Summary
- Seinfeld is a legendary sitcom that still has devoted fans who love and analyze every episode, even years later.
- Guest stars like Christine Taylor and Brenda Strong have had lasting impressions on fans, with people still recognizing and complimenting their characters.
- The actors who appeared on Seinfeld were treated like family and had memorable experiences working with Jerry Seinfeld, who was easy to talk to and made them feel equal.
When it comes to legendary television, there are many sitcoms that come to mind. One might think of I Love Lucy. Another might remember Cheers. Some might even mention The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Seinfeld is a sitcom that deserves to be placed in that elite group. The 90s sitcom ran for nine seasons and won a ton of Primetime Emmy awards. The show made Jerry Seinfeld both a star and a household name.
The show still has its loyal fans who love watching and dissecting every episode. Even the guest stars hold a special place in the viewers' hearts. One of those guest stars is Christine Taylor, who once recalled a particularly embarrassing moment after her audition in front of Seinfeld himself.
'Seinfeld' Fans Still Ask Christine About Her Character To This Day
When Christine Taylor appeared on Seinfeld, she played Ellen, one of Jerry's love interests in the show's eighth season. Her appearance was so memorable that Taylor still gets Seinfeld fans talking to her about it today.
In 2019, Taylor spoke with Today about her memories of working on the show. Taylor joined several other Seinfeld guest stars to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary.
“The question I probably get the most is, ‘What was wrong with you?’” Taylor said. “‘I remember that episode, but what was the deal?’ And I think that's what Jerry liked about it, that there really wasn't anything specific, except for the fact that his parents liked her.”
Another guest star was Brenda Strong, who played the role of Sue Ellen Mischke. Strong said she also gets fans complimenting her character.
“As an actress, I've been doing many, many roles, and there are certain ones that really stand out in the minds of fans,” she said. “The one that I get more than anything is Sue Ellen Mischke. Literally this week I was having lunch with a friend. And I walked back to my table. And the guy at the table behind us said, ‘Sue Ellen, you played Sue Ellen Mischke, right?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘God, I loved that show.’”
A Guest Star On Seinfeld Discussed Her Interaction With Larry David As "Shy And Boyish" When Discussing A Certain Edgy Scene
Larry David was awkward during a behind-the-scenes moment with Brenda Strong.
She added, “I've actually been walking down the street in New York City and had people on firetrucks yell out to me at full voice, ‘Sue Ellen.’ So it's alive and well in people's minds.”
Christine Remembered An Embarrassing Moment As She Was Leaving Her 'Seinfeld' Audition
Taylor also remembered her "nerve-wracking" audition with Seinfeld himself.
“Knowing you were going to go in and read with Jerry and the writers was so nerve-wracking,” she said. “You go into this office, which is right sort of near the soundstage that they shot on. But as an actress, you just kind of get a parking pass that's like a mile away. And then you walk all the way. And you're dressed up and you want to do a good job. I remember taking the walk, that sort of scary walk of going over your lines.”
However, Taylor's audition wouldn't be without a particularly embarrassing moment.
“They were so nice. I did really well. And as I walked out and was leaving, I had to go down a staircase to leave. And I missed the first step," Taylor remembered. "And thank God I didn't tumble down the entire staircase, but what I did do was break the heel on one of my shoes. So I had to walk a mile — I say it's a mile, it probably wasn't that far — back to my car with only one heel on my shoe. So it was like this embarrassing, horrible limp.”
According to Taylor, the Seinfeld guest actors were treated “as if we were a part of their family.”
A Seinfeld Guest Star Made A Suggestion For A Certain Scene, But Jerry Seinfeld Made Sure It Didn't Make It On-Air
Steve Hytner once revealed details of a scene he shot with Jerry Seinfeld that didn't make it into the final episode.
“What's great about that show is it was so popular, it brought in so many incredible actors," she said. "And I remember Bruce Davison was in that episode that I did. He had just been nominated for an Oscar for Longtime Companion. And David Moscow, who I grew up watching in Big and Newsies, was in it. And so it was like this bonding experience with these incredible series regulars.”
Christine Said Jerry Was Very Easy To Talk To And Curious About Her Life
When asked her favorite memory on set, Taylor gushed over how easy it was to get along with Seinfeld himself.
“The scenes that I had with Jerry, where he just was really the most normal — for being Jerry Seinfeld," Taylor reflected. "I had done a little work here and there at that point, but it was like I was just his equal. And he was so curious just about my life. And, you know, I grew up Catholic. And so of course, he was fascinated with details about that. And going to Catholic school and wearing uniforms. And just like, coming from Allentown, Pennsylvania, where I came from. But we just had these fun conversations."
She continued, "And he was so easy to talk to and just a good guy. I think they were all just such a really welcoming group of actors.”
Taylor also reflected on why the show is still so beloved by audiences today. She said it is "relatable" and timeless, since it's the type of comedy Seinfeld still does today.
This Actress Had A Small Role On Seinfeld And Returned To Play A Different Role Just One Season Later
The actress would go on to star in several other successful sitcoms after appearing on "Seinfeld."
“I think it's one of the most beloved shows because you can turn on an episode now and the observational humor that existed then is the comedy Jerry still does today," she said. "It's just how relatable it is … just those little moments that he would be able to make an entire episode out of, I think, is why people love it so much.”
