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Arts & Entertainment

Can You Believe <em>Seinfeld</em> Ended 15 Years Ago Today?


By

Jen Carlson

Published May 14, 2013

Modified May 14, 2013


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By

Jen Carlson

Published May 14, 2013

Modified May 14, 2013


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Seinfeld ended its nine year run on May 14th, 1998—15 years ago to the day—with one of the most viewed, talked about, and controversial finales on television.

"The Finale" brought together the entire cast, and all of the smaller players that appeared throughout the years—co-creator Larry David even returned to write the script for the episode. Some loved it, some hated it, some are still bitter about it. Gothamist wasn't even around back then to chime in, but the day after it aired the NY Times called it "hilarious," and Seinfeld "at its best: mordant, unsentimental... wildly self-referential and slightly surreal."

The last moments were viewed by 76.3 million people, and the episode is still the sixth most-watched entertainment event that ever hit the small screen. While the beloved show was branded as the show about "nothing," at the moment it faded to black Seinfeld kind of started becoming a show about something—how many times do you still reference it in your life?

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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