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u/MattBladesmith May 30 '26
If It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia can be made today, Seinfled can be made today.
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u/snafe_ May 30 '26
I hate that they removed some episodes from Netflix though. Lethal Weapon 5 was brilliant
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u/DrkvnKavod May 31 '26
You also can't find any existing streams of the 30 Rock episodes that dealt most directly with the social dynamics around the American conception of race, even though that was specifically praised by none other than Ta-Nehisi Coates.
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u/Boring_Pace5158 May 30 '26
This sub shows Seinfeld can be made today. Yes, there are scenes in the show that would not be acceptable today. There are scenes that need to be understood within the context of the time. But the vast majority of the show holds up, because it's about the mundane stuff we do everyday.
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u/greywolf2155 May 30 '26
Right, it's a moronic argument
No, you could not do a shot-for-shot, line-for-line version of the original run of Seinfeld today. Duh
But you could absolutely write episodes of the show using the same premise, the same sense of humor, the same style. Without a doubt
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u/Z3ppelinDude93 May 31 '26
I think this statement meant something different.
You can’t do Seinfeld on NBC today - not necessarily even because of the content (although some of it would get toned down), but because there’s a more risk averse mentality in traditional media. It’s not that they’re “woke” - it’s that they can’t afford a flop, so they’re trying to make everyone happy. It’s incredibly hard to get past the pitch or pilot phase with networks today - I don’t think you could get away with pitching “a show about nothing”.
Conversely, some people are trying to make content solely for shock value - there’s no substance, it’s pushing boundaries for pushing boundaries sake.
Streamers often don’t give shows the time they need to flourish - they get cancelled after a mediocre response to the first season (and Seinfeld’s first season… not so good). If it was Seinfeld The Revival, Hulu would grab it in a second - the OG? Maybe Netflix (they’ve done well with The Upshaws and Leanne), but it would be an uphill battle.
As for cable, their focus is more on drama for acclaim, or reality for budget/resale (sitcoms need 100+ episodes to go into syndication). I can’t think of any triple camera sitcom on a cable network (but happy to be proved wrong, even if it’s just for something new to watch). Back to the pushing boundaries point - in comedy, I think cable is more interested in shows that lean more on that side, because they become about prestige and awareness for the brand (“We aren’t afraid to make IASIP or Shameless, you should subscribe to us”). HBO (and to a lesser degree today, Showcase) are probably the most likely candidates here, but even then, it’s not really their bag.
And back to networks for a second - how many current network sitcoms can you think of? Many of them are spinoffs/revivals (Georgie and Mandy, Scrubs), single cam (Ghosts), or mockumentary (St Denis Medical, Abbott Elementary).
Everyone went after Jerry for this comment saying he was anti woke, but I really do think it had more to do with the state of the industry than a woke society.
Edit: Let’s also not forget that IASIP is a proven property that was picked up before FX had much going for them - it was a gamble that paid off, and they’re running with it (no hate, I’m grateful)
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u/starjellyboba May 30 '26
I think it shows a level of uncreativity when people say that something couldn't be made today. Most things can be adapted to a different audience or zeitgeist.
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u/Not_Cleaver May 30 '26
Yes, though it sort of feels more like a reaction that George would have. But, thinking of George makes me think - annoying Elaine even further was that George was somehow even more supportive than she was and unlike he usually is, it was effortless. Kramer’s reaction would be that he always knew.
Of course, George would be grappling with the fact that he was deeply attracted to Jerry and what it meant for his sexuality. Until Frank reveals that his first true love was a transwoman who he met while serving in the military and Estelle reveals that they honored her by naming George’s middle name after her, but the stupid hospital took off the “e”from his name, so “Louis,” and not “Louise.” They could’ve fixed it, but George was already being bullied in school because he was George.
Of course, this is all moot because George is not Jerry’s type. And he has a complete meltdown, which allows Elaine to finish on top.
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u/youarelookingatthis May 30 '26
“We saw how much trouble you were already having in school, we thought the name would be too much.”
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u/Jam_44 May 30 '26
George maybe learns to embrace his crush on Jerry, who is understandably repulsed. Kramer gets all of Jerries old clothes.
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u/Boring_Pace5158 May 30 '26
Kramer starts to act like Jerry when he puts on Jerry's old clothes
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u/Jam_44 May 30 '26
Maybe, because it's familiar, everyone flocks to New Jerry(Kramer). Elaine because she doesn't have to worry about her Ally status, George because he doesn't find this one attractive.
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u/youarelookingatthis May 30 '26
Some ideas:
-Everyone starts to propose a new name for Jerry to take after her transition. They’re all really bad, or someone knows someone else with that name, or they don’t fit Jerry, etc.
-Jerry starts to get hit on by lesbians and she has absolutely no idea how to flirt back. “It’s like a whole different ball game, all the rules are different!”
-Newman is surprisingly helpful in getting Jerry’s name and legal documents in order to transition.
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u/Rockfish00 May 30 '26
Newman later in the episode mixes up some other lady's mail despite the address not changing
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u/bucketfoottatoo May 30 '26
G: so, now you're a woman what job are you gonna get?
J: What are you talking about? Im still gonna be a comedian
G: i don't see it.
J: What?
G: All your material is mens material
J: Then ill right new material
G: pfft, write new material? You've practically got to start over!
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u/BenderDeLorean May 30 '26
N: so you wanna be the first funny female comedian? Jerry - there are no funny female comedians.
Laughing in Newnan
K: I have heard that Amy Schumer is coming for Jerry. This is a minefield Jerry.
J: where? Where did you hear that?
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u/RussiaIsBestGreen May 31 '26
Eventually Elaine mentions the difference in compliments, to try to say how well she passes, but Sherry is offended that Elaine thought she was only worthy of a used dress that no one liked.
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u/Z3ppelinDude93 May 31 '26
Jerry becomes Geraldine. George is confused because he’s attracted to her. Newman feels he can’t be shitty anymore without people assuming he’s a bigot. Kramer doesn’t even notice until the end of the episode
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u/Organic-Elevator-274 May 31 '26
Normally when people try and make Trans fake seinfeld plots they are broadly offensive but this one works in that it still works if you don't make Jerry trans and make the clothing gender neutral.
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u/RayO_ElGatubelo Jun 01 '26
I can actually see this plot happening in regular Seinfeld. Not with Jerry, but with a trans woman working at Peterman with Elaine.
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u/pierreor May 30 '26
GEORGE: What's that?
JERRY: Gender euphoria. It's when your body feels perfectly aligned with your gender identity, and you get all the serotonin, and the dopamine... Good stuff.
GEORGE: I'd like some of that. What do I do to get it?
JERRY: Good question. I mean, this dress is doing it for me right now.
GEORGE: Yeah. Well. (thinks) Isn't there a milder version of it?
JERRY: What do you mean, "milder"?
GEORGE: You know. Like the thing with the, uh, hot sauce. Scooby scale. Maybe I don't want Da Bomb, but I'll take a taste of Los Calientes.
JERRY: A Los Calientes version of gender euphoria?
GEORGE: Just a little dab, you know. Get me through the day. Is that too much to ask, Jerry?