture while innocent people are resting inside.

9 Joe Davola Stalks Elaine In Seinfeld Season 4

In Seinfeld's fourth season, episode 9 titled "The Opera," Elaine finds herself dating Joe Davola, famously known as "Crazy Joe Davola." However, their relationship takes a dark turn as Joe's instability increases, and he begins stalking Elaine while disguised as a clown. Joe lurks in dimly lit alleyways, surrounded by walls adorned with countless Polaroid pictures of Elaine. While Joe's presence on the show adds a hilariously entertaining element, this particular episode delves into disturbing territory. Clowns already carry a negative reputation, thanks to infamous figures like serial killer John Wayne Gacy and the menacing Pennywise in It. By exploiting the societal fear of clowns, "The Opera" manages to evoke an even more unsettling atmosphere than if Joe had simply dressed in regular attire.

8 Jerry Gives Alcohol To An Alcoholic

In Seinfeld season 3, episode 12, "The Red Dot," Jerry encounters Elaine's new boyfriend, Dick, who is currently in recovery from alcoholism. By accident, Jerry mistakenly hands Dick the incorrect cup during one of Elaine's work events, leading to a relapse in his sobriety. This particular episode of Seinfeld showcases its cleverness by breaking the fourth wall, as Dick heckles Jerry in the stand-up clips that frame the episode. It speaks volumes about Jerry's character that he inadvertently caused a recovering alcoholic to revert to his previous behaviors and then humorously addressed it, despite the unintended consequences. Furthermore, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Jerry's action was unintentional.

7 Jerry's Neighbor Attempts To Take Their Own Life

The theme of characters contemplating suicide became increasingly prevalent on Seinfeld. In Newman's first appearance on the show (season 2, episode 7, "The Revenge"), he is heard off-screen shouting about his intention to jump off the apartment building. However, the darkness intensifies in season 3, episode 15, "The Suicide," when Martin, overcome with despair, attempts to end his own life and falls into a coma instead. Adding to the bleakness, Jerry starts dating Martin's girlfriend while he remains comatose. The remainder of the episode revolves around comedic moments related to this incredibly dark situation, which not only pushes the boundaries of humor but also fails to stand the test of time.

6 Seinfeld Ends With The Gang Going To Prison

5 Kramer Causes A Car Accident By Parking In A Disabled Spot

In the final episode of Seinfeld season 9, titled "The Finale," Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer find themselves standing trial for their failure to help a victim during a mugging, thereby violating the "Good Samaritan law." This episode received criticism for its use of past characters who had grievances against the gang, contributing to its reputation as a clip show. However, despite its divisive reception, the Seinfeld finale concludes in the most fitting manner possible: with the gang being convicted and sentenced to prison. This particular episode stands out as one of the darkest moments in the series, showcasing the unique ability of Seinfeld to tackle such unconventional storytelling.

In "The Handicap Spot," an episode from season 4 of Seinfeld, Kramer compels George to park in a designated space for disabled drivers. This ignites a series of calamitous and sinister events. The plight of a disabled woman unable to find parking culminates in a vehicular collision, demonstrating Kramer's thoughtlessness towards others. It exemplifies his disregard for potentially hazardous situations, aligning perfectly with Larry David's "no learning" principle, as it fails to deter Kramer from perpetuating numerous other errors.

4 George Pushes A Boy & Grandmother When Running From A Fire

George's lack of empathy and self-centeredness reached new heights in Seinfeld season 5, episode 20, "The Fire." While George, a character inspired by Larry David, may have exhibited some selfish behaviors in the past, his actions in this episode were undoubtedly the most reprehensible. Amidst the chaos of a fire erupting at a children's birthday party, George callously shoved aside an elderly woman and a young boy in a desperate attempt to save himself. His complete disregard for the traditional rule of prioritizing the safety of women and children was truly shocking. Despite always being concerned about his image in the eyes of others, George's true nature was exposed to everyone present at that moment.

3 Jerry Drugs His Girlfriend So He Can Play With Vintage Toys

In the "The Merv Griffin Show" episode of Seinfeld's ninth season, Jerry once again reveals his unsettling nature beneath his affable comedian persona. Upon discovering that his new girlfriend possesses a cherished assortment of vintage toys, which she explicitly forbids him from playing with, Jerry's disturbing tendencies come to the forefront. His initial solution is to resort to drugging her, showcasing not just a passing thought, but a calculated action driven by his sinister mindset. Jerry deviously manipulates his girlfriend, administering the drug without her consent, resulting in one of the most chilling moments in Seinfeld.

2 George Is Elated When His Fiancee Dies

1 Jerry Seinfeld Unknowingly Steals The Identity Of A Neo-Nazi Leader

One of the most chilling moments in Seinfeld occurs in season 7, episode 24, titled "The Invitations." This is where Seinfeld takes a truly sociopathic turn as the characters showcase their dark nature. In this episode, Susan, who is engaged to George, tragically dies after inadvertently ingesting poison on the wedding invitation envelopes she licks. Surprisingly, George finds himself filled with pure exhilaration and experiences a level of happiness he has never known before. Shockingly, Elaine, Jerry, and Kramer also share in his delight. George has always been dissatisfied with his relationships, but feeling elated over the death of his fiancée takes his darkness to an entirely new level.

In Seinfeld's season 3, episode 19, titled "The Limo," Jerry assumes a false identity to score a complimentary ride in a luxurious limousine. Unbeknownst to him, the persona he adopts belongs to the leader of a neo-Nazi party, leading him into a thought-provoking encounter with a highly conservative couple who share the limo. This episode not only explores Jerry's morally questionable actions in assuming another person's identity, but also sheds light on the destructive consequences of such ideologies. Despite the darkness of this storyline, it remains timeless as it skillfully employs humor to underscore the absurdity of bigotry.