What Kind of Car Would Jerry Seinfeld Select for You?

Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” has become a nighttime ritual for me. It’s a light and entertaining 20 minutes, viewable on my phone in bed, perfect for lulling me into the right mind space before turning out the light. 

One of the things that I most enjoy about the show is how Seinfeld offers a nearly academic rationale for selecting a particular car for that week’s visiting comedian. He considers the guest’s persona, lineage, muscle, and style and then arrives at their doorstep in their automotive avatar.

He chose the Triumph TR3A for John Oliver, for example, because both know how to “make sense and be completely silly simultaneously.” He selected the 1977 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser for Ellen DeGeneres because both have “an approachable no-nonsense vibe.” 

When I consider which vehicle I would pick for myself, I come up blank, as I know next to nothing about cars. Maybe I’ll ask my son (or Jerry Seinfeld if I run into him). Indeed, it’s an interesting concept to ponder.

But cars are just one object to anthropomorphize. I once took a memoir writing class and was asked to select a fabric that most closely aligned with my personality. In that moment, I went with denim (casual, easy-going). Barbara Walters once asked Katharine Hepburn what kind of tree she would be (which, truth be told, she got ribbed for). Hepburn responded, “an oak” (strong, pretty).

So I think there’s something to this. When you write your memoir, consider if there are any inanimate objects that share some of your traits. A kite soars high, a teddy bear provides comfort. The possibilities are endless. Give it some thought, and, as always, let me know if I can help.