Since it first aired in 1989, Seinfeld has remained one of the most beloved TV shows ever, attracting fans across generations. Its lasting popularity proves that the show’s core idea and the situations its characters face are still relevant and relatable. Even now, the episodes are enjoyable because they cleverly captured the humor in everyday details. However, some parts of Seinfeld feel a little old-fashioned by today’s standards. Many of the problems the characters struggled with would be easily solved with smartphones, for example. In fact, one particular episode really doesn’t work well for modern audiences, and it’s not even because of any obvious references to the 1990s.
The 100th episode of Seinfeld, called “The Highlights of 100,” first aired on February 2, 1995. It was a clip show, meaning it looked back at some of the funniest moments from the show’s first 99 episodes. While it was a fun way to revisit classic scenes with Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine, these kinds of milestone celebrations don’t really have the same impact today.
Seinfeld‘s 100th Episode Was Perfect for the 1990s (but It Makes No Sense Now)
It’s hard to believe now, but Seinfeld wasn’t always a sure hit. Early on, NBC wasn’t convinced the show would succeed, particularly after the pilot episode didn’t test well with audiences. Fortunately, the show had some key supporters, and the first couple of seasons – which were shorter than most TV seasons at the time – earned decent ratings, leading the network to order more episodes. Knowing how challenging those early days were, it makes perfect sense that the Seinfeld team wanted to celebrate reaching 100 episodes and acknowledge how far they’d come.
As a huge Seinfeld fan, I remember “The Highlights of 100” being a real treat when it aired. Back in the ’90s, we didn’t have streaming! If you missed an episode, you had to record it on VHS. So, a clip show like this was pure nostalgia. It had probably been years since many of us had seen classic moments like Kramer quitting the contest, Elaine’s date with Keith Hernandez, or George’s amazing “Marine Biologist” monologue. It felt like a celebration for everyone involved, but more importantly, it reminded us of everything we loved about the show. Plus, it was a perfect way for anyone who hadn’t seen earlier seasons to get a taste of what they’d been missing!
While “The Highlights of 100” was a popular episode in the 1990s, it feels outdated today. All episodes of Seinfeld are now readily available on streaming services like Netflix, for purchase on DVD or Blu-ray, and as individual clips on YouTube. Because fans can easily access their favorite moments whenever they want, a two-part retrospective like this is no longer necessary. “The Highlights of 100” perfectly represents the era in which Seinfeld was made, but as our viewing habits have changed, this type of episode has become less common.
“The Highlights of 100” wasn’t the only Seinfeld episode that used flashbacks. In its final season, the show aired “The Chronicle,” a full-hour episode that looked back at the entire series before the controversial finale. Like “The Highlights of 100,” it allowed fans to revisit classic funny moments and included some never-before-seen outtakes, almost like a bonus feature on a DVD. Just as with “Highlights of 100,” “The Chronicle” feels out of place now, with how people watch shows through streaming and binge-watching.
You Can Still Watch Seinfeld‘s Clip Show Episodes Even Though They’re Obsolete
Although clip shows aren’t popular anymore, the ones from Seinfeld are still easy to find. Episodes like “The Highlights of 100” and “The Chronicle” are available on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as on Netflix. While it would make sense to remove these older episodes from current releases – they really are a product of their time – it’s good they’re still included for anyone interested in seeing the complete series.
It’s easy to recommend Seinfeld as a show, but the special “The Highlights of 100” is harder to sell to modern viewers. It simply revisits the show’s early seasons and doesn’t advance any storylines or character development – something Seinfeld uniquely tried to do consistently. The special doesn’t even offer a fresh take on the recap format; Larry David and the team didn’t really innovate or add anything new to make it particularly entertaining. The only new element is Jerry Seinfeld briefly addressing the audience before showing clips. If you’re already watching Seinfeld from beginning to end, there’s not much reason to watch this special unless you’re trying to see everything.
Watching the Seinfeld clip shows while rewatching the whole series isn’t ideal, but they can still be enjoyable. For dedicated fans who just want a quick dose of Seinfeld, both “The Highlights of 100” and “The Chronicle” offer a convenient way to revisit favorite moments, similar to falling down a YouTube rabbit hole – but right on Netflix. They don’t replace watching the full episodes, but they’re a good option if you’re short on time and don’t want to commit to nine seasons.
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2026-02-02 23:44