Jerry Seinfeld walked away from one of the biggest offers in television history. As Seinfeld neared the end of its ninth season, NBC offered him a reported $5 million per episode to make a tenth season, a deal worth around $110 million in total. Most people would have signed on the spot. Jerry said no.
Why Jerry Seinfeld Said No
The offer was unheard of at the time. Former NBC president Warren Littlefield has described it as unprecedented, and General Electric chief Jack Welch, whose company owned NBC, reportedly made the pitch himself. Some accounts say part of the deal would have been paid in GE stock.
But Seinfeld had already made up his mind. He wanted to end the show while it was still on top, before it had a chance to decline. He has often said that he wanted to leave audiences wanting more rather than letting the series run out of steam, and walking away at the peak was the only way to guarantee that.
A Finale Watched by 76 Million
The decision turned the final season into an event. The finale aired on May 14, 1998, and around 76 million people tuned in, making it one of the most watched TV episodes ever. While the finale itself divided fans, the timing of the ending is widely seen as a big part of the show’s legacy.
The Decision That Paid Off for Jerry Seinfeld
Turning down $110 million might sound like a mistake, but it worked out remarkably well. Because Jerry Seinfeld co-created the show and kept a share of its profits, he has earned far more from syndication and streaming deals over the decades than a tenth season would have paid him. The series moved to Netflix in a deal reportedly worth over $500 million, and it remains one of the most rewatched sitcoms ever made.
More importantly, Seinfeld never had a weak final season. Nine seasons, no decline and an ending on his own terms is a rare achievement in television, and it’s the kind of choice that only someone confident in their work could make.
Learn more about the making of Seinfeld from the Television Academy.
Jerry Seinfeld: Related Reading
- Michael Richards Handpicked Kramer’s Clothes and Shoes Himself to Help Him Connect With the Character
- Jason Alexander Is Writing a Book Entirely in the Voice of George Costanza, Possibly Out by Festivus
- The Ultimate Seinfeld Quiz: Can You Score 10/10?
For more stories like this, browse our Seinfeld section.