Season opener

I was disappointed in Part I of the season opener. My husband and I just didn't think it was very funny. I agree, there was too much plot. And furthermore... this may be an unpopular opinion, but here goes anyway... I think the show was better when Kramer was a more minor character. He's hysterical as the crazy neighbor who bursts into Jerry's apartment unannounced from time to time. I think they're making too much of Kramer. He's getting boring to me. Hopefully, he'll be so popular, he'll get a spin-off, and Seinfeld will improve... Comments, anyone?

[email] (Cathleen Shamieh) writes:

I agree wholeheartedly. Kramer is a good character, but he should not become the focus of so many shows. This is a mistake that has been fallen into many, many times by comedy show writers. Some characters are better and will stay good longer if kept in more minor, more occasional roles. Unfortunately, when a minor character becomes popular, the writers feel compelled (maybe by the public, maybe by their bosses) to make him/her a major character. It's a short-term payoff and frequently a long-term mistake.

I can think of a couple of other examples off the top of my head:

Fonzie in Happy Days (Am I really citing Happy Days as an example? Was it really a mistake?)

Those 3 brothers on Newhart---"My name is (don't remember), and this is my brother Darrell, and this is my other brother Darrell." A couple of times a season, OK. But every show?

I can't come up with other examples off the top of my head, but I know there are more, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of you can come up with others.

It certainly paid off for the writers of Cheers to let Frazier and Cliff develope from minor/occasional characters into being more integral parts of the show. I suppose it just depends on how it happens. It's sure going to take alot more than what I've seen so far to ruin the role of Kramer. I can't invision the Seinfeld writing staff "ruining" a character by giving them lines.

Night Court : District Attorney Dan Fielding.
              He was hilarious when he was just a minor character.
              He was made overbearing by the writers who wanted him
              to be a focal point of almost every episode. His sex
              escapades became stale.

Hey,but Kramer is unique because is very unpedictable and is unlike many of these generic characters on network TV.

-Mark