I'm surprised that there aren't more posts concerning this subject. I know there will be many opinions on this subject - this is simply mine.
Has anyone thought that maybe, just maybe, it's really not "over" for good? I mean, think about it. Jerry wants to take a year off and do some other things. Maybe the cast does, too. They can't just tell everyone that they're taking a year long vacation; that wouldn't fly. So they create this elaborate story about the end of the series, and everyone concerned, from the actors to the network, makes huge money and the network gets big ratings. One year later, Jerry says he's had a change of heart, misses the show, and they pick up where they left off - with the four getting out of prision. I mean, everyone knows that one year from now, NBC would take them back with open arms, and so would the public.
I cite two rather strange statements by Jerry - one on the final show, and one on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (and I am paraphrasing here):
1. (As the four are walking to the jail cell at the very end of the show) "So we go to jail for one year, then we come back...". Note he said "come back" (I believe), and not "get out" (of jail).
2. On the Tonight Show, Jerry said to Jay that he's the only character who will live on outside the show, and that he is keeping the Seinfeld apartment set in his own real-life apartment "in case he ever wants to do a show with me in it again" (or something to that effect).
There may have even been more references to coming back than that. Can anyone think of any others?
Look, I know that Jerry Seinfeld has said no reunion shows, no movies, no specials. But this being a one year "hiatus" under the guise of "the end" would work out perfectly. Seinfeld was a cash cow for everyone...it could be again in its "rebirth", and come back fresher than ever.
P.S.: Remember how every show originally used to begin with Jerry's stand-up routine, then they changed it to just a regular opening? Could the fact that "The Finale" show began with Jerry's stand-up routine ALSO be a clue to going back and starting over?!?!?
Coincidentally, remember when the Soup Nazi banned Elaine from the store? That was for one year. "(No soup for you! You come back, 1 year!) Hmm.