The original plan forSeinfeldwas missing one key cast member who ended up being the secret ingredient to make it a classic.Seinfeldended up having one of the most iconic ensemble castsin sitcom history. There’s a special kind of alchemy between those four actors that was a recipe for comedy gold. But the quartet didn’t arrive fully formed.
If you go back and watchthe pilot episode ofSeinfeld, it has a lot of familiar faces. Jerry is there, gathering material for his standup act; George is there as his curmudgeonly foil; and Kramer is there as his nosy neighbor. But there’s one character who wasn’t added in until the second episode, and she saved the show.
The Original Plan For Seinfeld Didn’t Include Elaine, But NBC Wanted A Female Lead
Adding A Female Character Was One Of NBC’s Conditions For A Series Order
According to aNew Yorkerprofile,Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ iconic character Elaine Beneswasn’t a part of the original plan forSeinfeld.The pilot had already been shot and airedwithout Louis-Dreyfus’ involvement. But when NBC ordered four additional episodes, one of the network’s conditions was that creators Jerry Seinfeld andLarry Davidadd in a female character.
Seinfeld and David had no interest in writing a romance, so they came up with the idea of bringing in an ex-girlfriend that Jerry had stayed friends with.
Seinfeld and David had no interest in writing a romance, so they came up with the idea of bringing in an ex-girlfriend that Jerry had stayed friends with. This dynamic would dispell the usual “will they or won’t they?” trope, becauseJerry and Elainealready tried to make a romantic relationship work and decided they’re better off as platonic friends.
In Hindsight, It’s Hard To Imagine Seinfeld Without Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Character
Elaine Was The Glue That Held The Ensemble Together
Now that Louis-Dreyfus has shined for nine seasons as Elaine, it’s impossible to imagineSeinfeldwithout her. In many ways, Elaine was the glue that held the ensemble together.Elaine was arguably even more biting and witty than Jerry himself, she was the perfect straight-man foil for Kramer’s antics, and she never hesitated to put George in his place.
Elaine wasa trailblazer for women in comedy. She proved that female characters don’t have to stand on the sidelines, rolling their eyes at their male counterparts; they can be just as hilarious and outrageous as the guys. Without Elaine, we might’ve never gotten Liz Lemon, “Sweet Dee” Reynolds, orBroad City’s Abbi and Ilana.
Seinfeld Would Have Been A Completely Different Series Without Elaine
It Would’ve Been Very Male-Centric
Without Elaine,Seinfeldwould’ve been very male-centric. It would’ve had an all-male cast, and there would be no one keeping them in check if Elaine wasn’t there to tear them down and call out their misdeeds.Seinfeldwould’ve been a totally different show without Elaine, and it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as great.
