The episodes of Friends, while still maintaining an astonishing degree of clout, is slowly beginning to vanish from pop cultural conversation. Nevertheless, both these shows had something to say about their understanding of the world — and they did it in their own unique brand of style.
Seinfeld and Friends aren't that different from each other in a lot of ways, for instance, their general NYC vibe, similar-ish characters, and so on. At the same time, one might argue that there is literally nothing that can be compared between these two series (and one would be right.)
Similar: Ensemble Buddy Cast
Both programs revolve around a single set of friends and neighbors — Jerry and Kramer live next door, just like Monica lives in the apartment opposite to Chandler and Joey. These groups usually prefer to interact only with each other, although they also get involved with a number of other characters (often getting each other entangled in unrelated mishaps.)
There are also sexual relationships that develop between the main cast, on occasion, although in Seinfeld this only happens once, in "The Mango", and only because Jerry wants to restore his lost "honor."
Different: Unbridled Audacity
It shouldn't be a stretch to call Seinfeld an experimental sitcom, given that it practically succeeded in overhauling the entire genre. Friends tiptoes around a number of potentially exciting concepts, rarely, if ever, attempting to step beyond social boundaries in favor of artistic license.
On the contrary, Seinfeld almost entirely focuses on the idea of the forbidden, which is why it has managed to travel much further in of pure guts than its contemporary.
Similar: Wacky Roles
Nineties comedies are generally known for zany characters: as evidenced in shows like Murphy Brown, Frasier, Will & Grace, That '70s Show, and so on. In that regard, Seinfeld and Friends fit neatly into this category, producing roles that were bizarre (Joey, Elaine), obsessive (Monica, Jerry), neurotic (Ross, George), and enigmatic (Phoebe, Kramer).
The manner in which these characters interact with each other is also quite similar, for example, Phoebe's tenuous relationship with Monica bears striking parallels with that between Kramer and Jerry.
Different: Scintillating Scripts
Sure, Friends has a few jokes it can land now and then (if it tries really hard), but Seinfeld's script is packed with zingers swirling in from all directions, and without pause. A few iconic lines from the latter include "Looking at cleavage is like looking at the sun," "Serenity now," "They're real, and they're spectacular," and anything that comes out of Kramer's mouth.
On the other hand, Friends is known for its anemic quotes, such as "Joey doesn't share food," and "Nestlé Toulouse." Not really things that stick in the memory, to be honest.
Similar: Fixed Hangouts
Both shows have their designated eating spaces (because NYC folk apparently love to eat out all the time.) The Friends go to Central Perk, a hipster-esque café whose name is a simplistic pun on Manhattan's exemplary Central Park. Likewise, the Seinfeld clan visit Monk's Café, an inscrutable reference to jazz virtuoso Thelonious Monk.
Linguistics aside, these eateries have been the scene for several momentous occasions, like Phoebe agreeing to carry her brother's babies or George picking up a random woman by just doing "the opposite."
Different: Spectacular Slapstick
While Friends does base some of its humor in physical comedy, most of it depends on the dialogue. In fact, Kramer alone probably outshines the entire cast of Friends in his ever-evolving anatomical disasters.
He's not the only one — Elaine has shown herself to be quite the farce-master, whether in the form of her enthusiastic shoving (that often pushes her victims halfway across the living room), or like the time she tries to show off her dexterity by dancing in full view of her astounded office.
Similar: Diverse Side-Characters
Both shows have a number of side-characters who make regular appearances, each time helping straighten/convolute the narrative just a little more each time. Friends includes phenomenal talents like Janice, Ursula, Mr. Heckles, Mike Hannigan, not to mention the oft forgotten Marcel.
Similarly, Seinfeld's Newman, David Puddy, Frank Costanza, Jackie Chiles, Kenny Bania, and many others are crucial in fleshing out the stories that zigzag across the show.
Different: Guest Stardom
Interestingly, the guest stars that appeared on Friends were more on the film star side, a few examples being George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Ben Stiller, Isabella Rossellini, Winona Ryder, Sean Penn, Jeff Goldblum, Susan Sarandon, among others.
Conversely, Seinfeld cameos and guest actors included those who were either established TV thespians, such as Courteney Cox and Lori Loughlin, or those who became superstars after their role in the show — Debra Messing, Jane Leeves, Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Teri Hatcher, James Spader, Megan Mullally, Bob Odenkirk, and even little Drake Bell.
Similar: Problematic Outlook
Even for the nineties, Seinfeld is far less problematic than Friends (although not entirely blameless.) While the latter series is directly homophobic, especially in of Chandler's ridiculous overcompensation, Seinfeld doesn't fully succeed in making viewers believe that "there isn't anything wrong with it."
Similarly, Friends rarely acknowledges the possibility of a diverse cast, and Seinfeld basically used the Puerto Rican flag "as a prop" by having Kramer stomp on it (to allegedly stop it from burning.)
Different: Refreshing Take
Although not all Seinfeld storylines became fan favorites (or even stood the test of time), the novelty was truly exhilarating — there really was no other show like it, and it would be a tough job identifying any even in 2020.
Seinfeld is a benchmark, a focal point around which comedy began to revolve and evolve, resulting in brilliantly disturbing sitcoms like Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and others that have themselves become the new standards for television artistry.