Cast refuse to add extra features

The cast of Seinfeld have refused to co-operate with star Jerry over the release of a long-awaited DVD.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander will not be helping add any extras to the disc in a dispute over pay, the New York Times reports.

Producers Castle Rock Television were only prepared to give the actors a small fee to record commentaries and other additional material for the release - but they wanted a slice of the royalties.

Jerry Seinfeld's publicist said the star was disappointed with his co-stars' decision, and hoping to persuade them to change their minds.

No DVD has previously been released of the show, which ended in 1998, because it continues to be hugely successful in syndicated re-runs across the States - and it was feared that discs might hit audiences, and revenue, the shows attract.

But Columbia TriStar executive Fritz Friedman said the delay was also because they wanted to make sure the extra features were worthwhile.

"It's never been just about the episodes; it's really about the value added," he said, "that's what takes so much time.

"Fans complain if we release bare-bones product. On something like Seinfeld people won't be happy if we just put the episodes on there."

The first of nine series of the show is expected to be released in the States in time for Christmas 2004.

Published: 24 Dec 2003