Fans react negatively to "The Merv Griffin Show" episode, criticizing its implausibility and lack of humor, though some defenders argue the absurdist premise fits Kramer's character.
Earlier, people are talking about episodes that make them mad...this one doesn't make me MAD, just really frustrates me that Seinfeld could make such a BAD episode. I personally did not find ANYTHING in the episode that had to do with Kramer funny. The show seemed to have the stuff that would be in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"..where ANYTHING goes. I don't see how ANYONE could think it even POSSIBLE, that someone STEAL the merv griffen set, then put it in his apartment, and then actually USE it? To me, this just seemed WAY to fictional...and then Jerry DRUGGING his G/F to PLAY with toys? I didn't see anything funny about that...and how many times has this show been on? I think it's already had 2 re-runs...it's not EVEN half a year oldyet is it? I guess you could say I'm a hypocrit, becuase Kramer wanting to use "layers" and such didn't make me "mad"...mainly because he never actually DID it. Did anyone else NOT like the episode?
Assuming that you're not just being satirical, that you really don't think it's funny, here's why it's one of my favourite episodes:
1. The set wasn't stolen, it was taken out of the dumpster. The fact that Kramer recognized it immediately was funny. Who would? It was funny that it would be in the dumpster so many years after the Merv Griffin Show was cancelled.
2. Setting up a talk show format in your apartment is funny. Most people are not obsessive enough to do it, but we know Kramer would. Making everyone who comes in sit down and be interviewed is a hilarious concept. Especially, he got the oily, insincere, 70's style hosting down to a "T" (he even obtained a tape of the creepy intro music). And it all came naturally to him. It was believable for the character. Then when he changes the format to "scandals and animals" to accommodate his friends' salacious chitchat, that is so typical of today's sleazy talk show formats. When the girlfriend comes out as the surprise guest it is exactly like all the talk shows you hear about that humiliate their guests.
3. "Drugging" Jerry's girlfriend to play with the rare toys she wouldn't let him touch was hilarious. First, it wasn't drugging. It was an aspirin type remedy that she asked him to bring for her headache that was labelled "may cause drowsiness." Then it was the turkey and red wine, as they contain "tryptophan", a substance which supposedly causes drowsiness. That she allowed herself to be served this meal twice, without getting wise to it, even drinking a whole box of wine, was the ultimate in hilarity. She deserved to have her rare toys played with. This show at least did not satirize any handicap, ailment or minority, unless you include stodgy collectors who worship material things in those sensitive groups. Jerry's desire to relive his childhood and play with toys that were meant to be played with can be understood by anyone.
4. Elaine's sudden interest in the toys when she hears of the "Easy Bake Oven" and then assisting in offering "more wine? more turkey?" is one of her funniest moments.
5. The pigeon and squirrel subplot is also hilarious. "We have a deal with the pigeons," George says, and Jerry knows immediately what he means and quotes the deal. There are many other excellent gags, too many to list here.
This is one of the most charming, funny and original episodes, in my opinion.
I totally agree with you... The Merv Griffen episode had me rolling the second time I saw it...
I especially liked when Kramer, with his new apartement / set, had to "pause" for a commercial break, started stuffing his face with chips, let out a belch and then goes "okay we're back" all while the gang were just sitting right there chatting...
The Merv Griffin thing was one of my favorite and was far fetched. But it was consistent with Kramer's character of coming up with outlandish ideas. Only Kramer would bother to somehow get the whole set home and into his apartment and then figure out how to incororate it into his life. That's what's funny.
And the thing about drugging the girl was a play off the stories of guys who drug women and then have sex, of which there seem to have been alot of lately in the news. They were maiking fun of that situation.
Excerpts from netnews.alt.tv.seinfeld: 7-Apr-98 Re: Merv Griffen Show by "Scott J. Friedman"@eter
This is one of my all-time favorite episodes. My favorite line, I think, is when Kramer says to George, "So George, it says here that you and Jerry used to date. Tell us - what was that like?" They all look at Kramer and he says, "Oh, sorry, wrong card."
And just the way he would make everyone move down a chair so the new "guest" could sit next to him. Loved it!
The absolute funniest line of the episode was when Elaine was discussing her plans to wear wrestling shoes so she could sidle up to "the sidler" and Kramer chimes in "only in New York" I was in stitches. The second funniest line was when the dude with the animals says "where are the cameras?" The episode had its moments. I sorta liked the sidler story but not the tic-tacs. I disliked the pigeon/squirrel element. The toys didn't really do it for me either. I just liked the Merv Griffin storyline. It carried the whole episode.
I loved the Kramer part of this episode, the drugged toy princess part I just didn't go for. It was more of a "cartoonish" episode, but isn't life a little surreal from time to time!?
Shellee
Steven wrote in article ... Earlier, people are talking about episodes that make them mad...this one doesn't make me MAD, just really frustrates me that Seinfeld could make such a BAD episode. I personally did not find ANYTHING in the episode that had to do with Kramer funny. The show seemed to have the stuff that would be in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"..where ANYTHING goes. I don't see how ANYONE could think it even POSSIBLE, that someone STEAL the merv griffen set, then put it in his apartment, and then actually USE it? To me, this just seemed WAY to fictional...and then Jerry DRUGGING his G/F to PLAY with toys? I didn't see anything funny about that...and how many times has this show been on? I think it's already had 2 re-runs...it's not EVEN half a year oldyet is it? I guess you could say I'm a hypocrit, becuase Kramer wanting to use "layers" and such didn't make me "mad"...mainly because he never actually DID it. Did anyone else NOT like the episode?