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Seinfeld Star Launches Viral Air Travel Trend and Claims Original Title of ‘Rawdogger’
Patrick Warburton, best known for his role in the iconic sitcom Seinfeld, has recently dubbed himself the “original rawdogger” after taking credit for a trending travel behavior on TikTok. This trend, where airplane passengers choose to avoid all forms of entertainment during flights, has captivated many and sparked widespread interest.
In a video shared on March 24, Warburton explained how his character, David Puddy, from a memorable Seinfeld episode inspired the phenomenon now referred to as “rawdogging.” The actor has been traveling across the country as he embarks on a new chapter in his career—stand-up comedy.
The Rise of Rawdogging
The term “rawdogging” pertains to the decision made by some passengers to forgo reading, watching in-flight entertainment, or engaging in other distractions during their flights. The surge in popularity of this behavior led the American Dialect Society to name “rawdog” the word of the year for 2024, solidifying its place in modern vernacular.
A Nostalgic Moment
In the aforementioned Instagram video, Warburton humorously reflected on the trend, asserting, “For the last year, I’ve just been sort of hearing about this and having people approach me and go, ‘You know, you’re the original rawdogger from when Puddy and Elaine were on the plane.'” He did not hesitate to embrace this title, jokingly expressing his willingness to engage with the trend.
The viral video includes a clip from the 1997 Seinfeld episode titled “The Butter Shave,” where Puddy nonchalantly tells Elaine Benes, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, that he plans to spend their entire flight simply staring at the seat in front of him—an act that has, decades later, resonated with a new generation of viewers and travelers.
Surprised by the Reaction
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Warburton expressed his astonishment at the remarkable response his video received. He stated, “I was rather shocked,” as he watched the story evolve and capture media attention across platforms.
He added that the timing of this resurgence of interest was uncanny. Warburton’s connections to the term seemed to strike a chord, as he noted, “It just ended up blowing up all over the place.” He reiterated that the phenomenon had taken him by surprise, thanks to the excited reactions from fans.
Ownership of the Trend
Moreover, Warburton stands firmly by his claim that the inception of rawdogging can be traced back to his portrayal of Puddy on Seinfeld. In his words, “We were the originator. It’s pretty easy to decipher that in the timeline.” His confidence in this assertion emphasizes the enduring nature of Seinfeld’s cultural impact.
A Cautionary Message
Despite the lightheartedness of his video, he shared a note of caution for those attempting to embrace the rawdogging trend. He warned, “My concern is that somebody’s going to get hurt,” highlighting the challenges of spending a flight without any form of distraction. Warburton mentioned the importance of being mentally prepared for the experience.
He amusingly added, “I’m not [mentally prepared], but it’s weird and entertaining at times.” His commentary adds an element of realism to the trend, suggesting it may not be suited for everyone.
Engaging with Social Media
While previously not an avid social media user, Warburton has taken a deeper dive into the digital landscape since launching his stand-up career at age 60. He comments, “Since I started doing stand-up, I’ve been told that I have to do social media, so I’m having fun with it.” This newfound engagement offers him a platform to connect with his audience beyond the stage.
A Late-Blooming Comedy Career
Warburton’s journey into stand-up came after years of focusing on acting and voice-over work. He recounted his earlier experience with comedy, saying, “I always loved stand-up…I did it for a minute when I was 21.” After that short stint, he focused on his acting career, but he always felt a lingering regret for not pursuing stand-up further.
In a nod to his current success, Warburton shared, “I decided I needed to do something sort of harrowing and challenging,” leading him back to the stage. Remarkably, within three months of returning to stand-up, he began headlining shows across the country.
A Look Ahead
Patrick Warburton has performed in various states, including Florida, Utah, and Rhode Island, and has plans for a Northeast tour that will encompass cities like New York, New Jersey, Buffalo, Boston, and Chicago. This dynamic expansion shows his determination to engage with fans in several regions.
Furthermore, he is set to film his inaugural comedy special in the coming months. Reflecting on this opportunity, he remarked, “It’s kind of an interesting story, I guess, in itself, and why they want to do it. We’ll see how that goes.”
Embracing Creative Control
Through this late-life career shift, Warburton has found immense satisfaction in his work. He exclaimed, “I’m actually having the best time professionally that I can remember ever having.” With newfound creative freedom, he enjoys writing his own material and performing on his own terms, a stark contrast to the restrictions he faced in earlier roles.
He concluded, “It’s great to have that creative control,” signaling that he is ready to take full advantage of this opportunity in the entertainment industry.
