Fans discuss whether events from "The Pilot" episodes were based on real-life experiences of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, including the creation of the show and casting decisions.
After watching the syndicated series of episodes revolving around the pilot that Jerry and George were creating, I can't help wondering if any of the incidents were true to life.
Did the real Jerry's partner (is his name George in real life?) really almost botch the entire deal?
Did they really think the idea for the Chinese Restaurant episode was bad, but then later decided to try it after having a successful pilot?
Was there really controversy between Michael Richards, the real Kramer and the real George?
Was the "raisins" incident, based on something that really happened?
If anyone knows if there is any truth to any of these incidents (or any others) I'd be interested in hearing about them.
Sure enough, the "real George Costanza" is Jerry's friend Larry David, who was instrumental in creating the show and has been a major creative force behind the show. Larry is famous for idiosynchracies, fears, neuroses, insecurities, etc, that make the show exceptional and hysterical. Many events from the show are based on real life experiences of Larry or of others in the cast or in Larry's life.
The Pilot isn't a completely accurate account of what really happened, but does borrow from real life. And they took the trouble of lampooning their own early episodes such as the Chinese restaurant.
For an account of many of the real world stories behind the show, check out Kramer's Reality Tour, a tour of NYC which goes on the road sometimes (thanks to multimedia). The tour is hosted by Kenny Kramer, the fellow who is the inspiration for the Cosmo Kramer character, as well as by Kenny's friend Bobby Allen Brooks. The stories are fascinating and hysterical. Info at:
http://www.bway.net/~kramer
BTW Larry David has done many cameos on the show, for example, Frank Costanza's caped lawyer, the Greenpeace guy with Russel Dalrymple, the newsstand proprietor at the end of "the gum", and most famous, the voice of George Steinbrenner. Larry has decided to leave the show at the end of the past season (season 7). We wish him well, thank him for "access to his dimentia", and hope the show can still be funny in the coming seasons.
One thing I noticed in "The Pilot" episode is why there are so many beautiful women on the show. When Jerry and George are at the auditions, and the woman trying out for the part of Elaine walks in, Jerry suggests that he reads his own lines. In the process, he makes flirtative glances at her because she is attractive (before George decides to cut her!).
The point is that when you're a writer for a show that you're also acting in, you tend to overlook the other person's acting ability and choose them for their physical appearance instead. This is my opinion of why I believe there's a plethora of attractive females on the show that everyone talks about.
Just thought I'd add that George 'decides to cut her' because she says, "It's like bald convention out there!" referring of course to actors waiting to audition for the part of "George."