Jerry Seinfeld has stirred up sitcom fans after joking that ‘Friends‘ was basically a prettier version of his own hit series, ‘Seinfeld‘.
In a recent appearance, the comedy legend claimed NBC took the winning formula from Seinfeld and simply recreated it with a more attractive cast. Now, his playful comparison quickly reignited the long-running debate between two of television’s biggest sitcoms.
Jerry Seinfeld Has A Brutally Honest Take On Why ‘Friends’ Became A Hit
During Netflix Is a Joke Presents Jerry Seinfeld at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Jerry Seinfeld openly compared ‘Friends‘ to his own iconic sitcom. “I think NBC was watching my show and said, ‘Hey, this is working pretty well. Why don’t we try the same thing with good-looking people,’” the comedian joked.
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Seinfeld’s comment immediately drew attention because the similarities between the two sitcoms have often sparked discussions among television fans. Both series focused on a close-knit group of friends living in New York City as they navigated relationships, awkward situations, and everyday chaos. However, Seinfeld made it clear that he believes his sitcom laid the foundation first.
‘Seinfeld‘ premiered on NBC in 1989, while ‘Friends‘ arrived five years later in 1994. ‘Friends‘ quickly became a cultural sensation with stars like Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer becoming household names. Still, Seinfeld jokingly suggested that the only major difference between the two sitcoms was appearance.
Fans Push Back Hard Against Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Friends’ Comparison
Jerry Seinfeld’s comments quickly spread online, and social media users did not hold back while reacting to his claim. While some fans laughed along with the joke, many others argued that the two sitcoms were not nearly as similar as Seinfeld suggested.
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Several Reddit users even pointed out that ‘Friends‘ itself had long faced comparisons to another sitcom, ‘Living Single‘. One commenter bluntly wrote, “No, friends is just living single with white people.” Others agreed immediately, with one user adding, “Literally! You got to this first. I’d be willing to bet thirty years later, Jerry doesn’t even know what Living Single is.”
Other commenters mocked Seinfeld’s claim that his sitcom invented a unique television formula. “Seinfeld is a great show but does he think he invented the sitcom,” one Reddit user wrote, while another responded, “He’s so full of himself that yes, he does.” Another commenter sarcastically dismissed the comparison altogether by writing, “Yes, what an original concept his show was. A group of friends hanging out, talking, and dating.”
Even with the backlash, Jerry Seinfeld’s joke has once again revived one of television’s biggest sitcom debates. While some viewers agree that ‘Friends‘ borrowed elements from ‘Seinfeld’s formula, others believe the two shows built completely different identities despite sharing a New York setting and ensemble format.
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