The Earlier Seasons Rule - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Denim Vest · 02-20-2004, 05:06 PM

I've read alot of you guys post that you like the later seasons more than the earlier seasons and I was just curious as to why that is? I feel the earlier seasons were more groundbreaking material and the later seasons there was alot more fluff and more sitcommy.

Dutabi84 · 02-20-2004, 05:24 PM

Season 1 and 2 weren't the best, but 3-6 were probably the best, then the last 2 were decent.

sinatrastar · 02-20-2004, 06:01 PM

Hey Denim - nice to see you are a purist. There have been a few threads about this on here before and the consensus seems to be that the first season and some of the 2nd season were just too much about nothing. George going with Jerry to do his laundry, etc. There was no Laundry Nazi or something like that to spice it up a little. Also the characters didnt have much life nor did the plots, they just kind of were there. Kramer for instance, he was more weird/pathetic than hipster doofus like.

The show clearly became pretty over the top in the later years, but they just have more entertainment in them. I think 4-7 were when the series was at its best, those are the epis I enjoy the most.

I would think you would be a fan of the last season since your boy DV made his appearance then.

Brian Damage · 02-20-2004, 06:07 PM

I agree with sinatrastar, the plotlines in season one were so slow and went nowhere. Also there was just no oompf to the characters back then.

Len Nicademo · 02-21-2004, 02:10 PM

The first couple of seasons stunk! The show didn't start hitting its stride until season 3.

Denim Vest · 02-21-2004, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sinatrastar
Hey Denim - nice to see you are a purist. There have been a few threads about this on here before and the consensus seems to be that the first season and some of the 2nd season were just too much about nothing. George going with Jerry to do his laundry, etc. There was no Laundry Nazi or something like that to spice it up a little. Also the characters didnt have much life nor did the plots, they just kind of were there. Kramer for instance, he was more weird/pathetic than hipster doofus like.

The show clearly became pretty over the top in the later years, but they just have more entertainment in them. I think 4-7 were when the series was at its best, those are the epis I enjoy the most.

I would think you would be a fan of the last season since your boy DV made his appearance then.

Don't get me wrong I like the older seasons, I just think the earlier ones were better and more original.

Denim Vest · 02-21-2004, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Len Nicademo
The first couple of seasons stunk! The show didn't start hitting its stride until season 3.

That's YOUR opinion! The first couple of seasons didn't stink at all.

Maestro · 02-21-2004, 06:09 PM

Sorry for the long winded mondo post, but here's a few previous posts related to the earlier seasons for a little forum background:

1. This thread/poll had a season 6 & a 7 chosen, but most posters selected season 5 or below.

2. link to the following 10-14-2003 post
The 1st couple epis weren't so great, but I think the early stuff was when it was truley the "about nothing" show (be advised, I dig late seasons too), The Chinese Restaurant #16 being a classic example.
In general, I agree w/ ChiBulls about the character developement, & how Jer's was minimal change...
but it seems the early ones were really about nothing, where later seasons became more formulated sitcom style, a little more contrived-made-to-be-water-cooler-show style.

Later, every epi had to have the mandatory "yada yada" buzz word of the episode, it had to have the 'Elaine-loser-or-weirdo boyfriend' character, the 'what was Jer's gal of the epi like, & why, besides eating peas one at a time, did he dump her this episode' character.
Kramer had to mention his unseen friends and every epi or 2 had to produce a real extreme character (ala Maestro) or one of the fab 4 became that character.

There is good in most seasons, but that's why I really dig the mid, season 5 type stuff. It was a good time (peak) in the shows developement.

3. link to the following 01-19-2004 post:
No Kramer sux.

But I like the ep pretty well.
I think it's a fine example of the show about nothing thing.
I know many of you had mentioned not liking the slow paced older eps, but I think 016 The Chinese Restaurant is pure Seinfeld. It never leaves the waiting room & is all about there dialog... like you mentioned, no [sit-commy] zanniness, but it was just pure seinstyle.

bits from 016:

Besides having no Kramer, this ep is also unique in that it is one of the 10 (or so) eps that do not feature 5A (Jer's apt).

4. link to the following 12-15-03 post:
Admittitedly, 001 Good News, Bad News (The Seinfeld Chronicles) is not going to make anybody's sein 'Top' list. Remember, it took the show a while to catch on, so apparently the populace agreed....
but for a seindork like myself, an occasional viewing can be of interest.

Like our little website here ( ), no Elaine leaves a gap and the fab 4 is not created yet, that criticism is acknowledged.
... but other occurrences make it notable... it's the 1st ever pilot of what became to be my all time favorite sitcom. Interesting to watch to see it's genesis, if for nothing else.

It does have a different pace, but that is the case with the earlier ones, when it was truly a show about nothing and revolved almost exclusively around the groups idle conversation. It was subtle, not so outlandish generally shied away from the zany, sitcommy type stuff. there were no Soup Nazis, no bizarro Jers and certainly no Maestros!

Some decent G:
G's analysis of Claire's coffee pot handing - the neurosis was beginning.
G talking about "had to" and "maybe" she call.
Waving the handkerchief and telling J about signals... "This is the signal Jerry, this is the signal!"

Big parody on itself: When G & J are at the Laundromat, G says "This is the dullest moment I’ve ever experienced," that is such a joke on the show itself, a joke to themselves on how they pulled off making a show about nothing.

Stand up:
Since the 1st ep ever, J used some of his old classic comedy bits.... being "out," the laundry stuff, dating, signals....

Rare Brew: When G walks into 5A, J hands him a beer.

Elaine Benes · 02-22-2004, 06:34 PM

The earlier seasons were too slow for my taste.

Maestro · 02-23-2004, 03:51 PM

I just wanted Denim Vest to see some of our past posts on the subject.

dlemond · 02-23-2004, 04:47 PM

I used to dislike the later seasons, as I watched Seinfled from its original broadcasts.

My friends and I would get together every Thursday to watch Seinfeld (a couple of us rented a house). As Season 8 and 9 came along we started to lose a little interest and were being particularly critical of the new direction.

But as I watch the syndication broadcasts I find there is a lot to like about the last 2 seasons. It definitley took a turn somewhere and it's hard to pinpoint (I know Larry David left) the exact nuances that made it different.

But I like them all for different reasons.

Season 1 & 2 are pretty weak in comparison to the rest of the seasons, but are still good stuff.

The thing that kills me is if they come out with the DVD as only Season 1- and then have to wait for Season 2.
Considering how short the 2 of them are let's all pray they put them together in one set.

And once Season 3 starts it's all in full swing in my opinion.

Maestro · 02-23-2004, 04:53 PM

Good post Spicoli

Maestro · 02-26-2004, 02:19 PM

Quote from another previous (02-11-04) previous post/thread on the subject:
"I'm in line w/ star's thinking, end of the line.
Although I'm an early ep fan, and the later they got , the zannier they became, more sitcommy & less chronicly"

(DV, all good

but do you ever look at your threads after starting them?)

02-20-2004, 05:06 PM	#1
Denim Vest Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Posts: 55	The Earlier Seasons Rule I've read alot of you guys post that you like the later seasons more than the earlier seasons and I was just curious as to why that is? I feel the earlier seasons were more groundbreaking material and the later seasons there was alot more fluff and more sitcommy.

02-20-2004, 05:24 PM	#2
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	Season 1 and 2 weren't the best, but 3-6 were probably the best, then the last 2 were decent.

02-20-2004, 06:01 PM	#3
sinatrastar Indian Summer Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 22, 2003 Location: 78 W 86th St. Apt 3E Posts: 6,027	Hey Denim - nice to see you are a purist. There have been a few threads about this on here before and the consensus seems to be that the first season and some of the 2nd season were just too much about nothing. George going with Jerry to do his laundry, etc. There was no Laundry Nazi or something like that to spice it up a little. Also the characters didnt have much life nor did the plots, they just kind of were there. Kramer for instance, he was more weird/pathetic than hipster doofus like. The show clearly became pretty over the top in the later years, but they just have more entertainment in them. I think 4-7 were when the series was at its best, those are the epis I enjoy the most. I would think you would be a fan of the last season since your boy DV made his appearance then.

02-20-2004, 06:07 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I agree with sinatrastar, the plotlines in season one were so slow and went nowhere. Also there was just no oompf to the characters back then.

02-21-2004, 02:10 PM	#5
Len Nicademo Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 21, 2004 Location: D.C. Posts: 39	The first couple of seasons stunk! The show didn't start hitting its stride until season 3.

02-21-2004, 06:09 PM	#8
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Sorry for the long winded mondo post, but here's a few previous posts related to the earlier seasons for a little forum background: 1. This thread/poll had a season 6 & a 7 chosen, but most posters selected season 5 or below. 2. link to the following 10-14-2003 post The 1st couple epis weren't so great, but I think the early stuff was when it was truley the "about nothing" show (be advised, I dig late seasons too), The Chinese Restaurant #16 being a classic example. In general, I agree w/ ChiBulls about the character developement, & how Jer's was minimal change... but it seems the early ones were really about nothing, where later seasons became more formulated sitcom style, a little more contrived-made-to-be-water-cooler-show style. Later, every epi had to have the mandatory "yada yada" buzz word of the episode, it had to have the 'Elaine-loser-or-weirdo boyfriend' character, the 'what was Jer's gal of the epi like, & why, besides eating peas one at a time, did he dump her this episode' character. Kramer had to mention his unseen friends and every epi or 2 had to produce a real extreme character (ala Maestro) or one of the fab 4 became that character. There is good in most seasons, but that's why I really dig the mid, season 5 type stuff. It was a good time (peak) in the shows developement. 3. link to the following 01-19-2004 post: No Kramer sux. But I like the ep pretty well. I think it's a fine example of the show about nothing thing. I know many of you had mentioned not liking the slow paced older eps, but I think 016 The Chinese Restaurant is pure Seinfeld. It never leaves the waiting room & is all about there dialog... like you mentioned, no [sit-commy] zanniness, but it was just pure seinstyle. bits from 016: Besides having no Kramer, this ep is also unique in that it is one of the 10 (or so) eps that do not feature 5A (Jer's apt). 4. link to the following 12-15-03 post: Admittitedly, 001 Good News, Bad News (The Seinfeld Chronicles) is not going to make anybody's sein 'Top' list. Remember, it took the show a while to catch on, so apparently the populace agreed.... but for a seindork like myself, an occasional viewing can be of interest. Like our little website here ( ), no Elaine leaves a gap and the fab 4 is not created yet, that criticism is acknowledged. ... but other occurrences make it notable... it's the 1st ever pilot of what became to be my all time favorite sitcom. Interesting to watch to see it's genesis, if for nothing else. It does have a different pace, but that is the case with the earlier ones, when it was truly a show about nothing and revolved almost exclusively around the groups idle conversation. It was subtle, not so outlandish generally shied away from the zany, sitcommy type stuff. there were no Soup Nazis, no bizarro Jers and certainly no Maestros! Some decent G: G's analysis of Claire's coffee pot handing - the neurosis was beginning. G talking about "had to" and "maybe" she call. Waving the handkerchief and telling J about signals... "This is the signal Jerry, this is the signal!" Big parody on itself: When G & J are at the Laundromat, G says "This is the dullest moment I’ve ever experienced," that is such a joke on the show itself, a joke to themselves on how they pulled off making a show about nothing. Stand up: Since the 1st ep ever, J used some of his old classic comedy bits.... being "out," the laundry stuff, dating, signals.... Rare Brew: When G walks into 5A, J hands him a beer.

02-22-2004, 06:34 PM	#9
Elaine Benes Vixxxen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,333	The earlier seasons were too slow for my taste.

02-23-2004, 03:51 PM	#10
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	I just wanted Denim Vest to see some of our past posts on the subject.

02-23-2004, 04:47 PM	#11
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	I used to dislike the later seasons, as I watched Seinfled from its original broadcasts. My friends and I would get together every Thursday to watch Seinfeld (a couple of us rented a house). As Season 8 and 9 came along we started to lose a little interest and were being particularly critical of the new direction. But as I watch the syndication broadcasts I find there is a lot to like about the last 2 seasons. It definitley took a turn somewhere and it's hard to pinpoint (I know Larry David left) the exact nuances that made it different. But I like them all for different reasons. Season 1 & 2 are pretty weak in comparison to the rest of the seasons, but are still good stuff. The thing that kills me is if they come out with the DVD as only Season 1- and then have to wait for Season 2. Considering how short the 2 of them are let's all pray they put them together in one set. And once Season 3 starts it's all in full swing in my opinion.

02-23-2004, 04:53 PM	#12
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Good post Spicoli

02-26-2004, 02:19 PM	#13
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Quote from another previous (02-11-04) previous post/thread on the subject: "I'm in line w/ star's thinking, end of the line. Although I'm an early ep fan, and the later they got , the zannier they became, more sitcommy & less chronicly" (DV, all good but do you ever look at your threads after starting them?)