Diane and I saw Jerry Seinfeld at a local venue, Melody Fair (which has since been leveled and turned into a Super War-Mart) back in 1990. Seinfeld was clever and funny and not a four-letter word passed his lips (which is rare for stand-up comedians). The sell-out crowd left the performance delighted.
Now in the Age of Coronavirus, we need to watch our stand-up comedians on a streaming service like Netflix. In an interview with NPR, Seinfeld admitted that he needs to do stand-up occasionally. We’re looking forward to this Netflix performance today. If you have Netflix, you’ll probably enjoy it, too. Were you a fan of Seinfeld? Do you have a favorite episode?
I didn’t watch it, so I have no favorite episode. I did watch, Monday night on PBS, an hour long film on Kent State though, and it was very good, if not funny.
Rick, I was a student at Marquette University when Kent State happened. Our classes were cancelled and the academic year ended early.
I was at Eastern Michigan University. Everyone thought there would be riots at U of M right down the street, instead we had riots at Eastern. It was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration but a few people got out of hand and started breaking windows and overturning police cars. I ended up getting teargassed .
Steve, I must confess that I’ve never been teargassed.
Yes, of course. Favorites? “The Pen,” the almost documentary-like episode (to us) where Jerry and Elaine visit his parents in Florida. (“Mrs. Seinfeld, would you please turn the air conditioner on?” “You’re hot?”) That was series three. In series four were the classics “The Contest” and “The Outing” (“Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course.”). There are others, but those three are our favorites we never tire of watching.
Jeff, those are great episodes. I think the humor comes from the reality of the situations we can all relate to.
I’ve been a big Seinfeld fan for years and watched the series when it was on originally. I’m working my way through it again on Hulu and am currently up to the final season. Jeff has cleverly picked my three favorite episodes so I won’t repeat them. I’ll watch the Netflix special this week. Fans of “Seinfeld” should also watch Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” on HBO or on Amazon.
Michael, Larry David created a lot of the humor for SEINFELD. And, he’s great on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE as Bernie Sanders.
I loved the show…hard to believe it’s been off the air almost 22 years. I have a bunch of favorites, but I especially like the one where Jerry & Kramer go to watch a surgery being performed and end up dropping a Junior Mint onto (into?) the patient. The guy’s surgery is a success and the surgeon says, “I like to think he had a little help…from above.”
Deb, my favorite SEINFELD episode is “The Contest” (the 51st episode, #11 of the Fourth Season) where Jerry and his friends compete in “self-denial.” That was considered “cutting-edge” for its time.
I was there from the first episode on and when we were out the country for two years, a friend taped every episode for us. My favorite is the one where Kramer finds Merv Griffin furniture and hosts a talk show, which they all just fall in line with. I could go watch that one right now. It’s a late one when the show was faltering a bit but this one was a classic for me. Truthfully mostly all of them were at least very good. I am not sure kids today would find it as funny as we did in the 90s.
Patti, SEINFELD holds up well over time. One of our local stations broadcasts a SEINFELD episode each evening.
I’m a big fan. Watched it from the start and have seen most episodes multiple times. Most of my favorite episodes have already been mentioned but I really loved the episode with Kramer hitting golf balls into the ocean and George telling a woman he was a marine biologist. Or the one with Newman and Kramer driving to Michigan with a mail truck full of bottles to return.
Steve, the marine biologist episode is one of my favorites, too. Diane loves the episode where Elaine does her “dance.”
“It was cold! It was shrinkage!”
Jeff, I used that “shrinkage” line every time I entered the cool water at the Pool!
I was a fan of the show, but was disappointed in the final episode.
I liked all the ones mentioned, and also the spongeworthy one, as well as the spare a square one. also the one with george not knowing having sex with the cleaning woman (IIRC on a work desk) was not allowed
I haven’t reactivated netflix yet, and my dvr just keeps getting fuller (recorded almost all of the 7 seasons of psych have 16 shows left. ) and designing women. I’m getting to the ones where Julia Duffy replaced suzanne and when Jan Hooks comes on the show, I’ll stop. I think DVR is at 60% now, usually was about 25-30.
Maggie, our DVR is around 30%–where we like it. Once it gets over 50% we’re in trouble. A number of the TV programs we watch are about to end. I know Hollywood is mostly shut down so I don’t know where we’ll see anything new on the networks or cable stations. Netflix somehow keeps coming up with new programming.
No, I don’t have Netflix but I love Jerry Seinfeld.
One of my fondest memories of my first trip to NYC was sitting on a bench in Central Park between the Meyersons one lovely afternoon. A horse-drawn carriage went by and that started the Seinfeld quotes/memories. “Please, Mrs. Seinfeld, could you turn on the air conditioner” is one of my all-time favorites.
Beth, I’m shocked by the photos of Times Square completely empty. And, I suspect, those horse-drawn carriages are gone, too.
Big fan and would still watch the reruns if they were on, or on at a convenient time! I like all of the shows mentioned above plus the Soup Nazi, the farting horse, I Was in the Pool! and so many more! Kramerica! Del Boca Vista, Phase Two!
Bob, the Soup Nazi came to Buffalo last year as part of a convention. He was very popular!
American’s love of THE SOUP NAZI should have prepared us for the current President.
I just watched it and thought it was good if not brilliant. Although he sure looks great for 65 and I applaud his ability to create comedy without ever getting coarse, without being mean.
Patti, same here. Seinfeld knows how to tell a joke and make people laugh without f-bombs and coarseness. And you’re right: Seinfeld does look good for 65.
The oddest thing happened a few hours ago. I went to log in to my credit union account, and it refused me. After several tries, I had to call them. After waiting on hold for a while, naturally, I got someone and explained. He did checking and came back to say I HAD NO ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS set up. What??? I’ve had it for years. I was in last week!
Nope, nothing. Barbara could get in just fine, but I didn’t exist for online access. Yes, I have the account, yes everything else is fine, but my online access was just…gone. HOW COULD THAT BE? They had no explanation.
Rick, I blame the coronavirus for all your problems!
It’s Trump’s fault.
Watched the Seinfeld special on Netflix. It was okay. Always found Seinfeld amusing but not laughing out loud funny as a standup.
Steve, glad you enjoyed 23 HOURS TO KILL. Patti liked it, too.
We watched it last night and enjoyed it too. You need to laugh with what is going on today.
Jeff, Trump is raging about George Conway and Bill Kristal.