<P> Seinfeld follows its own structure: story thread is presented at the beginning of every episode, which involves the characters starting in their own situations . Rapid scene - shifts between plot lines bring the stories together . Even though it does not follow a pattern as other sitcoms, the characters' stories variously intertwine in each episode . Despite the separate plot strands, the narratives reveal the creators' "consistent efforts to maintain the intimacy" among the small cast of characters . </P> <P> The show maintains a strong sense of continuity--characters and plots from past episodes are often referenced or expanded on . Occasionally, story arcs span multiple episodes and even entire seasons, the most memorable being season four, which revolved around the pilot pitch to NBC by Jerry and George . Another example is Jerry's girlfriend Vanessa, who appears in "The Stake Out" and he ends the relationship when things do not work out in "The Stock Tip". Other examples are Kramer getting his jacket back and Elaine heading the "Peterman catalog". Larry David, the head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons, was praised for keeping a close eye on minor details and making sure the main characters' lives remained consistent and believable . Curb Your Enthusiasm--David's later comedy series--expanded on this idea by following a specific theme for all but one season in the series . </P> <P> A major difference between Seinfeld and sitcoms which preceded it is that the principal characters never learn from their mistakes . In effect, they are indifferent and even callous towards the outside world and sometimes one another . A mantra of the show's producers was: "No hugging, no learning". Entertainment Weekly's TV critic Ken Tucker has described them as "a group dynamic rooted in jealousy, rage, insecurity, despair, hopelessness, and a touching lack of faith in one's fellow human beings". This leads to very few happy endings, except at somebody else's expense . More often in every episode, situations resolve with characters getting a justly deserved comeuppance . </P> <P> The show premiered as The Seinfeld Chronicles on July 5, 1989 . After it aired, a pickup by NBC seemed unlikely and the show was offered to Fox, which declined to pick it up . Rick Ludwin, head of late night and special events for NBC, however, diverted money from his budget by canceling a Bob Hope television special, and the next 4 episodes were filmed . These episodes were highly rated as they followed summer re-runs of Cheers on Thursdays at 9: 30 p.m., and the series was finally picked up . At one point NBC considered airing these episodes on Saturdays at 10: 30 p.m., but gave that slot to a short - lived sitcom called FM . The series was renamed simply Seinfeld after the failure of short - lived 1990 ABC series The Marshall Chronicles . After airing in the summer of 1990, NBC ordered thirteen more episodes . Larry David believed that he and Jerry Seinfeld had no more stories to tell, and advised Seinfeld to turn down the order, but Seinfeld agreed to the additional episodes . Season two was bumped off its scheduled premiere of January 16, 1991, due to the outbreak of the (Persian) Gulf War . It settled into a regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9: 30 p.m. and eventually flipped with veteran series Night Court to 9: 00 . </P>

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