Why Do Shows Like Seinfeld Resonate With Audiences Young And Old

One evening my wife and I were out shopping at the local Gamestop. Well, we stood in line there was a mother and son standing ahead of us the child could not have been more than six years old holding a Funko figure the boy then said “mommy I’ve got to have the Kramer” this lead to me having to keep in my laughter but then leaving me to ponder. I will sometimes find myself rewatching Seinfeld every so often. Many individuals both younger and older than me also will go back and re-watch the show this left me wondering why do shows like Seinfeld resonate with audiences young and old today?

After taking some time to rewatch some of the episodes, I figured it out. Many times, in fictional stories, whether they are in games, books, tv or movies they draw the most significant amount of their recurring following from Empathy. People enjoy what they can relate to that also makes them feel good about themselves. Seinfeld has relatable moments in spades. For example, let us look at episode 6 from season 3. In this episode, Seinfeld and friends make a trip to the mall and afterword’s can’t find their vehicle. With that premise alone, the episode begins to form a connection with many people drawing them in with the relatable situation. Though that relatability is vital to keeping the interest of the audience, as the episode continues there is another hook that solidifies the endearment that Seinfeld holds with its ever-continuing fanbase, so let’s take a look at that aspect. When the situation starts the characters begin to react in realistic and yet horrible ways Seinfeld himself gets arrested for peeing in the parking lot and tries to worm his way out of it in the clip seen here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG6b7KJ1Ah0&index=2&list=RDSUsUu3XRJ4I)

This is why the show makes people subconsciously feel better about themselves. They see the situations that the characters involved get into after a long day or week they are relaxing and internally it shows them how much worse it could be. At the same time with the sharp humor entwined in the characters reactions to the events around them brings the viewers much joy even when the punchlines have long since been learned. Their genius was not relying on in-depth surprise to make a long-lasting effect but to preferably in the words of George Costanza make “a show about nothing.”                                                                                                 

The quote is seen here(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQnaRtNMGMI).