"After nine years of clever writing and brilliant comedic acting, Seinfeld's closing act rivaled Petticoat Junction in witty payoff," he writes. "So what the heck happened?

"Since I'm pretty sure I understand the deep cynicism of head writer Larry David and also the middling cynicism of Jerry Seinfeld, I think these guys tanked the final episode on purpose." (He thinks the same thing about The Sopranos, by the way.)

O'Reilly has his own idea, one TV pro to another, for what Seinfeld and David should've done: a clips show!



Using Johnny Carson's brilliant last program as a model, all the Seinfeld people had to do was assemble the cast for a one-hour "best moments" special. Just let the characters kick it around, telling viewers what mattered to them and why, and then roll in the clips. Give the folks some inside-baseball as to how the show came together each week and then wrap it up with some bloopers.

Now who's going to be the one to tell O'Reilly that Seinfeld did, in fact, do a clips show?

Nah. I liked the ending.

I don't think the series finale was bad at all. I think the problem was that the series had gotten too big for its own good by the end that a lot of people romanticized the series and looked past the "nothing" and "no hugging, no learning". I think a lot of people were expecting some sort of Friends type payoff where Jerry and Elaine got married and Kramer strikes it big with the lottery and something good happens to George.... but that totally would've gone against the point (or lack of one) of the show from the start. These were not good people and seeing them get thrown in jail was a funny way to end things.

I don't think the series finale was bad at all. I think the problem was that the series had gotten too big for its own good by the end that a lot of people romanticized the series and looked past the "nothing" and "no hugging, no learning". I think a lot of people were expecting some sort of Friends type payoff where Jerry and Elaine got married and Kramer strikes it big with the lottery and something good happens to George.... but that totally would've gone against the point (or lack of one) of the show from the start. These were not good people and seeing them get thrown in jail was a funny way to end things.

I agree 100%.

They had already done a 'clip-show' that season and it wouldn't be 'Seinfeld' if it ended with hugs and 'life lessons learned', it encapsulated what the show was about, who these characters really were and probably what they actually deserved and still be funny.

It was a refreshing ending. There are so much black and white in the world of finales. It's either death or a baby or a wedding. Jail is kind of in between. That's why you don't see any jail related cards at Hallmark. I mean it's not a good thing and it's not a bad thing people can feel sorry for you either. Except if you were wrongfully accused.

Wow, that could have been something Jerry could have used in his stand up. That's weird!!!

It was a refreshing ending. There are so much black and white in the world of finales. It's either death or a baby or a wedding. Jail is kind of in between. That's why you don't see any jail related cards at Hallmark. I mean it's not a good thing and it's not a bad thing people can feel sorry for you either. Except if you were wrongfully accused.

Wow, that could have been something Jerry could have used in his stand up. That's weird!!!
It would've been funny if Jerry and Elaine had married, had a kid and then told disinterested people: "YA GOTTA SEE THE BABY!!!!" :rofl:

It would've been funny if Jerry and Elaine had married, had a kid and then told disinterested people: "YA GOTTA SEE THE BABY!!!!" :rofl:

:rofl:

I read that Jerry wanted for the four of them to be together in the final scene, and that having them be sent to prison would be the best way. Larry David said that by having them go to prison, they can be released a year later and everything would go back to the way it was before.

As for Jerry and Elaine I thought it was pretty clever of them to have Elaine tell him "I've always loved U-nited Airlines!" Even I thought she was going to confess her love to him in that scene!

I liked the last episode and my only reason for not liking it would be that it was in fact the last one. I still remember I got a little emotional (although I didn't cry) when the camera panned back and the four of them were sitting in that jail cell. Even when I watch it now, I still get a lump in my throat!:( (I know...:rolleyes:)

O' Riley sounds like an idiot if he doesn't remember that there was a clip show that immediately preceded the finale!:bonk: :doh: That was a nice tribute! And I had an extra bonus. There is a local Seattle "news" show called "Evening Magazine" that did an entire show on "Seinfeld". I wish I had a copy of it. I learned a lot of interesting things from watching it!

Andrea

I don't think the series finale was bad at all. I think the problem was that the series had gotten too big for its own good by the end that a lot of people romanticized the series and looked past the "nothing" and "no hugging, no learning". I think a lot of people were expecting some sort of Friends type payoff where Jerry and Elaine got married and Kramer strikes it big with the lottery and something good happens to George.... but that totally would've gone against the point (or lack of one) of the show from the start. These were not good people and seeing them get thrown in jail was a funny way to end things.
I agree 100% as well. I don't know if many people expected a marriage or even a proposal of some kind between Jerry and Elaine (though I'm sure there were those fans who did), but I'm almost positive there were a lot of people who were expecting this big blockbuster of a finale and were disappointed when they saw that it wasn't. And by not doing anything out of the ordinary (for Seinfeld anyway), I think the show stayed true to itself. They kept it simple and unique in that Seinfeld way, and gave the fans a little treat by bringing back a bunch of past characters that gave our main characters things to say "nothing" about all those years.

I agree 100% as well. I don't know if many people expected a marriage or even a proposal of some kind between Jerry and Elaine (though I'm sure there were those fans who did), but I'm almost positive there were a lot of people who were expecting this big blockbuster of a finale and were disappointed when they saw that it wasn't. And by not doing anything out of the ordinary (for Seinfeld anyway), I think the show stayed true to itself. They kept it simple and unique in that Seinfeld way, and gave the fans a little treat by bringing back a bunch of past characters that gave our main characters things to say "nothing" about all those years.
That was very well said! Then again, any finale of a show isn't going to live up to someone's expectations. I was at a party for the Cheers finale and when it was over we all looked at each other and said "That's it?"

Andrea

Interestingly I found that the finale was ruined by his Fox News comrade Geraldo!

Interestingly I found that the finale was ruined by his Fox News comrade Geraldo!
YES!! :clap :rofl: :brent