Mash and Seinfeld

Since I posted "George's Twin" earlier today, I have been thinking about the similarity of characters between Mash and Seinfeld. Maybe it's a stretch, but I think there is a comedic plot to this. In addition to the uncanny resemblence between Radar and George, think of Hawkeye as Jerry, Loretta Switt as Elaine, and Kramer as BJ or combo of several. I bet we match a character for each from both shows. What do you think.

Rdmb wrote:

You're out of your freaking mind (no offense). Radar and george are only similar in that they are both chubby little guys with glasses. But whereas Radar is the innocent, George is a conniver. Hawkeye and Jerry are both lead male characters in sitcoms. One's a New York Jewish comedian, and the other is a New England wiseacre. Hot Lips is a little martinet of a chief nurse, while Elaine is a loose, "modern" woman. Kramer as BJ? Come on, that's an incredible reach. Except for the match in sex and some physical characteristics, these characters have nothing in common. You're obviously looking for a connection that doesn't exist. Have a nice day.

"Mark Adams" <[email] (figure it out)> wrote:

To which Mark responded:

Frank Burns?

MsLiz

Maybe, but you could make comparisons between a lot of TV shows. For that matter, any group of fictional characters can be compared to another group of fictional characters.

For example:

Archie & Edith Bunker = Burns & Allen Laverne & Shirley = Laurel & Hardy Kingfish & Andy Brown = Fred Sanford & Lamont Rocky & Bullwinkle = Holmes & Watson Ferris Bueller & the principal = Yogi Bear & the Ranger

I'm sure there are more that could be added to this list!

As Mad Magzine once pointed out, the sitcom "Perfect Strangers" seems to parallel Laurel & Hardy, The Odd Couple, Mork & Mindy, and Taxi!

Come to think of it, you could make comparisons between Seinfeld and the late 1930's "Little Rascals"!

Jerry = Spanky George = Alfala Kramer = Buckwheat Susan = Darla Neuman = Butch

The Little Rascals have no Elaine paralel that I can think of, but the others should make a lot of sense, if you're familiar with both series and give it a lot of thought.

Just for some more fun, how about a comparison between Seinfeld and "Peanuts"?

Jerry = Schroder George = Charlie Brown Kramer = Snoopy Elaine = Lucy

Or, "Taxi":

Jerry = Alex George = Tony Kramer = Jim Ignatowski Elaine = Elaine (Nardo) Neuman = Louie

Making the "Seinfeld" cast into Peanuts characters would make a great animated special!

Now, on to more pointless-but-fun comparisons:

"Gilligan's Island":

Jerry = The Skipper George =Gilligan Kramer = The Professor Elaine = Mary Ann

Obviously, there is a big difference between Jim Ignatowski and the Porfessor. Yet, Kramer somehow resembles both of them! Like Jim Ignatowski, he has messy hair, and is a bit peculiar. Yet, like the Professor, Kramer is a character who seems very knowledgable on many subjects, and he is the one others turn to when they're in a jam.

I wish I was familiar with some of Shakespeare's plays; I'm sure I could make Seinfeld paralells with those, too.

Rdmb wrote in message ...

the

I have a problem with any comparison between MASH and Seinfeld. Although Mash was funny at times(especially early years) they made a critical error. No comedy show should try to tackle social and moral issues like they did. When I want to be entertained I do not want to be forced to think or accept some political point of view. I'll watch 20/20 or crossfire for that.

A comedy should be a comedy. Too many shows have made this mistake(i.e. Roseanne, Tool Time) After a show gets famous the actors and writers seem to feel a need to make some social opinion. I think it is from a need to be taken serious or the feel good about themselves or to show they care. People tune into comedy to laugh. Thankfully Jerry has not made this mistake.

Just my point of view.

J Chastan

Rdmb wrote in article ...

the

stretch, but

Switt

character

I have explained this many time in this NG. Some people responded with .So? and how about? etc.. Anyway, many (ok, not all) great stories have a collection of characters that center around a person with a quest (of some sort) - The people centered around this person each exhibit classic human characteristics of 'The Physical' 'The Spiritual' and 'The Intellectual'

Hawkeye, - Hotlips, BJ, Charles

Jerry, - Kramer, George, Elaine

Wendy(?), - Lion, Tin man, Scarecrow (courage, heart, brain) (is it Wendy in Wizard of Oz or Wendy in Peter Pan, it is late and I can't think right now)

Kirk, - McCoy, Scotty, Spock

Peggy Sue got married, - her three high school boyfriends(athlete, musician, scientist)

Anyway, its not perfect and many might re-align the names, but the balance is always there in some manner. Good stories will be true to the characters and their motivation(s).

Comments?....

In , "The News Guy" writes:

I remember that thread very well. I think my comments at the time ran along the lines of "Very astute observation. I have to agree", but I don't remember the exact words. As I recall, it was a very thorough, in depth post, maybe a few hundred lines, well written. If you had the foresight to save your work, reposting the essay in it's entirety would be a good thing.

Except of course, we aren't really sure what Jerry's quest is. To find a girlfriend? It's a show about nothing...so maybe that is the quest, eh?