See, here's part of the problem with this newsgroup. We are dealing with different levels of sophistication, and those less sophisticated drag the others down to that lower level. Some people like the show because of its subtle humor--especially those lines relating to a rather obscure reference. Those people, I will call "the well-learned"
Then there are those who like the jokes about urine, and like to watch Kramer fall down and hit his head. Those people, I will call "the simpletons"
Case in point: MANY people watched both of the episodes from last Thursday night. But MANY of these people were missing the best jokes because they are not sophisticated enough to understand the jokes. I am not intending to say that some viewers are smarter than others, but rather am saying that for whatever reason, some viewers have not been exposed to those things that would enable them to understand the humor.
If you are sexually inexperienced, for instance, you may not know what a clitoris is. Or you may not even have heard of one. Hence, you would be unable to appreciate the humor in the 2nd episode. Sure, the show is still funny, because those people would have Kramer's junior mint's to laugh at. There truly is something for everyone.
Case in point #2: Many people watched the Jon Voigt episode on Thursday, and some found it funnier than others. I understand that some people crack up whenever Kramer says something weird, or whenever he smacks his head. Pie in the face shows have always been well received by the American public. A group largely made up of "the simpletons." But I believe that those who got the most from that epsiode, were those who happened to see "Midnight Cowboy." Yes, it is a relatively old movie--but it is not one that most people have never heard of. It is considered to be a classic. Hence, even though it was made before my time, I took it upon myself to watch it. I'm glad I did. I realize that some people don't see movies unless Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, or Sylvester Stallone is in it...but whose fault is that? Moreover, the movie "Midnight Cowboy" was mentioned by name in the episode. It was not merely alluded to. George said it! One would think that a semi-thoughtful person would figure it out--even having never seen the movie. I guess this just proves once again that some people refuse to use their brains at all. Sad.
I suggest that we split this group into two distinct section: one should be for slapstick & Kramerisms, and one for subtle reference comedy. That way, news readers such as myself do not have to read dozens of posts asking other readers to explain the jokes in the show that they say they love so much.
It just makes me wonder if anyone even got the recent jokes related to "The Barber of Seville" or "The Godfather". They're both old stories...so we couldn't possibly think you're familiar with those. Ever heard of them?
I am sure that I offended some people, but only those who fall into that "simpleton" category need be offended. And those people don't really know WHY they're offended, so i won't apologize.
Hope you enjoyed your evening watching Urkel on "Family Matters".
---semi0406----