Everybody's complaining that the shows aren't as good as they used to be. OK, I'll buy that. I've been watching since the very beginning, and they have gone downhill a somewhat.
Everyone says they miss the keen wit, maturity and intelligence of the past episodes. OK, I agree. The old ones were written very well and had a certain sophistication about them that appealed to clever-minded viewers.
BUT when reminiscing about the old episodes, and finding the few redeeming bits of the new ones, everyone cites the silliest, most inane antics. ie., Kramer pouring blood in Jerry's engine, George stomping the pigeons, Elaine being kissed by a 13 yr old -- this season...
These are just plain dumb and would make a 5 yr old laugh. There's nothing sophisticated about them. But again and again I read that's what you liked best about this season. What about the image of Jerry driving the van? What about the rabbi's come-on to Elaine and the empty rocking chair when he looks up. What about 'Witey Fisk', George's made-up friend, and the fact that he admitted it. What about this Thursday's image of George carrying the squirrel in that little harness on his chest? These are examples of subtle humor that belie the true depravity of the characters.
And why were these such hits? Waiting at the Chinese restaurant (2nd season), walking around a mall parking lot (3rd season), dropping a Junior mint into someone on an operating table (4th season). The first two are totally boring and too weak to base an entire episode on. And the last one is simply crass, juvenile humor.
I think the eps that show how really demented and pathetic the characters are, are the best. Every sitcom tries to create funny 'scenes'. What sets Seinfeld apart is its character development. The more we get to know about Jerry, George, Elaine, Kramer, etc., and the more times they shock us with their twisted view of the world, the more we are entertained. Seinfeld shouldn't have to resort to physical comedy and cheap shots like other shows do.
Why does everyone laugh when Kramer stumbles in Jerry's door, but no one finds it amusing that Kramer can get everyone he knows, and a famous celebrity to appear on junked Merv Griffin set and talk like its being filmed for broadcast? Why does everyone laugh when Elaine says, 'get out' and shoves Jerry/George, but no one finds it amusing when she's drawn to the girlfriend's house to use a 20 yr old EZ Bake oven...Jerry would rather play with action figures than have sex...Kramer explained the set was so smelly because 1970s stars weren't 'as hygenic as they appeared to be on tv'...
If you all say you liked the show when it was witty and well-written, how come the no-brainer scenes are your favorites?