Seinfeld - TV-PG
Yadda, yadda, yadda -- a classic for teens and up.
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Seen the show?
details
- TV Rating: TV-PG
- Network: TBS, Syndicated
- Cast: Jason Alexander, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Genre: Comedy
- >Available On: DVD
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this famous sitcom, which has become a permanent part of the pop culture lexicon, purposely portrays characters who are selfish, amoral, and not always likeable. Lying, cheating, and gossiping are frequent plot elements. Episodes often center on a character's dating dilemma and include discussions of contraception, masturbation (though the word is never uttered), and personal habits. Teens and parents who enjoy cerebral humor will find much to celebrate in this series, though younger viewers may be bored or confused by the adult dynamics.
Families can talk about the series' situations and characters. Are the situations realistic? What makes the characters appealing, even though they're often mean and selfish? What kind of judgments do the main characters make about the others in the show? What do these judgments say about the characters themselves? How does New York figure into the narrative?
Families can talk about the series' situations and characters. Are the situations realistic? What makes the characters appealing, even though they're often mean and selfish? What kind of judgments do the main characters make about the others in the show? What do these judgments say about the characters themselves? How does New York figure into the narrative?
Message
Social Behavior:
The characters are purposefully drawn as selfish and often amoral in order to develop funny situations. Some Jewish stereotyping. No main or recurring characters of color.
Consumerism:
Some mention of specific brands, especially candy. Jerry uses an Apple computer and is a breakfast cereal fiend.
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Occasional wine drinking in restaurant or party scenes. Cigarettes appear in some episodes, though usually for comic effect (Kramer smokes and drinks at the same time in one episode). Speculation about drug use, but none shown.
Violence
Some slapstick pratfalls and physical violence -- nothing serious, and always played for laughs.
Sex
Lots of discussion about dating. Plenty of innuendo and funny discussion of sex (sometimes veiled, sometimes less-so). One episode centers on a birth control device; another on masturbation (though it's never referred to directly).
Language
Mild: "damn," "ass," "hell," "bitch." One episode revolves around trying to guess a woman's name that rhymes with a part of the female anatomy (possibilities include "Mulva" and "Dolores").
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Sierra Filucci
SEINFELD, the smart, immensely popular '90s sitcom, follows the lives of four single urbanites living in New York City. Seinfeld plays an approximation of himself: a comedian with a cleanliness obsession whose love life rarely gets off the ground due to his tendency to turn tiny issues into huge disasters. Jerry's best friend is George Costanza (Jason Alexander) is neurotic, whiny, and cheap and has terrible luck in relationships, partly due to his own reluctance to commit. Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is Jerry's ex-girlfriend, a self-involved, occasionally bitter writer/editor who, much like Jerry, is in constant pursuit of good-looking dates. And, finally, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) is Jerry's wacky neighbor, whose wild hair and bugged-out eyes match his broad physical comedy style -- most frequently demonstrated when he flies spastically into Jerry's apartment unannounced.
Is it any good?
While most sitcoms that came before it revolved around families or workplaces, Seinfeld was one of the first to deal with the relationship between friends and was, famously, a show about "nothing." The show was created by comedy writer Larry David and stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and the show's characters are based on the two men and their close associates.
The four main characters spend much of their time in Jerry's apartment or at the corner diner complaining, obsessing, and over-analyzing others' behavior. While each character pursues and dates others, the group has a way of unintentionally warding off interlopers and keeping their foursome intact. And somehow, despite each of the four's unpleasant personality characteristics -- no one in the petty, selfish quartet is in any way an ideal role model -- their continuing follies are delightfully appealing.
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 15 reviews.
AWESOME SHOW
Age 13+
Posted on 01/07/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Posted on 06/08/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
Adult Reviews
There are 6 reviews.
AWESOME SHOW
Age 13+
Posted on 01/07/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Kids Reviews
There are 9 reviews.
Posted on 06/08/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
Posted on 04/27/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15
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