Sept. 19 "Seinfeld" Season Premier Review ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R. Beddingfield
Susan and George ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have always enjoyed "Seinfeld" for many reasons, one being the fact that you can essentially pick any show ever produced (excluding a few double-episodes) and understand the plot (assuming you watch the entire show). Sure, the writers have always liked to add a few jokes that were allusions to previous show (which served as "inside jokes" for the true "Seinfeld" fans), but there has never been much of a continuing story line in "Seinfeld," as there is in most other situation comedies, like "Friends," or "Frasier." Well, this carefree attitude among the writing staff has been gradually waning since the middle of last season, when George and Susan started planning the wedding. The "soap-opera" feeling was taken even further when Jerry became engaged to his "double." Luckily, the writing staff saw the potential flaw in allowing Jerry to go on seeing his double, and they used a rather poor brush-off technique (the flashback of their mutual breakup). Unfortunately, they don't seem to have the same opinions about the whole Susan-George thing. I feel as though the show is becomming obsessed with Susan's death. Beginning the show with a scene at the cemetary didn't help matters -- it just foreshadowed the influence that Susan might have on future episodes. I thought all was going to be alright once George began to be his old self again, but my feelings were abruptly changed when I heard of the "foundation." I sat there wondering if Susan was going to be involved in "Seinfeld" for the rest of the season. Listen: you can't have a show devoted to a DEAD character!! Why am I so against Susan? Basically, I find it impossible to keep a sub-plot running when the main character of that sub-plot is no longer living. In addition, unlike the Costanzas and the Seinfelds, I don't find Susan's parents all that funny (which, in case we have forgotten, "Seinfeld" is supposed to be since it is a situation COMEDY and all -- not a soap opera!). I mean, you have an alcoholic mother and a boring (albeit bisexual) father -- not anywhere near the caliber of the Costanzas (who I will get to later). My advice? Drop the whole Susan-George thing!! I don't care how you do it, or who it hurts. Just do it - please! I want to see the good old George again -- uninvolved, lying, always trying to impress women with bogus stories (of which usually back-fire). Alright, so maybe he still is showing those character traits when he deals with the "institue," but they aren't as blatant as they used to be.
The Costanzas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Costanzas (George's parents) have always been two of my favorite characters on "Seinfeld." Their constant bickering and warped sense of values keeps me laughing every time they're on. Unfortunately, I didn't see either of them on the 9/19 episode. George never even gave any anecdotes about them. Where were they?!?
Kramer ~~~~~~
In my humble opinion, I thought the "K-Man" was the funniest character on the 9/19 episode. The only time I really laughed was when I saw him with the "karate kids" in the van begging for ice cream, and when he was fighting them at the competition. I just loved how he made Elaine believe he was head of a class of people - well - more his own size. What a riot! Character changes? I'm not sure, but I think his hair was "lowered" just a bit. Also, I didn't notice many of his famous entrances into Jerry's apartment.
Monk's Cafe Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since when has the kitchen staff at Monk's cafe sat around and helped Jerry with his "research?" I was somewhat taken by surprise when I saw them all enthusiastically (well, with one exception) helping Jerry by giving him their opinions on what type of break-up sounds good to potential dates. Has this ever been done before on "Seinfeld?" I'm not quite sure why anybody would help out Jerry like that.
Elaine and J. Peterman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't have the "inside scoop" as to why Peterman's leaving (or if he is going to be gone for good), but I will truly miss that character. While I wouldn't want to listen to his annoying anecdotes for a full half-hour, I used to enjoy the way he would talk to Elaine at work. As for Elaine being put in charge of the catalog company, I'm not sure how that's going to work out. That's a major commitment on Elaine's part rather suddenly. I hope it doesn't turn out to be another "soap-opera" sub-plot similar to the George-Susan thing. Speaking of Elaine's new position, I don't really see the big deal about the "Urban Sombrero." As far as I can tell, the catalog has always been known for its zany story lines; the sombrero thing's really not that bad. My suggestion? Either make Elaine get fired or make her get tired of being "in charge" quit the catalog company. Then let her go to work to a new publisher and let's get some new blood in the show.
"Outside" Characters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my opinion, the funniest "Seinfeld" episodes have always dealt with outside characters (in other words, people who are not one of the main "Seinfeld" characters). Think of Elaine's doorman, Babu, Jerry's numerous girlfriends, George's girlfriends, people on the streets of New York, or even the relationship between the main characters and their parents (specifically, the Costanzas). All of these episodes were funny. Now, even though Delores (Jerry's ex-girlfriend whose name rhymes with a part of the female anatomy) was briefly brought into the 9/19 episode, she really didn't do anything in it. All she did was say hello to Jerry, and tell him he was immature. I don't even see why they had her on at all. By the way, am I the only one who thinks Delores looked better as a brunnette?
The Final Sequence ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the credits were running, there was a brief shot of Elaine sitting next to two guys in the subway discussing the effects of the "Urban Sombrero" on their life. Was it just me, or were they hard to understand (I mean physically hear what they were saying)? I still have no clue as to what the whole joke was about.
Summary ~~~~~~~
I would like to see some major changes at the "Seinfeld" set. Just because a show is going well doesn't mean you should let it sit stagnant -- that's why some shows seem to die and rot just after they gain popularity. The reason "Seinfeld" has become so popular recently is because it kept viewers on their toes. "Seinfeld" should get some new characters (minor characters) in, dump the already-old story line involving George and Susan, and get Elaine out of J. Peterman's. Oh, and let's see a little more of the Costanzas, alright?
Rating - 5 of 10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a scale of one to ten, I give the 9/19 episode a 5. I only remember laughing out loud twice throughout the entire episode. I was deeply dissappointed to realize that George is going to be stuck with Susan and her family for what seems like many more episodes. And I was fairly upset with the rather dull "mutual breakup flashback" seen. Now, don't get me wrong. "Seinfeld" still ranked far and above the majority of sit-com's out there, but I have definitely seen funnier ones. For what it's worth, my money was with last week's "Frasier," which I though was absolutely hilarious.
Disclamer ~~~~~~~~~