Fans debate whether the show is declining after two mediocre Season 8 episodes, with some calling for Larry David's return while others argue it deserves more patience given its long run.
@d.umn.edu wrote:
Agreed. Last week's episode was mediocre. This week's was dismal.
This series looks like its going downhill. We need Larry David back in the fold. It's clear he was the integral component of the witty dialogue and funny plots.
But no doubt, there will be people in denial who'll say this episode was as funny as ever. Difficult to figure out these folks.
Gussel Timer wrote:
Now look, there's no doubt that this episode was like no other Seinfeld I've ever seen. I mean, c'mon, all these guys lining up for vasectomies..... But remember, "Suck" is relative... What are you gonna do, watch "Friends"? It's still one of the very best shows on TV. And remember, Jerry was thinking about quitting this past spring until the writers came up with some new ideas for the show, so just be happy we still have this, although, yes, I would like to see Larry D back in the saddle.
Randy Smith
Well, this is the beef: In the past, even at its worst, Seinfeld was still a very good series relative to everything else out there. But the stuff of the last 2 weeks...bombs by ANY standard. One big bomb...let it go..two big bombs using same strange style...the beginnings of a disturbing trend. If next week shows the same kind of stuff===> Must NOT See TV! :)
The Past Seasons: the worst Seinfeld = a good Ellen/Drew Carey (more than acceptable television)
This Season so far: worst Seinfeld = pretty bad television
Gussel Timer wrote:
It's also difficult to figure out why people who claim this season is in the toilet also say that Larry David should come back. Seems to me that a lot of people were writting that episodes like "The Bottle Deposit" were among the worst, and he was around for that one. Come to think of it, many people also didn't like the finale, and he was in on that one too!
Here's the real problem, people remember the best episodes from the past seasons, and forget about the others. Then they say to themselves,
"Seinfeld is the best damn show on TV! Last year was great, just like all of the other years. It's always been the best thing on TV!"
So then they watch a new episode, and it can't possibly live up to the great episodes of years past, so they label it as the worst episode.
Gussel Timer wrote:
Well, I think that's kind of an asshole thing to say, but that's for another thread.
Anyway, I didn't hate this episode, but it was mediocre. Besides that, it bugs me to see people already saying "The show's gone to hell! It sucks! It's going downhill...it can't be saved!"
This is on the basis of TWO EPISODES. Give it a chance. Not to mention the fact that it's the 8th season. Not everything can stay fresh forever. Hell, even "Cheers" had shitty episodes.
[email] (Matt Lynch) wrote:
This is probably the right tack to take. This problem is fixable--they still have the most talented cast in TV; the best premise; all the best viewers <g>...and they USED to have all the best writers...we'll see. As for Cheers: it was the best show in its day, but Seinffeld has easily eclipsed it (although it's on tough times now).
Randy Smith
I think that Seinfeld is,was, and will be the best show on TV for a while. So what! It had a couple of not so great episodes. Things will get better. Just give it some time!
Listen closely boys and girls: the harsh, grating sound you're hearing is called critical backlash.
I don't mean to summarily dismiss the unfavorable opinions that have been expressed about the first two shows. I'm sure these people's disgust with the show is genuine. I myself think the season is off to a rather clumsy start (the keystone cops-ish chase scene through the halls in ep.2 didn't do much for me).
But let's not knee-jerk the show to death after just two weeks! I can already see some interesting plot possibilities developing: the flowering of Newman's secret desire for Elaine, George's dual-role as Susan Foundation chairman and suspect in Susan's death, and Jerry's continued hedonism and stubborn refusal to grow up.
I, for one, still have faith in the show, and look forward to many great episodes this season. --But please God, let Elaine's hair grow back!
-T.a.s. (the eternal optimist)
Matt Lynch wrote:
I never said it can't be saved. :) But the direction of quality isn't exactly pointed towards Mt. Everest.
Larry David is gone, and it seems to have made a marked difference...at least his departure coincides with the drop in quality...maybe some good writers and editors left as well. I don't know. What I do know is that the last 2 episodes are the worst I've seen ever. I'm having difficulty recalling any episodes worse than the ones to start off this season.
Who's asking for FRESH? If they went back to the old stuff that made it good, then we'd all be happy. But they're trying close-up zoom-out camera shots that add nothng the comedy. Lack of clever (and lack of intersecting) plots, lazy edits, strange material decisions (Mission Impossible chase scene)... If anything, this season's episodes are the "fresh" ones...give me the good old stuff anyday. :)
I thought this week's episode was, "cough" great.
hehe. I "cough" loved it. It was the "cough" best episode ever.
Brad "Timon" Willis
@d.umn.edu wrote:
*sobbing* And I thought it was just me. I felt *exactly the same way* about tonights episode. It looked like a Seinfeld episode, the characters were there... but nothing was *there*. Let's just hope that this episode was the lowest they'll go, and it'll only be uphill from here.
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. Dave Nusair [email]
"Stevie Ray Vaughn is dead, and we can't get Jon Bon Jovi in a helicopter?" -Denis Leary ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
@d.umn.edu wrote: