What was Michael Richards thinking?

The first of the “Seinfeld” alumni to return to TV, the three-time Emmy winner must have had his choice of projects. So why did he pick the sitcom bearing his name, which debuts at 8 tonight on NBC?

Richards’ Kramer remains a vivid character in the viewing public’s mind. So, to avoid typecasting, a wise move would have been to take on a considerably different role. Instead, his bumbling detective Vic Nardozza could have been separated at birth from dear ol’ Cosmo.

Kramer fans should tune in to “The Michael Richards Show” tonight to see the gangly Richards re-enact all his old shtick. Now we can be thankful that no episode of the classic “Seinfeld” ever focused entirely on Kramer. Some things can only be handled in small doses.

Pity veteran character actors William Devane (“Knots Landing”), Bill Cobbs (“The Others”) and Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”), who are stuck in paper-thin roles as Nardozza’s detective-agency colleagues while Richards does double takes and bumps into walls.

It was rumored that “The Michael Richards Show” was heavily revamped during the summer. Even that didn’t help, however, as this is one sitcom that’s long on slapstick while being short on actual comedy. Richads’ fans are better off enjoying him in “Seinfeld” reruns while he searches for a series that better showcases all his talents.