Jerry Seinfeld criticizes 'Friends' for stealing 'Seinfeld' characters

television

by Lauren Sarner

He won't be there for them.

Jerry Seinfeld, 70, had some harsh words for the “Friends” series.

While promoting “Unfrosted,” his directorial debut, Seinfeld takes aim at the hit sitcom for allegedly imitating him.

“Unfrosted” is an upcoming comedy film about the creation of Pop-Tarts. In addition to Seinfeld, it stars Hugh Grant, Melissa McCarthy, Max Greenfield, Amy Schumer, Peter Dinklage, Christian Slater, James Marsden and Dan Levy.

The promotional video for “Unfrosted” accuses Seinfeld of trademark infringement because it “referenced 221 trademarked breakfasts” in the film.

“Are you familiar with the concept of trademark infringement?” The fictional president of Pop-Tarts, Kelman P. Gasworth, asks Seinfeld in the video.

“You see, Mr. Seinfeld, you took something from us, and now we're going to take something from you. Show it, Tarty.”

A trophy was then displayed holding “Seinfeld” actors Ali Wentworth, Phil Morris and Larry Thomas.

“Schmubby, Jackie Chilis, and Soup Nazi!” My characters!” exclaimed Seinfeld.

“They're my characters now, Mr. Seinfeld,” Gasworth says. “Tell me, how do you feel when people steal your ideas and then do whatever they want with them?”

“You mean like 'friends'?” Seinfeld asks.

“Seinfeld” aired for nine seasons on NBC from 1989 to 1998. Referred to as “a show about nothing,” it followed the daily lives of a group of friends (who ended up behind bars — a show that shared Written by Larry David on HBO). “Curb Your Enthusiasm” was recently honored in its own series finale).

Friends aired for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004, and although it also followed the daily lives of the friends, it had more plot threads and a more upbeat ending in the style of a romantic comedy, giving Chandler (the late… Matthew Perry) The last word. .

in A recent interview with The New YorkerSeinfeld also said he thinks comedy has gone downhill.

“Nothing really impacts comedy. People always need it. They need it so bad, and they don't get it,” Seinfeld told the outlet.

“It used to be that you'd come home at the end of the day, and most people would say, 'Oh, 'Cheers' is on. Oh, “MASH” is on. Oh, “Mary Tyler Moore” is on. 'All in the Family' is on.' I just predicted: “There's going to be some funny things we can watch on TV tonight.” Well, guess what – where is he?”

He added: “This is the result of the extreme left Computer Stupid, people worry too much about offending others.

“'Unfrosted' arrives on Netflix On May 3.