Cultural Impact of Seinfeld

Seinfeld's impact keeps growing. The Capital Times writes that Wisconsin governor Doyle, who has an "encylopedic knowledge" of the show, won't be putting up the festivus pole this year, because of Michael Richards' recent exploits (and the endless string of apologies he must now issue whenever he appears in public).

Last year Doyle placed a Festivus Pole, an unadorned aluminum pole, among the other holiday decorations at the governor's mansion. The holiday, created in a 1997 "Seinfeld" episode, has turned into a celebration in its own right. There's a book about it, and a Milwaukee firm makes the pole.

Doyle even uses Seinfeld references when doing business with the Republicans of the state legislature. Of course, that has a downside.

[State sentate majority leader] Schultz said at the Republican Party convention last year, "Turns out that Doyle's a 'Seinfeld' fan. Fitting that a 'Show about Nothing' would be liked by a 'Governor about Nothing.'"

Left yourself wide open there, Jim.