The other day, I flipped through the channels and settled on Seinfeld. I could really stand to watch more than a few minutes. I remember when the show was in its first run that I moderately liked it, but didn't love it the way my peers did. Now, most (but not all) episodes I find unappealing. It's not a show about "nothing"; it's a show about whiny New Yorkers.
Oh, the show is still well-written. The jokes are technically funny. I just can't relate to any of the characters. I'm not like any of them. I wouldn't want to be friends with any of them. Whether or not I find a show watchable mostly revolves around whether or not the supporting characters are interesting, which doesn't happen when Jerry's girlfriend of the week (and, hey, what a great gig for Seinfeld, getting to make out with a different actress each week) isn't as annoyingly shallow as he. Granted, I am occasionally as mean as the gang of four.
Then again, I loved the series finale. They brought back a bunch of wronged characters who got the last laugh. And when our anti-heroes were sent off to prison, they didn't really change. Heck, they didn't change over the course of the series. I can't point to one example of character growth, unless you count Kramer's revelation of a first name. Then again, I don't think Jerry Seinfeld's acting range allows him to play a character with a lot of growth.
But I don't begrudge those who think Seinfeld is the greatest show ever, even if I disagree. Does it mean that I am more level-headed or more wishy-washy that I can encounter diverse tastes in popular culture without necessarily leveling visceral accusations of lack of taste? (I''m especially looking at all you folk who denigrate country music as a whole.)
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