An internal NBC memo almost killed Seinfeld after pilot episode

Twenty-five years ago this month, the pilot episode of the classic sitcom Seinfeld premiered on NBC. While the show went on to become one of television’s most popular shows of all time (the comedy has generated a reported $3.1 billion since entering syndication in 1995), it wasn’t seen as a success after its first episode. According to TV Guide, an NBC research memo rated the show’s pilot (then titled The Seinfeld Chronicles) as “weak” and almost ended it before anyone got to know Jerry, George, Elaine, or Kramer. “No segment of the audience was eager to watch the show again,” the memo read.

The memo also went on to say that none of the characters supporting Jerry were “particularly liked” and that the test audience found the everyday things the characters were doing (which would go on to be the show’s trademark) pretty boring. While the show’s format included Jerry’s stand-up comedy acts, viewers were still confused by what he did for a living.

“Viewers were unclear whether Jerry worked as a comedian or if his routines took place outside of the show as commentaries,” the memo stated. The mixture of the negative reception from both executives and the test screening caused NBC to dump the show in the middle of summer. However, some executives like Rick Ludwin and Warren Littlefield thought the show was funny and helped the network hold on to it.

By taking development money for other projects and diverting it to Seinfeld, the network was able to put the show into their primetime lineup. “[Littlefield] told me he got an order for four episodes,” creator Seinfeld said. “And from that point, I pretty much felt that the show was going to work. I never thought it was going to be a big hit, but I thought people will like this.”

As for the famed memo itself, Jerry Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David found a proper place to put it. “Larry and I both hung it up near our toilets,” Seinfeld told TV Guide. “We thought if someone goes in to use this bathroom, this is something they should see.