Seinfeld reruns never get old. They are rich with lessons in character development, show preparation, and story structure for radio personalities. George Costanza is Seinfeld’s best friend and one of the most memorable characters in television history. Radio personalities can learn from George.
George Costanza And The Payoff
Remember the episode when George learned the secret to his success was to “end on a high note”? In meetings, relationships, and nearly all situations, George figured out that his biggest problem was a tendency to keep talking after making an impact.
Here’s when George learned to end on a high note:
Lesson: Listeners move on when the story loses momentum, even if it is a terrific story idea. Every segment must have a clear direction., and when you reach the payoff, get out. Sometimes the best moment may be the second exit, but it’s better to get out too soon than too late.
Self-Deprecating And Vulnerable
When George recognizes that everything he tries turns out poorly, he decides,
I’m going to do the opposite of everything I’d normally do.
His strategy was to be anti-George. In the diner, he spies an attractive woman he would probably have told lies to win her over. He would have said he was an architect, but he tells her his name is George, a balding, middle-aged man who lives with his parents. It worked.
Lesson: Many radio personalities overthink their performance. They are obsessed with making every detail perfect. The more they focus on execution, the worse it gets. The fun comes out of the show. Embrace your quirks and insecurities. Showing “just like me” traits is uniquely relatable and charming.
Be The Personality You Want To Be
George Costanza is a complex character. He learned to be himself in the Anti-George episode, but he had most of his success stretching his truth. The episode of George trying to impress his girlfriend by pretending to be a marine biologist is hilarious. George wants to be a more interesting man, and he owns it!
Lesson: When building a Character Profile, identify the most likable traits of your off-air life, then build a brand based on the best possible version of those traits.
Conclusion
It makes you miss the old Seinfeld episodes. These three classic George Costanza moments can be applied to radio performers. To review:
Find the exit, and take it. End on a high note.
Being authentic and vulnerable to your character.
Perform to the best possible you.
[xyz-ips snippet=”further-reading”]
