John O’Hurley Says Jerry Seinfeld Was ‘Wise’ for Not Rebooting “Seinfeld: ”'We Went Out in That Blaze of Glory' (Exclusive)
The National Dog Show host tells PEOPLE about the '90s sitcom in which he portrayed J. Peterman
John O'Hurley is content with Seinfeld never getting the reboot treatment.
Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively at the National Dog Show's taping in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, the host of the pup-packed program reminisced about the television show, on which he portrayed Elaine's boss J. Peterman between 1995 and 1998.
When asked about his thoughts regarding Jerry Seinfeld never bringing the '90s hit back for a reboot, O'Hurley, 70, says he believes the series creator did the right thing.
"I think the show is about selfish 30-year-olds. I don't think selfish 60-year-olds or now 70-year-olds are as interesting to people," he says.
"And so I think we went out in that, in that blaze of glory always on top. And leaving people wanting more and remembering it very fondly and people still live their Seinfeld moments."
Related: Jerry Seinfeld and Kramer Actor Michael Richards Have Rare Reunion 26 Years After Seinfeld Finale
"I just think the more and more you try to reproduce something beyond its natural course, you end up deflating the value of the franchise and Jerry was wise on that."
Seinfeld himself has been adamant about never rebooting Seinfeld or even doing a reunion show, as other shows have. The sitcom, which followed four neurotic New Yorkers for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998, won 10 Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes throughout its tenure.
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In 2021, the comedian shut down rumors of a reunion. "I am very much a nostalgia person. I love to go to my house where I grew up on Long Island," he said at the time.
"It's one of the reasons I love the Mets because I loved it when I was a kid, and it makes me think back to that time. But I like to go forward in life. I believe that going forward. I don't know what we would do that would be good."
He added: "I think we did a good job."
O'Hurley also tells PEOPLE that despite Seinfeld premiering 35 years ago, the sitcom "feels like yesterday." With its constant syndication and now being on Netflix, "it has a constant life to it and because it's become so much of the kind of the pop colloquialisms of our culture. You can never get away from it," he says.
The Young and the Restless actor also speaks highly of his time on Seinfeld — with his admiration extending beyond the TV. "The year after Seinfeld ended, I bought the J. Peterman Company with the real J. Peterman," O'Hurley says.
"So he and I literally own the company together now. I've never lost my affiliation with the company [or] the character. I guess I liked the character so much I bought the company."
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina airs on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 12 p.m. on NBC.