The Cafe -- This one was better than normal. I didn't quite understand the real reason for George's girlfriend requiring him to take an IQ test, however. Kramer shows why he annoys me here by always butting into things (Elaine and her test) when it's clear he's not wanted. I liked the shop owner and understand he'll be back somehow?

The Tape -- OK, here's another thing I don't understand: it was established several episodes ago that George and Elaine only have Jerry in common and really aren't good friends to the point where they don't have anything to say when left alone. Here we have them sharing lunch together and a car ride almost acting like they're the ex-couple. I know that George has a bit of a crush going and that's the reason on his side, but that doesn't explain Elaine. Overall, this one fell back in the "m'eh" pack of episodes.

This has probably been mentioned already but like all great shows, the shows get better with repeat viewings and age.

I think you may be over-analyzing. They do lots of things and you're like "huh???" but it's funny so you just laugh anyway.

It's been awhile since I've seen this one, so I'm just guessing here at a plausible scenario. George was probably bragging about how smart he is. His girlfriend has this test so she sort of challenges him to take it. Or maybe she is curious about how smart he really is. I don't know. Kramer butting in where he is not wanted is totally consistent with his character, with the way he always butts in to Jerry's apartment, eats his food, etc. It's part of what makes him funny.

So is it so implausible that they have become closer friends now? more comfortable around each other, not as awkward, even enjoy each other's company?

I agree. Looking for laughs is different than just sitting there enjoying it for what it is.

Remember they are still forming the characters, they are closer to being tweaked to perfection but not quite. Like the George-Elaine thing. They established one thing(only have jerry in common), but that was limiting and I believe they abandon that soon. Same with Kramer, first he was a recluse, then a bufoon, then lovable klutz who stumbles into odd situations.

To go from barely knowing each other from a personal standpoint to this episode, yeah, for me it was. :shrug:

I'm more accepting of the "that didn't work, let's have them be friends now" reason.

As to over-analyzing, I agree I am. But, when you don't understand the funny, you focus on the "faults". :(

I don't remember exactly the reason, but I do remember George saying something about his gf doing a study or her thesis on standardized tests, or gender-bias in tests, or something like that, and that is why she asked him to take the test.

I just saw it in syndication like yesterday or the day before. Yes, it was for school. They explain it in the episode. Not sure why it'd be hard to understand.

Im starting to think that Chew is enjoying the fact that he's the 'doesnt find Seinfeld funny' guy, and now he's just playing a role.

It's more like: "what the hell is wrong with me that I don't enjoy what's been constantly mentioned as the funniest comedy of all time".

I seriously don't enjoy being on the opposite end of opinions I respect in my personal life and this is one of the biggest. Several friends have attempted to push me into this show on several occasions and I've always resisted. Maybe subconsciously I'm still rebelling against that? I don't know.

This is not a rebel show. This is Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld.
http://www.u2station.com/news/archives/6.6.01.jpg

Very possibly - that's human nature. Still, you seem to be enjoying bits here & there, so who knows?

I don't hate the show, I don't even dislike it anymore. I'm just not laughing a whole lot. At the very least I consider that progress over day one. :)

^ and that is what it's about. Progress. Had you hated, slowly disliked it and now just kind of 'meh while it was on, I think the results would be different. It was a water cooler show and that added to the enjoyment. Just going over the best lines and moments from the night before with friends & coworkers was just as great as the episodes themselves. You miss out on half of the experience this way.

BUT unlike most that detest the show, at least you are giving it an honest shot and watching more than 2-5 episodes to form an opinion.

I was on your end when X-Files began. The first two seasons my friends kept bugging me to watch and all the praise it got made me want to watch less. When I rarely tuned in(maybe 5 different times in that two years) I always caught one of the worst episodes they did. So friends would mention that it was bad but to give it another shot and when I did it was another stinker. So I lost faith. Only when they started putting them on video did I catch on(they left the stinkers off the VHS releases). I decided to give it another chance and loved it. So I jumped in during season 3.

So I think had you jumped in during, say season 4, during broadcast it may have been a different outcome. Much like my X-files experience.

The Nose Job -- Again with Kramer's coat? :confused: I didn't care for this one too much.

The Alternate Side -- This one was much better. In a "funny 'cause it's true" way I enjoyed Jerry's reservation rant to the lady at the car rental place, especially needing to get insurance because he's going to "beat the hell out of it". :lol:

:lol: - One of the most memorable scenes.

The problem isn't the taking of the reservation, it's the holding of the reservation.

The reservation scene is a classic.

The Nose Job, is that the one with George wanting his girlfriend to gett a nose job, and then when she does, she's too good looking for him? I thought that was funny.

The Red Dot -- For some reason, I seem to be liking one of the two episodes a bit more in each of these recent two episode stretches. I don't care for "repeating the exact same joke multiple times in the same episode" and this one was right in the title. But, I did like the inclusion of Elaine's boyfriend in the audience of Jerry's standup.

The Suicide -- I think giving an adversary to Jerry in the form of Newman just might be the thing I look forward to from now on. You can just feel the disgust in each of their greetings. I got a few laughs out of the coma jokes.

The Subway -- well, I just didn't get this one at all. I've never been on a subway and none of the humor relating to that made much sense. One of the poorer episodes (for me) of late.

:lol: well if you like that you got a lot to look forward to, that's a running thing that lasts the rest of the series

The Pez Dispenser -- m'eh. I can't remember if it's this episode or the next one, but Jerry's door contributes to some pretty bad continuity on this show! Kramer comes in, you see him closing the door, camera focuses on Jerry, you hear the door close. Immediate next shot on Kramer, door is wide open. This has happened about three times so far. :lol:

The Boyfriend -- I liked the JFK parody quite a bit. In fact, just about the best thing I've seen so far. George's boxer scene was also funny stuff.

Interest in this thread has died. My interest in this show has died too. I'm finishing the next disc, which is the end of season three. If it doesn't get better for me, I'm done.

I am glad you are doing this experiment instead of me. I dislike both the characters and the writing and don't think I could make it through 3 seasons.

Thanks again for sacrificing 30+ hours of your life to spare others similar fate.

Yeah, if you're focused on door continuity at this point, you may want to find another show.

40 - 22 minute episodes = 14 hours. ;)

The Contest was the episode that changed the way people thought about the sitcom and brought the show to the masses. The Boyfriend, with the JFK parody cemented its cultural status. From that episode it was only uphill from there(at least for a few seasons). Season 3 is the second best season next to season 4. While I'm not trying to get you to watch another season, every episode in season 4 had something to offer, while season three had some excellent highs(contest, boyfriend) there were still a few clunkers & plotlines.

I for one enjoyed the thread. I assume Jerry Stiller had been cast by this point? My memory is hazy. I hadn't seen you post about the addition of him to the cast. He was the perfect foil for George & Estelle.

So ending your experiment, do you still hate the show or is it more of a meh kind of feeling now?

I haven't seen Jerry Stiller as yet.

It's just a m'eh feeling right now. I still cannot get over Kramer and George being exceptionally annoying.

You are correct.