Nov 13, 2009

Nov 12, 2009

Shark Jumping?


While most agree that seasons 4-7 (1992-1995) could be considered the four year Seinfeld peak, the season when the show lost it's way is debated. This transition could probably best be seen when when the big four started to become "characters of themselves". Examples could be Kramer more "out there" than normal (millennium party), George's anger going over the top (candy bar lineup), and Elaine fed up with her crew (bizzaro world). This may have actually happened before the departure of Larry David (season 8 - 1996) - possibly including his final year for season 6, which might explain a motive for his departure. Your thoughts?

Nov 6, 2009

Product placement?

Rold Gold pretzels ... ever wonder if the inclusion of George eating Rold Gold pretzels (quite prominently) was a coincidence? From an "internet" reference:

Okay, so what's the deal with Rold Gold pretzels? Jason Alexander's Rold Gold TV ad spots first aired in September 1993 — the same month he was seen eating the pretzels on the show (in episode 64). Isn't that a little fishy? "That was definitely a coincidence," says Monica Neufang, PR manager at Frito-Lay, parent company of Rold Gold. "As the number-one pretzel in the U.S., it's natural that if you're going to grab for a pretzel to be on the show, you're going to go with the leader." HMMMMMM.

And further investigation:

A recurring feature of Seinfeld was its use of specific products as plot points, especially various candy products. These products might be a central feature of a plot narrative (e.g. Junior Mints, Twix and Pez), or associating the candy with a guest character (e.g. Oh Henry! bars), or simply discussing the merits of the candy in a conversational aside (e.g. Chuckles). Examples of non-candy products featured in Seinfeld are Rold Gold pretzels (whose advertisements at the time featured Jason Alexander), Kenny Rogers Roasters (a chicken restaurant chain), Drake's Coffee Cakes, Bosco, Snapple, Specialized Bicycles, Ovaltine, Arby's, TV Guide, the board game Risk, Entenmann's and the J. Peterman clothing catalog (which actually went bankrupt whilst the show was still active). The computers in Jerry's apartment are always Apple Computers, which were changed every few seasons.

Nov 4, 2009

Little Known Fact #3


In The Calzone (1996), Jerry's hot girlfriend Nicki (Danette Tays) appeared in a 1990s Rold Gold Pretzel commercial with Jason Alexander. Full circle right there.

Nov 2, 2009

Ari Gold is George Costanza


We didn't know him then, but we do now - which makes it way funnier.
Also, sweatpant perfection.