Before taking off and becoming one of the most popular and critically acclaimed sitcoms in the history of television, Seinfeld was just a little show about nothing, still struggling to find an audience. In its first season, viewers were introduced to the principal quartet of Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Kramer (Michael Richards), though the pilot episode had no Elaine character and Kramer was known as Kessler. Only five episodes long, the season was still able to establish such recurring gags as George's pseudonym, Art Vandelay, and Kramer's idea for a make-your-own pizza restaurant.