“Seinfeld” role - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "“Seinfeld” role," is a classic pop culture reference that will be instantly familiar to many solvers. It points directly to a character from one of the most iconic sitcoms in television history. This type of clue tests your knowledge of cultural touchstones and is a staple in modern crosswords.

Clue Analysis

The clue is straightforward: it asks for the name of a character from the TV show "Seinfeld." The quotation marks around "Seinfeld" clearly indicate it's the title of a work. The word "role" confirms we're looking for a character played by an actor. The primary challenge here isn't obscurity, but rather narrowing down the possibilities, as the show had several prominent characters. The length of the answer slot in the grid is your most important guide.

Thinking Approaches

A solver encountering this clue would likely follow these steps:

1. Brainstorm Characters: The first step is to list the main characters from "Seinfeld." The four central figures are Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine. Other recurring characters like Newman might also come to mind.
2. Check the Grid Length: Let's assume the answer slot is six letters long. We can filter our list:
   • Jerry (5 letters) - Incorrect
   • George (6 letters) - Possible
   • Kramer (6 letters) - Possible
   • Elaine (6 letters) - Possible
   • Newman (6 letters) - Possible
3. Utilize Crossing Letters: With several six-letter possibilities, you must rely on the crossing clues. If you have an 'E' as the first letter from a down clue, the answer is almost certainly ELAINE. If you have a 'G', it's GEORGE, and so on. This is a perfect example of how intersecting answers work together to reveal the correct solution.

Background Context

"Seinfeld," which aired from 1989 to 1998, is often described as a "show about nothing." It revolutionized the sitcom format with its focus on the minutiae of everyday life in New York City. The character in question, Elaine Benes, was portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She was Jerry's ex-girlfriend and a core member of the friend group, known for her sharp wit, career struggles, and famously terrible dancing. She remains one of television's most memorable female characters.

Conclusion

This clue is a great example of an "easy" difficulty pop culture question. It taps into widely shared knowledge and serves as a friendly entry point into a section of the puzzle. While multiple characters fit the length requirement, the puzzle's structure of crossing words makes the final answer unambiguous for anyone with a basic familiarity with the show.

Hints

1. Hint 1: One of the four main characters in a classic 90s sitcom.
2. Hint 2: This character was Jerry's ex-girlfriend and close friend.
3. Hint 3: She was known for her distinctive dance moves and worked for J. Peterman.
4. Hint 4: The role was played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.