I would have made the last show last an entire season. Drag out the trial with testimony on whether they were good, decent people or truly deserving of prison. And then I would have set them free.
Because truly they did have a good heart at times. Kramer did the AIDS walk; Elaine is kind to squirrels, Jerry sincerely tried to help Babu, and George...? Well, I am sure he did something nice; I just cannot remember what at the moment.
But, my idea could have worked. With just a little bit of effort --- not an entire year of filming --- the four could have done all the trial scenes in a short period of time. All the guests on the previous shows could have been used to testify and clips from the past shows would be their testimony.
They missed a great opportunity. Or did they? Why not release them on appeal and have the trial all over again. It still could work.