Seinfeld... I still don't get it

Plechazunga

Grammar partisan who sleeps with a real life Ryan
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Okay, I watched it sporadically when it first aired, and thought it was shit, and I just watched most of the first 3 series, in an attempt to get why it's apparently not shit.

It's still shit.

A lot of the time a character comes in, say George, and histrionically tells everyone something that's happened to him (which we've often just seen happening to him anyway). Like, say, some woman's stolen his clothes. Then Jerry goes, "Who steals a guy's clothes?", the audience laughs and that's the end of the scene. I don't get it.

And I love Curb... or at least, the first three seasons. Someone explain to me what I'm missing.
 
When I first saw it, I thought it was garbage. I love it now. The poster above is on to something.
 
Grew on me too.

I just like how they take things that are not funny and stretch it way too far, making it funny in the process.
 
I liked it at first and grew to love it. I don't mind Curb and while it does have some very very funny bits it isn't as good as Seinfeld. Sorry Plech.
 
Have to agree with everyone else, really grew on me too. Bought the first 5, I think, series on a recommendation from a friend and it wasn't until around the 4th series I really started to get into it. Don't think it's that much to do with the quality of the earlier episodes (although the actors and writers definitely hit their stride from around the 4th series), as I enjoy the first three series just as much on a re-watch, just seems to be one of those shows that takes a while to get used to.
 
jdmufc said:
did you see the seinfeld reunion on curb??

was a bit strange and didnt really seem to work, but maybe it was just because it was in a different setting
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No I didn't. I keep meaning to .. erm ... rent it ..... but I haven't got round to it yet.
 
How do you find time to watch the entire first three series of a TV program just to be sure you think it's shit?

I've had both series of Rome on DVD for over a year now, and despite liking it, have only managed to get about halfway through the first series.

I watched a couple of episodes of Lost once too, but I think that's about it.
 
I don't get it either...Maybe it's something to do with us sort of but not really being jewish enough
 
...not for the jewish i'm not. I'm not allowed, but then I always assumed part of the criteria was liking Sienfeld
 
Wibble said:
I liked it at first and grew to love it. I don't mind Curb and while it does have some very very funny bits it isn't as good as Seinfeld. Sorry Plech.
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yep, me too, Seinfeld > Curb.

on a side note Plech, have you ever seen the Woody Allen flick, "Match Point"?
 
georgewife.gif
 
Have loved both from the start. 2 of the very best comedies I've seen.

The idea that it's the 'smartest' comedy isn't particularly true. Yes it's verbal and astute but it's neurosis based comedy really. It's probably too self indulgent for some.
 
Its probably more to do with the fact that the first three seasons are pretty bad compared to the rest.
 
WeasteDevil said:
I find most American comedies to be shit. The reason is quite simple, because they are really unfunny shit.

Dads Army is funnier than most of them, and that's saying something.
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I used to think that way, back in the day when British comedy was top dog circa the 70's and 80's but I'm now of the opinion that things have turned full circle and that the Brits have forgotten how to be funny while the yanks have taken over big time. Frazier, Seinfeld and Curb your Entuasism are peerless when compared to Brit comedy sitcoms of the past 15 or so years.
 
Nialler said:
I used to think that way, back in the day when British comedy was top dog circa the 70's and 80's but I'm now of the opinion that things have turned full circle and that the Brits have forgotten how to be funny while the yanks have taken over big time. Frazier, Seinfeld and Curb your Entuasism are peerless when compared to Brit comedy sitcoms of the past 15 or so years.
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Even when compared to The Office or Peep Show?

Spaced, Green Wing and Inbetweeners (maybe not as good) are also top notch.

I think the playing field is quite even. But American humour tends to grate on me a lot moreif not done well.
 
jdmufc said:
what comedies do you like?

i´m more geared towards British comedy but for you to totally generalise all American comedy as shit, i find a bit strange.
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From my point of view, most American "situation comedy" has always had the serious flaw of being a chain of gags and quips between the characters. There is normally nothing funny at all with the actual situation they find themselves in, which is what a situation comedy should be, it's the situation that the characters find themselves in that should be funny. The American take on this is more like a series of short stand-up sketches.
 
I agree with Plech, I just can't get into Seinfeld, that may be because Jerry Seinfeld is an annoyingly smug oik though.

Nialler said:
I used to think that way, back in the day when British comedy was top dog circa the 70's and 80's but I'm now of the opinion that things have turned full circle and that the Brits have forgotten how to be funny while the yanks have taken over big time. Frazier, Seinfeld and Curb your Entuasism are peerless when compared to Brit comedy sitcoms of the past 15 or so years.
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The Office and Peep Show are as good as anything America has produced in the last 15 years.

edit: great minds eh doulou!
 
Nialler said:
I used to think that way, back in the day when British comedy was top dog circa the 70's and 80's but I'm now of the opinion that things have turned full circle and that the Brits have forgotten how to be funny while the yanks have taken over big time. Frazier, Seinfeld and Curb your Entuasism are peerless when compared to Brit comedy sitcoms of the past 15 or so years.
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Just because British Television comedy has been poor this past ten or so years doesn't make the American comedy any better.
 
Ivor Ballokov said:
I agree with Plech, I just can't get into Seinfeld, that may be because Jerry Seinfeld is an annoyingly smug oik though.



The Office and Peep Show are as good as anything America has produced in the last 15 years.

edit: great minds eh doulou!
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Aye, they really are two incredible shows.

Add In the thick of it and Alan Patridge to my little list.

British comedy is still fantastic.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
Arrested Development is brilliant too. I only recently watched it. One of the best shows I've seen in a while.
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One of the greatest comedies ever and criminally underrated. Will Hurwitz's follow up animation starring Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, Sit Down Shut Up was also very good but only lasted one season.

At least we're getting an Arrested Development film :drool:
 
Ivor Ballokov said:
One of the greatest comedies ever and criminally underrated. Will Hurwitz's follow up animation starring Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, Sit Down Shut Up was also very good but only lasted one season.

At least we're getting an Arrested Development film :drool:
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Indeed. Can't wait for the movie. Simply brilliant show. Very underrated and a shame it didn't get the viewership and support to continue past the third season.
 
DouLou said:
Aye, they really are two incredible shows.

Add In the thick of it and Alan Patridge to my little list.

British comedy is still fantastic.
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I thought 'Marion and Geoff' was brilliant too.
 
Plechazunga said:
Okay, I watched it sporadically when it first aired, and thought it was shit, and I just watched most of the first 3 series, in an attempt to get why it's apparently not shit.

It's still shit.

A lot of the time a character comes in, say George, and histrionically tells everyone something that's happened to him (which we've often just seen happening to him anyway). Like, say, some woman's stolen his clothes. Then Jerry goes, "Who steals a guy's clothes?", the audience laughs and that's the end of the scene. I don't get it.

And I love Curb... or at least, the first three seasons. Someone explain to me what I'm missing.
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The best seasons are four, five, and six. Watch those, and get it.
 
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