The sitcom (situation comedy; see entry under 1950s—TV and Radio in volume 3) Seinfeld, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1998, was one of the most successful programs in television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) history. Created by comedian Jerry Seinfeld (1954–) and writer Larry David (1947–), the series focused on the daily life of a moderately successful New York stand-up comic named Jerry Seinfeld. The main character was self-obsessed, immature, and concentrated on trivial matters and small details. He was surrounded by a core group of three friends: George Costanza (Jason Alexander, 1959–), a short, stocky, balding loser; Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, 1961–), a temperamental, single working-woman; and Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards, 1949–), a bumbling hipster-doofus. The creators referred to their program as the "anti-sitcom" because there was none of the hugging or learning of most situation comedies. The series introduced many colorful characters and memorable catchphrases to the...