Credit: Amazon.com
Creators:
Larry David
Jerry Seinfeld
Cast:
Jerry Seinfeld …. Jerry Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus …. Elaine Marie Benes
Michael Richards …. Cosmo Kramer
Jason Alexander …. George Louis Costanza
The Show
It’s the forth season for “The Show About Nothing”. This season is really where the show took off. It became a ratings hit during this season. You can see why when you look at the episodes in this season. Many believe that the all-time greatest episodes of ‘Seinfeld’ lie inside season four. NBC moved the show to Thursday nights in the middle of this season. That was THE night for television. The best shows on each network aired on Thursday nights! ‘Seinfeld’ was in the on-deck circle..waiting to take over the ‘Cheers’ timeslot the following year.
This season was different from other seasons. There was a story arch to it. Every episode was still “A Show About Nothing”, but throughout this season you have the story that “fake” NBC executives wanted to work with Jerry on a TV show for their network. It was really how ‘Seinfeld’ came about in reality. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld just put that whole process into the show and the entire season revolved around that. You have to think that this was how they actually did pitch ‘Seinfeld’ to the “real” NBC executives. You had a show within the show talking about how they got THE show to begin with. Sounds complicated, but that is why it was SO funny!
Every single episode in season four can be considered the best episode EVER! Standouts include “The Bubble Boy”, “The Pick”, The Junior Mint”, “The Outing”, and “The Contest”! “The Contest” is a favorite of mine as it’s about being..well the “master of your domain”! This episode even won an Emmy award. Now that’s something!
Tons of quotes and other references that entered “pop culture” came from this season. In fact..I don’t think there is a single episode that wasn’t quoted from someone at least once. Can’t remember anything? Well..just take a look at some of my favorite quotes from each episode and you will see what I mean.
The show was rolling along during this season and it took off from here. This season could be considered the best season of them all, but it’s too hard to pick just one. You could skip seasons one and two, if you had to. You could even skip season three, although you wouldn’t want to. But season four..this is a Must-Own!
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – The Trip (Part 1)
Jerry is booked to appear on “The Tonight Show” in Los Angeles. He takes George along with him and they go on a search for Kramer as well. They don’t know that Kramer is in trouble as a victim of mistaken identity.
Favorite Quote: “We’re going on a two day trip..who are you? Diana Ross!” – Jerry talking to George
Episode 2 – The Trip (Part 2)
Jerry and George find out that Kramer is suspected to be a serial killer called the “Smog Strangler”.
Favorite Quote: “Hello..911..how are you?! I’m sorry, it’s just a reflex. Yes..it’s an emergency!” – Jerry calling 911 to try to prove that Kramer is innocent
Episodes 3 and 4 (One Hour) – The Pitch/The Ticket
NBC executives want Jerry to write a sitcom pilot for them. George joins him and pitches the idea about the show being about “nothing”. The introduction of Crazy Joe Davola as he stalks Jerry and Kramer, and Newman using Kramer as a witness to try and get out of a speeding ticket also occur in this one hour episode.
Favorite Quote: “They’re men with jobs..Jerry! They wear suits and ties! They’re married and have secretaries!” – George talking about NBC Executives
Episode 5 – The Wallet
Jerry threw away the watch that his parents gave him, and he has to explain to them why he is not wearing it. Jerry’s dad, Morty, thinks his wallet was stolen at the doctor’s office. George screws up the NBC pilot deal.
Favorite Quote: “We’ve got a show about nothing! With no story! What do you think..they’re up there going..’hey..maybe we should give those two guys who have no experience and no idea..more money!'” – Jerry
Episode 6 – The Watch
Jerry tries to buy his watch back from his Uncle Leo, who found the watch in the trash. George tries to get the NBC executives to reconsider their pilot deal. Elaine tries to get Kramer to help her break up with her boyfriend, Dr. Restan.
Favorite Quote: “You know this is how they negotiate in the bizzaro world!” – Jerry
Disc Two:
Episode 7 – The Bubble Boy
Jerry goes to visit a bubble boy on the way up to a cabin in the woods. Jerry and Elaine get lost, though. That leaves George to fight with the bubble boy. Meanwhile, Kramer shows up at the cabin and causes some damage.
Favorite Quote: “I’m not a prude..sweetheart. I can swing with the best of them!” – George talking to Susan
Episode 8 – The Cheever Letters
Jerry offends Elaine’s assistant with the “panty remark.” Kramer finds a new way to get his Cuban cigars. A box of letters is all that is left of the cabin that Kramer wrecked havoc on.
Favorite Quote: “So she’s talking about her panties..and so I say..you mean the panties your mother laid out for you!” – Jerry and the “panty remark”
Episode 9 – The Opera
Elaine finds out that her boyfriend, Joey, is really Crazy Joe Davola. The gang have to go to the opera with a bunch of clowns.
Favorite Quote: “You’re the nucleus..the straw that stirs the drink!” – Kramer talking to Jerry
Episode 10 – The Virgin
Jerry finds out that the girl he is dating is a virgin. Jerry and George can’t write their pilot as Kramer continues to interrupt them. George kisses Susan when he and Jerry go to pitch the show to the network. That results in Susan losing her job.
Favorite Quote: “Do you believe my luck? The first time in my life I have a good answer to the question..’what do you do?’, and I have a girlfriend! You don’t need a girlfriend when you can answer that question. That’s what you say in order to get girlfriends! Once you can get girlfriends..you don’t want a girlfriend..you want more girlfriends!” – George
Episode 11 – The Contest
Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine enter a contest to who is “master of your domain.” Yep..this is the one episode you HAVE to see!
Favorite Quote: “I can’t take it anymore! She’s driving me crazy! I can’t sleep..I can’t leave the house..when I’m here I’m climbing the walls..meanwhile, I’m dating a virgin..I’m in this contest..something’s got to give!” – Jerry talking to Kramer about the naked women across the street
Disc Three:
Episode 12 – The Airport
Jerry and Elaine find out what the differences are between being in first class and coach on an airplane. Meanwhile, have to find the right airport that they are landing at and meet the flight in time.
Favorite Quote: “They’ve got the fudge on the bottom. That enables you to control your fudge distribution while you are eating your ice cream!” – Jerry
Episode 13 – The Pick
Jerry tries to convince his girlfriend that he “did not pick” while Elaine sends a Christmas card to everyone with a nipple exposed. Kramer becomes a model for Calvin Klein.
Favorite Quote: “You want a Christmas card? Here! Here’s your Christmas card!” – Elaine to George before she smothers him with her breasts
Episode 14 – The Visa
Babu Bhatt returns and Jerry tries to help him. That just leaves to another deportation for him. Elaine tries to George’s girlfriend to help her with her lawsuit.
Favorite Quote: “Kramer goes to a fantasy camp! His whole life is a fantasy camp! People should plunk down $2,000 to live like him for a week. Do nothing..fall ass-backwards into money..mooch food off your neighbors..and have sex without dating..that’s a fantasy camp!” – George
Episode 15 – The Movie
Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer keep missing each other when they try to meet at the movies. Jerry’s delay is caused by an annoying comedian named Pat Buckles.
Favorite Quote: “Have you seen a tall, lanky dufus with a bird face and hair like the ‘Bride of Frankenstein’?!” – Elaine describing Kramer to a movie attendant
Episode 16 – The Outing
Jerry and George are mistaken to be homosexuals by a reporter. They try to squash the rumor that they are gay.
Favorite Quote: “Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” – Jerry and George after saying they are not gay
Episode 17 – The Shoes
Jerry and George lose their TV pilot after sneaking a peek at one of the NBC executive’s daughter’s cleavage. Elaine thinks everyone is obsessed her Botticelli shoes.
Favorite Quote: “Looking at a cleavage is like looking at the sun. You don’t stare at it. It’s too risky. You get a sense of it and then you look away!” – Jerry
Disc Four:
Episode 18 – The Old Man
Jerry, George, and Elaine volunteer to help with senior citizens. Jerry loses his senior, George’s senior citizen fires him, and Elaine’s is so ugly..she can’t even look at it.
Favorite Quote: “I would like to dip my bald head in oil and rub it all over your body!” – George talking to a woman who doesn’t speak English
Episode 19 – The Implant
Jerry gets Elaine’s help in trying to find if his girlfriends’s breasts are real. George “double-dips” and loses his girlfriend as a result.
Favorite Quote: “I don’t want your boys down there…Your boys should stay in their neighborhood!” – Jerry talking to Kramer after he asks to borrow Jerry’s bathing suit
Episode 20 – The Handicap Spot
The gang head out to buy a big screen TV for “The Drake”. George parks his father’s car in a handicap spot. An angry mob trashes the car and George must face his father. This is the first time we meet Frank Costanza! Awesome!
Favorite Quote: “Once there is no theirs..there is no hers..it should be ours!” – George
Episode 21 – The Junior Mint
Jerry finds out his girlfriend’s name rhymes with a female body part. That might help as he doesn’t actually remember her name! Kramer drops a Junior Mint into the surgical cavity of Elaine’s boyfriend during an operation.
Favorite Quote: “Who’s going to turn down a Junior Mint? It’s chocolate and peppermint…it’s delicious!” – Kramer
Episode 22 – The Smelly Car
A smelly valet stinks up Jerry’s car and anyone who comes in contact with it. George discovers he drove Susan to lesbianism. HA!
Favorite Quote: “Amazing..I drive them to lesbianism..he brings them back!” – George talking about Kramer
Episodes 23 and 24 (One Hour) – The Pilot (Parts 1 & 2)
Jerry and George’s pilot is finally finished and ready to air. NBC President Russell Dalrymple becomes obsessed with Elaine. Kramer suffers intestinal maladies.
Favorite Quote: “Actually..she has a thing where she spirals her tongue around!” – Jerry talking about how Elaine kisses
Score: 9/10
The DVD:
Video –
The video is given in fullscreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Transfer is decent with minimal distortion. Colors look bright. Looks like the early 90’s. Still..the same. Still as good as the original episodes.
Audio –
The audio included is in English Dolby Digital stereo sound. There is also an option for Spanish and French audio as well. Again..the same.
THE EXTRAS:
Again..these special features are LOADED! You get pretty much the same thing as the first two sets with the exception of the first two features. The comments are all new as well. Again..worth the price of admission alone!
The Breakthrough Season
An in-depth look at how season four became THE season that made ‘Seinfeld’ a hit! It won an Emmy and officially became a “show about nothing” here. This tells you what the season was about. How it changed “pop culture” and how it moved timeslots in the middle of the season. Must-watch!
Regis and Kathie Lee Parody
This was an actual episode of the ‘Regis and Kathie Lee Morning Show’. In this episode, Regis and Kathie Lee did a bit about various stuff. And then Jerry and Elaine came up and acted just like Regis and Kathie Lee and did the same thing as them. Made it seem like they had their own talk show. It’s more interesting to watch than read about. Funny!
Notes About Nothing
These are like subtitles that can be turned on. They give you behind-the-scenes stuff and production notes. Not always needed, but fun to watch to look at once you watch the show for the first time.
Inside Look
The cast and crew talk about what was happening behind-the-scenes in various episodes. I liked these a lot. I always liked making-of’s and this is sort of like that.
In the Vault
These are the deleted scenes from Season 4. You know what these are. Not a must-see, but they are there.
Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That
These are the outtakes and bloopers from this season. Great stuff!
Yada, Yada, Yada
Creator and cast audio commentaries are right here. There are five groups of people this time around. You have Jerry Seinfeld on “The Contest” and “The Junior Mint”. You have Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards on “The Cheever Letters” and “The Outing”. You have writer, Larry Charles, on “The Trip (Parts 1 and 2)” and “The Airport”. You have another writer, Peter Mehlman, on “The Implant”. And finally you have, director/producer, Tom Cherones, and production designer, Tom Azzari, on “The Pilot (Parts 1 and 2)”. Again..these are great to watch. However..I feel that this time around there was less commentary from the people. You got hear too much of the episode for my liking. If I have the commentary on..I want to hear commentary. But that is just a minor complaint..as they all are fun to hear.
Master of His Domain
Exclusive stand-up comedy footage of Jerry that was shot for the show, but was never used. Interesting.
Sponsored by Vandelay Industries
Original NBC promo ads and trailers for Seinfeld in the early days.
Again..you can’t go wrong with these special features. It is probably enough reason to buy the DVDs!
Score: 10/10
