Top 30 Small Details You Never Noticed In Seinfeld

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the Junior Mint-sized facts from the sitcom Seinfeld that you may not have noticed.

#30: Real MovieKindaThe Little Kicks

Fake movie titles are very common throughout Seinfeld - Rochelle, Rochelle, Chunnel, Cry, Cry Again, and so on. However, theres one that sounds made up thats surprisingly realsort of. Death Blow is a movie Jerry is roped into bootlegging after getting tickets to an early screening. While the film doesnt exist, the episodes writer Spike Feresten saw an ad in Variety an aspiring screenwriter took out with the title and concept, which he appropriated for the script. We can only wonder why the movie was never made if it shared the amazing tagline that Kramer delivers.

#29: Carol & MikeThe Letter

Kramer gets into a lot of pratfalls during the series, injuring himself frequently. At a Yankees game, the hipster doofus gets hit in the head by a ball. While the scans Kramer gets done at the hospital come back normal, theres still something a littleoff. Well, more than usual. Later in the episode, Kramer refers to George as Mike, and Elaine as Carol. This isnt just an aftereffect of a head injury - Elaine was based on Jerry Seinfelds ex-girlfriend Carol Leifer, while George was inspired by his friend Michael Costanza. That hit to the head let Kramer break the 4th wall. The couple who bought Kramers painting in the same episode are right - he really does transcend time and space!

#28: Loman License PlateThe Parking Garage

Georges less than successful career is a frequent gag during the show. Hes often compared to Biff Loman from Death of a Salesman, whom George describes as the biggest loser in American literature. While most of these references are verbal, one of them is more subtle. During The Parking Garage, while the group are wandering around looking for their car, George sits down on a car whose license plates first three letters are BIF. It may be accidental, but if intended, its yet another example of George failing to shake off his loserly reputation.

#27: Finale ForeshadowingThe Soul Mate

The divisive finale of Seinfeld sees the foursome end up in prison - more on that later. However, despite popular opinion that it wasnt set up well, a minor conversation a season earlier may have foreshadowed the gangs eventual fate. While in a cab discussing nail clippers, the subject eventually turns to prison and how prisoners clip their nails. To answer the question, TLDR it varies by prison. But the point is, George and Jerry both express a fascination with prison, with George wistfully saying that maybe hell end up there someday. And then that dream was real.

#26: Mr. VyzakiThe Pilot

The groups favorite coffee shop, Monks, changes hands several times during the series. One of the owners in season 4 is Mr. Vyzaki, a Greek man. Jerry and Elaine notice that Vyzaki seems to favor waitresses with large busts. Elaine is incensed after she tries applying for the job only to be rejected. However, the truth comes out when Elaine confronts him - theyre all Mr. Vyzakis daughters. Greek speakers also caught on to a fun tidbit - Vyzaki is Greek for breast. So its not just in the blood, its in the name too!

#25: Plan 9 CallbackThe Chinese Restaurant & The Postponement

For being a show about nothing, Seinfeld has surprisingly consistent continuity. During the famous Chinese Restaurant episode, Jerry, George, and Elaine are running late for a showing of Ed Woods infamously bad movie, Plan 9 from Outer Space. Although they ultimately dont end up seeing it then, Jerry gets another chance seasons later. He and Kramer see a flyer on the street and decide to go. Although Kramer, who wasnt with the group the first time, also gets ejected from the theater, Jerry does end up viewing the so-bad-its-good film. Guess he has to make sarcastic remarks to strangers after all.

#24: The Soup Nazi FleesThe Soup Nazi

In one of the shows most beloved episodes, Jerry and company begin going to a new soup stand. The stands owner, Yev Kassem, is so strict that hes nicknamed the Soup Nazi. However, Kassems authoritarian regime, much like that of the real Nazis, eventually comes to an end. After Elaine gets hold of his recipes, she decides to share them with everyone in revenge for banning her. Newman frantically explains this to Jerry, claiming that the Soup Nazi is moving to Argentina. In this way, he actually mirrors the real world Nazis, many of whom fled to Argentina after WWII.

#23: MustardThe Seven & The Friars Club

Kramer spends quite a bit of time raiding Jerrys fridge for food. During one of these numerous occasions, he becomes upset at his neighbors lack of mustard for the sandwich hes making. Jerry insists he does have mustard, but Kramer claims he needs Dijon mustard, not plain yellow junk. The duo then get into an argument over how much food Kramer is taking. And yet, some sharp eyed fans noticed that a few episodes later, Jerrys fridge is now sporting Grey Poupon mustard, the Dijon-est of Dijon mustards. Looks like Kramer won that round.

#22: Pilot CallbackThe Finale & The Seinfeld Chronicles

As disliked as the series finale is, it does feature a ton of great callbacks to earlier parts of the show. Most of these are obvious, with returning characters galore. But one of the more difficult to pick up on tidbits comes in one of the shows final lines. Jerry criticizes one of the buttons on Georges shirt, claiming the placement is too awkward. George has a sense of deja vu, claiming theyve had the same conversation before. And indeed they have, as this same conversation is exactly how the very first episode begins. Everything truly comes full circle.

#21: Newmans Name isVarious

There are many recurring characters during Seinfeld, but one of the most frequently seen is Kramers buddy and Jerrys nemesis, Newman. For as much as we know about the spiteful postal worker, theres an ocean of info we dont know. And much like Kramer, his first name is the biggest mystery of all. Unlike his friend though, we never learn his first name. Granted, when you have a name as satisfying to say with loathing as Newman, is having another name even necessary? It seems like both Jerry and Elaine were right - Newman is an enigma and theres less to him than meets the eye. Or at least, the ear.

#20: Call for Cartright...or Is That Costanza?

The Chinese Restaurant

No episode was arguably more quintessential to the show about nothing setup than The Chinese Restaurant. The sharp and witty humor was so brilliant that we didnt even mind that the entire premise involved the gang minus Kramer just waiting for a table. During their lengthy wait, George hopes for a call back from an angry lover called Tatiana. But when she calls, the maître d mistakenly calls out for Cartwright. Seinfeld writer Spike Feresten eventually revealed this was no random name. The host was evidently a fan of the Western series Bonanza, featuring a protagonist called Ben Cartwright. That title coincidentally rhymes with Costanza. It's so simple yet so brilliant.

#19: Ruthie the Cashier

Various

After numerous rewatches, you probably started paying more attention to the details of the gangs favorite hangout spots. For instance, you mightve spotted Monks Cafes typically silent eponymously named cashier, Ruthie Cohen. Shes practically the fifth group member! Ruthie appears in more Seinfeld episodes than any other character outside the core four. She can also be seen outside the diner in episodes like The Doll. In The Gum, we finally hear her speak! After George repeatedly accuses her of short-changing him, she politely informs him that his cars on fire and adds a cheery seasons greetings for good measure. Next time you rewatch this classic comedy, youll probably find your eyes wandering over to Ruthie more often.

#18: No Applause, Please

Various

Many sitcoms are known for their canned laughter and well-timed applause. However, Seinfeld typically wasn't one of them. A large portion of the show was filmed in front of a live audience. That of course, came with its challenges. Originally, when Kramer entered a scene, hed be met with such a raucous round of applause that it would throw off the flow of filming. Audiences were instructed to tone down their enthusiasm for a while. Eventually, Kramers long ovations all but disappeared. Hearing applause during our umpteenth rewatch of the earlier seasons now feels a bit odd.

#17: The Son of Sam Gag

The Engagement

In the 1970s, America was gripped by the horrifying story of New Yorks infamous serial killer, David Berkowitz, also known as Son of Sam. The notorious criminal said that hed been following the instructions of his neighbors dog. We guess the Seinfeld writers saw the potential for comedy in such an obscure case and drew several parallels in the season seven premiere. Firstly, Elaine, Kramer, and Newman plan on kidnapping a neighbors incessantly barking dog. Theres also the moment where George mistakenly hears Son of Sam instead of Jerrys van. However, the eeriest comparison happens when the cops knock on Newmans door, and he echoes the exact words Berkowitz uttered when he was arrested.

#16: Riffing on the Iconic Theme Song

Various

Whether youve watched the series once or 100 times, Seinfelds theme music is instantly recognizable. However, did you know that multiple variations of this iconic tune exist? Theme composer Jonathan Wolff revealed why this disparity exists. Since the length of Jerrys stand-up monologues varied, the music had to be altered accordingly. He divulged the brilliant simplicity of the melody and how he created its unique sound using his mouth and fingers as percussion. Wolff also shared that Seinfelds lyrical comedic delivery inspired the tune. Apparently, NBC execs didnt warm up to it immediately, but Larry David fought to keep it. Were glad he did because we cant imagine a more fitting theme tune.

#15: Kálmán Signfeld

Various

Unless youre an eagle-eyed Jerry Seinfeld superfan who spent many hours reading up on the comedians life, you mightve missed this homage to his real father. The comedian has often spoken about his dads comedic talents and ever-growing collection of jokes. While it mightve been fun to see the older Seinfeld crack a few gags in an episode or two, Jerry honored his father in a different way. In the background of several scenes, detail-oriented viewers mightve noticed an ad reading Kals Signs. This is a sweet nod to the actors dad, who actually created signs for a living. This easter egg is rather heartwarming for a show that famously avoided warmth and sentimentality.

#14: The Skip Barber Racing School Magnet

Various

Jerry Seinfeld is a major car enthusiast. But his love for vehicles goes far beyond his extensive Porsche collection. If youre a race car fan with a keen eye for detail, you may have noticed a Skip Barber Racing School magnet on Jerrys fridge. It turns out that this is another reference to the actors real life. In celebration of his 40th birthday, Seinfeld traded in the comedy circuit for the race track and completed a race-driver course. According to his instructor Randy Buck, He started slowly but by the third day was the most aggressive student of the bunch and was clearly the fastest. Well, as in comedy, its all about the timing.

#13: All of the Cars

Various

Have we mentioned that Jerry Seinfeld is a car aficionado? While cars weren't often at the forefront of this show about nothing, some notable models made cameos every now and again. For instance, the "Assman" car in "Fusilli Jerry is a 1973 Chevrolet Impala. The ride Jerry buys his dad is a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham in "The Cadillac." There's a 1969 Buick LeSabre in "The Parking Space," and you can spot the Saab 900 NG convertible behind Jerry in "The Dealership. Also, George channels his inner bad boy with a 1967 Pontiac GTO, although he says it's a '68 GTO. We can't believe a car buff like Jerry let that slide. In any case, these were cool shoutouts for Jerry's fellow motor enthusiasts.

#12: Jerrys Cereal Box Collection

Various

Did you ever notice that Jerry has a considerable collection of cereals in his apartment? Even if you did, have you ever tried to count how many or take a closer look at their names? Author Josh Levine believes he has the answers. In his book, Jerry Seinfeld: Much Ado About Nothing he recalled counting no less than 17 boxes of cereal . He noted that theyre all relatively popular brands. Apparently, these boxes all nod to Seinfelds genuine love of the breakfast food. Small quirks like these made the show more relatable and helped it defy the test of time. However, some fans believe his impressive selection was just to maintain Kramers insatiable appetite.

#11: Does Jerry Ever Ride That Bicycle?

Various

One of the most defining features of Jerrys apartment is the bicycle hanging on the wall. But can you recall what type of bike it was? If you said a green Klein mountain bike, youd be right. But if you said Cannondale Super Killer V, youd also be correct. Though seemingly always in the same place, the bicycle changed a few times throughout the shows nine-season run. Supposedly, the Klein belonged to Michael Richards, a cyclist in real life. Anyway, we could endlessly debate over what color or brand we remember hanging up next to Jerrys bathroom. But the real question is since we never actually saw him cycle, why did Jerry have a bicycle on his wall at all?

#10: O. J., a Name That Will Never Be Infamous

The Masseuse

Like the rest of the country at the time, the Seinfeld writers were obsessed with the O. J. Simpson trial. Jackie Chiles is actually a direct parody of Johnnie Cochran. Even before the Simpson murder case, Seinfeld unintentionally foreshadowed the famed athletes fall from grace. In The Masseuse episode, Elaine dates a man named Joel Rifkin. Since he shares the same name as a notorious serial killer, Elaine suggests several alternatives while reading from a magazine, including O. J. If Joel did change his name to O. J., hed probably wouldve changed it again almost seven months later when Simpson was arrested. Ironically, not everyone knows who Joel Rifkin is nowadays, but O. J. Simpson remains a household name for all the wrong reasons.

#9: Bizarro Jerry Statue

The Bizarro Jerry

Jerry has made it no secret that hes a huge Superman fan. Were kind of surprised that he didnt notice the resemblance between Becky Gelke and Supergirl, seeing how they share actress Helen Slater in common. Jerrys Superman statue is one of his apartments most recognizable decorations. So, it only makes sense that Jerrys Bizarro counterpart would possess the opposite. Elaine develops a friendship with her kindly ex-boyfriend Kevin, whos deemed the Bizarro Jerry. Elaine comes to see what Jerry is talking about when she arrives at Kevins Fortress of Solitude. Its a backwards version of Jerrys apartment with a unicycle hanging on the wall instead of a bike and, most notably, a Bizarro Superman statue. Whats next? David Puddy as the Man of Steel?

#8: Green 22

The Parking Garage

Unable to shut down an actual parking garage for this classic episode, the crew constructed a replica and dismantled the shows set in the process. Using mirrors and camera tricks, they made the garage look bigger than it was. Michael Richards went the extra mile, insisting on carrying a box with a real air conditioner inside. Speaking of Kramer, he says early on that they parked in Green 22, but Jerry says it was the orange section. When they do finally find the car, its in the green section around the 20s. So, if the gang just listened to Kramer, they couldve avoided a series of misadventures. Of course, even if they did, the car still wouldnt have started, which wasnt originally in the script.

#7: Jerrys Apartment Number

Various

If youre a Seinfeld superfan, youll know that Jerry lives in apartment 5A. If youre a next-level fan, you likely noticed that Jerrys apartment number has changed a couple of times. During the shows infancy, Jerry lives in Apartment 411. In the Season 2 episode, The Phone Message, the number changes to 3A. One episode later, the apartment number appears as 5A for the first time, remaining that way for the rest of the series. What could this all mean? Well, Season 4 Episode 11 is The Contest, arguably the shows best episode. Jerry hangs out with 3 friends and 5 is the number of episodes in the first season. So, this all amounts to absolutely nothing, which we guess is fitting for this show.

#6: Cosmo Kessler?

The Seinfeld Chronicles

Its surreal watching the Seinfeld pilot now. Theres no Elaine, Jerry and George converse at Petes Luncheonette rather than Monks Café, and Kramer is named Kessler. Jerrys wacky neighbor is based on co-creator Larry Davids former neighbor, Kenny Kramer. David initially resisted calling the character Kramer, but the name was too perfect to pass up. Kenny Kramer thus made several demands, including that he play Kramer. When that didnt pan out, he started Kramers Reality Tour. Both of these real-life incidents inspired storylines in Season 4 and Season 8. The writers also explained the Kessler mix-up in a Season 9 flashback when Jerry meets Kramer. By the way, the apartment number was 5A when Jerry first moved in!

#5: A Fusilli Collection

Various

Kramer spends most of his time at Jerrys abode, but occasionally we glimpse through Apartment 5Bs reverse peephole. Even in his own apartment, Kramer likes to keep Jerry close, hanging his headshot near the entrance. Thats not the only eyebrow-raising item you might find when Kramer opens his door. Who keeps a kitchen pot on a shelf like that? But what do you expect from a guy who cooks in the shower? Whatever Kramer is cooking, fusilli isnt on the menu. Kramer would rather use the pasta to make a little Jerry statue. While were all familiar with Fusilli Jerry, ever notice that in the following seasons, Kramer has other pasta figurines displayed behind his couch? Heres hoping Frank never sat on any of them.

#4: The OG Frank Costanza

The Handicap Spot

Most of us saw Seinfeld for the first time in reruns. If you caught Season 4s The Handicap Spot when it first aired, though, you might have noticed that Frank Costanza looked and sounded nothing like Jerry Stiller in his debut episode. Thats because he was originally played by John Randolph. When Stiller subsequently took over the role, Larry David insisted on reshooting Franks scenes in this episode for syndication. David wanted to do the same for Jerrys father, who was played by Phil Bruns in Season One and recast with Barney Martin in Season 2. By this point, however, the actors had gotten older and there wouldve been a noticeable age difference. As for Randolph, you can still find his episode on DVD.

#3: Larry David Cameos

Various

George Costanza was largely based on Larry David. While David didnt play George on the show, he did pop up on occasion. Throughout the series, you can spot David as Frank Costanzas caped lawyer, the cashier who gives back Georges lipsticked $20, a sci-fi movie actor, and a background character when Kramer gets arrested in Season 4. David also made several voiceover cameos, including a beachgoer who inquires about a marine biologist, an inmate who heckles Jerry in the finale, and George Steinbrenner. He even voiced Newman offscreen in his debut episode, which was re-recorded with Wayne Knight for syndication. Even after David left the show, they worked his name into the Boca Breeze newsletter, detailing his struggles on the golf course.

#2: Hiding Julia Louis-Dreyfuss Pregnancy

Various

Elaine never had a baby throughout the shows nine seasons, but Julia Louis-Dreyfus gave birth to two sons during this time. In Season 3s second half, the creators found a few ways to hide her pregnancy. The Subway is a standout example where Elaine wears a heavy coat and carries around a large present. Ironically, in another episode where a woman thinks she might be pregnant with Georges baby, Louis-Dreyfus hid her own baby bump behind baggy clothes and a newspaper. When Louis-Dreyfus became pregnant again in Season 8, Seinfeld suggested a storyline where Elaine just gets fat. This idea made Louis-Dreyfus burst into tears, however. Thus, Elaine broke out her heavy wardrobe again, even going on a shopping spree to spite the Putumayo proprietor.

#1: Jerrys Video Collection

Various

Whenever we get a glimpse of Jerrys VHS collection, we always break out the pause button. With Arachnophobia, The Crying Game, and two copies of True Colors, Jerry has solid taste, but some of these movies raise questions. For starters, Jerry owns Childs Play 2, starring Grace Zabriskie, who plays Susans mother, Mrs. Ross. In the midst of all the horror movies, Jerry has Pretty Woman, which features George Costanza himself, Jason Alexander. Thats not the only connection to Alexander in Jerrys collection. He also has a couple of tapes for the sitcom Dinosaurs, which Alexander occasionally lent his voice to. Were not sure how that works, but honestly, we just wanna know who Jerry thinks would win in a fight: Chucky or Baby Sinclair?

Is there a Seinfeld factoid we forgot? Reckon with us in the comments by delivering your favorites.