Society
Marriage
In an episode George says that he was only excited about getting married because Jerry was supposed to get married as well (they made a deal) and they could go on double dates all the time – so they could still go out together all the time without upsetting their wives. Showing that they feel as though you do not get married because of love but because it benefits you (social perks), that you should avoid it at all costs otherwise. George even goes as far as taking up smoking when engaged to Susan to try to get out of marrying her.
GEORGE: Yeah. Hey, wait a second, you know, good news for you too. Susan's
best friend, Hallie? Broke up with her boyfriend.
JERRY: She did?
GEORGE: Yeah.
JERRY: So? Wheels?
GEORGE: In motion. The wheels are in motion.
JERRY: Beautiful.
GEORGE: Aah, hey. (enthusiastic) If this works out, forget about it.
Vacations together, movies together, dinner together. It..it's almost as good
as if I didn't get married.
JERRY: So, set it up. You know what, we could have dinner at the Friars Club.
Death/Grieving
Death is not seen as serious or sanctified to the main cast. They see death as consequences – and whether it benefits or inconveniences them. For example, when George’s financee Susan dies he views this not a loss but as a gain, he regains his freedom (from marriage).
Cemeteries are not seen as sacred either, for example Jerry makes jokes and George thinks about the trivial aspects of his daily life. Even when Jerry gives a comforting thought to Susan’s parents at her funeral, he quotes a Star Trek movie. Showing that he does not even take the death seriously when confronted with Susan’s parents’ grief.
After the funeral, George calls an actress that he had met through Elaine to ask her on a date. Showing that the relationship and pending marriage was simply a societal obligation to George.
GEORGE:
Yes I'd like to speak to Marisa Tomei, please?
Marisa , Hi it's George Costanza.. I'm the short, funny, quirky bald man
you met a little while ago, heh! yeah I was just calling 'cos I wanted you to know that I'm not engaged anymore......well huh, She died....Toxic glue from the wedding invitations.....well we were expecting about two hundred people. Yeah... Anyway.. hum I got the funeral tomorrow but huh.. my weekend is pretty wide open and I was wondering... (dial tone interrupts George)..... Hello...Hello..
Equal Opportunists
Seinfeld does not solely go after religion to gain material for their jokes. They take a variety of aspects of modern life (particularly sensitive topics) to mock
Others
Public Figures
One example: Keith Hernandez, appears on an episode of Seinfeld as himself. Kramer and Newman (Jerry and Kramer's neighbour) accuse Hernandez of spitting on them. They mock Hernandez through this episode and others.
However, the fact that Hernandez appears on the show himself shows that this show, and therefore its satirical nature, is not to be taken seriously.
Homelessness/Poor
Elaine suspects that her boyfriend is married, but later finds out that he is single – but poor. This makes her immediately want to end the relationship. Suggesting that, to her, a married man is better than a poor man to date. She then pays him off to get out of the relationship.
Race
Elaine spends an episode trying to determine if her boyfriend is black or not.
In another episode, Jerry tries to get a date with a Native American Woman, but ends up insulting her time and time again. Example: calling her "an indian giver"
It is later revealed that her boyfriend thought that Elaine was Hispanic. When they both realize that they are both white they end the relationship.
This is boring to them - they were looking for excitement from dating outside their race.
