OT: Hit or Miss Of The Month #2: Seinfeld

[Marty26]

I've been on a bit of a Seinfeld kick lately and just bought Season 4 on DVD (I now own Seasons 3, 4, 6, and 7). I know it's off topic, but since we already discuss a lot of classic TV shows here anyway, I thought I'd see what everybody's opinion is on The Show About Nothing (tm).

[J. B. Warner]

Hit! Easily my favorite sitcom of the '90s. I own all nine seasons on DVD, and the show's sense of humor has rubbed off on me in indelible ways. I can even forgive it for having one of the worst series finales in television history - at least the other 179 episodes made up for it.

I was at Newbury Comics the other day and saw a George shirt emblazoned with the words "The jerk store called, they're running out of you". Next time I go back there, you better believe I'm buying it.

[frizfrelengfan]

A HIT all the way. Episodes have become part of the culture. Ten years after the show ended it is still talked about.

[tristar]

This one's a no-brainer: HIT! Possible the greatest show of the 90s (other than "The Simpsons" and Married... With Children).
One of the only shows that I like as a whole. The first three seasons are pretty funny, but the show really got great beginning with the fourth season. The last two seasons without Larry David are still pretty funny, but Jerry really did change the show.

BTW, does anyone like Larry's new show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"? I love it. I've seen all six seasons so far.
All four major "Seinfeld" stars will reunite for the first time in the seventh season!

[Marty26]

This one's a no-brainer: HIT! Possible the greatest show of the 90s (other than "The Simpsons" and Married... With Children).
One of the only shows that I like as a whole. The first three seasons are pretty funny, but the show really got great beginning with the fourth season. The last two seasons without Larry David are still pretty funny, but Jerry really did change the show.

Yeah, the show definitely got more fast paced and cartoony during the eighth season. Not to mention more mean-spirited in some episodes.

BTW, does anyone like Larry's new show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"? I love it. I've seen all six seasons so far.
All four major "Seinfeld" stars will reunite for the first time in the seventh season!

That should be interesting.

[cartoonfan4ever]

Hit. One of my favortie sitcoms.

[Marty26]

BTW, I should probably mention that Season 7 is my personal favorite season. The Soup Nazi, The Wig Master, The Bottle Deposit. All are awesome episodes. And let's not forget the morbid-yet-disturbingly-funny (if just because it showed single-handedly how truly self-centered and nasty the main cast was) The Invitations.

I'm glad to see this poll is getting better results than my Friends poll from a year and a half ago: http://www.goldenagecartoons.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10439&highlight=Hit+Miss+Friends

[Philo & Gunge]

Hit, what's there not to like!

[CueBallCat79]

Miss. Just never liked it. Never saw what the fuss was all about.

[Thad]

Am I the only one who thinks Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Elaine") was really, really hot around Season 8 or so.

[ferpme]

Most over rated show ever. I hesistate to call it "art"...but most over-rated ART ever...not funny, never was. Never will be. The only thing funny about it is that so many people actually THINK it's funny....joke's on you.
Four arrogant people....thinking their sh#t doesn't stink....and the arrogance in real life comes across on camera. Have tried many times...only to be sickened by it.
Doesn't hold a candle to THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW...which aired the same era....
Heck...doesn't hold a candle to MY MOTHER THE CAR...or the bad DAFFY/SPEEDY cartoons.....

[Marty26]

Most over rated show ever. I hesistate to call it "art"...but most over-rated ART ever...not funny, never was. Never will be. The only thing funny about it is that so many people actually THINK it's funny....joke's on you.
Four arrogant people....thinking their sh#t doesn't stink....and the arrogance in real life comes across on camera. Have tried many times...only to be sickened by it.
Doesn't hold a candle to THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW...which aired the same era....
Heck...doesn't hold a candle to MY MOTHER THE CAR...or the bad DAFFY/SPEEDY cartoons.....

It's one of those shows you have to watch a few times to really understand. Since it's so character-centered, you really need to get to "know" its stars before you understand most of its jokes. At least that's been my experience with the show.

It's also different from other sitcoms in that its jokes are much less blatant. Rather than the jokes being worked into every episode, every episode is itself a joke. A lot of incredibly random and unrelated events happen and, at the end, they come together and become one big finale.

[J. J. Hunsecker]

Am I the only one who thinks Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Elaine") was really, really hot around Season 8 or so.
No. I second that. (Although I'm not sure about the exact season I thought she was hot.)

[Marty26]

Season 7 for me.

[ferpme]

No no no. I have watched it....it's not something I will eventually "get". It's just not funny. I know many people that love it....many people that agree with me. It's like soccer and auto-racing....I "Get" them.....I "Understand" them.....that doesn't mean I like them, or-in Seinfeld's case-find it funny. Nor will I ever.
Julia Louis Dreyfus should get up every morning and kiss Jerry Seinfeld's feet. (I can, at time, find humor in Seinfeld's stand up.....smug SOB that he is). I never found her talented, OR funny. Still don't. She was a less-than-run-of-the-mill SNL performer who by the grace of God or the Devil got attached to a huge sitcom. Bully for her. But-while I hate the show-SHE is the biggest drag on it to me. Not cute. Not perky. Definitely not funny.....

[Jack G.]

Seinfeld was good comedy. I watched it (though not regularly).

I hate most TV shows and hate most sit-coms even more.
As the 80's wore on TV got blander and blander or just more stupid and vulgar.

Although it's called the "show about nothing", it's realy about the characters obsessions.
The characters are in many ways are self-centered jerks.
You laugh at how ridiculous they are. But I don't think you'd want to live with them.

But I don't find role-models funny (think The Cosby Show).

[Thad]

No. I second that. (Although I'm not sure about the exact season I thought she was hot.)

That Elaine got passed around like a joint at a Doobie Brothers concert. Sho nuff! :betty:

[Daffysleftfoot]

That Elaine got passed around like a joint at a Doobie Brothers concert. Sho nuff! :betty:

The TV character Elaine, most definitely. However, Julia herself has been married to SNL co-star Brad Hall since 1987.

I'd also just like to vehemently disagree with ferpme on the subject of Julia-Louis Dreyfus' talent. Seinfeld the show was certainly not for everyone. It was such a radical departure from sitcoms made before it that it would naturally have made as many non-fans as it did groupies. However, there is no need to deny the incredible comedic talent which she possesses. What I like about her is that she's very much a physical actress. Rather than just be a talking head she uses her entire body in her performances. It was just hard for most people to notice that while in the same show with Michael Richards. She could easily have done well in the silent era with Mabel Normand or Mary Pickford with this talent of hers.

For the record, I of course rate Seinfeld as a very palpable hit. I consider it "sponge-worthy", if you will. ;)

[J. B. Warner]

Am I the only one who thinks Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Elaine") was really, really hot around Season 8 or so.

I thought she was hot as early as Season 6, as soon as the "wall of hair" came down.

[The Coyote Never Wins]

I loved it, possibly because the characters were unlikeable, selfish jerks. It was a big contrast to stuff like "Full House" or "Family Matters."

[oceansoul]

Unfortunately I have never watched it, so I can't vote now. Altough I hope for a Married... with Children hit or miss poll later, coz that was easily my favourite sitcom ever.

[Marty26]

I thought she was hot as early as Season 6, as soon as the "wall of hair" came down.

Season 7, I think, was when she really changed her hairstyle. Although she did seem to be experimenting with several different styles in 6.

[Speedy Boris]

Hit, although I got sick of it after watching the reruns a billion times, so I probably haven't watched Seinfeld in over two years now.

[zavkram]

Am I the only one who thinks Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Elaine") was really, really hot around Season 8 or so.

I actually thought she was more attractive during the first 3-4 seasons. I liked her hairstyle then.

I'm not a huge fan of the show, but there are a number of episodes that I've always liked.

As far as characters on that show are concerned; I simply can't stand Frank and Estelle Costanza! If anyone should be institutionalized and heavily-medicated, it's those two!

I also was very disappointed by the whole premise of the show's final episode. I especially thought it was ridiculous that neither Jerry, Elaine, George or Kramer was allowed to testify in his/her defense.

[Chooch]

Heck...doesn't hold a candle to MY MOTHER THE CAR...or the bad DAFFY/SPEEDY cartoons.....

I agree with you 100%. But we can't live in the past for our chuckles, now can we?

As for My Mother the Car... got a handle on the BlueRay release?

[Marty26]

I also was very disappointed by the whole premise of the show's final episode. I especially thought it was ridiculous that neither Jerry, Elaine, George or Kramer was allowed to testify in his/her defense.

Worse was the sheer corniness of that whole "Good Samaritan Law" joke. Couldn't Larry David come up with something better? (even though he departed after Season 7, he came back to co-write The Finale)

[tristar]

As far as characters on that show are concerned; I simply can't stand Frank and Estelle Costanza! If anyone should be institutionalized and heavily-medicated, it's those two!eally? They are my favourite characters! (Other than the main 4, "Crazy" Joe DeVola, and Uncle Leo).

[gilligan fanati]

I like it, but there are just some weird episodes that havne't held up well. Overall there are some classics, but there are still a bunch I really just don't like to watch.

[Speedy Boris]

but there are still a bunch I really just don't like to watch. Just out of curiosity, which ones would those be?

[Der Captain]

The TV character Elaine, most definitely. However, Julia herself has been married to SNL co-star Brad Hall since 1987.

I'd also just like to vehemently disagree with ferpme on the subject of Julia-Louis Dreyfus' talent. Seinfeld the show was certainly not for everyone. It was such a radical departure from sitcoms made before it that it would naturally have made as many non-fans as it did groupies. However, there is no need to deny the incredible comedic talent which she possesses. What I like about her is that she's very much a physical actress. Rather than just be a talking head she uses her entire body in her performances. It was just hard for most people to notice that while in the same show with Michael Richards. She could easily have done well in the silent era with Mabel Normand or Mary Pickford with this talent of hers.

For the record, I of course rate Seinfeld as a very palpable hit. I consider it "sponge-worthy", if you will. ;)



In full agreement on both talent and hotness. In fact I think she's even hotter today. Certainly notable for someone who's called "Old Christine".

As for "Seinfeld", I'll rank it as one of the greatest. After so many years of everyone trying to imitate Norman Lear with forced "serious" episodes (read: Emmy-beggars) that always seemed to work out formidable social problems within a cozy half hour, usually with some character jumping on a soapbox, it was a major breath of fresh air to see a show that excelled at the pure art of making people laugh their butts off and nothing more.

Many people complained about the finale. I agree it didn't really work, mostly because there was so much pressure on Larry David and the others to deliver the ultimate killer send-off. This is simply the kind of show that shouldn't have a final conclusion. I mean it is, after all, the show about nothing.

[Marty26]

In full agreement on both talent and hotness. In fact I think she's even hotter today. Certainly notable for someone who's called "Old Christine".

As for "Seinfeld", I'll rank it as one of the greatest. After so many years of everyone trying to imitate Norman Lear with forced "serious" episodes (read: Emmy-beggars) that always seemed to work out formidable social problems within a cozy half hour, usually with some character jumping on a soapbox, it was a major breath of fresh air to see a show that excelled at the pure art of making people laugh their butts off and nothing more.

Many people complained about the finale. I agree it didn't really work, mostly because there was so much pressure on Larry David and the others to deliver the ultimate killer send-off. This is simply the kind of show that shouldn't have a final conclusion. I mean it is, after all, the show about nothing.

Interestingly, Dreyfus originally suggested that all four characters be killed in a car accident. But I guess the show's producers felt it would be too gruesome.

[zavkram]

Worse was the sheer corniness of that whole "Good Samaritan Law" joke.

I recall having read somewhere that there actually is such a law on the books in either Massachusetts or some other New England state; but that it, like the "no spitting on the sidewalk" law, is rarely ever enforced.

[tristar]

Interestingly, Dreyfus originally suggested that all four characters be killed in a car accident. But I guess the show's producers felt it would be too gruesome.I remember hearing that Larry David actually wanted to end the series in the seventh season, where George actually marries Susan, but his friendship with Jerry, Kramer and Elaine can no longer work.