The following article appeared in the Jan. 8, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
📫 Reader mailbag: ‘Seinfeld’ fans from around the country respond after the New York Times highlights Ledger article
The New York Times headlined its morning newsletter Dec. 22 with an article about “the rebirth of local journalism,” and as luck would have it, The Charlotte Ledger was mentioned prominently alongside a couple dozen other small and growing local news startups that, like us, are also working to provide reliable information to their communities.
The article included links to “journalism to savor,” including a Ledger story by our Cristina Bolling from last September about a Charlotte real estate developer who names streets and buildings after “Seinfeld” references, such as Vandelay Court (Ballantyne) and “The Cosmo” apartments (NoDa). The national attention catapulted the article to our most read ever, and The Ledger gained 225 new email subscribers in a day, a new record (including a dozen new paid subscriptions, which is a healthy number).
In addition, emails poured in to Cristina’s inbox from readers from around the country who had read the article and wanted to share their favorite “Seinfeld” episodes. We thought you might enjoy some of them:
“I loved the article and the subtle references that only true ‘Seinfeld’ fans might recognize. My ‘favorite’ episode may not be as hilarious as ‘The Contest,’ but I love it because it’s from Season 2 and a lot of people aren’t aware of it. It’s episode 12, ‘The Busboy.’ … Jerry let co-stars shine without him, and George and Kramer are amazing together. If you haven’t seen it by now, enjoy! And don’t hesitate to watch all 180 episodes in order like I did — took a few months but was great. Amazing what they packed into 21 minutes back then!” — Jeff Schreier, Katonah, N.Y.
“What a Sophie’s choice trying to pick a favorite! So many come to mind — Kramer’s Juju beans falling into a surgery patient’s abdomen, man hands, etc., etc., but I think my all-time favorite is when Jerry brings a girl home and can’t remember her name, but he knows it rhymes with a female body part: Mulva ;) Thanks for the memories!” —Debbie Johnson, Waterville, Ohio [Editor’s note: The surgery episode involved falling Junior Mints, not Jujubes.]
“I just read your article that was referenced in a Times article about local journalism. Very clever building and street names from the ‘Seinfeld’ show were the focus. I’m following up by telling you how much I laughed at ‘The Chinese Restaurant’ episode.” —Sukey O’Donnell, Asheville, N.C.
“I read the NYT article on naming streets [and] buildings after Seinfeld episodes. ‘The Library Detective’ is great! The late Philip Baker Hall broke up Jerry so many times when he ranted on him that they had to shoot that scene multiple times. Here’s hoping the city will rename a street ‘Library Detective Avenue’ somewhere near a library branch.” —Virginia T. Scott, Akron, Ohio
“I really love them all and still watch them to this day like it’s a new series! I’m from N.J. and loved watching the show in the ’90s. I would have to say my favorites are ‘The Soup Nazi’ and ‘The Baby Shower.’ Reading this article really made my day. ‘Seinfeld’ is an all-time great. I love it.” —Katasha Tyson, Charlotte
“The NYT article on local journalism (yay) referenced your delightful article … I’ve passed it around in my family of millennials and up, and we all agree it’s a journalistic gem. We are sorry for the younger folk. Up here, we wish Levin would build some $2,000/month 2-BR apartments, named after ‘Gunsmoke’ for all we care. Happy Festivus! And best of luck to The Ledger.” —Jane Schaffer, Brooklyn, New York
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman