Top TV Memes: The Best Meme Formats From 'Seinfeld'

Seinfeld is a self-proclaimed "show about nothing." Originally airing in 1989, it stars comedian Jerry Seinfeld as himself along with his best friend George, ex-girlfriend Elaine and poorly housebroken pet and neighbor Kramer as he stumbles through everyday life in New York City. His misadventures in society lead to disastrous results, from getting lost in a parking garage for four hours to accidentally losing a Junior Mint in the open body of a surgery patient.

Seinfeld is well-known in the meme community for a few reasons. First, Jerry Seinfeld himself is responsible for Bee Movie. Second, the theme song consists of a few catchy notes that sound a little too sarcastic while ringing in every scene. Every time you say a too-offensive joke that creates an awkward silence, this jingle probably plays in your head. It also serves as a soundtrack in edited viral videos that remind viewers of the surreal humor of this sitcom. Some lines from characters have also become quotable both in-person and online. Here are two of the best Seinfeld episodes to find great memes.

Most Popular Memes: Season 7, Episode 6: "The Soup Nazi"

Based on a real New York soup chef who allegedly blames Jerry for the downfall of his business, "The Soup Nazi" is the supreme antagonist of the foodservice industry in Seinfeld’s universe. He demands each customer in his restaurant follow a strict procedure in ordering their soup, lest he unleashes his wrath upon them. Perceived as a powerful god, locals flocked to him en masse, hoping to obtain the local delicacy rather than hear the dreaded words, "No soup for you!" Eventually, Jerry is faced with a decision between his delicious soup and his relationship when his girlfriend is rejected by the Soup Nazi. Spoiler alert — he chooses the soup, and he doesn’t regret it.

The Soup Nazi has been a famous meme since the creation of the internet. At the same time, it’s so much more than a meme. It’s expanded beyond the fictional universe and into modern society, where Seinfeld fans recommend "the Soup Nazi’s restaurant" to New York tourists, further enraging the real chef while bringing millions worth of revenue to his restaurant chain. "No soup for you!" is frequently quoted by waiters all over the U.S. The Soup Nazi is one reference almost anyone understands, but there’s no way to truly grasp the nuances of the meme until you see him hurling insults at customers in Seinfeld.

Most Meme Potential: Season 2, Episode 11: "The Chinese Restaurant"

In this episode, Jerry is determined to see a showing of the infamously bad movie Plan 9 From Outer Space, so he, Elaine and George have limited time for dinner. They arrive at a Chinese restaurant and agree to wait five minutes, but five minutes drag on indefinitely. This results in Elaine trying to steal an eggroll from a table, Jerry being confronted by a friend he doesn’t remember and George absolutely giving up on life as people keep cutting in front of him to use the restaurant’s phone. While he approaches a nervous breakdown, George provides viewers with existential quotes such as, "What is it with humanity?" and "What kind of a world do we live in?"

This is a classic episode of Seinfeld because it reeks of the frustration of waiting in line. It also is a great showcase for George Costanza, who hates the world and hurls insults towards the failures of mankind throughout the episode. George is already a memeable character because he always seems a bit depressed throughout the series, but this episode shifts to a whole new level of dark quotes and social rejection. Eventually, he reaches a point where he shouts, "You know, we’re living in a society!" This is believed to have influenced the development of a popular reference, "We live in a society."

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