Jonathan Hayman - Seinfeld Writer

Jonathan Hayman wrote for Seinfeld which was a popular American television show for nearly ten years. Jerry Seinfeld was the star of the cutting edge TV show; he and the combination of characters cast in the sitcom were a unique grouping. One of the reasons this show worked so well was due to the humor found in everyday minutia that we all deal with on some degree. Another reason is the delightful chemistry between Jerry, Kramer, George and Elaine, the main characters.

This TV show played in prime time slots for half an hour episodes each week. They lasted for nine seasons before decided to retire the show before it was canceled. It was still extremely popular and is called “the greatest television program of all times” by some sources. Although the actual program is no longer in existence, syndication of it allows it to still appear on the networks plus is available in DVD format. Some fans have copies of every single episode.

Jerry Seinfeld was a stand-up comic originally, a fact that is certainly easy to believe as he delivers his lines. Timing and edginess are everything in a comic and he had both. The series was actually based loosely on his own life, in which he found humor in the oddest and most random of everyday moments.

Kramer was played by Michael Richards. Kramer’s first name was Cosmos but he was usually referred to by his last name by his friends. He lived in the apartment across the hall from Jerry and was the partner-in-crime or butt of many hilarious jokes. He had a way of entering a room that was even funny. His fictional occupations included being a non-fiction writer, bagel shop employee and actor. More often than not, however, Cosmos Kramer was unemployed.

George Constanza was played by Jason Alexander, a friend of Jonathan Hayman. His character was that of a relatively neurotic business man and self described “slow witted bald man.” Who can forget his fiancée’s death after licking envelopes to their wedding that contained poisonous stickiness? Bad enough, but when George was relieved to not have to marry her after all, we knew he had a dark side. He was a bit selfish and dominated by his parents. He had multiple jobs including real estate agent, hand model, screenwriter and salesman.

Elaine was played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Her character was idiosyncratic, opinionated and she was a terrible dancer. Her job was that of a personal assistant to a Mr. Pitt. Louis-Dreyfus won awards for her portrayal of Elaine, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Many of these characters are loosely based on friends and neighbors of Mr. Seinfeld. Many of the scenes are played out in a restaurant called “Monk’s Café” in the sitcom. “Monk’s Café” is actually a restaurant on 112th and Broadway in Manhattan. The actual restaurant is called “Tom’s Restaurant.” Tom’s has been around since the 1950’s and was even written about in a female musician’s rock song.

Seinfeld sitcom series began in the summer of 1989 and lasted through 1998. It was enjoyed by many and still forms pieces of American pop culture today. The writers for this TV show were geniuses in the comedy of the everyday.