'The Bottle Deposit' - arrrrrrrgh

Well, that was the much balleyhooed 1-hour episode.... What a disappointment.

Let's take a critical look: As another poster pointed out, a 1-hour episode and no sign of Susan. George's marriage date is looming and not a single mention.

And where was David Putty, Jerry's old mechanic? He was committed to him at the end of last season.

When the mechanic stole the car, why didn't anyone think to call him on Jerry's car-phone? That's what Jerry did the first time his car was stolen, in 'The Alternate Side'.

And the issue wasn't even resolved! A whole hour and the car is still missing.

This show could easily have been edited down to a half-hour.  There
were long scenes that weren't very funny at all.  Some of them didn't
even attempt to be funny.
	The auction scene - no laughs
	Monk's scene - George and Jerry going over the words to
		       'Downtown' - lame laughs
	Newman at the farmhouse - very few jokes even attempted

And the very worst came at the very last. Most episodes have a tail-end scene for the credits to roll over which is usually very funny. There have been some classic eps with a killer punchline in this position. So what were we served up last night? An exterior building shot! They didn't even try! It was like they had simply run out of jokes!

Did anyone else feel shortchanged? Where was the insightful humour? Where was the witty banter? Where was the comedy we could relate to?

I'll give them credit for one good laugh, though: Steinbrenner talks about his brother-in-law and the mental hospital: "The man was obsessed with lactating women. They completely cured him... Although he still eats a lot of cheese."

That comment was so bizarre that it killed me.

Anyway, my spleen is vented, now it's your turn...

Flame-on!

JW

It didn't make the pantheon of classic Seinfeld shows, is my 2 cents worth. However, they did reveal Newman's name (I forgot, was it Norman?), so maybe we can put that thread to rest. They even said "Elaine Benes" at one point! The story elements were too unreal (the whole mechanic business with the "Did you take good care of your car" line), or too cliche'd (The auction scene with the spiteful bidding, and George in the mental ward were just not very fresh-feeling). I may have not been in the mood to watch it, but I think it just wasn't up to par. Though I gotta say that Jerry & co. on a bad day still beats most any other sitcom on a good--I mean, do you really want to watch the Helen Hunt's and Paul Reiser's marriage go on the rocks in "Mad About You"?--ecchh!

I agree: it sucked. The plot was thin at best, and dragged.

In article , [email] (Mitchell Virchick P225) wrote:

worth. However, they did reveal Newman's name (I forgot, was it Norman?), so maybe we can put that thread to rest. They even said "Elaine Benes" at one point! The story elements were too unreal (the whole mechanic business with the "Did you take good care of your car" line), or too cliche'd (The auction scene with the spiteful bidding, and George in the mental ward were just not very fresh-feeling). I may have not been in the mood to

Jerry & co. on a bad day still beats most any other sitcom on a good--I mean, do you really want to watch the Helen Hunt's and Paul Reiser's marriage go on the rocks in "Mad About You"?--ecchh!

In article ,

Virchick

However, they did reveal Newman's name (I forgot, was it Norman?),

I'd say she just got his name wrong - mistook Norman for Newman.

THe worst Seinfeld episode of all time. There might have been a couple as bad, but this was for a whole hour.

In "the Cafe" george says he'll take his actual sat test score to the grave, but he tells everyone he got 1409. is it just me or is it impossible to score 1409 on the sat's?? if so, its quite funny that george thinks hes fooling everyone he tells this too, when really they know he's lying because the SAt score goes in increments of 5 or 10.

mike

The pain in your forehead was the joke not quite clearing your head, it was not from over-thinking this.

[email](Mike ) wrote:

The SAT is a two-part test that earns a score between 200 and 800 per part. (Verbal & Math) 1600 is a perfect score. A 1409 would be an exceptional score, just shy of being high enough to get him into Mensa. You're probably thinking of the ACT tests which, I believe, go up to a high score of 30.

In [email] (Glenn) writes:

per

no, i meant that the SAT's can't produce a score with an odd number. a score of 1410 would be possible, not 1409.

mike

[email](Mike ) ripped off all remaining clothes and hollered: ]In [email] (Glenn) writes:

] no, i meant that the SAT's can't produce a score with an odd number. ]a score of 1410 would be possible, not 1409.

That's correct...increments of ten only. The PSAT is the same way, I think. 1409 would be a projected average.

____________________________________

[email](Mike ) wrote:

A score of 1409 is not possible, as SAT scores are given in increments of 10.

Furthermore, a score 0f 1400 is indeed not only exceptional, but MORE THAN QUALIFIES for membership in American Mensa. The requirements set forth by American Mensa are as follows:

College Board SAT, (Verbal & MAth combined):
            Prior to 9/77:  1300
            9/77 to 1/31/94:  1250
            After 1/94  NOT ACCEPTABLE

College Board GRE
            Before 6/94 (Verbal & Math)  1250
            After 6/94 (All sections combined)  1875

MAT--raw score: 66

Numerous other tests, especially professional psychometic measurements of intelligence (Stanford-Binet, WAIS,WAIS-R, WISC,etc.) are acceptable also, and have different score requirements.

The qualifying score for any given measurement instrument is the score at the 98th percentile (above which only 2% of the population will score); the specific score will of course vary from instrument to instrument.

For more info, write American Mensa, Ltd., 201 Main St., Suite 1101, Fort Worth, TX 76102. (817) 332-2600

A Mensan

Have they recently changed the scoring criteria? I took my SAT's in 1994 and it was possible at that time to achieve a perfect score of 1600 (although this is quite rare for obvious reasons).

In article , Shelley Nash writes:

and

this is

And isn't 1600 a multiple of 10?

In Shelley Nash writes:

1994 and

(although this is

1600 is still the highest score, but we are saying that a 1409 is impossible because it doesn't end in 0.

mike

It depends on when you took the SAT. When I took it, the component tests (math and verbal) each were scored to the nearest point, not the nearest 10 points. It was possible to get a score that ended in a digit othe than zero. This was quite some time ago, but the characters on Seinfeld aren't exactly recent grad's either.

---Alvin H. Nichter

     Actually, unless they've changed it recently, it was not only
possible, but normal to get a score like 1409 (or 1408, or
whatever)...if they've gone to a system in which the test was
scorable only in 5 or 10 point increments it's a recent change.
(My own SATs taken in the fall of 1968 generated an aggregate
score ending in 4.) The fictional George would probably have taken
his SAT sometime between about 1969 and 1977, probably about
1971 or 1972, based on the age of all the characters in the show.
At that time, the SAT was scored in such a way that theoretically
(depending on the individual test, the weighting of the questions,
and relative performance of others) the score could end in any digit
0 through 9.
     The real joke is that, a) the number SOUNDS real, and b) George,
if he existed, couldn't possibly have scored that well. (Although it
wouldn't be a shock if 1409 WAS the actual SAT of either Jerry
Seinfeld or Larry David...or for that matter, of Jason Alexander).

Bob Smith, middays WXXI-AM 1370 Rochester NY

On May 12, 1996, A Mensan wrote...

[email](Mike ) wrote:

I believe 1600 is the highest possible score, if you're referring to the fact that a 1409 is not possible numerically because of the configuration of the scoring system, I have no clue.

As someone whose business is SAT and other test preparation, let me set this one straight. The SAT, which is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600 combined, is only in ten-point increments, as you said, so a 1409 is not a score one could get on the SAT. You could get a 1400, or a 1410, but nothing in between. I have noticed this error on many a tv show, including some usually accurate ones like thirtysomething, where a character mentions his SAT score and it does not end in zero.

BTW, the SAT was recently re-centered to adjust the mean back to 500 per section, so scores before 1995 do not compare to current scores.

And in my opinion, there is no way George could have gotten a 1400, since he is none too bright! And he freely acknowledges that fact, and even tried to cheat on an IQ test by giving it to Elaine! (Who could have gotten 1400, probably.)

I guess I wasn't clear in my answer last Friday, since I was short and witty. Here it is all spelled out:

The joke is that George 'says' he got a 1409 on his SAT, which is a high score. The joke is on him, though, since 1409 is not possible. The error was intentionally introduced, to show that George can't even look smart when he lies about his SAT score.

sheeesh.

this is true, the highest is 1600 and it is done in increments of 10. i think they were trying to tip us off that George was lying.

I can't remember the details, but what was it that George said his score was again? If it was above 1600, it was definitely a lie, but if you're saying that they were trying to tip us off that George was lying b/c it wasn't an increment of 10, that might not be the case. I'm not THAT old ;-) , but I believe it wasn't until the last 10 or so years that Educ. Testing Services has made the SAT only in increments of 10. Anybody remember?

George said his SAT score was 1409.....in the Cafe. He admits he is lying...he takes to his grave his real score and wont even tell Jerry!

Katie Johns (Australia)

[email] (John Woodin) wrote:

As much as I hate to criticize what is usually a well written and funny show, I must agree, also. So much time was spent developing an elaborate interconnected plot that could be sustained over an hour, that they lost sight of what makes Seinfeld really good. The pace was way off and some of the characters were not the same.

Even if they end up not getting married, Susan is an important part of George's life right now and her character also provides some of George's funniest, most tormented scenes.

I believe he was in Florida repairing Dave Barry's Refridgerator.

If they don't revisit that issue in the next episode than they have totally screwed up. That is not one of those questions that you can leave unanswered like the the woman with the same dress.

It was almost like the auction scene was in to justify Elaine bidding above Peterman's limit, and no more thought was given to it. Even though auction scenes are so cliche (almost every sitcom that has run for more than two years has done one) I would have thought that the Seinfeld writers could have made it a little fresher. Especially since it was Jackie O's auction.

Monk's scene might have been funnier and certainly more relevent if they had come up with something. If they couldn't remember the lines and other people in Monk's tried to help them but kept coming up with bogus lines like the McD's jingle ads; that would have been funny.

The scene at the farmhouse where the gorgeous woman falls for Newman might have been funnier if they hadn't done the same thing two nights before on '3rd Rock'. I thought the reference to all those old traveling salesman/farmers daughter jokes was great, but I think they missed a lot of opportunities for some really big laughs here.

I also thought Kramer was taken out of character. He must be taking medication because he was much less spasmotic and often times very lucid. This is probably a good example of what a spin-off with Kramer would be like. Newman was not his brilliantly evil self either.

Some of the plot elements were just too outlandish even for Seinfeld. It's one thing to block traffic arguing about a parking space or kidnapping a dog, but Newman and Kramer could face very serious federal charges for what they did with the mail truck and the mail. There was also a technical error in this plot. When the USPS transports that much mail over land, they use semis and not 'bread wagons'. And why would they worry about the cost of gas? The post office would be paying for that.

While the scene with George Steinbrenner was funny, only a legal guardian can have somebody commited, otherwise their admission to a mental hospital or clinic is voluntary.

There were some great bits, like treating the car as a person. Especially at the end when they found the woman's Saab. Also, Peterman's reaction when he finally got the clubs. Mostly it was just to long. I would have rather seen a new half hour episode that was well written and a repeat. I never had a least favorite Seinfeld episode until now.

I'm not sure how bizarre it was but it was very funny. Especially the delivery, done as only Larry David can do. Monty

If I'm not mistaken, isn't this the third time Jerry has had a car stolen? He got one stolen last night, once by that guy that had Kramer's gloves in the glove compartment, & then he gave away the B.B.O. BMW. He sure has bad luck with the cars. He should quit loaning them to Newman, Kramer, & George & maybe those problems wouldnt happen. I also remember Elaine & George screwing up his car in "The Parking Spot." He has really bad luck.

Heather

someone wrote:

-> >This show could easily have been edited down to a half-hour. There -> >were long scenes that weren't very funny at all.

someone else wrote:

-> So much time was spent developing an -> elaborate interconnected plot that could be sustained over an hour, -> that they lost sight of what makes Seinfeld really good. The pace was -> way off and some of the characters were not the same.

Both excellent points.

Isn't it ironic that the producers think they're giving us this GREAT special suprise, and the concensus seems to be we'd rather see a well done 1/2 hour than a full hour that feels stretched.

I'd even go so far as to say I'd rather see a fast-paced 15 minute show and get on with my life than be waiting 10 minutes between jokes during a 1-hour bore-a-thon.

//Ralph

i hadn't thought of that. what a great idea! he could've been there bidding on jackie's tennis racket, or maybe some of jfk's white socks.

chris

In article , [email] (John Woodin) wrote:

Gotta agree with you -- I came in a few minutes late and by the end, I still didn't know the reason for it all. It just seemed like a bunch of fragmented ideas that they nver fully developed so they decided to link them together under a one hour show. And it wasn't even funny. A big disappointment.

Once again -- I agree. It was so bizarre that I did a double take -- did I just hear that right?

I wonder what they were thinking when they viewed it themselves. Hell, I bet they didn't even do that. I've found that all of the one-hour episodes over the years are the LEAST funny ones. They try too hard to make them a BIG event, that everything falls flat. Don't they get it? The whole point fo the show is to point out the little things, not the big things...

Oh well, at least I can tape over that one...

ICF

I agree - totally dull show - waste of time. :<

	~P

In article , [email] says...

Yeah, I'd agree. Very poorly written episode, weakly threaded together with implausible situations and out-of-character decisions.

Another inconsistency. And I think the writers have gone too far. It's one thing to take a concept such as "how mechanics feel about your car" and exaggerate it a little, but this was WAY over the top. It becomes too silly to be funny. Earlier Seinfeld episodes would just skim along the border of reality with situations, which made it quite hysterical.

And what the heck is the policeman doing acting like the mechanic? Where's the connection? They suddenly jump into this "other world" where cars are like people's children. Strange, and highly unrealistic. Most people beat on their cars. I think they took this too far.

Yes, a real let down. Whatever happened to it and the mechanic?

I'm going to post an 'alternative' episode based on this one...

All of the sudden, Mr. Peterman is walking out of the office with the beat up clubs, and it's over. Done. Nothing. And it looks like UPN has rubbed off on NBC. They did that 'half-screen' credits deal. Really lousy.

It was one of the WORST Seinfeld episodes, in my book anyway.

Yes, that was hilarious! But one thing that was weird... When George is missing, presumed dead, Steinbrenner promotes someone else almost immediately. However, this time he says "Don't worry George. Your job will be here waiting for you, even if it takes a year!"

Tempting... hmmm... Nah, you did a good review of it. <clap, clap>

Hey, who turned out the lights?

-Gary K.