The television writer responsible for the Seinfeld episode that is credited with creating Festivus slammed Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Tuesday for trying to appear culturally relevant by using the holiday for political purposes.


On Monday, Paul had decided to celebrate Festivus by airing his grievances "against Washington" on Twitter.

Seinfeld writer Dan O'Keefe explained to CNN on Tuesday that his father had set out to create a holiday for their family "that wasn't beholden to anything politically or religious." Jerry Seinfeld and the other co-writers eventually convinced O'Keefe to include Festivus in the show.

"I have a grievance," O'Keefe volunteered at the conclusion of the CNN interview. "When Rand Paul tries to seem relevant with 15-year-old pop cultural references, it reminds me of when Bob Hope used to dress up like the Fonz."

O'Keefe was referring to the iconic character of Arthur Fonzarelli from the television show Happy Days. Comedian Bob Hope would have been 81 years old when the series ended in 1984.

Watch this video from CNN's New Day, broadcast Dec. 24, 2013.

(h/t: Politico)