What’s Real in the World of ‘Seinfeld’? The Art of Humor

Ed Cohen asserts that “Seinfeld” isn’t real dark comedy because it’s set in a real environment (“Sometimes, ‘Seinfeld’ Crosses the Line,” Counterpunch, Feb. 2).

I beg to differ. There’s nothing real about “Seinfeld.” First of all, real people aren’t that funny. Real people don’t have enough time on their hands to fret about parking spaces and how women eat peas. And real women’s hair doesn’t look as good as Elaine’s.

CLAUDIA LONOW

Los Angeles

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Cohen suggested that sometimes “Seinfeld” crossed the line in its disregard for human life. Sometimes? The show constantly expressed contempt for innocent people, using them as props to a few cheap laughs.

Years from now, sociologists who study “Seinfeld” will be dumbfounded as to why such repellent, shallow, soulless characters captivated people like Cohen.

DAN O’NEILL

Los Angeles

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It seems that no matter how great something is, there is always someone like Cohen standing off to the side telling the artists what they should do to improve their art.

A work of art is very rare. A great work of art is more so. “Seinfeld” falls into the great category. We have been lucky to see it in first run and discuss it around the water cooler the day after.

Years from now, college students will be studying it, and most of us will still be watching reruns on TV Land. And rather than just send Jerry into syndicated heaven, people are lining up to take potshots.

My advice to Cohen is to create something himself. If he doesn’t want cold, nasty, ugly elements, then he doesn’t have to use them. But when it comes to other people’s art, he should appreciate the fact that the artist has created it the way he or she wanted.

RAY SHARP

Long Beach