Background
"People frequently ask me 'Why did Jerry hate Newman?' Frankly, he was the only one to express ; nobody really liked Newman"
Newman lived in apartment 5E, which was directly down the hall from Jerry's apartment, 5A. However, there were many inconsistencies regarding who lived in 5E. In the Season 7 episode "The Engagement", Newman's apartment is 5E. In the Season 9 episode "The Strong Box", long after Newman's character was established, another man, named Phil, is seen entering 5E.
Newman was created as a counterpoint to the Jerry character, though the reason for their animosity is never revealed. Seinfeld once described Newman as Lex Luthor to his Superman. Knight has described him as "pure evil," as did Jerry (in the episode "The Big Salad"):
- Elaine: "Perhaps there's more to Newman than meets the eye."
- Jerry: "No, there's less."
- Elaine: "It's possible."
- Jerry: "No, it isn't. I've looked into his eyes. He's pure evil."
Read more about this topic: Newman (Seinfeld)
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