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Jerry Seinfeld Did Not Steal Idea for Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

Jerry Seinfeld may be a lot of things we don’t know about, but he’s no idea thief. His still very popular show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is his own, from the idea to the way he brings it to life.
Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen DeGeneres in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee episode 10 photos
Photo: Netflix
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A Manhattan District judge just ruled in Seinfeld’s favor, after a former colleague sued him claiming he had stolen the idea for the show from one he had pitched a decade before the premiere of Comedians in Cars. The former colleague, Christian Charles, waited too long to sue, so his claim had no merit, the judge ruled, according to the BBC.

Seinfeld and Charles had worked together for years before they fell out. Charles directed the first episode of Comedians in Cars in 2011, but then asked for more recognition and money than he was getting. Seinfeld denied his request and the two parted ways. Assume that doors were slammed when they said good-bye.

Some time after that, Charles filed a copyright lawsuit against Seinfeld. In court documents, Charles said that he introduced Seinfeld to the idea back in 2002, when he pitched a show called Two Stupid Guys in a Stupid Car Driving to a Stupid Town. Seinfeld took the idea and sold it as his own, the lawsuit argued.

Of course, Seinfeld denied the claims from the get-go.

In a statement to the media, his attorney calls the judge’s ruling “vindication” for what was nothing short of a cheap attempt at a shake-down.

“Today's victory is a complete vindication,” says Orin Snyder, Seinfeld’s attorney. “Jerry created Comedians in Cars and this lawsuit was nothing but a money-grab seeking to capitalize on the success of the show. We are pleased that the court saw through the noise.”

Charles’ attorney also issued a statement to say that they were “disappointed” in the ruling, calling out Seinfeld’s “egregious, shabby conduct.” That said, since the statute of limitations has run out, there is no appealing the decision.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a simple but fun and popular comedy show that sees Seinfeld drive to pick up a fellow comedian (and sometimes a celebrity) in a vintage car. They drive to grab a coffee and chat like friends, with cameras rolling. It premiered on Sony’s Crackle streaming platform, but moved to Netflix with its 10th season.
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About the author: Elena Gorgan
Elena Gorgan profile photo

Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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