Jerry Seinfeld back with reality TV show

Oh, dear. Jerry Seinfeld, the star of the seminal and classy comedy series Seinfeld, which was co-written by Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David, is entering the world of Jade Goody. He has just signed up with NBC to make a reality television series provisionally-titled The Marriage Ref, which will feature celebrities, comedians and athletes judging and offering advice to real-life couples in the midst of marital disputes. 

In this questionable venture, Seinfeld, 54, is joined by Ellen Rakieten, one of the producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show. As yet the comic, who has not done a great deal since Seinfeld ended in 1998, apart from starring in and writing the animated film Bee Movie, has not seen fit to comment on the show. However, the US gossip site Gawker made its feelings on the matter clear enough, calling it "the ultimate trailing indicator of desperation and creative bankruptcy". 

Ben Silverman, NBC's chairman, said Seinfeld pitched the show as a companion piece of sorts to his classic sitcom. The comedian increasingly has used married life for material in his stand-up act. So while being a bachelor inspired Seinfeld, the comedian's married years will inspire his unscripted program. 

"Some of the greatest comedies in the history of television have been around marriages," Silverman said. "The concept is so universal and accessible, and obviously it works so well when it comes from somebody with a point of view - and nobody has a stronger point of view on this subject than Seinfeld." 

Thankfully, Jerry's role will be behind the camera as an executive producer and creator, but given the show's celebrity-guest format, it's not too difficult to imagine an occasional on-camera appearance. ·