"What's the Deal With...?"

     This quip, typically followed by a mundane and familiar situation, is the cheeky summation of observational humor of a distinctly 1990s flavor. While never stated in either his sitcom nor appearing in any stand-up on record, this phrase has been attributed to "King of Comedy" Jerry Seinfeld. In a recent Netflix special "Jerry Before Seinfeld," the comedian spoke to his upbringing and its intersection and influence in his comedy. Raised on Long Island in NY, the comedian points to his relatively mundane childhood as a source of his brand of comedy. 

“Would I have been funnier if I grew up in Peoria in a whorehouse raised by prostitutes? Absolutely. But this is what I had to work with.” -JS 

     While observational comedy as a sub-genre was first prominently used in American stand-up in the 1960s by George Carlin, it was Seinfeld who branded the style such that it is a banality today. Phrases like "Have you ever noticed...?" or "What's the deal with...?" as a commonplace set-up for humor denote a marked shift in the American understanding and application of joke-telling. These stock-phrases and the type of humor they engage, in addition to their commonplace, convey widespread expectations of humor. This paradigm shift expects that jokes told are simultaneously relatable and insightful. If the answer to "Have you ever noticed...?" is "Yes," the listener has learned nothing and may feel their intelligence is undervalued. However, if the answer to that question is "No," then the joke-teller may proceed to explain "The Deal." Thus, the exchange of clever information proceeds.
     The core of Seinfeld's comedic prowess is rooted in his mastery of the balancing act. His stand-up, which focuses every-day situations, aims to provide humorous insight that the viewers comprehend. But in both delivery (mock surprise and sarcasm are frequently employed) and perspective, the listener's worldview is invited to shift. While jokes can be employed solely for their wit, observational humor as a genre rests on the notion that our individual perspective is limited. Indeed, while the American society may share so much in common (breakfast cereal, laundry machines, and superheroes) our viewpoints are limited. Seinfeld created a "show about nothing," and in doing so, related to audiences on a massive scale. 
     However, in being given this humorous observation, the perspective of the listener is challenged in a small and comfortable way. Observational humor has defined and been emulated within many a sitcom since Seinfeld went off the air. Indeed, the scenario of the characters of George and Jerry, intimate conversations between friends, make the view feel more like the observer of a daily ritual than an audience member sitting for a performance. In the contemporary world, the form of many humorous podcasts take on the dialogue format as a way to fade the fourth wall. 
     In "Jerry Before Seinfeld," a scene occurs in which the comedian sits surrounded by all the jokes he's written since 1975. On yellow and white legal paper, they physically represent the formation of humor and rise to comedic success. The process from which one becomes a successful comedian has a lot to do with delivery, dedication, and luck, but perfecting the craft of humorous observations rests on the ability to think a bit divergently. This, being paired with being open to exploring new perspectives, allowed Jerry Seinfeld to build a body of jokes that saw the humor in life. When we acknowledge our limited worldview and aim to challenge it, even the most mundane of situations can provide a laugh.

https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/92dec/seinfeld.htm 
http://www.indiewire.com/2014/02/how-seinfeld-revolutionized-the-sitcom-29472/
http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/seinfeld-is-modern-comedys-biggest-influence.html 
https://www.netflix.com/title/80163156