Michael Richards’ portrayal of Kramer in Seinfeld created one of the most iconic characters in the American sitcom space, right up there with Chandler Bing, Marshall Eriksen, and Captain Raymond Holt. Jerry Seinfeld went on the record to say that no one could have played the character better, except maybe one other actor.
Seinfeld, like old great American sitcoms, created a main cast of memorable characters, and among them, was the the charismatic and sometimes dimwitted Kramer, who benefitted from Michael Richards’ great performance, along with the wit and charm that the actor brought to the character. It is nigh impossible to imagine another actor playing Kramer, but Jerry Seinfeld revealed on The Howard Stern Show who could have done it if not Richards.
Jerry Seinfeld believes Andy Kaufman would have made a great Kramer
Andy Kaufman was one of Jerry Seinfeld‘s heroes when it came to entertainment and comedy. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, the actor talked about how Kramer had a very set attitude toward the character, and that it probably could not have been played by another actor, except Kaufman. He said:
Michael Richards is one of those parts you could never cast somebody else, but now that you mention it, Andy could’ve pulled off Kramer. The only name I’ve ever heard that, now that you mention it, the only other guy who could’ve pulled off Kramer.
Andy Kaufman did not style himself as a comedian, despite him being popularly referred to as such. The actor became notorious for his SNL performances, and would style himself as an entertainer, given that ‘there was no promise of laughter’ when he performed.
The quintessential 90s sitcom debate: Seinfeld or F.R.I.E.N.D.S?
While it was a hot debate when the shows were in their prime, The rivalry between Seinfeld and F.R.I.E.N.D.S was reignited by their presence on streaming services. As whole new generations of fans compare the two IPs, the question has been asked anew: which show did it better?
While fundamentally different in their approach to storytelling and character development, the consensus was such that Seinfeld won out against F.R.I.E.N.D.S in its heyday. The numbers that the show brought in were simply a level of popularity that F.R.I.E.N.D.S failed to reach. However, it is easy to see the impact that F.R.I.E.N.D.S had on American and world popular culture, which eclipsed Sienfeld‘s by quite a margin.
