Jerry Seinfeld | The Complete "Pioneers of Television" Interview | Steven J Boettcher

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Jerry Seinfeld talks about writing standup comedy, getting on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, how "Seinfeld" started, Larry David, favorite episodes, his marriage, and why he'll never do a movie.
Director: Steven J Boettcher
Star: Jerry Seinfeld
► About Pioneers of Television
Television’s beloved stars bring their stories to life, offering insider tales and surprising revelations you won’t hear anywhere else. The Emmy-nominated producers of Pioneers of Television open the vault to give you exclusive access.
#PioneersofTelevision #CelebrityInterviews #JerrySeinfeld

[@Low-C-Laura]

The clarity of Jerry’s mind, his ability to slice through the irrelevant like a razor and show the audience the root and heart of any given subject is impressive. (Understatement) But what makes him brilliant IMO is that his subjects aren’t based on politics, global or viral or divisive subject matter but rather the mundane day to day stuff of life. I love hearing about his process because he makes it seem so effortless. Thank god for comedians. Jerry’s at the top of a pretty small heap.

[@theamazingbrokenman]

You're absolutely right. And that's precisely why I find it a bit ironic that the idea for the show came from Larry. That is, even a master like Jerry is second to someone.

[@craigrussell3062]

"Do you want to hear another Clinton dick joke, or do you want to hear a bit about the stopper in the sink?" -Jerry Seinfeld

[@kasperbech156]

Very elegant and true comment that dissect why Jerry S is a genius.

[@robbyrob0723]

Very well said!!!

[@GyroLamb]

yeah but that stuff is life, that's life. that's what we spend most of our life concerned with, all the tiny little stuff we deal with day to day.

[@lynnturman8157]

I could listen to him talk about comedy all day.

[@jimmyc6686]

Yup! Great interview

[@dorothyleach]

Me, too!

[@nickyv1436]

I was gonna say the same thing

[@langdonalger9219]

Better than listening him do stand up.

[@chuckfan1]

@@langdonalger9219 good gawd your a douche. Its all subjective of course, but not to recognize the appeal of something, or the excellence, due to your pushing your personal taste.. such a tool

[@d3xmeister]

“Being a great comedian is not funny, what’s funny is when your friends think you’re not funny, and you are a professional comedian, that’s funny” One of Jerry’s best bits

[@tabularasa7711]

You’re told by your closest that you’re not funny… the question ought to be how did this funny person surround themselves with people who do not get their sense of humour? How would those relationships even develop? Gorgeous woman to Jerry: “I can’t be with anyone I don’t respect.” Jerry: “You’re a cashier!” Gorgeous woman: “I saw your act. It wasn’t funny.” Jerry: “that was an off night”! Gorgeous woman: “I’m sorry”

[@escaton74]

this was the first time I understood the comedy aspect of the Seinfeld series, cause yeah it's not funny at all but given the circumstances it kinda is

[@normanham6142]

From what I’ve heard through several interviews of Jerry & Larry David, they both recall the writing together as one of their best memories. What a synergy. A show about “Nothing”!

[@hunkydorian]

I think that that "show about nothing" follows in the footsteps of Jack Benny.

[@tabularasa7711]

Beautiful comment. And then Jerry’s love of Eddie Murphy’s audience heckle “You Ain’t Nobody!”

[@1017Fortunato]

Man I love this guy. The show Seinfeld is hands down the best sitcom EVER!!!

[@AiVaultGuy]

he's not that funny, he's a medoicre comedian, he got really lucky with the seinfeld show and mostly thanks to the other actors

[@1017Fortunato]

It was a collaboration of all parties but we’re not going to diminish his greatness. Clearly a lot of people think he is funny. No one is trying to convince YOU that he is. You are entitled to your own opinion.

[@Deira854]

Ai vault he and Larry David wrote most of that show. So you are fool to say he is not funny

[@josephlegaspi6466]

I’m

[@robfiedler2139]

Not everyone would necessarily describe him as an intense person because he appeared relaxed on the show. But you can tell from his eyes that he’s very intense and totally committed. You can’t achieve that level of success in comedy without being that way.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

I agree, so focused and 100% invested.

[@engineeringoyster6243]

He has talked about pretending to be confident early in his career because the audience enjoyed watching him appear to be confident. Comedians will say any sequence of words if there is a laugh at the end.

[@AiVaultGuy]

he's not that funny, he's a medoicre comedian, he got really lucky with the seinfeld show and mostly thanks to the other actors

[@barrybarnes96]

@@AiVaultGuy How do those sour grapes taste? Good right? lol...why is your face all screwed up like that eating those grapes? lol.

[@AiVaultGuy]

@@barrybarnes96 a tua kota

[@joemedley195]

Larry gave the show edginess. Jerry gave the show likability.

[@sirgeoh]

yin yang

[@gunnymaru2900]

​@@Saturn5-.....The only good thing the Jews ever did, the birth of Jerry Seinfeld

[@garrettchristopher3462]

I like Seinfeld. Love Curb your enthusiasm

[@mellow5123]

I love Jerry. National treasure right there.

[@buckhorncortez]

Next, you're going to claim he's "underrated" for lack of anything original to say...

[@charlie-obrien]

@@buckhorncortez We gotta get these guys off the "National treasure" and "so underrated" comments. They drive me batty.

[@gunnymaru2900]

​@@charlie-obrienthey are very cliche, but for Seinfeld, I'll let it slide.

[@jaciwoodsirvine]

Humility is charming

[@rawpower12xu]

I think I like to hear Jerry talk about comedy more than seeing his actual act nowadays. It’s like watching a comedy sensei that might not be able to beat the young warriors but he sure knows the moves better than anybody

[@glennover6046]

Great analogy!

[@kbean226]

I like his stand up but I love listening to him talk about comedy, the process of creating jokes, how he handles life in general and life as a famous person. And his use of TM and exercise to keep his life balanced and prevent depression. Very interesting person.

[@clicheguevara5282]

He's not even in my top 20 of standups, but I've spent countless hours listening to him talk about the craft.

[@mikearchibald744]

DItto, he's clearly a smart and 'applied' guy. I think he's wrong about comedy, I think it was that way for him, because he did have to work and he wasn't that funny. He's perfectly made for the Tonight Show because he's not blue and doesn't have an edge, he's the McDonalds of comedy. He just basically 'wills' himself forward. And now that he's old he's accumulated a lot of knowledge, not a genius, for but us non comedians it seems like a lot. I remember Eric Idle joking that people think comedians are brilliant because they can make people laugh, but in large part its media that makes them seem that way. MOST television shows fail because they stink. Seinfeld kind of stunk for that first year, maybe even two. It owes its success as much to network executives as Seinfeld or David. I did't find it got real funny til David left and a new crop of writers came in.

[@rawpower12xu]

@@mikearchibald744 You thought Seinfeld got funnier when Larry David left? For me that’s when it fell off the rails, it got increasingly more outrageous and cartoony. The characters were so over the top in general. Kramer was borderline crazy, George was so pathetic, etc. I disagree on that.

[@barbaracranford527]

Remember when he started out, and always enjoyed his comedy. I think he is a quiet genius, doing his form of art because he loves it, and it shows. I hope he keeps going many more years.

[@englishwithviviana]

I love it when he laughs spontaneously. Plus it's a pleasure to listen to him and find out all the details about how he creates magic.

[@hamhead2765]

Seinfeld is so self aware and he's brilliant and charmingly articulate at expressing his insights.

[@yeahyeahyeah5089]

Jerry IS comedy..... everything about him is comedic... the way he speaks, the way he moves, his facial expression are so comedic.

[@moteleyes2]

I loved Seinfeld. 😍 Jerry is a classic and he had such a unique way of delivery and communicating. He was my favorite character on the show. 😘😃

[@suefox6164]

I always love listening to Jerry. He's the first comedian that I've seen who tells the story of how he got started and what it's really all about.

[@davidmullens7565]

The " word precision" of Jerry is truly remarkable. He opens windows during his discourse which illuminates the fine art of his comedy better than anyone I've ever heard when describing ones craft.

[@aristotle736]

Bob Costas interviewed Seinfeld on his late late night show over 20 yrs ago. Afterwards he marveled on how MUCH Jerry knew about his craft as a comic.

[@strattonskier7229]

Best interview I’ve ever had, explains some basics of comedy. He is brilliant.

[@froggieredcliffe8097]

Jerry is so humble talking about his first Stand Up Comedy Show. It is only natural that any performer would be nervous or apprehensive at first. I can imagine that Jerry's brain never stops thinking up new ideas, he is doing what he loves and now he is a Legend. Thank you The Upper West Side........... the Power of TV The audience Should turn on you if you are not good If two guys are stupid watching them trying to work it out is going to be funny I could listen to Jerry talk all day.......... he was so right to not try to follow up after "Seinfeld". It was the TOP, the Dessert and could not be surpassed.

[@BeverlyMurphy-ii2wp]

BORING. SORRY Jer

[@markkearns4802]

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld is a perfect marriage … but their assembly of characters was truly their brilliance. That cast of characters just got better and better. I would argue that Kramer was really the glue that kept their whole show entertaining. A sprinkle of Elaine and a dash of George … the best sitcom ever!

[@facethestrange15yearsago81]

It's a man made prison

[@eazye519]

What are you talking about? George was easily the best character on the show. It's not even close.

[@Applecompuser]

Yes. Jerry’s deliveray and Larry David’s dark sensibility. (As well as writer Larry Charles among many other good ones.)

[@stretchrandom]

@@eazye519 I agree.. that show without George would've been done in 3-4 seasons, Kramers physical comedy is great but would've had a shelf life without George, the greatest sitcom character in television history

[@g_aware_nerd]

Damn it I loved this. This man knows how to give a masterclass so casually

[@almaguapa-sailboatliveaboa440]

George-Kramer golf ball was the funniest tv sketch I’ve seen. Laughed so hard. 😂😂😂

[@juliekostas7322]

I love his focus, passion and work ethic.

[@Milestonemonger]

I absolutely love his low key, classical comedy

[@katelanxner6483]

Self made man and excellent communicator. Thank you Jerry for taking the time to explain all this and for Seinfeld and your stand-up work! Love your new book too! You're the best.

[@tabularasa7711]

“Woah big fella” - yes, funniest moment out of 9 seasons. Connect 2 storylines unexpectedly. “Short wire” communicating between artist and audience… saying something funny and the response (laughs). Learning to be a boss when this person has possibly/probably been fired from or at least quite awkward in every other job they tried to do. A massive thank you Jerry. Learned more here than in many semesters of a PhD program

[@magicjim1]

EASY, big fella!

[@freeinghumanitynow]

One of my fave comedians of all time. He's just always so articulate and chill plus he's gorgeous. 😍😍😍

[@annehajdu8654]

I always thought he was sexy.

[@noblecamel]

Love Jerry. Sound mind, honest and articulate

[@jgp9260]

I did the whole "did you tip him?" "How much did you tip?" in a whisper thing yesterday! So funny.

[@michabuona]

That "left" joke... so simple, yet still so funny

[@Boygonebad]

I enjoy listening to him talk about the art of comedy just as much as I enjoy watching him perform stand up.

[@mikearchibald744]

Usually more. But given netflix and youtube its weird to call this the 'pioneers of television' because the nineties were pretty much the END of what we think of as television.

[@donniemoder1466]

Jerry has good teeth for comedy. Very good interview. I like how he sometimes laughs at his own stuff, usually doesn't but sometimes does.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Yeah, billionaires often ave great teeth.....

[@briccc4why518]

Man, that was great. I was bummed when it was over. I hope Jerry one day writes a very in depth autobiography.

[@arlenemulqueeney7891]

Jerry is worth. Listening to . He is a comic genius and we are all better off for his gift. Great interview glad I stumbled onto it.❤

[@stevenpreston4597]

He is so honest and sincere. You'd be an instant friend if you ever met him. No wonder Jay and Jerry are close friends.

[@deannahowe9603]

Mr. Seinfeld, you are a genius. We have watched every episode of "Seinfeld" probably 30 times. We are not TV-watchers, for the most part. But Seinfeld is amazing. How do you come up with this? And tie it all together in the end? Ok, truly genius. We love you... Matt & DeAnna Howe

[@standardschnauzerusa]

I really enjoyed this video. So many of life's lessons wrapped up in this interview that could be applied to whatever you desire to accomplish! Thank you Jerry.

[@LIFTINGTHEVEIL]

I love jerry! I think hes one of the funniest of all time and seinfeld is the funniest show of all time. His comedy is genuine, real, smart and wholesome. Makes you happy 🥰🍿😂🙏

[@timothydavey2406]

As ever with him; articulate and fascinating.

[@karenf9564]

I love it when he laughs.

[@billenglish6352]

I do whatever Jerry brings my attention to. He is the only human being currently alive that makes any sense to me. He has an infinite sense of what it means to not be Jerry. He knows smugness is an act. We humans have nothing to be smug about. Even when your life is perfect, you're still in a ridiculous situation.

[@FRNKNSTNmusic]

Lol good comment

[@GR_BackingTracks]

When he talks about getting his first laugh, it's the same exact feeling I got when someone gave me my first tip as a busker... No idea it would pay off, and then BAM the world woke up! Like a cold glass of water in the face.

[@Mexxx65]

For me, it was when I was playing blues on my guitar in a small pub, and got my very first claps!

[@maryjensen5310]

Jerry talks like he just got lucky when he went on stage the first time and people laughed. But he put in a tremendous amount of work and effort to get there and continued doing the work to get his tv show. I respect him for that.

[@annehajdu8654]

The word "blowhole" in itself is funny.

[@reneepolin6549]

Being on the Johnny Carson show was like the Holy Grail of Comedy

[@specialk5548]

Jerry's show is like Lucy forever a real classic you never get bored of,. It's a show about absolutely nothing !! 😂💖👍💨🇺🇸

[@brettrobinson2901]

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[@christopherkalble4373]

I remember Jerry saying he never watched I Love Lucy. Has never even seen a Lucy episode. Lucy was over rated as a comedian. But she and Desi were masters at the way shows were produced.

[@BenSkyLakewood]

Love Jerry's Honesty.

[@donnacsuti4980]

Great listening to this talk. You didn't know the why you liked it so much but in the end you gave the world the gift of laughter which we all need so much just to keep going and sane so thanks for choosing comedy as your career, you're very good at it

[@someone1]

Good job on starting to post the full interviews, keep going! 👍

[@robertstewart239]

I love how in every interview he chooses a different favourite moment in the series. Here, it's the marine biologist!

[@greenpilgrimz3763]

Thx Jerry! Was a very informative interview.

[@Bixfan78]

I think there was a "lesson learned" in the show's final episode, where they were sent to prison for their lack of compassion. I think many viewers disliked this episode because it dawned on them that Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer were not lovable, they were incredibly selfish and their self-centeredness hurt a lot of people. So, the show had a moral center that its central characters did not.

[@gforce9342]

That’s a really great point. Their selfishness was sometimes annoying to me but I get that it was part of the whole gag.

[@jwylie7820]

And, the last joke he told in the last episode was a callback to the first joke he told in the first episode!

[@MikeMusicandMotivation]

He’s a smart comedian and knows how to connect the dots

[@honeyafun7450]

he's so pure hearted and humble and lovely

[@peter2021]

Jerry is the proof that good & smart comedians can succeed without cursing.

[@CHDean]

John Mulaney could learn SO much here.

[@Lebowski333]

He used to curse and it bothered him that jokes didn’t work without the curse.

[@lavatar3562]

Fascinating interview. Great lessons for any upcoming comedian. 🙏

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

Standup comedy is 10 percent material and 90 percent delivery. It takes a veritable comic genius to integrate the two to the point of joyous laughter, of which Seinfeld is one.

[@johnheart6890]

Not only a great comedian, also a teacher and ambassador of Comedy with a capital C.

[@rachel9946]

Fascinating interview.

[@GerryBarnumMusic]

So good and so candid

[@moaningpheromones]

28:45 very good segment - at 29:24 Jerry: 'We killed ourselves to make those shows as good as they were'. Yes - easy to see watching Seinfeld episodes. A lot of people will appreciate the pride and effort beyond any monetary reward. Their pride in their work was priceless.

[@QBAN2010]

Those last ten minutes are incredibly insightful and some perspectives I had never thought of….

[@JeremeyHowlett]

We need more comedy television shows like Seinfeld’s.

[@energybrown]

Great interview!

[@abrarqadir503]

great interview

[@annehajdu8654]

Educational and funny throughout this interview.

[@thanksfernuthin]

Awesome interview. I love Jerry Seinfeld. I think he's great. I've seen some people complain that he's too smug. I don't see him that way. He knows what he thinks. He knows what he likes. He knows what he doesn't like. All crucial to being a comedian. He set a task as a young man to be the best at one thing. If you're into comedy, ignore him at your peril. I just heard about his book "Is This Anything?" today. I'm going to buy it right now. This pushed me over the edge.

[@danfuller478]

24:32 "Two idiots sitting around talking is an endless vein of comedy gold. I don't understand why more don't do this." Jerry's been pounding this theme for a long time and he's so right. Such a rich comedy tradition.

[@timsmethurst3508]

I used to tell my friends when we were younger, "we should be taping this, people would be cracking up "

[@sorinichim4737]

Would we have in the future another individual like Jerry? I don't know! He is genuinely unique

[@annehajdu8654]

And genuinely funny.

[@tapduff]

LOVE Jerry!! Fantastic interview!!

[@snagig]

Thanks!

[@renieryjimenez3955]

What an amazing interview.

[@adilsonrandi]

Big big big fan of this guy

[@aarondyer.pianist]

"Frankenstein and the villagers..." LOL

[@johnps30]

Best interview ever about how Jerry works and how he picks and chooses across time across a wide variety of interests. Extraordinarily reflective and precise in sharing what he’s discovered. Reminds me of both of Stephen Sondheim and Woody Allen’s talks about how they work - and the dedication they all have for excavating excellence in their chosen fields. And an appreciation for those who share similar dedication and success.

[@mc99297]

Such honesty I admire,,

[@johnforeman634]

The funny thing is, me and my friends, as well as probably thousands of other groups of friends still quote lines from that show and they STILL elicit laughter from us. Especially if we really place a funny line perfectly with whatever is going on with us. They are just some of the funniest lines ever!

[@robertmacivor3786]

So interesting to see how his mind works. He's such a process person. The funny is broken down to the way a word is expressed.

[@facethestrange15yearsago81]

I'm realising now that two funny people finding eachother like Larry and Jerry did, is quite rare. So hard to find someone that you don't bump heads with.

[@asamtaviajando8388]

Just so funny, man! 😂😂 the Jew and the guard thing… haha perfect!

[@marieann5463]

Jerry Seinfeld to me is a brilliant comedian love his humor. Enjoyed watching him on his show and he's so unpretentious. 😂

[@annehajdu8654]

Yes.

[@gateofdreams]

Without getting into the concept/argument of wether he was or not a pioneer of television ... I acknowledge Jerry Seifeld as a master of his craft. He is a brilliant individual and in this very candid interview anyone can see why. He rounds up his concepts in solid logic and he is "word accurate" as any aspiring comedian should always strive to be. An true american classic.

[@ravisbanda]

What amazes me is the thinking behind the comedy or joke making. Also, his saying that he never knew how good he really was - is something I'll also keep in mind.

[@PrinceDepecheMode]

Wow.. great interview

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Kramer’s golf ball. pretty pretty good When did he do this interview? I also like the fact that he’s not dressed like a slob and went to the trouble of wearing a tie and jacket, which is something you don’t see too often anymore.

[@charlie-obrien]

That's correct. He could just show up ensconced in velvet, but he puts in the effort.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

@@charlie-obrien As far as I’m concerned appearances still count for something.

[@ShootMeMovieReviews]

That surprise he talks about at the start is the element of his success that is lucky. His comic sensibility happens to be broadly appealing. Where luck ceases to matter is in then parlaying that talent into commercial success. He not only worked his ass off, but he applied that effort in the right areas. There are comedians that you hear about a lot, and people say, "That guy's the funniest comic in the world. Why isn't he more popular?" The answer is usually either that their brand of humor only appeals to a narrow audience, or they just haven't learned the business of selling their 'brand'. Seinfeld is enormously successful because he has both bases covered.

[@raymondwilson293]

Awesome ♥️. The sock that didn't make it is the earliest joke i remember hearing. i loved the series so much I looked up the scripts and read them as i watched. I saw Jerry live one time in Tampa about five years ago (great show). He had a website i found he said was for young comedians... it just disappeared though. Grateful he still performs.

[@personaldata1270]

This is a beautiful interview thanks for doing this and especially for doing it right

[@gamaplayer3]

Very good thanks a lot

[@geeeeeeeee787]

That's gold Jerry!

[@aokchemdry60102]

19:31 thanks for reminding me of that scene. I got a good laugh watching this reminding me on that.

[@m.n.d5949]

What i love about Jerrys attitude in life which he portrays in Seinfeld too is that when something good happens to him he accepts it. So he explained going on a gold hunt and the first rock picked having gold underneath as to getting his first roaring laugh from the audience for his first joke. U see most of us would take that gold and immediately think " oh thats beginners luck, its downhill from here " and not really accept that its happening for you. Instead he went ok great it worked so im definitely going to continue in this and its going to go great for me. And so it did. Also side note about his sense of comedy is the sheer observation of collective human behavior that is almost norm to most and the self importance given by people to ways of relating to each other and how to approach problematic situations and he observes it in a humourous way almost making a mockery of society and culture at large with its customs and ways of behaving almost as ridiculous and pointless and the over obsession of self importance in the way we gloat about our problems or successes and thats what makes these obvious facts hilarous when viewed from his eyes. He laughs at humans and laughs at life in general and does not take it too seriously. The only thing hes serious about is in finding more facts to prove that its not serious and thats whats so funny about it all. Love the man. Thanking him and larry immensely for seinfeld and jason, julia and Micheal for making what is probably the most accurate depiction of general human life when viewed without bias. Ridiculously hilarious.

[@Sokrabiades]

Gold, Jerry! Gold!

[@MadalenavanZeller]

“It’s not hard to get a laugh. What’s hard is to get a laugh on Tuesday at 8 o’clock.”

[@barflytom3273]

that was some rock of gold indeed!

[@asteverino8569]

Thanks Jerry Seinfeld. You said so much and it mostly made good sense. Go figure. "Really, is almost isn't.

[@klauznewsnow9436]

It’s gold Jerry, gold!

[@neweyes2947]

My humor as an adult makes a lot of sense now . I watched a lot of Seinfeld as a kid , something’s I understood some things I didn’t. I really think it showed me to be a good sport and not take things too serious.

[@luminair11]

Love Jerry and have watched Seinfeld series twice....all episodes! Loved Elaine as much.....a great team of actors and comedians in this show!

[@dustinpicard1236]

I watched it with my father in highschool....... just him and i had a time.....him and i made that our time ......im grown up now and my father has the whole set and hes retire.......so not only is jerry like a feeling if fatherly time ......ever since i have wanted to be a father.......jerry reminds me of who i became

[@chuckgriffith4539]

Cool to hear Jerry walk down memory lane..

[@chriscolfer2915]

Thank you jerry 😊🇺🇸