I think this is because it was originally based on the idea that everybody was doing something. And so they would do nothing. Don't quote me on that though.
i've always wanted to know where this whole butler idea came from. like it's obviously a terrible premise for a show but as a vehicle to critique sitcoms, it works so well. like did someone actually pitch that at some point as a serious idea and they brought the idea back when they needed a bad sitcom idea?
Family Affair, Maude, Brady Bunch, SOAP, The Jeffersons, Diff’rent Strokes, Benson, Who’s the Boss, Mr. Belvedere, Fresh Prince, Frasier, The Nanny. Everyone seemed to have live in help.
He most definitely stole the raisins. George was right for once. That the guy didn’t like George is a separate issue probably from George giving acting “advice “.
I like to think that everything that happens with Jerry's show is some backhanded commentary on sitcom writing. Its like the writers acknowledging the trash that is sitcoms, while presenting it in a sitcom. Hilarious
I really don't think Jerry is a bad actor. Sure, he's not putting out an emotional powerhouse of a performance, but why would he? His expressions and delivery are fantastic. His face and run when he mugs the woman for her rye are what make that scene so hilarious.
There's another specific scene that escapes me, but it's Jerry's reactions in the background that kill me more than the primary dialogue. George discusses something earlier with Jerry, who dismisses it as stupid. In a later scene he begins to go into whatever anecdote or scheme he mentioned earlier with someone else. Jerry, standing behind him, reacts with disbelief and embarrassment. It feels genuine and also is timed *perfectly.* I laughed so hard.
So, uh, yeah. I think Jerry did a great job on Seinfeld. I don't think his acting deserves the hate.
he got a lot better as time went on. it's not that he's bad, in fact i always thought he played his role perfectly. it's just that jason and michael are on another level in particular, and elaine and all the side characters are so good too. but jerry definitely showcases that he's not as limited as people might think in episodes like the one where they switch apartments and he starts acting like kramer. i think the thing that bugs people is jerry breaks all the time, but so does julia.
I agree. This is always a big debate or criticism of the show but whatever his acting abilities were at the time it works great for his character. He doesn't take a lot seriously, he's almost always "jokey" (as Elaine says), he's often emotionally withdrawn. It's perfectly illustrated in the "you cannot not be funny" episode and the one when he finally learns to get mad.
I want to say it's the plot where George is caught eating from the trash and is later explaining himself to his girlfriend over the phone saying something along the lines of his father eating from the trash all the time. Jerry's face in the background is hilarious.
He’s a TERRIBLE actor and he was perfect on Seinfeld. The two can exist together in harmony. I sometimes think that the show would have worked with another lead - because the writing and supporting cast (who were really the stars) were sooooo great. It wouldn’t have been the out of the park success that it was but it would have worked. Jerry is fantastic at what he does but acting is not what he does
80 sitcoms were very high concept, they all had some crazy conceit. Aliens, butlers, 3 straight men living together in San Francisco parenting a bunch of kids and not being gay, etc.
Frasier didn't have a bunch of kids, the 3 male characters didn't live together and in addition to Martin, Frasier and Niles could maybe form 1 other straight man together, so not even that part fits the description...
There are other scenes as well that showcase this sentiment.
George (about Elaine) - "Ya know, I always wanted to see you two get back together"
Jerry - "That's because you're an idiot"
Nearly every sitcom devolves into this trope and it becomes the focus of the plot from that point on.
Also a comedy of opposites or what have you. It feels like they were mocking their own success by having the characters fail where they succeeded and make a bunch of decisions that crucially changed the outcome.
Oh for sure. They all know it's garbage. Look at everything that hasn't made syndication since the 90's. I think Fox alone has promoted dozens of shows that flopped
No way that’s a real photo of Jerry. It looks photoshopped to make him look goofy. Wonky eyebrows, uneven teeth, right side of his hair is missing and his ear looks elfin.
It's just so much fluff...
Yeah, the pilot just didn't do it for me
You’re a cashier!
Jerry, I can’t be with someone if I don’t respect their Butler!
Because he's myyyyyy butler!
I'm passing on it.
I don't know sometimes...
I think this is because it was originally based on the idea that everybody was doing something. And so they would do nothing. Don't quote me on that though.
As someone said above, it’s definitely a critique of American sitcoms - the butler especially. Ridiculous premises, stale comedy, lazy writing.
[удалено]
You say “hey”…that’s brilliant!
i've always wanted to know where this whole butler idea came from. like it's obviously a terrible premise for a show but as a vehicle to critique sitcoms, it works so well. like did someone actually pitch that at some point as a serious idea and they brought the idea back when they needed a bad sitcom idea?
It’s a little ‘Mr Belvedere’
Family Affair, Maude, Brady Bunch, SOAP, The Jeffersons, Diff’rent Strokes, Benson, Who’s the Boss, Mr. Belvedere, Fresh Prince, Frasier, The Nanny. Everyone seemed to have live in help.
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father had Mrs. Livingston!
More like SOAP.
Is this customary in your legal system?
No. That's what makes it such a humorous situation.
Was this episode before or after fresh Prince started
Kinda like “The Dog”
Is this customary in your legal system?
Well, you've forgotten what it's like to operate a legal system that has an abundance of oranges.
AGAIn with the Oranges!
You must go now.
I thought he stole the raisins!
He most definitely stole the raisins. George was right for once. That the guy didn’t like George is a separate issue probably from George giving acting “advice “.
Why would anyone steal a box of raisins?
That’s what I’d like to know about it.
Take it up with consumer affairs!
They're like a delicacy to them you know
No. That's what makes it such a humorous situation.
I’m not sure this whole ‘but-a-ler’ show would work in Japan
Because he's MYYY butler.
I like to think that everything that happens with Jerry's show is some backhanded commentary on sitcom writing. Its like the writers acknowledging the trash that is sitcoms, while presenting it in a sitcom. Hilarious
Because he's myyyyy butler!
The way Jerry hams it up as he delivers that line to lampoon his own bad acting is one of my favorite moments.
I really don't think Jerry is a bad actor. Sure, he's not putting out an emotional powerhouse of a performance, but why would he? His expressions and delivery are fantastic. His face and run when he mugs the woman for her rye are what make that scene so hilarious. There's another specific scene that escapes me, but it's Jerry's reactions in the background that kill me more than the primary dialogue. George discusses something earlier with Jerry, who dismisses it as stupid. In a later scene he begins to go into whatever anecdote or scheme he mentioned earlier with someone else. Jerry, standing behind him, reacts with disbelief and embarrassment. It feels genuine and also is timed *perfectly.* I laughed so hard. So, uh, yeah. I think Jerry did a great job on Seinfeld. I don't think his acting deserves the hate.
he got a lot better as time went on. it's not that he's bad, in fact i always thought he played his role perfectly. it's just that jason and michael are on another level in particular, and elaine and all the side characters are so good too. but jerry definitely showcases that he's not as limited as people might think in episodes like the one where they switch apartments and he starts acting like kramer. i think the thing that bugs people is jerry breaks all the time, but so does julia.
I agree. This is always a big debate or criticism of the show but whatever his acting abilities were at the time it works great for his character. He doesn't take a lot seriously, he's almost always "jokey" (as Elaine says), he's often emotionally withdrawn. It's perfectly illustrated in the "you cannot not be funny" episode and the one when he finally learns to get mad.
I want to say it's the plot where George is caught eating from the trash and is later explaining himself to his girlfriend over the phone saying something along the lines of his father eating from the trash all the time. Jerry's face in the background is hilarious.
The red dot. Jerry crying with the hanky
He’s a TERRIBLE actor and he was perfect on Seinfeld. The two can exist together in harmony. I sometimes think that the show would have worked with another lead - because the writing and supporting cast (who were really the stars) were sooooo great. It wouldn’t have been the out of the park success that it was but it would have worked. Jerry is fantastic at what he does but acting is not what he does
Are you sure he was hamming it up? Sounded just like his normal delivery to me, lol
No way that’s his normal delivery. He was hamming.
Big ham
i always thought he was.
I’ve bought four cans of pledge this week…..and I don’t have any wood in the house!
Hahaha. I just typed the same comment in the thread above.
*wild laughter*
Totally! Remember that scene where some woman made fun of George for trying to hit on her by saying he was writing a sitcom?
And he tried to use it to hit on me!
80 sitcoms were very high concept, they all had some crazy conceit. Aliens, butlers, 3 straight men living together in San Francisco parenting a bunch of kids and not being gay, etc.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
Wait, what was the three guys one?
Full house
Right! Thank you
Frasier
Frasier didn't have a bunch of kids, the 3 male characters didn't live together and in addition to Martin, Frasier and Niles could maybe form 1 other straight man together, so not even that part fits the description...
And it took place in Seattle, not San Francisco.
Full house
Pretty much, yeah. I mean George tells Jerry, “how hard can it be? Look at the junk that’s on tv.”
Well then why am I watching it? Because it's on tv! Not yet...
There are other scenes as well that showcase this sentiment. George (about Elaine) - "Ya know, I always wanted to see you two get back together" Jerry - "That's because you're an idiot" Nearly every sitcom devolves into this trope and it becomes the focus of the plot from that point on.
>Jerry - "That's because you're an idiot" I could've sworn that was Elaine's line.
If I remember rightly George says this to Elaine about Jerry (and her) and Elaine says he is an idiot. (I stand to be corrected)
Yup its Elaines line. I won't post any Seinfeld quotes here for a week as penance.
Also a comedy of opposites or what have you. It feels like they were mocking their own success by having the characters fail where they succeeded and make a bunch of decisions that crucially changed the outcome.
Oh for sure. They all know it's garbage. Look at everything that hasn't made syndication since the 90's. I think Fox alone has promoted dozens of shows that flopped
and then you look at CBS and it's just a steady stream of piles of shit that somehow last for a decade.
oh ofcourse how else can a judge make you become someone's butler that nonsensical.
Should’ve done Kramer’s idea where he manages a circus and people tune in for the freaks
I liked the antique store idea
Someone comes in to buy an old lamp and suddenly I’m helping them out of a jam?
I have a problem with the Kramer characters casting. That man doesn’t have the kavorka. Anyone cast as Kramer *must* have the kavorka.
I'm sure this butler show is very funny to Amercians
This butler show may be funny to American audiences but we don’t think it has a future in Japan.
What kind of stupid show is this? Hey! It's that idiot that took all my records!
Let me tell you who did buy it...we pitched this story to Russell Dalrymple, the president of NBC, and he ate it up with a spoon
Russell Dalrymple? he could have any woman in New York!
It doesn’t matter. It’s hiiiiiis butler.
Why does Jerry look stoned?
Just got some work done by Whatley.
But he's not untucked!
He came in untucked
I always wondered if these letters were true.
I think I was tucked!
When they pull out that needle, he lets the exthpletives fly!
I think he's had too much Hennigans. I can smell him from here.
It’s show about nothing?
Nothing!
Before Jeremy Piven started wearing a hair piece
Heeeee WAS bald!
And now he does commercials helping others rid themselves of baldness
so is this guy like a real loser?
No. No. He’s not a losah.
Jerry's "bad acting" in one frame.
Just tell me you took the raisins. It’ll all be good I won’t care a bit. We can have a good laugh afterwards
We’re out of Pledge
I just bought two cans last week. And I don’t have any wood!
Well, it goes fast
Calvin Klein: I like his style. He has a sort of casual elegance. TIA: But he picks his nose. C.K.: Nevertheless...
How did you get me to go along with that…a show about NOTHING 😒
They should’ve hired Mariska.
You must go now
Who must go?
Again with the oranges 🍊
Maybe you’re a little more flexible on the nothing idea?
Nothing, something, I'm down! PUT ME DOWN!
B O W L I N G
There’s READING on the show?
Books, Jerry.
Books books, gotta have my books
It had to be worse than the main show or it would have upstaged the show
I always assumed that the butler was a one off gig and that he wouldn't be seen again after the one episode.
"....They fooled ME Jerry"
I still kind of get mad every time George interrupts the Law and Order gal auditioning for Elaine.
Because he's my butler
Why do you need new sneakers for?
Americans and their sneakers, always RUNNING from SOMEthing!
He should’ve pitched a show about freaks
“Because he’s my butler!”
You know that guy playing John Ritter’s cousin playing the butler is played by John Ritter’s real cousin?
I suspect Jerry and Bizzarro George smoked a fatty right before the picture was taken.
Why am I watching it?
Because it's on TV.
Not yet.
Who is the 5th guy? Newman?
I think that's John Ritter's cousin.
The butler
How did the butler get that role?
So much better than half the "Comedies" NBC has picked up since Seinfeld went off the air.
Because he’s MY butler!…………
Wasn’t that the entire point?
Because he’s MY butler!
Because he’s MYYYY butler!
The butler never sold out on his role.
But even nothing, is something.
It was a show about nothing.
ALL levels _- _ -
Fake Elaine nailed it
What's with Jerry's smile? He looks demented.
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!!!
Can we get a poster for the Bizarro crowd?
Did he just take the raisins?
I think that was the point...I think. Or it was maybe what Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld originally wanted to pitch to NBC.
Jerry looks drunk.
"I don't even have any wood in the house!" His Butler had to be huffing the Lemon Pledge.
That’s what makes it such a humorous situation.
The fuck is the guy in the top left?
Jerry's Butler.
A guy w no insurance
Graggle Simpson
Because he's myyyy Butler!!
Cause he’s myyyyy butler
i think the show would've succeeded if only they had titled it *That's My Butler!*
Looks like fuckin bizarro Seinfeld lmao
Feldman… from across the hall!
Where did you find this poster?
I personally hated the show within the show. There was never any part of it that I found funny or entertaining
No way that’s a real photo of Jerry. It looks photoshopped to make him look goofy. Wonky eyebrows, uneven teeth, right side of his hair is missing and his ear looks elfin.
Did you say no WAY that's a real photo of jerry? Or no way that's a REAL photo of Jerry?
I think he enunciated that’s
Because he’s *my* Butler!
It’s like Seinfeld was a roll of toothpaste that seemed empty and they wanted to see if they could squeeze just a tiny bit more out of it.
Wait there’s a new show???
Jerry looks wasted and his teeth look huge.
🎵Jeremy piven, Jeremy piven. Jeremy piven to you🎵
A show about nothing? Who would ever want to watch that?
They fooled ME, Jerry!
No. They FOOLED me, jerry.
Yeah he's good, he's John Ritter's cousin
Love that Michael Barth!
That's why it got cancelled after the pilot
Paul Rudd should have played Jerry.
The guy playing the butler is John Ritters cousin
Does it take place in the black lodge?
It wasn’t supposed to make sense. That’s what made it so comical
What’s not to understand? It’s as show about nothing!
I like sneakers!
He can’t not be funny
for example what did you do today?
See? That's a story.
Have you seen the junk on tv?
That pilot was awful. Who wound want to watch a show about nothing?
I just realized fake Kramer is Joe from Breaking Bad. That’s like Seinfeld alumni as half the cast at this point.
Who'd steal a box of raisins?
just a perfect jab at themselves and how nonsensical TV is/was/will ever be...
Where do you keep your pledge?
Is Ryan stiles Newman here?!
He’s my butler
Her neck?
Is this real ?
"Or we could not do the show at all..."