USA: COMEDIAN JERRY SEINFELD'S 'PUFFY' SHIRT IS INDUCTED INTO SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Record ID: 389642

  • Title: USA: COMEDIAN JERRY SEINFELD'S 'PUFFY' SHIRT IS INDUCTED INTO SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
  • Date: 19th November 2004
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C. USA (NOVEMBER 18, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) SEINFELD POSING WITH PUFFY SHIRT
  • Embargoed: 4th December 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. USA / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA7AOG4J03QU8Q5INNTO8FUNIZL
  • Story Text: Jerry Seinfeld has made his mark on American pop culture, and "it's puffy, very puffy," the actor and comedian said on Thursday (November 18), when Seinfeld's infamous "puffy shirt" was inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington.
    The shirt was worn by the comedian during an episode of television series, which has been a hit across the globe.
    The star and co-creator of the hugely popular show says that the show has received many accolades, but this induction solidifies "Seinfeld" as a part of American history.
    "Seinfeld" premiered in 1989 and focused on the urban world inhabited by four principle characters, Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer. The show aired for nine years and was the No. 1 rated show when it went off the air.
    "It's a great honor. When you make it in showbusiness, you make it in showbusiness. But this is like a little outside of showbusiness. I mean they have like locomotives here and the spirit of St. Louis. So to be considered part of that lexicon of things, it's amazing and I'm thrilled," Seinfeld told Reuters.
    Over the years the show has used clothing as props to make millions laugh, including a manssiere, a brassiere for men and beltless rain coats. But Seinfeld says, there is none as legendary as the 'puffy shirt.' "As a prop, it was probably the most memorable, the most identifiable with the show. Maybe the Junior Mint or the golf ball that Kramer hit into the whale. But those aren't as good looking or as much fun to see for the public."
    Seinfeld said he was astonished that a joke had made its way into the archives of American history, and proceeded to explain how the concept for the 'puffy shirt' arose.
    "This is really nothing but a joke. We came up with this idea, it was Larry David's idea that we should have a puffy shirt that should be the thing that Kramer's girlfriend suggested I wear. And we fell in love with the word puffy. And then there were a few versions of the shirt, until we felt that it really reached its proper puffiness."
    The museum will also receive an original script from episode #66, "The Puffy Shirt" episode. The shirt will go on view November 24 in the museum's "Icons of Popular Culture" display, alongside Jim Henson's Kermit the Frog puppet and Dorothy's Ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz."
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