Jerry's Family

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate it when Jerry's family (His parents, Uncle Leo...even Jack Klompus (sp?) who isn't part of his family, but close to it)...are on the show? It just seems that the episodes with these people in it are among the worst (the Pen, the Wallet, the one where George's parents were moving to the Florida condo, etc.). Can't we just get rid of all of them, perhaps something similar to the "Susan incident"... George's parents are also pretty annoying, but at least once in a while thay have some good lines. What has Jerry's "family" ever said that was even remotely funny? -Gary-

That's pretty funny, because my whole family considers "The Pen" classic! I really think you must have to be from New York to "get it." [Or at least know New Yorkers.] All these people are exactly like my relatives. If I didn't know people just like that and hear conversations just like that, I probably wouldn't find it funny either.

-Jen

"Jennifer M. Blaske" wrote:

Well do you mean you have to be from New York CITY to "get it" or can you just be from New York STATE? I was born and raised in "upstate" NY (two hours outside NYC), but I know lotsa New Yorkers. I don't think "the Pen" is funny and I don't care for the episodes with Jerry's family in Florida.

debbie wrote:

Well, to me the key question is, Do your relatives carry on just like Jerry's parents do? That's why it's so funny to us - we'd swear the writers know our family!

If they are, and you still don't find it funny, well, people are different. But I think it would be *harder* to find it funny if you didn't know people like that.

-Jen

I disagree. I watch a few different programs on television set in different places with different types of characters and I always manage to "get it" no matter where the program is taking place.

I understand your viewpoint but I have to say that I don't think it matters where you are from. A sense of humor is universal.

Shelley

Shelley Lynne Nash wrote:

First, if you don't think the parents are funny on Seinfeld, then you don't always "get it"

Second, a sense of humor is not universal-you really do need certain exposure to think jokes are funny. If a show about families in Iceland aired, spoofing the way Icelanders act, I doubt you would think it was funny, unless it was the unrealistic, stereotypical humor that Americans make at the expense of other cultures. I've seen comedy from England and other European countries, and although I've laughed at certain things, generally I don't think they are that funny, because I haven't exposure to that way of acting.

Third, I think the idea that a sense of humor is universal is disproven anywhere you look- Although I may not think a show like "The Faculty" is very funny, but rather derivative and unoriginal, you may love the show. This shows first that different people think different things are funny, so if personal taste can make humor non-universal, why not personal experience and exposure? And second, this shows that because I have seen the shows that, say, "The Faculty" copies, you might not have, and thus my experience previously seeing shows that it copied make it not funny, while you're non-exposure would make you think it was funny and original. Things are not just funny to everyone because you say so.

Fourth, I think exposure to a New York/Jewish background is important in thinking that the episodes with the family are funny. My grandparents and family members have bickered, held grudges, and argued over nothing issues in the same manner as the families on Seinfeld, and to me it is practically a direct spoof of people I know, and I usually am on the floor with laughter. Since I think the family is funny and you don't, you have just disproven you're own theory that humor is universal and that you always "get it", because clearly you don't.

Finally, I'd really like you to name the shows that reflect different cultures that you have had little exposure to and that you think are hilarious. You allude to them in your posting, please name them

--Ted Weiman

Thank you!! I thought I was going nuts ... people say they don't think something is funny. I say, "Oh, well,. you probably need to be New York to appreciate it." THEN people start yelling, "I get it just fine!!"

Hello?

Anyway, I feel a little more sane now...

-Jen

Where in my post did I say that I thought Jerry's parents weren't funny? I think they are funny.

That is not what I was trying to say. I did not say that things are funny to everyone. In saying that a sense of humor is universal, I am saying that most people have a sense of humor about things. I never said that everyone will think the same thing is funny in the same way. All I am saying is that for the most part people do "get things" whether or not they live in the city/state where a TV show is set or whether they have parents/friends that act the same way. They may not "get it" in the way that someone from New York might but they do get it. I understood the post that I replied to as saying that you have to have friends like that or relatives to understand and I don't think that it true. You may not have the same level of understanding, but it is possible to get it and that is what I was trying to say.

Again, I never said that I don't think the family is funny. In fact, I happen to think the entire Seinfeld family is funny. Please re-read the post. By the way, holding grudges and arguing over nothing is not a Jewsih/New York trait. I know MANY people from all different backgrounds and religions who do this.

Please re-read my post. From the nature of your post, I can tell that you did not understand what I was saying.

You seem rather bitter about this topic and your reply to my post seems to contain some of that bitterness. It is not necessary. Just because I MIGHT disagree with you on something doesn't mean you have to attack me for it. I would be happy to engage in a mature discussion but the bitterness and attacking modes do not appeal to me.

Shelley

I missed the beginning of this thread, but I just had to interject. I disagree--a sense of humor can be universal. Why, for instance, are Shakespeare's comedies still being produced after hundreds of years? People today are worlds away from thinking anything like the past. Why are the Three Stooges still funny after all these years? Because they're funny--they appeal to audiences of any culture--they refer to actions that are humorous in any culture. In other words, their humor is universal. As to the following comment about Seinfeld:

I find this comment to be kind of strange. *I* don't come from a New York Jewish background, yet I think the family episodes are quite humorous. My relatives have bickered and held grudges like on Seinfeld--it's not limited to one culture. Now, if they spent the whole show talking about obscure references to interesting passages in the Torah, then I could say that I'm missing the humor because I'm not Jewish. But Seinfeld deals with more universal issues--like family bickering, subways, parking lots...things that everyone can understand (unless you were brought up by wolves and have lived in the woods your whole life).

[email] (rachel mercado) wrote:

First of all, you cannot prove that something is universal by giving one or two examples of when it does occur. One example of when it does not occur will disprove that it is universal, because then it will no longer be universal-only 99% true. Universal means "applicable everywhere." Just because some humor can transverse culture does NOT mean that it is universal.

Secondly, I do not think that that certain Shakespearean comedy is funny. That means it is not universal, because it is not funny to everyone. Even if I am the only person in the world that thinks it is not funny, it is no longer universal.

You may think that this is a meaningless distinction and that you mean that exposure is not a prerequisite to humor, but part of my last posting meant to correct the use of the word 'universal' by itself. I did not mean to make a big issue out of it, but you misundertood my original response to the use of the word "universal"

Third, you do not give convincing examples to prove your point.

Let me first clarify my point: I am saying that one must have some degree of exposure to that which the humor is about to understand jokes related to it. My examples are that I would not understand a comedy mocking Iceland culture if I had no exposure to that culture. If wiping ones shoes with ones hands is a custom in Iceland, I would not laugh at jokes mocking the wiping of ones shoes, but an Icelander might. I think it is very clear.

your argument: Exposure is not a prerequisite to humor. Your examples: Shakespearean comedies published today and the three stooges. The reason that we laugh at parts of the Shakespeare comedies is first because our cultures had the same roots and share many customs. The things that are funny in the comedies are things we've had exposure to. Secondly, we have had more exposure to the English than we possibly have had to any other culture. I think my point is further proven by the fact that many other cultures do not like Shakespeare. You seem to be very nation-centric by assuming that humor is universal if Americans think its funny, but the fact is that other cultures around the world have their own humor and may not think that Shakespearean comedy is funny. A friend of minefrom China does not think the comedies are funny at all.

Your other example is that the three stooges are funny. This proves nothing. First, they were American, so we have had exposure to the same background that they had. But Second, and more importantly, their humor was in physical comedy, which parodies eye-pokings and head slamming. This type of comedy mocks typical human actions, things that we know hurt in real life, and for some reason seeing someone get hurt makes us laugh. That is not culture-specific. People of every culture get hurt, and that is why they would laugh at the three Stooges.

You have just proved my point.

First, let me clarify that in all my postings, I have attempted to say that it is exposure to that which the comedy parodies that makes it funny, with culture being the main determinant of exposure. That is why in this last paragraph I said that exposure to a New York/Jewish background is IMPORTANT in thinking the family is funny, not NECESSARY. If you had read the rest of this posting or any of my previous postings on this thread, you would have seen me consistently say that it is exposure to the actual issues that the comedy parodies that makes it funny. With Seinfeld, the parents flat out parody a New York/Jewish way of acting for many people. That is why New Yorkers or Jews could easily think the parents are funny. But if other groups -your culture, your family, your friends-act in that way, then you will think it is funny also. You said yourself in your posting that your family members bicker and hold grudges in the same way-that is why you find it funny. That is what I have been saying all along. You also grant that comedy about the Torah would not be funny to you. That also proves my point-that exposure is necessary to humor.

How can you state that humor is universal when you grant that you would not understand jokes about the specifics of Jewish culture? That is a direct contradiction.

--Ted Weiman

    I think what he/she meant by a sense of humor being universal is
that just about everyone has one. We just happen to laugh at different
things. For example, I think Mentos commercials are hilarious, while I
hardly crack a smile at Jay Leno.
    As for the whole New York/Jewish thing, I'm a non-New Yorker who
thinks they're funny. But, like you said, I have seen old folks bicker
like the Seinfelds.

-Simonfeld d:]

[email](Simon Russell) wrote:

I find the Mentos commercials to be vaguely sinister. What's the deal with the guy who just uses someone else's car as a shortcut to the other side of the street? The man in the car probably thinks he's hooked a street hustler at first. I can imagine hordes of young hoodlums using Mentos as a ruse to hijack innocent drivers

[email]

How can you say that. I love both of their families, they are hilarious. I think it is just you.

Robbin or Gary wrote in article ...

family,

where

Thanks for responding, but I doubt it's just me. After I sent this message, I saw at least three others where there were comments regarding the "unfunniness" of his family. One person went so far as to say when she sees that they're having his parents on, she realizes it's going to be a wasted half-hour.

Oh well, I guess we just have a difference in opinion. But what don't you like about them, what isn't funny when they come on the show. I agree Jerry's parents arn't all that funny, sometimes they are but, George's parents are hilarious. They are always fighting and yelling.

Robbin or Gary wrote in article ...

she

Although many like myself enjoy "The Contest" and feel it's the best, if I had to choose a best Seinfeld (and I don't necessarily think we should given the multitude of great episodes), it would be:

THE JUNIOR MINT

Think about it in relation to recent discussions. It has something for everyone Elaine - one of Elaine's best "Get Out"'s as she slams the "Fat starving artist" then realizes oops! Also she refers back to a prior episode with "Prognosis Negative". Her scenes with Jerry as the makeshift boyfriend that she will use as an excuse are also funny

George - Still laugh at the idea of him spending all that money on Triangle art. Also one of his best lines as he begs Jerry not to call the hospital "Who are you to play God!!!" Plus, he trys to help Jerry think of the name of the girl he is dating ("Mulva...Bovary....Aretha") that "Rhymes with the part of the female anatomy"

Kramer - His whole theory on "Junior Mints" is irreplaceable ("They're
very refreshing") as is his enthusiasm in seeing the Splenectomy (Asking a
date, Eating Junior Mints, Asking the surgeon to move as he's obscuring
Kramer's view)
     George:"A splenectomy? Isn't that where the take out the..."
     Kramer: (interrupting) "No,no don't ruin it for me"

Jerry - One of Jerry's best episodes - he has many scenes where he shines without George or Kramer. I love when he's playing with the yoyo in the hospital room showing the surgeon a new trick. Of course the whole theme with "Mulva" (who I still feel is one of the most attractive of the Seinfeld dates) is hilarious. Remember, he rips open the Playbill and calls her Joseph Puglia. Only Jerry could blow a relationship by not remembering a woman's name.

Well there you have it - All those who haven't seen it in awhile, break out your VCRs and watch it again. Certainly, it is one of the best episodes

Jerry D

...

I

Not to mention Celeste and Gipple...

You got it there....I love the junior mints one...plus I love junior mints.

In article "Robbin or Gary" writes:

How about when Jerry's mom say's "Oh my god" when george answers the phone in "The Outing", when Jerry's dad screams "They stole my wallet" or say "How the hell am I going to pay this bill without a wallet" from the same episode, or when Jerry's parent's decide to move/not move to Florida based on where George's parents are? Although I think that George's parents are a lot funnier, I love the episode with Jerry's parents. The Pen was not one of the worst in my opinion(See earlier postings for that discussion) and the wallet is a great episode. More episodes with Jerry's family that are great: The one where the close talker takes Jerry's family out on the town, where Jerry's dad is trying to sell raincoats with Kramer, and the episode where Jerry's dad gets thrown out of his retirement community("The Cadillac"). Jerry's parents are funny, but don't get me started on Uncle Leo, who is hilarious. As the ultimate shmucky uncle, he is very funny taking watches and wallets containing $400 dollars out of the trash, and ending Jerry's discounted cleaning bill by asking Jerry was he wasn't told of the wedding. Also when uncle Leo broke up with his girlfriend and Jerry says "You're not an attractive man". Although Leo is rarely really the center of the comedy, he always is there as the one to screw something up or unfairly get the benefit of others misfortune, and always adds laughs to an episode.

--Ted Weiman

I realize there are people who will find his family at least mildly humorous, but not being a New Yorker myself, I really find NOTHING funny about any episode his parents...and especially Uncle Leo...have been in. Maybe because I haven't had to deal with people like this in the past, but I'm sorry...I just don't get any of them. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...")

"Robbin or Gary" wrote:

"How can anyone possibly not like him?" Helen Seinfeld

"Robbin or Gary" writes:

What has Jerry's "family" ever said that was even remotely funny?

Why'd you take his pen ?

I can't believe the nerve of you taking my son's pen.

I hate her like poison.

No dear, I'm fine. (said while huddled and shivering)

How could anyone not like Jerry ?

More: "How the hell am I gonna pay the bill without a wallet?"

"George? Oh my God"

"You got married and didn't tell me?"

"I hate velcro"

"You stole my wallet!"

--Ted Weiman

The best line said by someone in Jerry's family has to be:

Jerry's Father to Jerry's mother - "It was those damned culottes that you mad him wear in grammar school!" This is his explanation as to how Jerry could have become gay.

In second palce would have to be Morty's computing of the return on the $50 of the father's racetrack winnings that Leo was supposed to give to Mrs. Seinfeld under diffferent interest rates and invenstment options.

When Jerry's dad sees a doctor about his back (ruined from sleeping on the sofa bed), goes out of the room for the x-ray, then comes back and checks his pants pocket and leans out hollering: "My wallet's gone! My wallet's gone!" OK, it doesn't look so funny in type, but if you'd heard him sing-song it so accusingly--LOL!!

kAThrYN "Where's my mulligatawny?"

...

I rest my case. Thanks for proving my point about how UNfunny they are...

"Robbin or Gary" wrote: