Why Seinfeld used to be better

Here's a theory as to why the show isn't as good as it used to be.
	Have you noticed that in the old shows, the four main characters used
to do things TOGETHER? Now they each go off and have their seperate sub-plots,
and meet together briefly in the coffee shop or Jerry's apartment to discuss
what they're going through. Then it's back to their seperate storylines.
	It used to be that they did things as a group, and then they could
really play off each other's comedic talents. Now we're lucky if we ever
see the four of them together in the same room during an episode. Also, they're
relying too much on outside characters now. The best episodes of yore had a
minimal usage of outside characters. One of my favorite episodes, "The Tape",
only had the four of them except for two brief scenes, first with a fridge
repairman, and then with Ping, the delivery boy. But it was 95% just Jerry,
George, Elaine, and Kramer. Remember the Chinese Restaurant? The Parking
Garage? Great episodes.
	If the Yadda Yadda episode was played during season four or five, it
would probably be called mediorcre. But now it's really popular. Oh well.
	-Matt

[email] (MATTHEW FISCHER KAPLAN ) wrote:

I agree entirely. I have noticed that the characters are so busy with their plot lines that they are unable to spend time with each other just sitting and talking about nothing. It almost feels like the writers are having to make room for "talking about nothing time". The show is so filled with "stuff" that the consitancy and "flow" is impeded. And yes, too many outside characters are used. What's more, these new outside characters aren't nearly as funny as old outside characters like Babo, Poppy, and other small roles.

Justin Tribble

In article , [email] (MATTHEW FISCHER KAPLAN ) wrote:

I disagree. Look at an episode guide and you'll see a healthy mix of individual story lines as well as group activity. And even when the group is together - at the movies, at the beach, at Jerry's - those locations are like the coffee shop: a brief respite in which (usually) Jerry gets to catch up on what the others are going through.

The show is every bit as good now as before...whenever that is..

The entire system is coming down!!

<snip>

You are correct, HOWEVER, I disagree that this necessarilly makes the show worse. This season IS different, but I see it as more of an evolution than just "getting worse". Its like the current (non-comedy club) openings. Obviously they are different from the old days, but I find them highly amusing and sometimes containing little clues about future episodes. (Remember George and Jerry talking about prison and then a few weeks later George is dating a convict....I say look for some urological plot line for George in the future!)

Why the show isn't as good.

My theory is that, if you compare the first shows with the ones we have now... it really evolved. From a show about nothing to a show where more happens then in any other sitcom.

The writers there now seem to always be stuck in the same pattern of the 4 storyline blending in at one point. I think they liked that idea so much they always take the same frame and just put in different story lines and find someway to connect them together even if it's in a very absurd way.

The idea was fun when it was fresh... but I think they forgot that, that's what's good about the show... not 4 storylines... but reinventing the world of sitcoms at each episodes... like they did the first year... am I wrong?