By Curt Schleier

Jason Alexander is getting a guest shot on Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE.  This is clearly a wonderful gesture on the part of Ms. Dreyfus, who sees the rampant unemployment of her former co-workers at SEINFELD, and single-handedly has taken it upon herself to get them off the welfare roles.  But her choice of co-star is counter-intuitive.

But first the history:  Towards the end of the run of SEINFELD, someone in the cast angered a Gypsy woman.  We don’t know what transpired and truth be told we have no absolute proof that anything actually occurred.  But how else can you explain the SEINFELD curse, which has become legend in the entertainment industry?  It precludes anyone associated with the show from enjoying success.  With the exception of the show’s star, who has pretty much become a recluse while working on his new film, BEE MOVIE, the principal players have become the anti-MIDAS, turning everything they touch into ca-ca. 

Alexander was not only not the master of his domain, he couldn’t master BOB PATTERSON, an abysmal show that lasted four episodes in 2001.  LISTEN UP four years later lasted longer, but ultimately only proved that the curse was real.

Then there was THE MICHAEL RICHARDS SHOW that went a mere three episodes.  And even Ms. Louis-Dreyfus had WATCHING ELLIE, her first solo attempt, go down in flames.

Which brings us to the present: Julia scored a modest hit in NEW ADVENTURES, and by modest I mean it did not make the fall schedule.  That suggests it only goes on the air when one of the shows CBS really has faith in goes down the tubes.  Nevertheless, hiring a destitute former cast mate was a wonderful move on Julia’s part, but directed towards the wrong person.

For one thing, the role calls for some who is a lizard handler for children’s birthday parties.   Come on, who looks more the part, Alexander or Michael Richards.  Alexander looks more like a bald Teddy bear some six-year old put together in one of those build-your-own bear stores.  Richards, on the other hand, when seen from the right angle, has that reptilian look. 

Then there’s the matter of who needs the job most.  Alexander is employable.  That is, there are people who happy to give him work.  Richards, of course, with the exception of Ku Klux Klan benefits, couldn’t get a job if his residuals depended upon it.  We’re all familiar of course with his melt down at a comedy clubs months ago when a group of African-Americans heckled him.  Worse, someone with a camera posted it on the web.

There is of course no excuse for that kind of language, but even Imus is being given shot.  And what better way for Richards to come back – as a lizard handler.