My Seinfeld Year

by Fred Stoller

turned red with rage, as if just suggesting that idea had ruined his show. "What!? That's not an idea! That's stupid!" he said. Then, he turned around and stormed out of my office. I felt stupid, excitedly opening up like that and being slammed down. Before I could think of something to say to save face, Larry relented a little. He stopped, turned around and said, "Okay, I did tell you to try anything out on me. I did say that. Sorry." Eventually, I did get my Kramer and Elaine stories approved. Both came from personal experiences. A nutty friend of mine back in New York was an extreme minimalist. One summer, he traveled around with all of his possessions — an extra T-shirt, underwear, and his keys — in a tennis ball can. He also had his refrigerator removed from his little studio apartment to give himself more space. Whatever foods he brought home he kept outside on his window ledge to keep cold. Throwing out the refrigerator would pass as something Kramer would do. My horrendous experience with the woman I flew in from London became my Elaine story.

worked.