10 Sitcoms That Tried To Be The New Seinfeld

In an innovative approach to situational TV comedy, Seinfeld revolutionized the genre by minimizing its components and providing a self-aware examination of what truly constitutes sitcom humor. The series’ plot was simple, often poking fun at itself in its fourth season. However, it found solid grounding in humor drawn from exaggerated real-life situations, surpassing any comedy show that came before it in this regard. The witty storytelling of Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, and their exceptionally talented writing team, combined with the unparalleled acting skills of the Seinfeld cast, resulted in a sitcom unlike any other.

In the wake of Seinfeld‘s extraordinary ratings triumph, many TV executives, producers, comedians, and writers attempted to liken their productions to the sitcom. During the mid-1990s, these TV executives took a gamble on numerous shows they claimed would be the next Seinfeld. However, the secret sauce that made one of the greatest sitcoms of all time was not something that could easily be replicated elsewhere. Fortunately, most of the shows that lasted for several seasons eventually outgrew the comparison by evolving in their own unique directions. Nevertheless, this didn’t deter others from attempting the same strategy a decade later.

10. Ellen

1994–1998

Ellen DeGeneres, well-known stand-up comedian, had dabbled in sitcom television before, but this time around, her show was distinct. Instead of just relying on her established comedy skills, it embraced her observational humor style. Additionally, the fictional character she portrayed was a reflection of her real-life comedic persona. To make things more interesting, as its original name, These Friends of Mine, suggests, it introduced her to a group of eccentric and not entirely lovable friends for her to act alongside, similar to the show called ‘Friends’ that came out around the same time with a similar title.

Ellen, produced by ABC, was a show that bore striking similarities to Seinfeld on NBC, and both series competed fiercely in television ratings for four consecutive years, with Seinfeld emerging victorious.

9. Friends

1994–2004

It could be argued that calling “Friends” a “wannabe Seinfeld” might seem a bit unjust. Truth be told, it’s an exceptional sitcom with its unique flair from the beginning. However, it’s important to remember that Friends was initially proposed as a competitor to Seinfeld, featuring more endearing characters. The core concept – a group of friends socializing in New York and drinking coffee – bears striking similarities.

Indeed, the two series have distinct styles and comedic approaches. However, it’s worth noting that ‘Friends’ did draw inspiration from several plotlines in ‘Seinfeld’ over time.

8. The Drew Carey Show

1995–2004

Following closely behind Ellen, another sitcom named “The Drew Carey Show” emerged, featuring a standup comedian playing the main character alongside three friends. Interestingly enough, these companions included a shrewd but disillusioned underachiever, an overly exuberant immature man, and a female friend who eventually became Drew’s love interest.

It’s clear that Drew Carey had a strong affection for the main characters from Seinfeld. His idea was to place them in a more everyday environment, where they held ordinary jobs within the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The humor in this show may not reach the same level as Seinfeld at its peak, but Carey deserves recognition for taking his characters out of the sitcom bubble that New York had become, at least.

7. The Single Guy

1995–1997

Originally crafted by Brad Hall, a former SNL cast member and partner of Elaine Benes actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The Single Guy” revolves around the life of a struggling New York writer and his companions. To put it simply, while Jerry Seinfeld’s sitcom character was financially stable, the main character, Jonathan Eliot, is fighting to achieve success and meet his financial obligations.

Nevertheless, the show titled “The Single Guy” failed to offer anything unique and was heavily criticized for copying elements from “Seinfeld“. The character Sam Sloan, a close friend of Jonathan’s, bears striking resemblance to George Costanza in traits. An appearance by David Schwimmer as his character Ross Geller from “Friends>” merely underscored the fact that “The Single Guy” was simply mimicking its contemporaries. It managed to run for only two seasons before being canceled.

6. Caroline in the City

1995–1999

If you could easily notice that “The Single Guy” closely resembled “Seinfeld,” then “Caroline in the City” stepped up the game when it came to imitation. The show was essentially a reflection of “Seinfeld,” but with the main characters’ genders swapped.

In contrast to Jerry Seinfeld, who was a standup comedian, the main character Caroline, portrayed by Lea Thompson from “Back to the Future,” was a cartoonist. However, they shared many similarities; both had an ex-boyfriend, a financially struggling and cynical friend, a quirky neighbor, and even a character reminiscent of Seinfeld’s Newman. Additionally, Caroline in the City existed within the same world as Frasier, allowing characters and actors from the more well-known sitcom to make appearances in Caroline in the City.

5. Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000–2024

Compared to other sitcoms on the list, Curb Your Enthusiasm stands out because it and another show were both created by Larry David. If you remember, Seinfeld was a show about nothing with Jerry Seinfeld in the lead role, then Curb is essentially the same concept but with Larry David playing the main character. Interestingly, their storylines intertwined when the finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm featured several similarities to the ending of Seinfeld, which aired in 2024. However, it’s important to note that they are not exactly the same shows.

In terms of format and subject matter, “Curb” differs significantly from “Seinfeld”. The former’s single-camera setup and emphasis on celebrity life give it a unique viewing experience. Yet, they both share the same comedic vein, and David’s influence in shaping both is undeniably present. It seems he wasn’t aiming to create a new “Seinfeld”, but in essence, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” became his own fresh take on it.

4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2005–Present

In modern times, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” can be seen as the most successful imitation of “Seinfeld,” a sitcom that revolves around a circle of friends causing mischief in their local area, primarily centered around a casual meeting place. The writers of this show have consistently admitted to being influenced by “Seinfeld” in terms of humor style, plotlines, and even specific jokes.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the nods to Seinfeld that Sunny gracefully pays tribute to. Despite the obvious influences, Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton have been candid about it, and the sitcom has skillfully transformed these inspirations into something uniquely its own. Even the scene-for-scene, line-by-line recreation of the iconic Seinfeld episode “The Contest” is executed flawlessly by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This show isn’t striving to be the next Seinfeld; it’s simply returning the favor.

3. The Sarah Silverman Program

2007–2010

2007 saw Sarah Silverman as one of the most prominent figures in stand-up comedy. Feeling ready for a new challenge, she embarked on creating a sitcom that depicted a fictionalized character resembling herself, who wasn’t a comedian and was notoriously difficult to be around.

The Sarah Silverman Program doesn’t quite mirror Seinfeld for the late noughties, as its storytelling approach and humor deviate significantly from Jerry Seinfeld’s sitcom. However, despite Silverman’s less-than-ideal experience as a guest star on Seinfeld, the show did adopt the fundamental concept of an annoying false character persona.

2. The League

2009–2015

Jeff Schaffer was involved with the hit show “Seinfeld” until its final episode, after which he shifted his focus to “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Subsequently, he smoothly navigated his career path to “The League”, a chaotic sitcom centered around a group of friends who share a common interest in fantasy football and frequently find themselves in various predicaments.

The comedy in this show is strikingly reminiscent of Seinfeld’s humor, considering its co-creator was a prominent writer for that iconic sitcom. If you’re an avid Seinfeld fan, it’s worth giving this a watch even though it didn’t get much attention initially upon release.

1. Workaholics

2011–2017

As a film enthusiast, I’d say that “Workaholics” follows the adventures of three college buddies who haven’t quite managed to grow out of their youthful antics yet. There’s a hint of familiarity in the relationship dynamics between Blake, Adam, and Anders, reminiscent of Jerry, George, and Kramer from “Seinfeld.” Just like those iconic characters, these guys aren’t exactly role models for good behavior, but that’s what makes them so endearing!

Furthermore, “Workaholics” openly acknowledges the influences it drew from “Seinfeld,” such as episodes sharing the same titles as their “Seinfeld” counterparts. Given that “Workaholics” premiered 13 years after “Seinfeld” ended, the presentation and comedic style of the two shows differ significantly. However, remnants of “Seinfeld” can still be detected in “Workaholics.

2025-05-26 04:29