Gothamist: "Seinfeld": So Over or So Timeless?

theloofyourlife

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:22 -0500

helloooooooooo that was on last night haha anyway i don't need to repeat what everyone else above me has already stated..except for the fact that the numbers don't lie.. actually back in college my senior year class elective to kill 4 credits was called "Prime Time TV". The basic point of the class was to be a TV station, create new shows or buy syndicated ones and every week our fellow classmates would vote on what they would watch.. it was usually according to the description and whatnot. Anyway, Seinfeld, would win in it's time slot.. over new shows or even other syndicated shows all the time! most people that don't like Seinfeld are from another country and don't get the humor or just have wet blanket personality syndrome.

andoman

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:40:32 -0500

Jerry still has a few good lines in it Jerry: This isn't a good time. Telemarketer: When would be a good time to call back, sir? Jerry: I have an idea, why don't you give me your home number and I'll call you back later? Telemarketer: Umm, we're not allowed to do that. Jerry: Oh, I guess because you don't want strangers calling you at home. Telemarketer: Umm, no. Jerry: Well, now you know how I feel. [hangs up phone]

cucarachita

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:35:40 -0500

When I got back from France after fifteen years, I had to dutifully watch every single episode of Seinfeld in order to know what everyone was referring to in their little "cultural" jokes. While it was funny the first time around, the repeats are kind of tired. Humor has evolved. Seinfeld seems like the realm of my aging parents now. My father talks about things Constanza did as if he were one of my cousins or something. It's his only cultural reference. Kind of sad.

nycjazzcat

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:40:53 -0500

Seinfeld is hands down one of the funniest sitcoms in the history of television. Interestingly though, a friend of mine and I had this debate recently and I have to admit the show is a little more dated (and only recently for me) than I ever thought it would get. I think its the clothing style for Jerry which screams "the '90s". Additionally, my friend made a funny note about how most - not all -of the storylines really only work in that pre-cell phone, less-technologically-advanced era we are currently in. How did Jerry Stiller never win an Emmy!?

thenextstopwillbe

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:51:40 -0500

kevin walsh: props for transcribing one of the best scenes ever! you actually inspired me to register after lurking for years.

Garvin2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:45:34 -0500

The fact that we're still heatedly discussing the show's impact tell you something...it's only gotten more relevant over time. (No one still discusses the impact of "Home Improvement," which used to dominate it in ratings.) Witness the mainstreaming of Festivus, for example! Of course it relied on many things to make it a success (Larry David's perspective, the cast, great secondary characters, Jerry's love of language), but ALL successful undertakings have a lot of things go right for them. I still watch the reruns, though I prefer the DVD episodes since they're uncut for syndication.

brxbmrzfan

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:54:18 -0500

i still watch it every night...at least once. and, i still laugh out loud. the Lloyd Braun post was hilarious.

Tim N.

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:24:05 -0500

"flashy... making the scene... well, I got a news flash for you, joyboy..." Thanks Kevin for cracking me up at work. Ah, memories...

BTW

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:34:36 -0500

Yes, the show is classic. Yes, it is on tv 3 times a day every day of the week. Yes, only your parents still watch it or think it's funny. No, Jerry Seinfeld is NOT funny outside of that show. No, I never want to watch another Seinfeld episode again. Man, I really hate Jerry Seinfeld...

suepart

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:30:21 -0500

this show has always sucked. the fatso on it was good for his voice for duckman, but the other big noses really reeked.

Muscley Armed Paper Boy

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:06:04 -0500

You know, if you take away the script and the supporting cast, and the New York references and Larry David's input, and if you forget that 80 million people watched it when it was on and that the DVD's still sell like hotcakes, and that the syndicated episodes still kill in the ratings, then Jerry just isn't funny. Geez, who do Gothamist commenters hate more, black people or Jerry Seinfeld?

Mr Mel

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:04:08 -0500

One of the blessings of aging is the ability to watch each Seinfeld as if it is the first time. I DVR it every day, when I watch them my wife usually leaves the room because I laugh too loud. What makes it great is the chemistry of the four stars and the genius of the casting. A few others come to mind, but they weren't as consistent: Raymond and Mary Tyler Moore (the one with Ed Asner). Interestingly enough the Seinfeld cast had a rough time after the series ended. Jerry isn't as funny onstage as he was on the show. Julia Louis-Dreyfus needed 2 shots at shows to get going and I'm not crazy about the current one. Jason Alexander (a good actor) didn't make it yet and Michael Richards (probably the most talented) self-destructed. Maybe they'll do a reunion show some day and we can see how they matured.

ANGRYGOD11

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:21:05 -0500

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

Kevin Walsh

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:31:41 -0500

I can't believe it's 17 years since: Well, let me tell you something, funny boy. Y'know that little stamp, the one that says "New York Public Library"? Well that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole hell of a lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before: Flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What's this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Well, let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me. Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change the world, but what about that kid, sitting down, opening a book, right now, in a branch at the local library and finding drawings of pee-pees and wee-wees on the Cat in the Hat and the Five Chinese Brothers? Doesn't HE deserve better? Look. If you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped! Or: maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld; maybe that's how y'get your kicks. You and your good-time buddies. Well I got a flash for ya, joy-boy: Party time is over. Y'got seven days, Seinfeld. That is one week! www.forgotten-ny.com

ping

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:50:27 -0500

It makes me cringe now (esp. Seinfeld himself - what a dud). But my 83-year-old father watches it over and over, and compares various life experiences to 'Seifeld' episodes. More cringing. And no, one can *never* compare it to 'The Odd Couple.' Garry Marshall, Lowell Ganz, et al. wrote a show that was head and shoulders above anything that Larry David ever shat out.

matthew

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:49:20 -0500

I like watching it and trying to pick out which jokes are Larry David jokes and which jokes are Seinfelds...basically which ones are funny and which ones make me want to feed seinfeld glass.

sonyactivision

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:39:26 -0500

The best shows are actually great radio: turn away from the screen and just listen...the dialog gets you there and it's even funnier. By this measure, Seinfeld is way up there. Frasier is the gold standard. Even if it annoys you, you can't help laughing. that's great television.

book_lynn

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:29:24 -0500

@ Spiritof76 - I mentioned Festivus on a forum yesterday, do I know you?

Fritzdecat

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:53:08 -0500

I wish I had not seen every episode at least three times then maybe it would be timeless if I had not.

west side Michael

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:50:07 -0500

Starts putting me to sleep better than Ambien cr then to Letterman which really does the trick. Well thats about it when you are still working at age 75 .

jaja007

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:01:12 -0500

lmao @ Lloyd Braum. He and Joe Davola are friends of Larry David. That show is legendary..

j0sh

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:52:43 -0500

I have a cat named Lloyd Braun. Enough said.

Spiritof76

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:49:59 -0500

Over? People are still quoting terms from the show. I saw somebody mention Festivus on a forum just yesterday. Does anyone even mention the Cosby Show anymore? Even more recent shows like Frasier and Friends have been more or less forgotten. But not Seinfeld. I haven't watched it in years, but I think I'd still laugh if I channel-surfed onto it.

Vertigone

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:27:16 -0500

Nativist [1], everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and yours is horrible.

edEx

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:17:45 -0500

arrested development is king!

JMH

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:17:22 -0500

Laugh tracks suck, but they're basically industry standard. Hard to hold it against the show.

matukonyc

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:17:15 -0500

I was laughing hysterically at "The Soup" episode last night. Can an argument be "askew?" Isn't that an adjective reserved for physical objects like ties and hats?

Headzo

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:02:10 -0500

best secondary, tertiary character - David Puddy (putty?, puddie?) hands down. i love the car dealership episode. "high five!"

zmadison

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:53:36 -0500

"The Subway" episode can still bring me to tears. This show was (and remains) genius.

TimSPC

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:48:42 -0500

spiritross is right on in post #4. Seinfeld is among the best TV shows of all time, not just sitcoms. The show holds up perfectly. Repeated viewing doesn't dilute the product, it actually makes it better. The primary characters are great (Elaine might be the most underrated of them all), the secondary characters are pure classics (Frank Costanza), and the tertiary characters are hysterical (Mr. Kruger, Tim Whatley, etc...)

Colochita

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:45:38 -0500

Seinfeld ended TEN YEARS ago? What the hell? Jesus Christ, how old am I?

janelle

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:33:58 -0500

i never really liked seinfeld at the time, or at least i thought it was somewhat overrated. now that i live in new york, i have a new appreciation for some of the humor and jokes and i like it a lot better.

Rocknrope

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:22:22 -0500

I much fear serious trouble in the fuselage, Frederick.

Jen S

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:04:54 -0500

Seriously, it's totally situational. If the characters did anything besides loudly and humorously react, it'd be just another stupid show.

spiritross

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:00:10 -0500

Yes Seinfeld is timeless, the key is that it doesn't include any time specific humor - few sitcoms could say this. It shall join the Odd Couple as one of the few timeless classics that are hilarious years later the only dated aspect of the Odd Couple is the clothes and stage design (70s decor) - the same will be said of Seinfeld in 30 years

Dude69

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:53:01 -0500

Seinfeld the show was generally quite funny. Peyser totally missed the boat when he said that the characters need to "grow" in order for them and the show to be endearing. I think it's the situations surrounding the characters and how they react to them are what made the show funny.

Ph

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:44:59 -0500

I hated that show when it was on and I still do for the most part today, but I gotta say the few times I tend to be by the TV and I see parts of it...George and Kramer are some funny motherfuckers. I can't stand Jerry Seinfeld though. What an unfunny twat.

nativist

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:42:39 -0500

this show was never funny. ever.