4/5. Seinfeld is my all-time favourite TV show. I’ve probably watched each episode 4-6 times – and they only get funnier with repeat viewings. As you can imagine, then, this book was an easy sell.
Armstrong dives deep into the creative process of Seinfeld, in a way that’s balanced, entertaining, and funny. I particularly enjoyed the depth of her research. This isn’t just a story about a lone creative genius – it’s a story about a team. Seinfeld is a testament to writing about things that are deeply interesting to you, no matter how niche or obscure they seem.
Why not 5/5 stars? Well, I suppose I would’ve appreciated more authorial commentary on why the show was successful, and in particular why it’s so re-watchable. The author touches on this, of course, but as a writer who would like to emulate Seinfeld’s success, I would’ve liked more depth.
Overall, though, this is a fantastically readable book that gave me a deeper love for something I already have an incredible passion for. Perhaps what I appreciate the most about Armstrong’s book is that it busts the myth that Seinfeld is “a show about nothing.” I’ve always disagreed with this notion. You only have to look at the tremendous amount of story packed into each hilarious episode to see that it’s actually a show about a lot of things. (Jerry Seinfeld himself described his original pitch as “a show about how comedians get their material,” which I think is more accurate).
Seinfeld was a game-changer. Without it, there probably would’ve been no Sopranos, no Game of Thrones, and probably a lot of other modern shows. Writers everywhere owe it a debt, however small, and this book is essential re-reading for anyone wanting to write a perennially-important story.
