Who didn't like (or "get") Seinfeld?

[underpants]

I just had a conversation with two co-workers:

One didn't like the show
One didn't "get" the show-thought it took too long to set up jokes and he had to think too much.

As a TV-a-holic and long time sitcom fan it is either #1 or #1A with me. I understand that everyone doesn't like my tastes but Seinfeld?

[Phillycat]

1. I found the characters unlikable, but

nobody has ever been funnier than George Costanza.

[trotsky]

2. It was funny yet very annoying.

Nearly everyone on the show WHINED. That got on my nerves.

[underpants]

4. Okay I could see that

but I thought that that was partly of the day to day misery and minutia that made it great

IMHO

[rkc3]

3. Are your co-workers republicans? I've always thought repubs...

didn't have a sense of humor.

[underpants]

10. Funny the 2people I have met that declared that they have never watched it

were both Promise Keeper really hard core Repubs (one hosted a dinner for W and Poppa and then Governor Gilmore $$$$$)

Neither of these guys were in fact one is a DU'er (he should be chiming in soon)

:shrug:

[commander bunnypants]

14. Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage

I just dont like Seinfeld.

Trek rules

Father of the Pride and Saturday morning cartooons.. Banana SPlits

Drooper for President

DDQM

[underpants]

22. *chime**chime*

I know I just wanted to see what other people said.

[commander bunnypants]

24. I know

How about Abbott and Costello?

DDQM

[underpants]

29. Abbott and Costello?

Seriously?

I never got them myself. Funny yeah but not worth 90 minutes of it.

But that is just me.

[WI_DEM]

5. often the best jokes are the ones with a long set up

For instance, Jack Benny was a master of that.

[redqueen]

6. I'm with you... that show is way up there.

I've known people that said they hated it, but they actually never watched it. After being my roomie for a while they became fans just like me.

[blondeatlast]

60. I watched it often with my husband, but I never grew to like it.

And most people think I have a great sense of humor, but not "average." I love British humor, for instance.

OTOH, I've tried throughout my life to drink coffee, but never could do it. I'm not sure what that means, actually!

[Fenris]

7. Wow.

I really don't see how you can not "get" Seinfeld.

[flamingyouth]

8. I don't get people who don't get Seinfeld

Even in reruns, it never fails to crack me up on the third or fourth viewing.

[Carni]

46. YES! A WITNESS!

Can I get another?! LOL

I even have a cat named Hiram Pennypacker

(OK, so maybe I liked the show TOO much!)

[ThomCat]

9. I thought it was boring

And really wasn't funny. Not my kind of humor. I got the jokes, but they were just lame jokes.

I really couldn't see why people thought that show was so fantastic.

[underpants]

11. Okay

I don't understand that but I don't mean to lambast it either. :hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. I loved Seinfeld

The characters were unlikeable but they usually got what was coming to them in the end.

[skygazer]

13. I loved Seinfeld

The reason was because it was so much like my life. Bizarre, filled with odd moments and strange characters. So much of our life is filled with doing things that aren't really noteworthy and that's what it was about and how funny all those things really are.

A lot of people just don't get dry humor, though, and a lot of it was very dry. It was also cerebral, quite often and there's plenty of people who don't get that.

[luxpara]

15. My husband loved it - I

hated that damn show. Yes, I got it - but those people were too mean.
Funny for me to say that, cuz I'm a pretty big bitch.

[connecticut yankee]

21. I felt exactly the same

My husband loved it, and I hated it.

I couldn't find anything likeable or even interesting about the characters. And nothing humorous about their situations.

Of course, I live close to NYC, and I know so many people like them. I just didn't feel like wasting my time watching the show.

[underpants]

23. Welcome to DU luxpara

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

61. Same in my household, too.

Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Parche]

16. steinfeld

I could not stand the show
and i still cant
it wasnt funny at all
in fact it was like watching george w bush smirking and laughing
and saying his ignorant things, most embarrassing.

julia luis dreyfus is not funny at all

and kramer...if he falls down 1more time.................not funny

[tridim]

17. A prerequisite is that you've either lived in or visited NYC

I understand how it would go over someone's head who has never been outside Oklahoma.

[underpants]

20. Actually I've done neither myself

I never saw it as unique to NYC I could relate in some way to what happened to them or had had friends with similiar situations.

:shrug:

[Phillycat]

25. Whoa.

I find that statement offensive. I don't think it has anything to do with what part of the country one is from. Rather, some of the other comments on the thread, like does one like dry humor, or does one like slapstick, are most likely the reason that someone does or does not like the show.

I am an urbanite, by the way. Not from Oklahoma at all. I "get" it. I just don't "like" it that much.

[Johnny 99]

45. Whatever

I guess we have to visit the mighty all-powerful New Fucking York City to be cultured and intelligent, huh?

[blondeatlast]

62. Cripes. Is that ever insulting.

I've traveled plenty, I KNOW people like the characters, and I never liked it.

I have no disrespect for those who do or don't like it, but your post was insulting as hell.

[baldguy]

18. SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW!

How could they not "get" Seinfeld? My eight-year-old niece "gets" Seinfeld!

[Gothic Sponge]

19. I did like Seinfeld!

I loved it! :D

[Philostopher]

26. You know, I liked most of the episodes the first time through.

The novelty of the scripts clearly not being about anything was good for a chuckle for me, once in a while. I find they don't wear nearly as well with me on the occasion we stop and watch a syndicated rerun of the show, though. I didn't hate it, and I still don't, though I did wear out on the whole concept after four or five years and only watched selected episodes after that, until the end.

It was a good idea, and I really like Michael Richards, I've loved that guy since he used to play that geek character on 'Fridays' back in the seventies. I guess anything can get to be too much, after a while.

[underpants]

28. Hi..I'm Dick I got these pompom's from South Dakota

I think that was the line from his roller skating skit on "Friday's"

Truth be told I always thought that Kramer was just a more developed version of the same character. :shrug:

[Philostopher]

31. Me, too, though that was the character

who was supposed to have been based on Larry David, wasn't it? Or somebody they knew, anyhow.

Was Larry David involved with Fridays? That was a left-coast show, and I think Larry's a New Yawker to his roots.

My favorite Fridays sketch with him was the one where he went to buy a pair of jeans and ended up shooting somebody in the parking lot.

I always thought Michael Richards would have made a great Ronald Reagan, but I can't remember if they ever had him do King Ron or not. He had it down in that character.

[underpants]

33. Costanza is based on Larry David

There was a "real" Kramer who tried to cash in on it. TV Kramer's Peterson Reality tour was a joke on that.

I don't think Larry David was involved in Friday's but then I really don't know.

I loved Richard's Atomic boy-shoving a tennis ball and garden hose down the rich kids throat and turning on the faucet. Classic.

[Philostopher]

36. Yeah, the 'Little Mister' sketch.

It kind of reminded me of Ed Grimly, for some reason, even though 'Little Mister' was a completely different kind of character.

[LSdemocrat]

27. The episodes I've seen, the jokes were too obvious to be funny

The whole premise of each episode I've seen was telegraphed from a mile away, so that when the inevitable humor/conflict came it just wasn't funny.

[blondeatlast]

63. I think you've nailed the reason I never liked it, but I couldn't explain

That's just it; since I knew what was coming I found it boring to watch!

I've been trying to explain to my husband for YEARS why I couldn't stand to watch it and you've explained it! Thanks.

[BayouWoman]

30. Wow

I'm surprised at the reactions. Can't one just not like soemthing? Does it have to be because it's "over our heads" or because we don't live in a large city?

I didn't like it. I tried watching it several times, and I just didn't think it was funny. I have friends who do, but I don't. And life is to short to spend it doing something I don't enjoy.

But if you like it and want to watch it go for it. But I don't think a person should be judged for not liking it.

JMO

[underpants]

32. Not mine

Two responses that didn't start with "Okay" that I see.

I didn't think the NYC thing was a slam maybe they just really related to it because they live in New York. One response was that it was TOO familiar.

:shrug:

[patcox2]

34. Oh I "got" it alright, and I hated it and still do.

Are you implying anyone who doesn't like it is a bit slow on the uptake?

The "humor" was lame, generally mean-spirited, and superior. Superior with no basis for that superiority, intellectally empty and arrogant at the same time, like Tina Fey.

The whole tone is one of whiny complaint, and nuerotic rule-making. have you ever noticed that all of the characters would engage in constant argument over rules that they would make up? You have to have saurkraut on a hot dog, you should always eat the top of a bagle and then the bottom, never leave change for a tip, whatever, I can't think of too many examples, but its all they ever did.

I hate people who universalize their individual tastes into rules of general application, it is self-centered to the point of sociopathy.

But in the end, its the constant bitching and complaining. Americans seem to think its self-affirming to bitch and whine and make sarcastic remarks. The fact is its undignified and I cringe for people like the seinfield character when I see them in public making fools of themselves and thinking they are so special because they can make wisecracks.

I started noticing it when I started travelling to europe a lot, when I got back the first thing I would notice, every time, is that when you are in a group of americans, (especially in an airport) all you hear is complaining and stand-up schtick. The contrast with most europeans is dramatic, they wouldn't think of whining like a child in public. Its undignified, its not empowering. Its like this whole country thinks its in a seinfeld episode. Pathetic.

[underpants]

35. No no no

I just posted what the guy said. I thought it was a mindless show and that was one of the reasons I liked it.

I agree with the rule-making thing, I hadn't really picked up on that. Interesting.

[barb162]

41. I agree with what you are saying about the diff between USA and

Europe as to the whining and criping. They seem to be much more adult about things in general. And I saw nothing funny about Seinfeld.

[sundog]

37. I never watched it... I am indifferent on the subject

:shrug:

[bif]

38. Never found it funny

I thought the characters were annoying and could barely make it through an episode. I just never got it.

[barb162]

39. I watched the show about three times and saw almost nothing

funny about it. Now, "Will and Grace" is hilarious and I thought so the first time I saw it. I never understood Seinfeld's popularity.

[Carni]

47. It's just a basic taste difference

I liked Seinfeld but really wasn't into Will and Grace.

I can't tell you why, I didn't hate it, but just wasn't that into it.

Newsradio was another show that I loved and I know a lot of people who thought it was the height of stupidity.

[blondeatlast]

64. I LOVED Newsradio, and my hubby and I agreed on that one! nt

[Flaxbee]

68. How about Sports Night, anyone?

- with Felicity Huffman, Robert Guillaume, the guy from Six Feet Under... it was only on for about half a season, but it was fantastic.

I really could not stand Seinfeld... whiny, self-absorbed, self-indulgent people getting into impossibly idiotic situations just didn't amuse me at all.

I thought the early days of Frasier were terrific, even tho Kelsey Grammar is a freeper, Soap way back when was great, Sports Night was great... that's about it as far as I can tell.

[underpants]

49. What about "Ned and Stacey"?

I think it was called.

I only mention it because it was the original "Will and Grace" WITH Debra Messing ......and the guy who played Lowell (the dimwitted mechanic) on "Wings". I think he left "Wings" for that show -BTW how many episodes of "Wings" did they make? Geesh seems like they filmed constantly.

Anyway Ned and Stacey was the same premise but Ned was Stacey's ex (the still lived together because they couldn't afford two NYC rents) and Ned wasn't gay. It was on WB or UPN and had the whole same crew (producers and all). Will and Grace was really funny but I haven't watched it in a while. BTW- "Will" is now on "Dead like me" on Showtime-that is an interesting show.

Think I watch enough TV?

[barb162]

50. I don't know the shows you are discussing as about the

only shows I will watch semi-regularly are ER, Will & Grace and West Wing and then talk or news programs. I am a news freak mostly. I will take a look at "Dead Like Me" AND THANKS FOR TELLING ME ABOUT IT.Oh, and I forgot every so often I will watch reruns of Drew Carey as I like the Mimi and Drew characters and Mimi's insane clothes, especially on her wedding day and she had doves flying out of her bridal veil. It is so over the top.

Back to Will & Grace, that Karen character and her maid who is always telling Karen of are terrific imo.

[blondeatlast]

65. "Dead Like Me" is great. nt

[Kat45]

40. I love the show, but when I first saw it, I didn't like it.

It took me a while to get into it. When I first saw it, I saw a group of very unlikable people that I had no interest in watching. Then when I realized that they were SUPPOSED to be unlikable, I started seeing the humor in it and enjoying the show. I still enjoy watching the reruns.

[Carni]

48. Same here

The first few times I watched it I just thought it was moronic but ended up hooked on it later.

[donheld]

42. Seinfeld is a wonderful show

I too don't see how someone doesn't "get" the show. I thought it was always very funny. As to i really thought all 4 regulars on the show were a mess, which may lead one to think they whined, but it was an amazing show.

[blondeatlast]

66. It's all a matter of taste, nothing more, nothing less. nt

[Johnny 99]

43. Moronic show

"I'm a neurotic New Yorker!"

"Hey, so am I!"

"Blah blah blah!"

There's every show's script right there. Boring as hell, not funny, a waste of thirty minutes of public airwaves.

[Carni]

44. That was my FAVORITE show

I have never recovered from it's being taken off the air!

[CatWoman]

51. I'M THE MASTER OF MY DOMAIN!!!

:D

[GingerSnaps]

52. Believe it or not

I have never watched one episode of Seinfeld or Friends.

[JCMach1]

53. I hated it from start to finish

almost as bad as Friends :puke:

[joeybee12]

54. Seinfeld had some brilliant episodes, but about 85-90% of them were

either mediocre or bad.

Watch the reruns sometimes. Like I said, some classic episodes, but there are so many where you sit there and wait the whole half hour and still don't get a decent joke.

[Khephra]

55. Hated it!

[UpsideDownFlag]

56. it was funny, but overrated.

very easy to get used to, though. reliably funny.

[chimpymustgo]

57. LOVED it. Even catching a few minutes of reruns makes me laugh.

Yes, it was about mundane stuff, annoyances, silly rules and snobbery - just like real life.

When they did the show where Elaine admitted to being the only person in the world who hated "The English Patient" - that touched a true nerve with me - I thought I was the only one.

I also think Will and Grace is hilarious when I catch it.

[ldf]

58. never did like it

i watched part of two episodes.

in one, one of the plot lines was about masturbation.

in the other, one of the plot lines was about eating pussy.

i didn't last too long. if both episodes i watched had to use sex to get american tv viewer's attention, then i'm not one of the americans that it is trying to appeal to. i left my high school days long ago.

never gave seinfeld another chance.

and another little tidbit, everybody does NOT love raymond.

[blondeatlast]

59. Sorry, I hated it. I know too many people already like the characters

on the show. My husband still loves it; I leave the room.

And I dislike Jerry Seinfeld on a shallow level I can't get beyond. He just annoys me for some unknown reason.

[miss_kitty]

67. I loved Seinfeld until everytime Kramer entered the action

the show stopped for applause. Totally killed it for me. I used to go see Seinfeld at comedy clubs before the show was thought up, and often that would be the only time in months that I would run into my sister, We both watched it from the very very beginning.

The could have brought him out on stage before and let everyone go apeshit, or request that they not erupt during the taping, they'd get a chance to show their appreciation AFTER the taping.

[NMDemDist2]

69. i never liked the show, watched a few times the first season

then quit

i found the characters shallow and self absorbed and the writing spotty

but hey, that's just me, I never liked Will & Grace or Friends either

[alisongiggles1960]

70. I LOVED IT! & now have Curb Your Enthusiasm to fill the void.

Seinfeld's characters were shallow, despicable, self absorbed, vain, horrible representations of humanity and never failed to crack me up. They were a pleasure to loathe.

Curb is even better, the characters are doing improv. They're given a general scene description and interaction scenarios and make up their own lines as they go. I laugh & groan for 30 minutes that always feels like 5.

Ali