Fans discuss whether the repeat broadcast of the series finale might feature a different ending, with appreciation for the episode's subtle humor that improved on rewatching.
I really, really somehow expected them to fool us and put in A DIFFERENT ENDING on that repeat of the final episode.
There were some REALLY good suggestions in here, such as the one by someone who said George should be reading a newspaper during Jerry's standup that showed where Bania got a TV contract.
Probably not enough time to edit one in even if they wanted to...and maybe just as well, since it would have un- dercut the whole thing for no purpose. Of course, they probably will show this episode one more time, just before the show leaves the network for good in September...who knows what they'll do then, to hype the ratings?
Actually, this is one of those episodes that seems funnier the second time you see it. A lot of subtle comments, ges- tures and throwaway lines that may have escaped you the first time came through on the repeat, and a lot of dispar- ate elements seemed to fit together better. And it sure does compare favorably with other series finales we've seen late- ly that went all saccharine on us (like Murphy Brown).
Still a lot of loose ends, though...as Newman was choking on his revenge (and his popcorn), did he choke to death or just have a kernel go down the wrong way? What was Elaine really going to say to Jerry as the plane went down? And what was Jerry going to say in reply? And what did NBC do? (There was no mention of cancelling the show deal...was it simply put on hold until Jerry was available? He certainly would have been more of a draw after coming out of prison in a controversial case than he was before...) There's a lot of opportunity for a reunion film or miniseries here, though we almost certainly WON'T see a resumption of a weekly Seinfeld show in 1999.
I couldn't help noticing something else. Was the outcome, especially the final scene (the monologue on the prison stage), at least in part a reference to Tim Allen? Allen has commented that he refined his humor (and kept himself from serious harm) telling jokes while he was behind bars for a couple years in his 20s on a drug rap in Michigan. It was, he says, his toughest audience. Looks like it's the same for TV Jerry...if they do a reunion film, will Jerry come to look on HIS imprisonment as a career move?
Bob Smith, afternoons WXXI-AM 1370, Rochester NY
I found that to be true in my case, too. I watched my videotape the next day and got quite a chuckle out of it, whereas during the broadcast I was just sitting there kind of stunned. Then on the repeat I thought it was even funnier, though I was switching back and forth between Seinfeld and the Sonny and Cher show. I always had this deep down feeling that Sonny was really an okay guy.
No, because I saw more about Sonny. I was never fond of Cher.
No, because I saw more about Sonny. I was never fond of Cher.
TESTY, AIN'T WE?
But, as always, fyditm!