Everyone has a different idea of what's funny but to me tonight's episode was the most consistently funny of the season..
I especially liked the scene of Newman in the Kenny Rogers restaurant. the 'honey mustard shooter' was great.
Also loved the scenes when Jerry and Kramer assumed each others personalities, Especially when Jerry entered his own apartment. The George and Elaine scenes had some laughs.
The only part I didn't care for was the end with Elaine in Burma in the cave with Peterman.
I dunno, I don't think this episodes was as strong as Bizarro Jerry or The Checks. Jerry imitating Kramer was great, and so was the red light and Mr. Marbles, but the Elaine subplot went THUD and Newman wasn't as funny as he should have been. I really wish they revealed what happened to the sable hat and maybe they should have signed Kenny Rogers for a guest appearance.
I hope you are kidding. The last two weeks have been somewhat better than the rest of the shows this season (faint praise indeed), but even the strongest current work would be the weakest show of any prior season. Having watched Seinfeld from day one, I have to think that it took off on an incredibly high plateau, which it maintained for years. The slide started mid-season last year, and this year is truly execrable. Tiny 'bits' get a chuckle (rarely a belly laugh), but the consistency of the show is flat, disjointed, and uninspired...forced and insipid. I think the only reason it's still on the air is that someone waved too much money in Jerry's face for him to quit when, in terms of creativity, he should have. Maybe Seinfeld/David can be likened to Lennon/McCartney...usually brilliant together, apart they produce nothing but crap.
I hate to say this [speaking through clenched jaw] but I actually watched 'Suddenly Susan' following Seinfeld, and it was, um, errr, about six hundred twenty-three times funnier. Perhaps because my expectations for 'SS' are so much lower, that show far exceeded them? Anyway, I'll probably see Seinfeld through to the bitter end, but given the season so far, I'm praying the end comes soon.
Mark,
I really hope you were kidding too. I have to say that this is
one good season. I totally agree with someone else who posted that
they wold love to have seen the feedbaack after "The Contest". It
would have been "it isn't like it used to be, they used to get a whole
episode out of waiting at a chinese resteraunt, etc" {BTW, INMHO The
Chinese Resteraunt is one of the worst Seinfelds).
Anyway, as someone who came onto the Seinfeld train midway
through, let me tell you that the first couple of season generally
stunk. I have all the episodes taped and its almost painful to watch
them. I catch myself fast forwarding through them. Seinfeld is still
in its reneissance (sp). This season is great. (I just try to ignore
Susan's death).
chris
Have to definitely agree with you that 11/14's best so far. At least it is because it's fresh in our memories! I regretfully did not tape it - I would have loved to enjoy it a second time right now! The mustard shooter sent my spouse into fits of laughter, gripping his sides. And I loved the line in the beginning of the show from George, "She's got that Marisa Tomei thing going." and Jerry's caustic reply, "Too bad you got that George Costanza thing goin'." Also the scene of Kramer dousing his cereal with tomato juice because of the red restaurant light. I think his anquished cry was, "Jerry, my rods and cones are screwed up."
I agree with you the ending stunk tho' -- did you catch Peterman's last words, "The horror...." - I couldn't recall -- is that from the movie, "Apocolypse Now"?
"The horror, the horror" comes from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the story of an imperealist going into Africa who was once very smart and became a cannibal and was feared by many indigenous Africans. On this guy's deathbed (not J. Peterman) he says this. Classes I've taken which deal with this book, which I find boring and tough to get through, have disagreed with the reason's for the man saying this. Was he looking at his life or what he did to Africans? I don't know, but I know Peterman's horror was less serious and far more entertaining. It was actually a perfect ending if you understood it, because Peterman called himself a "warlord" and was imperealist and treated his help quite savagely. I hope this helps you appreciate the scene more knowing the context. I'd watch it again if you can get a copy.
Nice review of Conrad's novel but you are wrong about the reference. It WAS in reference to Apocalyse Now, Peterman taking on the part of Brando..given away by the "Are you an assasin?" line. Seinfeld is mainstream, goes for popular movies, he would never reference an obscure scene from a novel.
Couldn's agree more. I thought last nights show was a riot. I watched it twice. There were so many great parts.
George walks in Monk's with the hat, Jerry: "Why didn't you get the big one?" The constant flourescent buzz every time they show kramer's apt. Tomato juice on the rice krispies "It looked like milk to me, Jerry!" CO Stanza (by Mennan)
Wonder whats gonna happen now??? I mean, she's outta there!! I can forsee, maybe 3-4 episodes down the road, them all out together and they spot THE HAT! They could have a show just around it!
i don't remember exactly where the name came from. the concept is that a person will be promoted to one level above their level of competence. elaine was competent at what she had been doing at the company, but she's making a total cock-up of running the company. both through bad decisions (the urban sombraro) and abuse of power (geo's hat).
No need to apologize, Lisa. The Peter Principle states that everyone tends to be promoted until they reach their level of incompetence. If you think about it, this makes some sense. Who's going to promote you further if you are demonstrating incompetence in your current position?
I agree wholeheartedly except I loved the part with Piederman. It was a classic spoof of the movie "Apocalypse Now" (or Heart of Darkness, if you've read the book). I hardly could stop laughing through the whole episode, and there were echoes of laughter coming down my dorm hallway as well.
But, overall, a CLASSIC episode. Damn, Soup Nazi on syndication earlier, and now this GREAT new episode. A damn good night for Seinfeld, IMHO.
I think the 11/14 episode was a real winner, too. Loved the segment near the beginning with Elaine, Jerry and the chief financial officer of Peterman calling Elaine on the carpet for her expense account. George wearing the Russian sable hat was great, the best George-clothes bit since the overstuffed winter gortex parka he wore a few seasons ago (and frequently in syndication, of course) and Elaine remarked to him "you look like the Michelin man." Having Jerry and Kramer take on each other's personalities was great, too.
I was going to get on tonight and say the same thing. Not sure if its the best of the season, but it was very funny. I know I'll be watching it again tomorrow. (I recorded it)
I really liked the part where Kramer put up that sign "Chicken Bad" And he was like "It'll mess you up!" I cracked up so hard, because thats the kramer that has been missing in this season.