"The Show 'Seinfeld' - Rise of the Anti-Hero from the Unscripted Realm"
In the world of television comedy, two American shows from the 1980s and 1990s stand out as groundbreaking: "Seinfeld" and "Dream On." Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, "Seinfeld" was initially met with confusion by audiences and critics, who mistook it for a fictional show about nothing. This unique style of humor, centred around everyday social minutiae, set it apart from the popular family sitcoms of the 1980s.
On the other hand, "Dream On," created a few years earlier, was characterized by its use of archive footage from older television shows as part of the main character’s narration and storyline. This meta-comedy show, with its adult themes, had a more limited international impact compared to "Seinfeld."
In France, "Seinfeld" gained a cult following, despite its humor—dry, situational, and culturally specific—being difficult for non-American audiences to fully appreciate. French viewers often prefer sitcoms with a strong narrative or character-driven drama. "Dream On," on the other hand, remains mostly obscure in France.
Here's a brief comparison:
| Aspect | Seinfeld | Dream On | |----------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Style | Sitcom about everyday social minutiae, "no hugging, no learning" | Meta-comedy using old TV clips, adult themes | | Popularity in France | Gained cult following, moderate mainstream success | Mostly obscure, limited French audience | | International Reach | Widely syndicated globally | Limited reach, lesser-known outside U.S. | | Humor Type | Dry, situational, culturally American | Meta, self-referential, more niche adult humor |
Despite limited French media reception data, it's clear that "Seinfeld" and "Dream On" had distinctly different receptions, both in France and internationally.
"Seinfeld" was initially criticised for its "too Jewish, too New York" tone and humor, and it took several years to find its audience. However, when it did, it became highly popular, with the series finale on May 14, 1998, drawing 76 million viewers. The phrase "a show about nothing" only appeared in "Seinfeld" when its ratings were soaring, and it became the defining description of the series in its fourth season.
"Seinfeld" was first broadcast in France in 1993, on Canal Jimmy and then on Canal+. Interestingly, the fictional show that Jerry and George try to sell NBC in "Seinfeld" is also called "a show about nothing." This meta narrative arc of the series itself is one of its unique features.
Meanwhile, "Dream On" was a year later than "Seinfeld," and it was reviewed in the French press in an era where understanding of television series and sitcoms was limited. Despite its innovative use of meta-humor and adult themes, "Dream On" did not achieve the same global syndication or cultural penetration as "Seinfeld."
On the day of the "Seinfeld" series finale, thousands of people gathered in Times Square, a testament to the show's enduring popularity. Five years later, the final episode of "Friends" attracted 52 million viewers, demonstrating the lasting impact of these iconic shows on American television.
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