Since I'm the one who originally said I don't think his family is the least bit funny, everyone started saying that you have to be from New York to find them funny. That's absolutely not true. Somehow, I find all the other characters on the show funny...but I never lived in New York, so how can that be?? I don't know, but this show is hilarious, and could be better if they would have made Jerry an orphan. You don't have to be from a particular place to find something about that particular place funny. I've never been to Ork, but I thought Mork was pretty funny. Besides, I'm from Milwaukee, and I never thought Laverne and Shirley was particularly funny. Maybe it was Penny Marshall's New York accent...(just kidding)!! Now, if we can also put an end to the "Delores" and "George's Nationality" discussions...all of these have been hammered to death!!!!
Let's put the "Jerry's Family" discussion to rest
What an adament statement! How do you know?
What I think is interesting is that everyone is so quick to say, No,no,NO, being from New York has nothing to do with it! Okay, if you're so absolutely sure that's not the reason, then what IS the reason?? No one has offerred any other thoughts.
I still think that the closer to home something is, the funnier it will be to you. Why people are getting upset with that idea is beyond me.
-Jen
...
York
No,no,NO,
has
be to
Actually, I offered several thoughts on the subject in my message, but you chose to not include them in your response. What it comes down to is that the best lines are reserved for the four main characters. That is a fact, not conjecture. How many sound bites on the Seinfeld web pages are there for Jerry's Dad? Or Uncle Leo?? Compare that to the number for Kramer, or George, or Elaine, or Jerry. How many people go around quoting Jerry's Mom in this newsgroup? (Yes, I've seen people try to come up with something funny one of the parents may have said, but you must admit, those lines are far and few between). In comparison with the lines written for the four main characters (as well as Newman), the lines written for the parents are not even remotely funny...and I don't care where you're from...that's just the way it is. People say they find his parents funny because they are reminded of their own families. If that's the case, then you don't even need to watch Seinfeld. Go over to your parents' house every Thursday night, instead. It should be a barrel of laughs over there, right? No, of course not...
Robbin or Gary wrote:
So basically, your preferred reason is "they're not funny because they're not funny." Huh? The whole point of this discussion (I thought) was that SOME people thought they were funny while others didn't - why the difference? I offerred a possible explanation. I don't remember hearing any others.
If "that's just the way it is," then why do I (and Ted!) find it funny?
Do you really not understand this? I am reminded of being in high school when "Ferris Bueller" came out - watched it with my school friends, and we were laughing SO much at the droning teacher because it reminded us of one of our teachers. But we did NOT find it hilarious to sit in his classes while he droned. THAT was boring and painful. Seeing a parody of other people suffering the same thing was funny. There is a difference, is there not?
BTW, I know it's kind of ridiculous to be arguing this ... it's just hard for me to understand why people don't agree with this idea ... and now it's kinda hard to stop... ;)
-Jen
but you>> chose to not include them in your response. What it comes down to is that>> the best lines are reserved for the four main characters. That is a fact,>> not conjecture.
they're
that
hearing
funny?
Very good point! It reminds me (dare I dredge this up again? Yes, I
think I dare...) about the discussion of Susan's death, how some people
said it was disgusting and unfunny while others thought it hilarious.
It's all a matter of opinion. So, I'm going to go with the person who
was laughing with Ted on this one. The Seinfelds are funny to some
people, but not to others.
Why, you ask? Just 'cuz.-Simonfeld d:]
GEEZ!!! I'm really sorry I brought this subject up a couple weeks ago. If I had known it was going to start World War lll, I might have asked something more benign. I honestly don't care if people find his family funny. In fact, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I find them totally unfunny and boring. If anyone feels differently, that's fine. I was merely stating an opinion. Next subject, PLEASE...
morty is funny sometimes (espesh when talking of raincoats),
but when it comes to parents.... Frank wins hands down
"I *KNEW* it was ELAINE!!!!"
matt
"Robbin or Gary" wrote:
Wait a minute - you are not from New York, and as your first line states, you do not think that the FAMILY is "the least bit funny." Hmmm, doesn't that prove my point? You are completely misunderstanding every single posting that has been put up on this side of the argument. Once and for all, let me state again:
We are not saying you have to be from New York to find the television show 'Seinfeld' funny.
We are saying that you have to be from New York to find the **FAMILY** on Seinfeld funny. That has been what we are talking about for two weeks. Where have you been? The FAMILY. George's PARENTS. Uncle LEO.
I am actually not even saying that you have to be from New York-only that you must have exposure to the way that the parents act in real life, and people from New York or Jews most likely have that exposure.
Can't you see how you are constantly contradicting yourself? You say that you can't understand the parents, that they aren't funny, that Jerry should be an orphan, and that, oh by the way, you aren't from New York. So lets see what fits my theory: you aren't from New York, and you don't think the parents on Seinfeld are funny. Hmmm....kind of proves my point. And then you contradict yourself. After granting that you don't understand the Family's humor and that you aren't from New York, you say you don't have to be from a particular place to find something about that place funny. You have just disproven what you said!
I didn't want to make this a longstanding thread, but these moronic responses make it necessary for me to respond as well. I can't stand to see people argue with what I am saying by making stupid arguments, where they contradict what they say constantly.
BTW...whenever I say that you must be from New York or a Jew to understand Seinfeld's parents, I am using that as an example. I think the basic criteria for thinking the parents are funny is that one has exposure to that which the comedy parodies. Obviously, the parents attempt to parody crotchety old New York Jewish grandparents, so anyone who has exposure to people like this will think they are funny.
Moronic responses?? Stupid arguments?? You should talk, you idiot. You've totally missed MY point. Oh well, you're entitled to your opinion. That's okay...if it makes you feel better, I'll say the parents are funny. No wait, they're HILARIOUS!!! They ought to have a spin-off called "Jerry's Parents" or maybe "Uncle Leo." You can bet those ratings will be way up there, eh?? You can continue to roll on the floor with hysterical laughter when Morty loses his wallet, or does something equally lame. I'll continue to change the channel or get up for a beer until someone funny comes back on the screen.
[email] (Ted Weiman) wrote:
Ted,
I would drop it. From what I have seen "Robbin or Gary" is just one of those argumentative types -- the more you try to explain your position the nastier the responses get each time. I just got a personal e-mail from Gary that was very rude. I've seen this happen before, and it's better to just drop it rather than escalate an argument with someone like that. I hope Jennifer drops out of it too. Anyway, I guess I'll be a target for awhile. He's mad at me for stating the FACT that Dolores is in the dictionary, as well as my name, Robbin's name, and his name.