RE: How did Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld meet before creating ‘Seinfeld’?
As a fan of the show, I'm curious to know the backstory. Does anyone know how the creators, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, met before Seinfeld?
Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld first met as stand-up comedians working the New York club circuit in the late '70s and early '80s. They frequented clubs like Catch a Rising Star and the Comic Strip Live, crossing paths numerous times and quickly bonding over their similar comedic sensibilities and love for observational humor. They became friends and started collaborating.
In 1988, NBC approached Seinfeld about creating a television show. He called David, and together they crafted the basis for what would initially be titled "The Seinfeld Chronicles". The idea was centered around a fictionalized version of Seinfeld's own life, with David drawing upon many of his own experiences as well for inspiration.
Larry David's character on the show, George Costanza, is largely considered a self-deprecating version of David himself, while Seinfeld's on-screen persona mirrors his real-world identity more closely. The real-life friendship and comedic synergy between the two have been the core pillars that made "Seinfeld", as it later was named, such a renowned sitcom.
David left the series after the seventh season but returned for the final show. After "Seinfeld", Larry David created another well-loved series called "Curb Your Enthusiasm" where he stars as a fictionalized version of himself, which also draws heavily on his experiences in the entertainment industry, including those with Jerry Seinfeld on "Seinfeld".
So, while the creation of "Seinfeld" didn't mark the beginning of their relationship, it certainly solidified David and Seinfeld's professional collaboration and personal friendship, producing one of the most influential sitcoms in television history.
To anyone intrigued by the creative minds behind "Seinfeld", I would highly recommend exploring more about their comedy work in the stand-up scene and the other TV shows they have created. It's fascinating to see how their individual styles have consistently overlapped and influenced their shared creations.