THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 TAG: 9601170032
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Maddry
DATELINE: PASADENA, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
DRESSED IN a conservative business suit and wearing glasses, Jerry Seinfeld looked more like an accountant than a comic when he came before the TV press this week to make his BIG announcement.
``Seinfeld'' will not fold its tent this year, as has been widely rumored here in Southern California, where much of the population is caught up in everything large and small that happens in films and TV.
Seinfeld got out of bed early to come before the Television Critics Association to say that his NBC sitcom will continue.
For another season? Into 1997?
Definitely.
Will that, then, be the last season for ``Seinfeld''?
``It might be. It could be. Probably. Maybe.''
Maybe? Does that mean he might consider producing ``Seinfeld'' through 1998 and beyond?
``It might be. It could be. Maybe.''
Warren Littlefield, president of NBC Entertainment, was probably the happiest man in Pasadena when Seinfeld made his announcement. ``Seinfeld,'' TV's No. 1 sitcom, is a gold mine, the Peacock that lays the 18-carat eggs.
It cost more to advertise on ``Seinfeld'' than any other network show because this sictom about nothing has phenomenally strong ratings among viewers 18 to 34. ``Seinfeld'' is also a pillar on a Thursday-night lineup that is the most watched on television.
Lose ``Seinfeld''?
Just the thought of it is enough to drain the red from Littlefield's beard.
But for a while there last month, the cast of ``Seinfeld'' was thinking about disbanding, finishing up this May, then going on to other things.
Then they reconsidered.
Why?
``The four of us in the cast sat down and talked about having so much fun this season, and enjoying each other's company so much, that we said, `Let's stay together. We're having such a good time,' '' Seinfeld said.
``I compare it to people sitting at a dinner with good food, good coffee, good conversation. It goes on until the moment when somebody says, `It's time to go.' ''
That moment has not come for ``Seinfeld.''
The comic, a millionaire several times over after creating the sitcom of the decade, didn't seem to mind when the TV writers poked into his private life.
Does he plan to marry soon?
``I hate to go counter to the great American tradition of revealing things in your personal life to the media before telling the people who are actually in your life,'' he said, ``but I haven't made any decision about that.
``I can see the tabloids now. `He's talking to his family about his plans? Why didn't he go on ``Oprah'' first?' ''
There is fresh new life in ``Seinfeld,'' he said, and it came from several sources. New writers brought great new ideas, such as the Soup Nazi episode and the half hour about Elaine cornering the market on a birth-control device. The famous sponge.
``Seinfeld'' in syndication brought even more viewers. They've seen the old shows and now want more.
How about that Soup Nazi guy? He's real, right? Has a place in Manhattan?
Yes, the Soup Nazi episode was inspired by a Manhattan chef who sells soup on his terms - order quickly, pay quickly, move on.
Seinfeld heard the guy was upset with him. So what did Jerry do?
``I decided to visit his place and face him,'' he said. ``I was really nervous about it. When I pulled up to his place in a cab, I thought, `What if this guy is crazed, mad at me? What will he do to me? What if he dumps hot soup on my head?' Nothing happened. When I got there, the place was closed.''
Now that Seinfeld is staying with ``Seinfeld,'' he can revisit the Soup Nazi next season.
Hollywood buzz: NBC is kicking around the idea of moving ``ER'' to Sunday night. ``Roseanne'' will continue next year without John Goodman. Any day now, expect ABC to change its name to The Disney Network as the result of the recent merger. by CNB