A talk show about nothing: Seinfeld joins Gormley before Saskatoon performance

Legendary actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld is bringing his newest stand-up routine to Saskatoon this Saturday.

Seinfeld, best known for playing a fictional version of himself on the self-titled sitcom that aired from 1989 to 1998, joined CKOM and CJME’s John Gormley on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming show and his storied career.

The iconic comedian said that even after years in the industry, a lot of work still goes into the development of a new routine.

“I’m always looking to see how far I can extend it, and if I can wrap it up and complete it in a satisfying way,” the comedian said, noting it can take him months to perfect a comedy bit down to the last word.

“It’s a solitary kind of life; it’s like being a carpenter, or a novelist.”

Still, perfecting his craft doesn’t feel like work to Seinfeld, who said hearing a crowd laugh at something he’s thought of still excites him.

“Seinfeld” (which was famously described as “a show about nothing”) isn’t the only series the actor has had a hand in creating. In 2012, he launched his series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” and the actor told Gormley it was his own original idea.

“Driving and having coffee are two of my favourite things, so I thought, ‘Hey, they all begin with C; that kind of sounds like a show,’ ” he said.

Seinfeld said he also created that series to help showcase the off-stage side of comedy.

On top of his stand-up, the actor also has an extensive Porsche collection, and noted that a couple of the vintage cars showcased in the show belonged to him, such as the Porsche Spyder featured in the episode with comedian Kevin Hart.

“It’s fun. I just like wasting my time,” Seinfeld said.

Seinfeld said he’s a big fan of other comedians, which is another reason why he created the show. Lately, Seinfeld said he’s been watching comedian Nate Bargatze, whose work Seinfeld described as careful and smooth.

“He has a great style and great talent,” he said.

Seinfeld said he tries out new material in smaller New York clubs before taking it to bigger venues.

“To me, every place has its own energy, which you kind of don’t feel until you walk out on stage,” Seinfeld said.

Jerry Seinfeld Live hits the SaskTel Centre stage on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

You can hear the full conversation between Seinfeld and John Gormley here.