The world comes to an end tonight at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central).

Well, not exactly an end, but when TV Guide takes on the heft of War and Peace, when a level of hype makes the Super Bowl look shy and retiring, when a cable network so utterly admits defeat that it plans to air an hour of dead air, one suspects something is afoot.

That something, of course, is the final episode of the show about nothing. And rarely, outside of politics, has nothing been made into such a big something.

In the tiny universe of half-hour TV situation comedy, “Seinfeld” was a marvel, distinguished from the dreary pack first and foremost by excellent writing (again, solely in the sitcom context). Nine years of tight, witty, word-oriented scripts — at times approaching Wodehousian — have raised the dreadfully low bar at least a smidgen.

But the single best thing about “Seinfeld” is that during its entire run it never, ever, took itself seriously. More than 100 episodes and nary a one designed to touch the viewer’s heart. No sap, no pathos, nary a trace of treacle. A hankie quotient of zero. For showing such restraint in emotional manipulation, a grateful nation extends its thanks.

Jerry Seinfeld, the real Jerry, is an individual who bears watching and, for those searching for role models for a small planet, a fair degree of emulation. As a young boy, he dedicated his life to becoming a standup comic. He pursued that goal with diligence and with a guiding principle — no obscenities. He wanted to get his laughs the old-fashioned way, by earning them. At any given time, some lucky soul reaps a pile of fame and fortune providing light entertainment. Jerry Seinfeld seems as worthy of that good fortune as anyone.

But a curious thing happened when Mr. Seinfeld announced in December he was pulling the plug. His fluffy divertissement suddenly became fodder for deep thinkers in search of deep meaning. Pundits began picking away at every quirky subplot looking for the decline of Western civilization. “Self-absorbed” became a catch-phrase nearly as ubiquitous as “yadda, yadda, yadda.” All of which proves that those who can make people laugh, do. Those who can’t, comment.

When the final curtain falls tonight, life will go on. For those who turn nothing into something more than it is, this might be a good time to get one.