Jerry Seinfeld made his comedy debut at Madison Square Garden at the age of 70. The Massapequa-raised comedian took the stage as a surprise guest of fellow comedian and friend Sebastian Maniscalco, who kicked off his five-day tour at the arena on Wednesday..

“This guy has taught me so much as a comedian,” Maniscalco told the audience over the backstage loudspeaker. “I’ve been a fan of his since I saw him on TV in 1981. I want you to welcome the king of television, the king of stand-up – Jerry Seinfeld!“

The crowd roared with unexpected enthusiasm as Seinfeld casually walked onto the stage.

“Thank you, Sebastian, for the invitation. It was wonderful,” he said. “By the way… What’s the score at the Mets game?”

Seinfeld immediately connected with the audience and highlighted his local background.

“I’ve never played at Madison Square Garden in my life,” he said. “I was born in Brooklyn, raised on Long Island and have lived in New York City my entire adult life, except for a brief stint in LA (when he was filming his NBC sitcom ‘Seinfeld’).”

After pleasantries were exchanged, Seinfeld displayed his typical style of observational humor.

“I tried to watch the news the other day, but they didn’t have anything ‘new,’ even though that’s what the show is called. On the phone, the news has been cut off because the guy who answers the phone says, ‘I’m sure you’ve all seen this before.’ The news has become ‘We know it,'” he said. “It used to be that no news is good news, now all news is no news. Fake news is bad news. But they won’t report it on the news because they know you know, there’s nothing you don’t know, and we say, ‘I knew it!'”

The audience applauded when Seinfeld announced that he was celebrating his 24th wedding anniversary with his wife Jessica.

“When you tell a crowd that kind of information, you get the same applause as when an injured athlete is led off the field,” he said. “(Applauds loudly) Well done!”

He then revealed some techniques and strategies for a successful marriage.

“I NEVER ask my wife ANYTHING! If you want a long marriage, leave your wife alone. She’s got it!” Seinfeld explained. “People ask me how I know what’s going on in my house if I don’t ask questions? I listen to my wife when she’s on the phone with other people. When she’s on the phone, I’m like a deer in the woods who suddenly hears the snap of a twig. I find out things like where she’s going, where I might be going, and what mood I’ve been in for the last few days.”

Maniscalco had just announced him, and Seinfeld returned the favor by bringing the evening’s headliner on stage.

“The first time I saw this guy on stage, I knew he had this magical power that very few comedians have. He’s like lightning and we can be alive when he’s doing his thing,” he said. “A lot of comedians, when they become successful, don’t tour as much. This guy is out there all the time making people happy. I love him. Here’s Sebastian!”

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday’s exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.