Why Seinfeld is still master of its domain

Seinfeld premiered 25 years ago this week — but even the most dedicated viewers of its era probably missed its inaugural episode. Dumped in a graveyard slot as a mid-summer replacement, the series (which was then titled The Seinfeld Chronicles) was given just four episodes to justify its existence when it hit the airwaves in 1989. From those inauspicious origins came Seinfeld, the sitcom juggernaut that served as appointment viewing for more than 76 million Americans at its peak. Even in syndi...