TELEVISION 'Seinfeld' curse is bunk, Alexander says

The actor's new character is 'a more mature version of George Costanza.'
By DAVE MASON
SCRIPPS HOWARD
A twinkle sparkled in Jason Alexander's eyes as he smiled broadly. This fall, he will try to prove -- again -- that the "Seinfeld" curse doesn't exist.
"The media created it because it fits easily in a headline and makes for great copy," Alexander said, his face turning serious, but his eyes keeping their spark. "I don't believe in that curse."
Alexander, whose sitcom "Listen Up" will premiere this fall on CBS, explained why he thinks he and other stars haven't had a hit TV show since "Seinfeld."
"Michael [Richards], Julia [Louis-Dreyfus] and I tried to reinvent the wheel for comedy. Julia tried to do one in real time," Alexander said.
Didn't last
Alexander starred in and executive-produced "Bob Patterson," a 2001 sitcom about a motivational speaker; he couldn't motivate viewers to watch it.
"The Michael Richards Show," in which the man known as Kramer played a detective, emphasized Richards' knack for physical comedy, but quickly stumbled into cancellation.
Louis-Dreyfus' sitcom, in which each story took place in a half-hour of actual time, lasted only two seasons.
So instead of reinventing the wheel, Alexander plans to stick with a traditional sitcom format when "Listen Up" debuts.
He talked about the show during an interview last week as he stood under the bright lights of Stage 9 at the Hollywood Studio Center. He came to the colorful set on a cold soundstage to play "Celebrity Blackjack" on GSN, formerly known as the Game Show Network.
Behind Alexander was a blackjack table where he had just competed against stars Snoop Dogg, Camryn Manheim, Kevin Nealon and Shannon Elizabeth. The game and the rest of a weekend celebrity tournament will air in July. The stars played for their favorite charities.
About 'Listen Up'
Alexander began the interview looking much happier than his temperamental "Seinfeld" character, George Costanza. He discussed what he's doing to try to find success this time around with "Listen Up." "It's a very different show from 'Bob Patterson,' " Alexander said." "It's a family show, and my character, Tony, is a more mature version of George Costanza."
Like George, Tony has a temper. "But he's calmer, happier," Alexander said. "It's potentially where George could be 15 years from now."
Alexander also noted he can give his full attention on acting because this time he isn't an executive producer.
Alexander noted he and the other "Seinfeld" stars have kept working and said he wouldn't have starred in this season's Los Angeles musical "The Producers" with Martin Short if a "Seinfeld" curse really existed.
He said "Seinfeld" stars face greater pressure to succeed immediately on TV because of the popularity of the Jerry Seinfeld sitcom.
But "more things in television don't work out than do work out," Alexander said.
CBS has scheduled "Listen Up," which is based on the life of Washington Post sportswriter Tony Kornheiser, for 8:30 p.m. Mondays this fall.