Seinfeld: The Totally Unauthorized Tribute

by David Wild

May 14th, 1998, will go down as one of the most significant and historic dates in the annals of television. Such a bold prediction is not mere speculation; it is pure fact. May 14th, 1998 will mark the final original episode in the lives of a one-of-a-kind New York quartet: Kramer, George, Elaine, and, of course, Jerry. May 14th marks the end of "Seinfeld" as we know it.

Popular sitcoms and television dramas have impacted American culture for decades, and devoted viewers have often had to say goodbye to characters they had come to know and rely on for entertainment and, beyond that, guidance, laughter, and escape. "M.A.S.H." and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" started it all, followed by such now syndicated gems as "Taxi," "Dallas," "Hill Street Blues," and "L.A. Law." Who could ever forget Sam Malone locking up "Cheers" for the last time? What viewer didn't miss the endearing Huxtable family when "The Cosby Show" went off the air? But nothing compares to this. Nothing compares to the end of "Seinfeld." Television comedy will forever ripple with the aftereffects of the coveted "show about nothing."

Specific measures must be taken to ensure that the loss of "Seinfeld" doesn't leave America in a chaotic state of Thursday night withdrawal. After all, 30 million people tune in every week to witness Jerry's dating woes, George's hopelessly bad luck, Elaine's trials and tribulations under the watchful eye of J. Peterman, and Kramer's misguided get-rich-quick schemes and bumbling negotiations of Jerry's apartment doorway. For nine years, this crew, and all of the eclectic, primo-New York characters that they have come into contact with, have held television audiences captive with their antics and unprecedented observations of the little details that make up this zany planet. More than that, the words, acts, and thoughts of each distinct character have seeped into the national consciousness, dominating watercooler conversations across the nation.

It is obvious that no one can get enough of this classic comedy. With "Seinfeld" marching into syndication, sure to live on forever in reruns, David Wild's volume of "Seinfeld" facts and history becomes the essential tribute that no viewer can be without. Seinfeld: The Totally Unauthorized Tribute (Not That There's Anything Wrong With That) -- complete with an overall history of the show; a season-by-season, episode-by-episode chronology accompanied by analysis and commentary; a true-or-false quiz to stump even the most dedicated fan; character profiles; and interviews with noted Seinfeld-connected celebrities (Raquel Welch or George Steinbrenner ring a bell?) who expound on what the show meant to them -- becomes the essential encyclopedia for everything you have ever wanted to know about "Seinfeld," the comedian, the show, the legacy. So forge ahead. Take control. Be the master of your domain.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Tv, Cultural

179 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1998

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am frustrated that I have to give a book about Seinfeld, one of the best sitcoms ever, such a low rating. This rating in no way reflects the show, instead it's a reflection on the author who claims to be a huge fan and lover of the show as well. My main reason for my low rating has to do with the author's credibility. On page 94 Mr. Wild is writing about Teri Hatcher's role as Sidra in "The Implant" episode and states: "In the end, Sidra famously walks out on Jerry right after letting him know that they're real and they're fabulous." What? Fabulous?! That wasn't the right word. The word was SPECTACULAR! I don't claim to be the greatest fan or to "know all" about Seinfeld, but that, I knew! In fact, everyone knows that line except for Mr. Wild, apparently, and maybe Teri Hatcher.... in her own words, Wild quotes Teri Hatcher as saying: "People keep coming up to me and saying, "They're real and they're fabulous"". Did Teri really say that? Who are all these people getting that famous line wrong? Was Teri even actually quoted and interviewed for this book? Was anyone else actually interviewed either? Who knows?

Another reason for my low rating is that about half of the book is just an episode by episode synopsis of each episode. I can read the synopsis of each off my DVD's at home. And to top it all off, it doesn't include ALL of the episodes. The book was written during the last season so a handful of episodes didn't make the book.

Also, if it's not too presumptuous of me to add one more dislikeable thing, I don't know how many times Mr. Wild needed to tell the reader how much he loved the "Master of My Domain" episode and pretty much any and all episodes about sex, for that matter. Talk about redundancy!

I do not recommend this book and I'm being generous with my 2 star rating.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the show, which I haven't actually watched in several years now, but I still remembered many of the episodes as they were talked about.

There are some quizzes throughout, and I was a little taken aback that the answer to the last multiple choice quiz was left off the answer key in the back of the book.

The books ends about two thirds through the last season, and I wish publication had been delayed so that the remaining seven episodes could have been covered, since the author knew it was the last season. Oh well.

[Tim Ganotis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly dated (was published before the show even finished) and mostly consisted the author gushing his fondness for the show. How do you compile and publish a book simply based on your enamored attachment to a TV show? Stuffed with useless filler like "True or False?" questions, "Quizzes," and the latter half of the book which was simply an (incomplete) episode guide. Just a waste of time, even for fans of the show. Ridiculous.

[J. Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

The edition I read only went through the ninth season, and the author was way too concerned with appearing to be funny himself. And when he ran of out good information, he had stupid quizzes.

Not bad, but not very good. Just meh.

[Antti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically just a fancy episode guide. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Juan Manuel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I watched all the Seinfeld episodes back in 2022 (took me a long time, I know). And I knew I had this book somewhere as a gift from my parents 20 years back, so I said "What the heck" and read it. The book calls itself an "unauthorized tribute". Emphasis on "unauthorized" as it does very little to honor the series. It lacks humor and wit, and thinks it's a tribute only because it says the series was great every two sentences. I'm sure there are better ways to honor the Seinfeld comedy.
I don't recommend even if you're a diehard Seinfeld fan, do yourself a favor and watch an episode instead, your time will be better spent.

[John Peel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Total fluff. It's a book about the show "Seinfeld" that won't tell you anything you didn't know. The author thinks he's funny, but humor is a difficult things, and I don't think he's funny. The pictures are nice, though.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on the list b/c I got it for Christmas long ago as a teen when I recorded each episode on VHS and used the episode guide in this book to track them and which ones I had seen. Read part so it didn’t take long. Still a huge fan of the show and Curb and still watch both on occasion.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. There are a lot of books like this now, though.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for a great TV show!