Hulu recreates Seinfeld apartment

A visitor to the Seinfeld pop-up mimics the character Kramer's stumbling entrance on the show. Bobbi Kristina Brown (seen here with former boyfriend Nick Gordon) was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her home on Jan 31.
A visitor to the Seinfeld pop-up mimics the character Kramer's stumbling entrance on the show. Bobbi Kristina Brown (seen here with former boyfriend Nick Gordon) was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her home on Jan 31. PHOTO: REUTERS PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE- PRESSE

New York - Fans of the hit 1990s TV show Seinfeld can lounge on comedian Jerry Seinfeld's battered sofa and reminisce about their favourite episodes in a pop-up, real-life replica of his iconic apartment on New York's Upper West Side.

Online video streaming service Hulu on Wednesday unveiled the replica apartment, where Seinfeld hung out with his best friend George, former girlfriend Elaine and neighbour Kramer, to mark the debut of all the episodes of the Emmy-award winning series on its website.

Seinfeld: The Apartment, open through Sunday, includes original items from the TV set, a memorabilia gallery and an interactive fan experience from the show about four single friends coping with life in New York City.

"I think it is going to be like Disneyland for so many of the fans," said actor Larry Thomas, who played the immigrant chef known as Soup Nazi because of the strict demands he placed on his customers.

Seinfeld donated several items to the pop-up apartment, including a canvas brick wall signed by the cast and crew when the series ended in 1998 after a nine-year run.

Fans can wander around the 325 sq m space, as well as see the original table and booth from Seinfeld's favourite restaurant around the corner, the Devil's hockey team shirt, his suspended bicycle and the picture of Porsches featured in the show. They can also recreate Kramer's famous stumbling entrance into the apartment and speak to visitors through the intercom system.

"There are 13-year-olds who come up to me and they love the show and stuff," said Thomas. "It's going to be introduced to a lot of new people."

Hulu acquired all nine seasons of the show, created by Seinfeld and comedian Larry David, in a deal announced last April with Sony Pictures Television in a bid to boost subscriptions and attract a new audience.

Reuters

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 26, 2015, with the headline Hulu recreates Seinfeld apartment. Subscribe