Comedy king Jerry Seinfeld reveals big Melbourne tour news

Laugh-maker Jerry Seinfeld is returning down under to the city he once made the butt of a famous joke.

Comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld, who once described Melbourne as the “anus end of the world,” is returning to the city that became the butt of his famous joke.

Seinfeld, a stand-up superstar who shot to global fame with his eponymous sitcom, will perform at Rod Laver Arena on June 22 and 23. Tickets go on sale on November 17.

“I have loved Australia since my first tour there in 1998, and I cannot wait to come back to visit some of the greatest comedy fans in the world,” Seinfeld said in a statement.

Significantly, 1998 was the same year Seinfeld mocked Melbourne as the “anus of the world” during the taping of a one-man show on Broadway.

Jerry Seinfeld is returning to Melbourne to perform a stand-up show. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The comedian had returned from Australia following six sold-out shows.

Gushing about how pleased he was to be back in New York, Seinfeld said of Melbourne: “That’s where I started crawling back up the butt”.

The cheeky chide sparked howls of protest from then Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett and Major Events boss Ron Walker.

Seinfeld later issued an apology through his LA publicists.

“Australia is one of my favourite places in the world,’’ the apology said. “I never meant to offend Melbourne by comparing it to an anus. I was saying, if you think of the world as an ass, Melbourne is somewhere in the vicinity of the rectum.

“I never meant it as a reflection on the wonderful city of Melbourne or its delightful people, whom I hope to visit again soon.”

Mr Walker, who offered to send Seinfeld a tube of Rectinol, said the mea culpa was classy, adding: “Melbourne should accept his apology with all the grace we always exhibit,”

But Mr Kennett was not impressed, saying “the damage has been done”.

The cast of Seinfeld: Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander.

Of course, there was no lasting impact. Seinfeld’s sitcom, which reportedly earns the comedian and co-writer Larry David $400m for each syndication cycle, is one of the most beloved shows of all time.

Seinfeld continues to perform stand up in the US, and last toured Australia in 2017.

His 2024 Down Under dates include Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

Promoter Paul Dainty said he was thrilled to stage Seinfeld’s new live show.

Mr Dainty added: “He is, without a doubt, the world’s most renowned and accomplished stand-up comedian. This tour provides an opportunity for Australians to witness the mastery of his craft”.

Seinfeld, the sitcom, wrapped up 25 years ago – with a divisive finale that saw the four main characters locked up in jail.

But Seinfeld recently teased that viewers might see Jerry, George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Kramer (Michael Richards) again.

“Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending,” Seinfeld said cryptically. “You’ll see, we’ll see.”