Book Review: Seinfeldia

Nearly 20 years after it left the air, the appreciation for Seinfeld continues to grow.

As Jennifer Keishin Armstrong notes in this superb behind-the-scenes account of the sitcom, the series' reputation has not only survived US television's golden age - it has actually been enhanced. Like his friend, the late great Garry Shandling, Jerry Seinfeld had a leaning towards both anti-heroes and leftfield humour, a sensibility which influenced The Sopranos and numerous other landmark shows in the post-Seinfeld era. And it continues to be the choice of a new generation, with Hulu winning a bidding war last year for streaming rights to the show.

Presided over by Seinfeld and his writing partner Larry David, the series was that rarest of beasts; an innovative show that becomes a massive commercial hit. Filled with sharp insight and memorable anecdotes, Seinfeldia is a compelling account of the creation of one of the all-time great sitcoms.