Has anyone else noticed that when Jerry's on the phone, the conversation usually only lasts a few seconds and it's very simplistic and kinda "phoney"...so to speak. One thing's for sure, when it comes to sitcom phone calls, Jerry's no Newhart.
Jerry on the phone
Jul 28, 19967 posts by 7 posters
Fans discuss Jerry's brief, simplistic phone conversations on the show, noting they contrast with Newhart's style and reflect his disinterest in people outside his close circle.
7 posts
Thank God! Just what we'd need on Seinfeld. "Hi,uh, George. You say you're, uh, c-c-c-coming over? You-you-you're, uh, bringing the, uh, er book you...ah....borrowed? The, uh, buzzer? It...it...it's, uh, not, uh, working." Talk about "about nothing" - there'd be sub-nothing.
On Mon, 29 Jul 1996, RFerrie wrote:
I think thats one of the great things about Seinfeld. It's like someone really talking on the phone. on most shows they have the person repeat every thing said so say Jerry was talking on the phone:
Jerry: Hello? Elaine: Hi Jerry, I'm coming over now. Jerry: "your coming over now?" Elaine: yeah, I just said that, are you ok? Jerry: "Am I ok?" yes I'm fine. Elaine: Are you sure. Jerry: "Am I sure." of course I'm sure. Elaine: Jerry, why do you keep repeating me? Jerry: "Why do I keep repeating you?" Am I really? Elaine: Listen Jerry I don't time for this, I'll see you later ok? Jerry: "You'll see me later?" ok, bye.
Instead they have it talking like in real life, without the repeated stuff, (the things in quotations)
Heather
I think this is to add to the impression of his fast-paced Manhattan lifestyle.
I think Jerry's going for the "anti-Newhart." He doesn't really like people outside of his tight group, and would prefer not to talk to them.
His phone conversations with George and Elaine are usually more in depth, and feature cutting to the other end of the line, as opposed to Newhart's one-sided conversations.
Actually, Jerry does not let enough time for a realistic conversation to take place. When he asks a question and responds to that answer it leaves no time for that answer to be given whether it be to George or Elaine. Although the show is the greatest ever.
Another thing that puzzles me: sometimes, Jerry has a phone with a long cord on it and other times, he has a cordless phone.