5/7 episode

If last night's "Parade" episode is indicative of where the Seinfeld writers are going, then it's just as well it's the end of the line. At least the finale is Larry David's script. Jeff Laderman

As far as the writing goes, it had to be the fact that there were, I think, TEN writers credited with writing this episode. So it's either a case of way too many rewrites, or the even more likely possibility of a script that was compiled from a bunch of different script ideas that were never used. I didn't think the episode was too good, but as has been mentioned here often, the lesser episodes often come together on a second viewing. I am a diehard fan of the show so I'm not just here to rag on it, but I do think this was a weak episode.

<TO REPLY REMOVE 'NOSPAM' FROM THE END OF MY E-MAIL ADDRESS. THANKS!>

Excerpts from netnews.alt.tv.seinfeld: 8-May-98 Re: 5/7 episode by Cliff [email]

I didn't like this episode at all while watching it (except for when the three of them showed up at the apartment at the same time). My husband missed it and later in the evening when I was telling him about it I kept cracking up over some of the stuff. It was sort of a delayed reaction. But I agree it was weak. It had its moments - just not many, I guess.

Anna

This year's episodes are weak. In hindsite, maybe Jerry wanted to go out with a weak season to prove his feeling that everything that could be done with the show had been done. Sure seems that way - sure there were some funny moments, and it was good to see Art Van Delay (sic) again. But when I watched the syndicated Jerry that night (episode was the one where the NYU reporter thinks they're gay [not that there's anyting wrong with that]) I was really laughing - & I've seen that episode MANY times! There is a definite difference in the quality of the writing.

In article , [email] wrote:

I agree with you that this year's episodes are weak, but of all the episodes this season, I'm surprised that people bitch about this particular one. It reminded me of such shows as "The Parking Garage" or the "Chinese Restaurant", maybe not as clever but still a good effort. Also, the situations were not as outrageous as many that we've seen this year, and for me that's a good thing. I think the gang decided to give a last shot at a classic show "about nothing" before the series' finale, and that might be why there were so many writers on this one: they probably wanted to write an episode together before it all ends.

Anyway, after last night's show, I'm already starting to feel a bit of nostalgia...

I must agree.

Seinfeld has been and still is my favorite show, but I found last night's Veronica's Closet and Friends to be funnier than Seinfeld. Granted, the last 5 or so minutes of Seinfeld were good, but I sat through the episode and thought to myself "Okay, try to laugh at the next joke Jerry makes. I want to laugh. I should laugh."

It just hasn't been funny in a long time.

Hopefully L. David does add the genius back into Seinfeld, if at least for one more episode.

 --
~kcw

[kevin c welch | pulmonary imaging center | uphs ] [phone: 349-8980]

I've watched hundreds of posts over the last several months like this. I just don't get it. Life shouldn't be so hard. Kevin, and others like him, "What have you been doing?"

Why do you put you through this? If it isn't funny, then remember the funny episodes you did enjoy at some point, and don't let the new ones get you down. That's nutty.

I thought last night was a pretty average Seinfeld. Better than other sitcoms; not as good as the show at its best. But every season has average shows. Season three had great, good, average, and bad shows. So has this year.

If folks (not just Kevin; I'm painting with a big brush right now) haven't been enjoying it for years, I don't get the punishment they put themselves through. You're not Jerry's friends; you don't owe him anything. God knows when my nutty friends watch X-Files or whatever, I go for a walk, or drink a milkshake, or pat a dog on the head, or kiss my wife, or SOMETHING that brings me happiness and pleasure.

As Jerry's show ends, I'm partly glad that all the folks who have found no pleasure in the last couple of years can finally unload the frigging cross.

One more bit of advice...if you didn't like Puerto Rican Day, then don't bitch about it in a few weeks when it's a rerun, or next year when it pops up on syndication...you shouldn't have to live through it again... :-)

Cheers, WT

I think that the show's content might not be what is bothering you. I agree that the episode might not have been EVERYTHING that we wanted, but the difference might be that this was the SECOND TO LAST SEINFELD EVER!!!! That means a lot of self-imposed hype for the show to be absolutely hilarious. The reason we are having a hard time finding the humor in the last couple of shows is that we have immortalized the past Seinfeld and have developed a ho-hum attitude to the new shows. It's a stretch of an analogy, but the Bulls were exciting when MJ initially won three championships, but now, everyone has an attitude like, "Well, the Bulls will probably win number 6 this year, big deal."

That's my two cents.

I TOTALLY AGREE! I taped last week's episode for posterity, but was so disappointed, I rewound it to tape over it! My sister was right, the show is dying a slow death, so maybe it's best they say goodbye. The best has very obviously already been done. Can't wait for the last show!

JeffBW wrote:

Am I the only one who found last night's episode very good? It was no classic, but it still made me laugh out loud numerous times. I truly thought it was innovative and interesting. Definitely one of the season's better episodes.

--Scott

With this episode, George has supplied me with another beautiful entry into the Costanza Hall of Shame.

"I can't be blind Jerry, the blind are courageous."

Erin.

MFLuder848 wrote:

I am with you. I thought it was a great episode. Burning the flag by Kramer was a classic.

maro

Truth is, Seinfeld hasn't been very good for a few years now, despite its ratings. The show has never recovered from the disastrous decision to kill off Susan, a character that was part of the ensemble, ala the fifth Beatle, for more than a year. Killing her simply wasn't funny, and it left a bad taste in the mouths of many viewers. Between that and losing Larry David, the show's inspirational leader, the scripts have departed from the brilliant premise of four abnormal people playing the game of life without the benefit of the rules on the box top. The show used to beautifly capture the struggle of just trying to figure out what the rules are. I will watch the last episode(s), but to be honest, I have already grieved the passing of the show. I miss the show I enjoyed. It ended a few years ago.

Still, as Linda Ellerbee so aptly put it, "It's just television."

In article , "Firefly" wrote:

Now, I *know* that I'm not the only one who has no problem with Susan's death. And, considering the high level of defense the episode has gotten from fans, I doubt it's left a bad taste in the mouths of 'many' viewers at all.

So then why are you still watching it? This is what I want to know. People who are miserable about the show shouldn't watch it. I wouldn't. Is it just a lack of competition on Thursdays? Nowt else to do? I don't get it.

At any rate, I think the influx of Seinfeld bashing this series has been trendiness, pure and simple. I don't see how, for example, the car dealership ep or the Puerto Rican day ep are any more outrageous and unbelievable than, for example, the 'Master of my domain' episode. Which isn't to say that everyone who doesn't like the show is just a band wagoneer, but rather that an awful lot of this is just bitterness from people who are annoyed that the mass media and 'general public' have got Seinfeld fever and, therefore, it can't possibly be clever anymore.

My $.02

Cheers, Lulu

Truth? Opinion, thank you.

Actually, she was becoming to much like a 5th main character and that's probably what keyed the decision to kill her off. They certainly did not need a 'fifth Beatle'.

But Larry David wrote the episode in which Susan was killed. I guess you stopped thinking it was a good show even BEFORE he left, huh?

Whatever! You're telling me none of the eighth season was good! I thought getting rid of Susan was great! She was not a major character, and frankly I liked her for only a while.

On 11 May 1998, Firefly wrote: