# How Seinfeld changed TV.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seinfeld-changed-tv/845795>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [January 2, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seinfeld-changed-tv/845795 "2020-01-02T19:19:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 89

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seinfeld-changed-tv/845795/89 "2020-01-05T23:03:02Z")

</div>

> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> I don’t get this common perception that it was amoral selfishness that drove the show. Yes, they were selfish but not much more than most people. The show was more the conflict between selfishness and societal codes, and they more often than not followed social code.

Agreed. As I said in an [older thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740265):

> [@Wow, The Seinfeld characters really were assholes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-the-seinfeld-characters-really-were-assholes/704132/43):
>
> The characters’ behavior is guided, when it’s guided by anything beyond self-absorption, by _manners_ without _morals_ or _heart_. Their decisions on how to act are based on what’s “done” vs. “not done,” not on what’s “good” vs. “bad” nor on any love, compassion, or empathy.

The characters of _It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia_ come closer to being examples of pure immoral selfishness.

---

_[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-seinfeld-changed-tv/845795)._