Michael By now, we have probably watched each of the hundred Seinfeld episodes four or five times. I know almost every dialogue by heart. I think in Seinfeld plotlines. I often catch myself using the sentence structures and timing of Seinfeld episodes when I tell a funny story in English.

What is so special about Seinfeld? Why is it funnier by an order of magnitude than anything else? Than, let's say, "Cheers" or "Married with Children"? So much funnier that it doesn't just play in a completely different league, but in a completely different humor universe?

Since the show "Curb Your Enthusiasm" by and with Seinfeld writer Larry David has been on the premium channel HBO, I know it: The difference is called Larry David. He's the guy who wrote all the Seinfeld scripts, who makes those absurd jokes about essentially taboo subjects, who lets the actors rush headlong into these grotesque situations. The show "Seinfeld" does draw some comedic energy from its actors: Jerry Seinfeld is quite funny, Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus portray "George" and "Elaine" excellently, and Michael Richards ("Kramer") could also shine in a scriptless comedy because he simply plays world-class slapstick -- but other shows have that too.

The script by Larry David makes the difference. This became apparent to me when I saw "Curb Your Enthusiasm" for the first time about a year ago: In this unpolished, even downright anarchic show, which places no value on acting skills (Larry David plays himself, and the rest of the cast are third-rate actors), the team goes through typical Seinfeld everyday odysseys, only much more hair-raising.

Larry David is accosted by a homeowner for throwing a piece of paper into their trash can as he walks by. Or an acquaintance gets upset because Larry thanks her husband for paying for dinner but not her, since she doesn't earn any money! Or Larry is criticized by a black friend just because he fires his black TV repairman!

And parallels to Seinfeld become clear: The bald Larry David, who suffers greatly from his lack of hair, is clearly behind the character "George" in Seinfeld. By the way, the theme music "Diddeldi-didaddeldadi-dididdeldedi-Wui-Bah!" strongly reminds me of the Munich series "Monaco Franze," which I love very much. Coincidence?

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• More topics you might be interested in:

  	Terror Utility Vehicles
  	Risk of a terrorist attack
  	Duct Tape -- your friend
  	Mr. Bush and the War
  	Goodwill
  	Newsletter Top Product
  	Religions of the World
  	The Boat Is Full
  	The Record Of the Month