Rating:  - Perhaps the best season of Seinfeld. . . .
As a season, Seinfeld's fourth is considered by many to be the best of the series--with good reason, as several of the best episodes are included. Together the season 4 episodes were somewhat unique in that each referenced one or more previous episodes, beginning with "The Trip." Following "The Trip," the story arc involving Jerry and George creating a pilot for NBC dominates most of the rest of the season. Season 4 earned the series--amazingly--its only Emmy for Best Comedy, specifically for the classic "The Contest." Other notable episodes include "The Bubble Boy," "The Outing," "The Junior Mint," and "The Pilot."
As with the previous DVD sets of the series, Season 4 is given the proper treatment. Original network versions of the episodes are also included, such as the one-hour episodes and the original version of "The Handicapped Spot" in which John Randolph played Frank Costanza before Jerry Stiller assumed the role for the remainder of the series.
One really can't ask for more from the Season 4 set, although the commentaries by the cast aren't particularly insightful as they often appear not to have seen most of the episodes since they were filmed. Unlike previous sets, Larry David is also notably absent from these commentaries. However, Season 4 is really about the episodes, which place it as one of the best seasons of one of the best TV comedies of all time.
Rating: - I doubt if there is a better comedy series
If you are new to Seinfeld and wanted to 'look around' at this series which you have heard so much about, start with Season 1... and go all the way to Season 9- you will not be able to resist.
If you have already enjoyed some of the Seinfeld experience and were wondering if Season 4 is worth it.....IT IS!!!
The show (especially Season 1) begins by seeming dull and dreary, where nothing really happens. HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!!! That's precisely the Seinfeld point- It's the show about 'nothing'- and this nothing is really something!
The show circles around 4 friends- Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Elaine Benis and Cosmo Kramer. It's about their day-to-day lives. Jerry pays a comedian (as he is in real life). George's character is based on co-creator Larry David (George is Jerry's friend), Elaine is Jerry's ex-girlfriend and Kramer is Jerry's neighbour.
The characters are extremely well-written. The actors are superb. I cannot fathom how Jason Alexander (George) or Michael Richards (Kramer) could have acted better. They are perfect. Julia (Elaine) is also a pleasure to watch- she, too, is hilarious! Jerry is funny too, but in a different sort of way. You tend to laugh WITH him and AT the others (but Elaine switches from one category to the other).
I really don't know what more to say about this magnificent show!
However, not everyone loves this show. Most do, but some dislike it...when they compare it to the likes of the more recent Friends series. Yes, Friends and the likes of it are 'prettier' shows to look at, but as far as humour goes, in my opinion, this show is unbeatable!!!
I said: UNBEATABLE!
Rating: - A Landmark Season; Perhaps The Best Of All Nine Years!
Wow. This is perhaps the most perfect season of the show ever. This is perhaps the greatest television season ever! This is a season where every episode is a gem. Seriously, every episode is classic. This is the season where the show launched off from cult show to landmark hit, and it's easy to see why. Also, this is the season where all those famous quotes start. The show is famous for it's endless line of world famous quotes, but I don't think you'll find any in the first three years. In the fourth, you're practically overwhelmed by them. Some are: 'show about nothing,' 'double dip the chip,' 'Mulva?,' 'Who's gonna turn down a junior mint? It's chocolate, it's mint, it's delicious. They're very refreshing,' 'Not that there's anything wrong with that, and of course 'Master of your domain.' And these are just some. There are many more. This season also really embraces continuing story lines. It's fun to spot lines repeated ('A writer? It's a sitcom!), or bits of story arcs that continue through the season. Of course, the most notable of these is the NBC pilot Jerry and George get (entitled 'Jerry'), but there are more. Susan, of course, is introduced, and all the continuations of her, adn particularly, the Cuban cigars she gives to George, continue for a long while. And the virgin stays around for a few episodes. Really, it's just little references that you'd miss unless you watched this in the proper order and paid close attention. It probably reaches its peak in the season finale, 'The Pilot (Parts One and Two).' There are countless little bits to recognize! Also, this season has remarkably sharp humor, and I guarantee you'll laugh long and hard at every episode. Plus, the DVD is still great. This set contains a great Regis and Kathie Lee parody, a little documentary about the season, and the excellent 'Inside Looks' for each episode, not to mention 'Notes About Nothing.' This is the season to get if you can only get one!
Rating: - A Pure Platinum Season - Superb Comedy!
Probably TV's best, and most innovative comedy series ever, certainly my favorite, is a show about nothing, zilch! Most Seinfeld lovers proudly believe that their addiction to this program, of little or no specificity, is a sign of good taste and intelligence. We appreciate this highly intellectual and existential approach to television comedy. However, odd as it may seem, for three years the fact that TV audiences were watching a show about nada was kept strictly secret! Many of us had guessed, of course. But who knew for sure? It is only in Season 4 that the series came out of the closet, as it were, and the lack of "raison d'etre" was openly acknowledged.
"Seinfeld, sometimes called "the Seinfeld industrial complex," aired for nine years and focuses on four close friends living in Manhattan. Much of America may consider these folks, stand-up comic Jerry Seinfeld, Elaine Benes, (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Kramer, (Michael Richards), and George Costanza, (Jason Alexander), along with their friends, families, and even their enemies, to be total eccentrics. I can say with certainty, as a Manhattan apartment dweller, that people like these are a lot more common than one would think - in New York City, anyway! Many are actually from the Midwest, originally. Maybe it's the water here!
Geared toward mature audiences, who would "get" the wry wit and quirky humor, the outstanding ensemble cast shares a unique chemistry, which, coupled with outstanding writing, made the series a major success. Although the first two seasons had their slow, dry moments, I did enjoy them. I actually loved, or liked, almost all the episodes I watched over the years! Season Four, however, is my favorite, in terms of consistent high quality in humor, storyline, and writing. This is the season when the show hit its stride and set the confident tone for the remaining run. Season Four is when "Seinfeld" achieved a dedicated cult following, and became a major hit...and the episodes are pure platinum. Here, in a 4 disc set are 24 episodes from that special year, remastered in high definition, with approximately 13 hours of added features.
The season opens with "The Trip," shown in two parts, where Jerry and George fly to L.A. to look for Kramer who took-off for Hollywood at the end of Season 3 - and who is suspected of being a serial killer - "The Smog Strangler." I think the shows set in NY are the best, and strongest, (the cast is definitely made-up of right coast people), but the California episodes are very funny - not hilarious, but funny. "The Pitch," and "The Ticket," are defining series' episodes. They revolve around Jerry and George making a pitch to TV moguls about piloting a show about nothing, and the problems encountered when George takes over the business negotiations for the deal. Future episodes contain references to what occurs here and provide continuity, the so-called "arc," while expanding on the Seinfeldian world.
It is during this season that George's parents are introduced in the memorable "The Wallet," & "The Watch," (the DVD includes both versions of "The Handicap Spot." The original version, with John Randolph as Mr. Costanza, and the re-shot syndicated version, with Jerry Stiller in the role that he continued to play). I love Mr. And Mrs. Costanza. Together or alone, they are always funny! Jerry's parents make another appearance, along with his Uncle Leo. And we meet Susan, George's new girlfriend. Some of my personal favorite moments include: "The Contest," where the four friends challenge each other to see who can go the longest without...., never mind. Watch the show! This particular sequence won an Emmy for Best Comedy, Writing, and Supporting Actor, (for Michael Richards), and a Director's Guild of America award for director Tom Cherones. "The Pick" features a risque Christmas card Elaine mails to all those on her list. Jerry tries to discover how natural his new girlfriend's bod is in "The Implant." And the "Bubble Boy," who lives in a bubble, is hysterical! George and Jerry are outed in "The Outing;" Jerry and Kramer watch an actual operation, (surgery), and somehow a Junior Mint is lost in the patient's body cavity!! The episode is entitled, obviously, "The Junior Mint!"
DVD Extras include: "The Breakout Season," a 19-minute short feature, which gives background information on Season 4. Also included is a 5-minute parody of Regis and Kathie Lee. Writer Larry Charles provides a commentary track for both parts of "The Trip." We also get the text "Notes About Nothing" feature for all the episodes. There is a 20 minute segment of "bloopers" and out-takes for Season 4. Previously unseen stand-up comedy material from Jerry Seinfeld is also shown. There are also lots of inside looks and peeks at deleted scenes. Commentary on "The Airport" by writer Larry Charles, and for "The Outing" with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richard are highlights.
Columbia-Tristar presents the series in high definition with a picture much better than what has been seen in syndication. MUST SEE TV & a MUST HAVE for all Seinfeld fans!!
JANA
Rating: - Popularity Grows For The Top Sitcom
While maybe the quality of episodes and storylines vastly improved in Season 3, Season 4 was around the time where everyone began to take notice of this incredible sitcom, and the show soon catapulted to a cultural phenomenon. Obviously deserving, Season 4 incorporates some of the best laughs in television history, with hysterical storylines including subjects that no other show would ever have the guts to explore, and gracing the edges of controversy so lightly makes this show brilliant.
Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, two of the greatest minds in show business are essentially the foundation of this sensational season, producing well acted, highly entertaining and comical viewing. Each and everyone of these episodes are filled with hilarity, making it so difficult to pick specific highlights. The Contest possibly drew the popularity because of the outrageous idea of tackling such an issue of masturbation, and incorporating a plot evolving around this idea that remains inoffensive. The shock and overwhelming hilarity of hearing something in a TV show coming from the character of George explaining how his mother "caught" him is incredible. Another aspect of this season I love is just how much the character of Susan is picked on and tormented. The Cheevers Letters is a great episode, as she discovers her father is a bisexual. The Bubble Boy remains uncontroversial since the character of the bubble boy is a very ignorant, disgusting human being. Each episode delivers constant laughs, especially with the running story of George and Jerry doing a "show about nothing". Another highlight of this season for me are the extras, making it worth the money with some classic commentary from the cast of Seinfeld including Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Notes about Nothing sometimes offer interest, which is good since it's optional to have them running through the an episode. Inside Looks are essential as are the many Deleted Scenes, some of them very funny. Alot of these I would love to have seen air in the original episode, however were often cut out for time purposes.
Overall, a must buy for a Seinfeld fan, a season that should be cherished by all fans of comedy shows, especially the high level quality of this sitcom, with the numerous laughs it offers us. Maybe the greatest show of all time, at least one DVD must be purchased to capture the true essence of what this incredible show was all about...nothing.
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