1. Who was Lee Wellington? I think that was the name listed in the opening credits.
2. How many shows were taped before the show was obviously retooled and the Elaine character was added?
3. Timeline? Was the Pilot shown in the fall and then the current version came the following spring?
4. After the failure of the Pilot, what convnced NBC that the show was worthy of a second chance?
5. What were the shows that followed the Pilot? And how many were shown that following spring? I think the Chinese restuarant episode is in that bunch.
Elaine was added in the first "real" episode; see below.
The Pilot was shown on July 5, 1989. (I missed it at the time, and the other night in syndication was the first time I had seen it.) The next episode ("The Stakeout") was not shown until almost a year later, on May 31, 1990, by which time Elaine had been added. The first "season" consisted of only four episodes, shown in the prime Thursday night spot after "Cheers". (I did watch these at the time, and became a fan; I remember Jerry Seinfeld appearing on Letterman -- the old NBC Letterman show -- to promote it.) The show was not on the fall 1990 NBC schedule, but it reappeared in January 1991 for another four-episode run on Wednesday nights (including "The Pony Remark" and "The Phone Message"), after which it was again temporarily yanked. Two months later it reappeared on Thursdays for a seven episode run, the last of which was "The Chinese Restaurant". It was then moved back to Wednesdays, where one new episode ("The Busboy") was shown before summer reruns. The show remained on Wednesdays for the fall 1991 schedule, and the 1991-92 season was the first full season of "Seinfeld". It also began the 1992-93 season on Wednesdays, but in January 1993 it was moved to Thursdays, where it finally became the ratings powerhouse and pop culture phenomenon it remains.
No idea. I agree that the Pilot was no great shakes, thought it was certainly fascinating to watch.
I don't think it was Wellington, but the first name was definitely "Lee." I, too, was very anxious to see whom it would be. Unfortunately, I never found out. Let's see, the only other character (besides Jerry, George, and Kramer, and Laura) who had actual lines in the Pilot was the waitress at "Pete's." But since when are women named "Lee?" Am I forgetting someone? As I recall, the waitress was the only other person with lines. Laura, the professor who was the object of Jerry's confusion, was listed in the closing credits, so it wasn't her. In fact, Laura was the -only- extra guest to appear in the credits. So, it must have been the waitress. The ladies in the laundry room with Jerry and George weren't even mentioned in the closing credits.
Actually, it's Lee Garlington, and she's the woman who played 'Claire' the waitress. She was the prototype of Elaine's character: a strong personality and somewhat sarcastic.
She was obviously intended to be a regular on the show as she was given third billing (before Jason A.), but for some reason she wasn't brought back. I thought whe was very smart and funny.
It's been pointed out that the better part of a year went by between 'Cronicles' and the next episode, so perhaps she just wasn't available when they needed her. She is a busy actress: an Internet search shows her with over 40 credits to her name. And back then, Seinfeld was just another grubby little sitcom with a bunch of nobodies, with a very slim chance of surviving. Who knew it was going to turn into one of the biggest shows on TV?
Unfortunately, this makes Ms. Garlington the Seinfeld equivalent to 'The Fifth Beatle'.
This method is very common in TV, but is more frequently used for guest stars. The technique is designed to highlight the "major" star who is playing some key role in that week's show. I would guess that some ground rules exist for how the credit methods are used. Look carefully at ER or Chicago Hope. These shows often have weekly featured guest stars, weekly featured supporting cast members, and periodic major guest stars. The major stars usually get named in the way George is. I would guess that the style on "Seinfeld" reflects the original status of George as the one best friend of Jerry from the start, and the fact that he is based on Larry David, co-creator of the show.