Wow, I just checked in to the newsgroup and I'm surprised. I expected negative reaction from the masses, but I thought the finale was wonderfully written with die-hard fans in mind. A few of my favorite things:
1.) The last line of the main part of the show (not the stand-up tag, which according to VANITY FAIR was added as an afterthought several days after they wrapped the taping of the episode): It's almost, if not completely, word-for-word the first lines of the first episode! The whole thing about the button placement was how we first met George and Jerry. I loved that.
2.) They had great fun making fun of the "suggested" endings of Jerry and Elaine getting together or Jerry and George hitting it big in Hollywood.
3.) That whole scene in the NBC Executive Offices, with Jerry talking under his breath to George ("Don't spell!") was vintage Jerry/George.
4.) Puddy's one line. That was worth the whole episode. Pure Puddy.
5.) George cheated on the contest. What a great touch!
Just a few of the many things I liked about this episode. I know I'll be flamed by the folks who weren't die-hard, long-term fans, but come on, if you followed the show you have to appreciate the attempt on the part of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to write this for the loyal fans, not the masses.
-Dawn