I know they prevailing notion is to wait until season 3/4 for a more broad appeal to kick in, but you HAVE to make it through when George's dad (Jerry Stiller) starts showing up regularly. Hands down my favorite television character ever. There's even another layer of humor if you watch the inside looks that give some explanation as to why some of his line readings sound a little 'psychotic.'

I'm going to predict right here that you'll never like this show. If, after watching what I consider to be one of the funniest episodes, you're only comment is about "giving credit" rather than saying you laughed or actually enjoyed it? Nope, you're just not destined to like this show, I think.

I just watched episode 2.12-- "The Revenge".. was that Larry David as the voice of Newman? Newman didn't actually appear in the episode, they just had his voice shouting to Kramer, but it sounded like David

I've been checking out this thread to see how it's developing. All I can add is my original reaction to Seinfeld. Way, way back about 1993 or 1994, I had never seen Seinfeld because I hated network sitcoms with a passion. (I still don't like many of them now.) But then some good friends told me I just had to watch Seinfeld, because it wasn't the "typical" sitcom. So I gave it a shot.... and didn't like it. But they insisted I keep watching until "I knew the characters" - so I kept watching each week. And, after about 5 or 6 episodes, I loved the show. And I still do.

Of course, that was Season 5 of the show, when the show was clicking along smoothly on all cylinders. Seasons 1 and 2 are a bit more herky-jerky, so I don't know how long it would've taken to get into the show if I started watching with those episodes.

So, in short, I say stick with it, Chew, because the show's magic formula will eventually win you over. (However, if you make to the last season, watch out for the series finale - that's so amazingly bad, that I refuse to ever watch it again.)

I wasn't a huge fan, but there are episodes that I love. Season 3 has afew, but my favorite of the series is The Parking Garage (10/30/1991).

You weren't kidding. Both of the episodes I watched last night had Kramer out of the apartment.

The Stranded -- "Maybe the Dingo ate your baby" :lol: Certainly the best laugh out of that one. Michael Chiklis!

The Statue -- Kramer as a cop cracked me up. The ending could be seen from a mile away, however.

Now I'm on to the last disc of the first set. What's the experts take on watching the 65 minute documentary at the end of the season? Only a review of Seasons 1 and 2 or does it spoil future stuff?

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that as well. But, I'm not giving up. I still may not laugh much at the show or understand it's "brilliance", but the ice is melting ever so slightly.

Still keeping to the "no complete episode" stance of the time, I did watch some of the finale strictly because it guest-starred John Pinette. I think having my first real exposure to the show as that portion really soured me to it.

Yes it was. Larry makes a handful of appearances(I won't give any away though), both on and offscreen(vocal). I believe DVD has both versions of the episode. Once they cast Wayne Knight as Newman, they went back and redubbed those lines for syndication.

Shoot, I can't remember exactly what was on that documentary. I don't remember them spoiling anything huge. For the most part, if I remember correctly, everything extra on the discs focused on discussing the seasons in question, not future stories. Though I could very well be wrong, and you may get tidbits of spoilers, especially since you are extremely new to the series. It may be safest to skip the documentary for now.

I'm pretty sure the 65 minute documentary does talk about future episodes.

Wasn't the documentary the same one that aired shortly before the DVD release? I thought it touched on stuff from all the seasons and contained spoilers. I don't know, I could be wrong. I'll try to take a glance at it when I get off work tonight to tell you for sure.

That is what I thought as well.

The last disc started to take an upswing, but then ended on a sour note.

The Heart Attack -- I liked the wackiness of this episode. I'm pretty sure that was Larry David playing the alien (or spaceman, or whatever) on the TV?

The Revenge -- Kramer with the concrete bag was good for a couple laughs. I opted for the syndicated version to get my first real feel of Newman.

The Deal -- did not care for this one at all. I just don't want the show to be about Elaine and Jerry hooking up. I think the "will they/won't they" was played out to death on Cheers with Sam & Diane.

Alright, season 2 is now done. I'm skipping the documentary as recommended and moving on to Season 3. Given the currently full DVR, I'm guessing I might not get to more than one tonight.

Based on this comment, I think you are in for a treat as you progress through Seasons 3 and beyond. Keep on truckin'! :up:

Yes, Larry was the alien.

I think "the Deal" was done(from my recollection) because the suits wanted Jerry & Elaine to hook up, since the show was still struggling. So Larry & Jerry wrote this one that would pretty much nix the idea of Jerry & Elaine as a couple. I think this was the only time it was used as a plot device. From here on out there are only references to Jerry & Elaine's past relationship.

Well, that's good to hear. :up:

I'm a HUGE Seinfeld fan. Even love the late episodes. I think Chinese Rest. is mediocore at best.

I believe "The Deal" was also written that way as a somewhat series finale if the show was cancelled, wasn't it?

Could have been. I haven't read that angle though.

the spoilers on the seinfeld doc didn't really mention future episodes. Its not like listening to a buffy commentary (made that mistake on the pilot, turned it off after 5 minutes)

Agreed. No Kramer. And no plot. (Well, even less than normal that is.) Plus that scene with Elaine approaching the strangers at the table always seemed weird to me cause it looked like her lines were dubbed. Just never found it as funny as the dozens upon dozens of other classic episodes.

Edit: Like Chew said, I do give them credit for trying an episode completely in a restaurant waiting area. But I just don't think it was executed very well.

Chew - keep us posted. I, as like many others have mentioned, am curious to see if your appreciation for the show will change once it really starts clicking. I probably wouldn't have completely watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer if I started with season 1 and didn't know the show really takes off after that.

:lol: Yeah, Seinfeld was notorious for ripping off storylines from Curb Your Enthusiasm!

The Chinese Restaurant isn't famous for being a particularly funny episode, although it does have some good laughs. Instead, it's famous for taking the "Show About Nothing" concept all the way to the edge, with the entire episode literally having nothing happen except waiting for a table in a restaurant. The Chinese Restaurant is like the "Hitchcock's Rope" of Seinfeld in taking a creative concept and running with it, full steam, all the way.

True, the George line "WE'RE LIVING IN A SOCIETY HERE" still is one of my biggest laughs and a running joke with just about everybody I know.