Jerry Seinfeld Sued By Producer Over Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee

Jerry Seinfeld is being sued by a producer who claims to have first pitched the idea of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee to the TV star.

In the lawsuit, producer Christian Charles claims he first pitched the idea to Seinfeld some 16 years ago but the comedian wasn’t a fan. However, in 2011, Seinfeld changed his mind and contacted Charles to further develop the idea. After an alleged meeting with Charles, Seinfeld filmed a pilot but failed to provide Charles with creative credit or a financial stake.

In the years since, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee has become a sensation and last year, was picked up by Netflix. Charles claims that Seinfeld earns $750,000 per episode.

In a statement provided to TMZ, Seinfeld’s attorney Orin Snyder hit back at the lawsuit, claiming that it is nothing more than a shakedown.

“This lawsuit is delusional. Jerry independently created ‘Comedians in Cars’ and Mr. Charles only concocted this claim after the show became a commercial success. We are confident that this shakedown lawsuit will go nowhere.”

Cinema Blend notes that Charles and Seinfeld have had a working relationship for a number of years. In fact, Charles directed the 2002 documentary Comedian which focused on Seinfeld. Additionally, he has a producer credit on one episode from season 1 of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.