Smash Notes

Acquired

Seinfeld

Seinfeld, which ended three decades ago, has been watched by 72 million Americans so far THIS YEAR. Behind that incredible stat is an equally incredible business story: obsessive creators, perfect market timing, an ownership structure that aligned incentives for the long term…all of which created a sitcom that became number one by breaking all the rules…

Transcript

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Notes

  1. Why Did Jerry Seinfeld Insist on Playing Himself?

    at 29:47 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says Jerry Seinfeld decided that whatever format the project took, he would play himself. Full answer

  2. How Much of Seinfeld Did the Creators Keep?

    at 49:49 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says it is reported that Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David each own 15% of Seinfeld. He says they have all the leverage. Full answer

  3. Why Did Seinfeld Turn Down Fox?

    at 1:07:00 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says Jerry Seinfeld and Castle Rock took NBC's four-episode deal after Fox guaranteed 24 episodes. Full answer

  4. Why Do Seinfeld Episodes Freeze Before They Resolve?

    at 1:14:10 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says Seinfeld keeps the same people and the same rooms across years, and nobody grows. Jerry is always Jerry. George is always George. Full answer

  5. How Did Editing Let Seinfeld Tell the Contest?

    at 1:39:30 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says Seinfeld episodes are not live camera switched. They are edited afterward. Full answer

  6. How Did Seinfeld Grow Past Cheers on Thursday Nights?

    at 2:03:48 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says that in February 1993, Seinfeld moved from Wednesday to Thursday and the ratings rose 57%. Full answer

  7. Why Can You Watch Seinfeld in Any Order?

    at 2:15:44 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal calls Seinfeld the most perfect syndication show ever created. Full answer

  8. How Did Seinfeld Reruns Beat Live Shows?

    at 2:21:35 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says Sony, which he also calls Columbia, earned its keep on the first syndication cycle of Seinfeld. Full answer

  9. How Much Seinfeld Money Did Castle Rock Sell Away?

    at 2:25:13 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says Castle Rock sold to Ted Turner in December 93 for about $400 million. Full answer

  10. How Much Did Jack Welch Offer Jerry Seinfeld?

    at 2:44:03 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says Jack Welch told Jerry Seinfeld the show had not peaked. Full answer

  11. Why Did Ending Seinfeld on Top Keep Paying?

    at 2:50:58 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says it is the taste left in people's mouths. Full answer

  12. Why Did Castle Rock Lose Money on Seinfeld on Purpose?

    at 3:03:03 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal closes the books on Seinfeld's first run on NBC. Ben Gilbert says to leave syndication out. Full answer

  13. Why Did Michael Richards' Remarks Threaten Seinfeld?

    at 3:08:35 · Transcript

    Ben Gilbert says Michael Richards' racist stand-up remarks in 2006 were a problem for the Seinfeld business. Full answer

  14. Why Did Netflix Pay Sony So Much for Seinfeld?

    at 3:11:22 · Transcript

    David Rosenthal says in 2019 Netflix paid Sony a reported sum well over 500 million dollars for five years of worldwide exclusive streaming rights to Seinfeld. Full answer

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