Introduction
To label “Seinfeld” as a triumph in television history would be an understatement. However, Jason Alexander, known for his role as George Costanza in all but one episode, believes that the show’s success may have inadvertently harmed the television industry. In a 1998 Charlie Rose interview, Alexander recounts the tale of how he, alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine), and Michael Richards (Kramer), fought for a pay increase during the show’s tenure.
Concerns of Typecasting
Alexander, who is known to be thoughtful, soft-spoken, and quietly confident, the polar opposite of his character George, explained that during season 5 of “Seinfeld,” he, Louis-Dreyfus, and Richards began to feel that remaining on the show offered no further benefits. They feared that the success of “Seinfeld” could become a double-edged sword, leading to them being typecast in future roles. Unfortunately, Alexander’s fears proved to be valid; out of the three, only Louis-Dreyfus has successfully broken away from her “Seinfeld” character in the public’s eye, as demonstrated by her role as Selina Meyer in HBO’s political satire “Veep.”
Exploring Syndication
Initially, the trio attempted to share in the show’s syndication success. Syndication, a practice now lost in the era of streaming TV, involves a network leasing their shows to other stations. Being part of a popular syndicated show could be lucrative due to residuals, which are payments for the reuse of completed work. A show like “Seinfeld” would be a desirable addition to many TV stations’ schedules due to its ability to attract a large number of viewers, leading to constant reruns and a steady flow of residual payments. The actors were earning money from both their salaries and residuals, but they were aware that NBC was profiting millions from each syndicated episode, leading them to request a share of these profits. NBC initially refused, until the time came to renew the show for another season.
The “Success Formula”
“I want to leave the most successful half-hour in the history of television knowing that I never have to work again,” stated Alexander. He, Richard, and Louis-Dreyfus proposed a “success formula” that contributed to the profitability of the show. They believed that they constituted one-fifth of the success of “Seinfeld,” alongside Jerry Seinfeld himself, co-creator Larry David, the other writers, and the rest of the team. Their initial offer was $1 million, which was met with laughter by NBC. The three eventually settled for around $600,000 per episode upfront, a decision that Alexander believes was “detrimental to television” as it led to actors from less successful shows demanding similar salaries. He cited the $1 million per episode deal that Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt received for “Mad About You” as an example of this trend (via Entertainment Weekly).
Conclusion
In summary, the success of “Seinfeld” not only catapulted its cast into the limelight but also sparked a salary revolution that changed the dynamics of the television industry. While it led to increased earnings for some, it also resulted in typecasting and unrealistic salary expectations for others. As the television industry continues to evolve, the impact of “Seinfeld” and its cast remains a significant part of its history.
FAQs
Who is Jason Alexander?
Jason Alexander is an American actor, best known for his role as George Costanza on the hit television show “Seinfeld.”
What is syndication in the television industry?
Syndication is a practice in the television industry where a network leases its shows to other stations. This allows the show to be rerun on multiple channels, often leading to increased residuals for the actors.
What is the “success formula” that the “Seinfeld” cast proposed?
The “success formula” was a proposal by Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards where they requested a share of the profits from the syndication of “Seinfeld.” They believed that they contributed significantly to the success of the show and deserved a portion of the profits.
How did the “Seinfeld” cast’s salary negotiations impact the television industry?
The salary negotiations led to a significant increase in the actors’ earnings per episode. This set a precedent in the industry, leading to actors from other shows demanding similar salaries, which Jason Alexander believes was detrimental to the television industry.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
