I mean seriously Kramer is just effortlessly hilarious from start to finish in this Kramer episode my second favorite character in Seinfeld besides Georgey boy.
14 Reviews
A Kramer appreciation post
mardellsardell14 December 2020
Effortlessly funny
martin-intercultural13 July 2017
Some viewers felt that the magic-realistic themes, like Kramer recreating a vintage TV talk show set at home, were a departure from the tried-and- tested "observations of daily minutiae" formula. Perhaps so. But in fairness, was the plot any more realistic when Kramer kept his own blood in the freezer? Or when he set up an Anytown, USA porch right outside his apartment?... Luckily, the suspension of disbelief comes quite easily in this final season: The cast go all out, without getting into a frenzy. Every monologue by George is a liberating, near-cathartic concert. It is all highly watchable and entertaining.
Just great, like all of them
Connaisseur28 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Like most Seinfeld episodes there are multiple story lines. Seinfeld living out his infatuation with his girlfriends toys, Kramer doing the Merv Griffin show re-make, Elaine dealing with her sidling co-worker and George mistakenly injuring/killing birds/squirrels. The special beauty of this episode lies in the manner in which the separate plots are being inter-weaved through Kramer's Merv-Griffin show. I have personally never seen the Merv-Griffin show before and can imagine that it must be even funnier if you have. Its just so hilarious to see Kramer taking it all so serious in the beginning and becoming more and more drawn to the darker side of showbiz by the end - finally turning the Merv Griffin show into some kind of Jerry Springer show. The second best part is George's deal with the pigeons, which they don't seem to have signed. Eventually he ends up giving up his bed to the squirrel he injured. Then there is Jerry - drugging his girlfriend to play with her dad's toy collection. Finally, there's Elaine's work problems with the sidler, which takes credit for her work and has her do his work when she tries to counter-sidle him. It's all just very well put together and so relate-able. Gosh, I miss the show!
Merv Griffin arc of show is ultimate in surreality and insanity!!!
craig-3756 December 2006
This is one of the most hilarious and genius of any sitcom episode in the history of television, as well as, without a doubt, the most surreal!!! The idea of Kramer being so delusional that, by getting the remains of the set of the Merv Griffin show, and putting them in his apartment, and then believing he is actually hosting the Nerv Griffin show is out of the world- beautifully insane!!! Anyone who can't find the humor of this episode, (even if the don't like the show the way I do, or even if they now can't stand Richards),probably is humorless. And of course, I'm talking about the Merv Griffin arc of this episode. The rest of the show was good, and I think I loved every Seinfeld episode, but this is the ultimate of surreality and complete comedic insanity and I mean that is a good way- Way to go writers and actors!!!
Beyond Funny
Hitchcoc7 May 2023
This is about as creative as a show can get. It is, of course, theater of the absurd (the usual Seinfeld). The key to everything is when Kramer finds a discarded set from the Merv Griffin show in a dumpster near the apartment building. He takes the chairs, signs, and other stuff and creates a set where he plays Merv Griffin. The rest is nuts. Jerry is dating a woman who has a classic toy collection that he lusts after. She won't let him play with the toys and he drugs her and plays with them while she sleeps. He talks about this to Merv "Kramer" Griffin. Newman even ends up on the show. But the stuff Kramer does is so hilarious it is comic genius. I know that drugging the young woman is pretty sick, but it's so outrageous.
Nigh-on Perfect Comedy
FatherStack876 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
One of my favourite episodes of this wonderful sitcom. I wish comedy.was written like this nowadays, especially in this era of feminism. Anti-PC comedy like this needs to be created now, but most writers are too afraid of being "metoo'd".
The best cringe comedy ever writren.
The best cringe comedy ever writren.
Bird
bevo-1367823 June 2020
The Sideler.
Sirus_the_Virus11 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The Plot: Kramer finds the set of The Merv Griffen show in a dumpster and sets it up in his apartment. Jerry dates a woman who has a classic toy collection. George has a problem with animals that are in his way. When he runs over a squirrel, his girlfriend makes him take care of it. Elaine tries to out sidle a sideler.
The Merv Griffen show is very funny. This episode guest stars Jim Fowler. I have no idea who that is. But apparently he is famous for something. I am pretty sure that it has to do with animals. I think they are all idiots. Jerry drugs his girlfriend so then he can play with the toys. You'd have to be sick to do that. But when you think about it, it's pretty funny.
The Merv Griffen show is very funny. This episode guest stars Jim Fowler. I have no idea who that is. But apparently he is famous for something. I am pretty sure that it has to do with animals. I think they are all idiots. Jerry drugs his girlfriend so then he can play with the toys. You'd have to be sick to do that. But when you think about it, it's pretty funny.
No deal. I only wish George ran over a worthless mutt
ThunderKing69 March 2023
A rare gem of season 9. A very creative episode and so much fun, minus Elaine's okay storyline.
Sorry, but Elaine hit the wall after the end of season 6. She had a doll face now she's just an average Veep.
Date: March of the 09th of year 2023rd.
What is this episode about?: Kramer becomes the new host of the Merv Griffin show. His Co Host is none other than Newman.
George drives over animals.
Elaine tries to saddle the saddler.
Jerry plays with classic vintage toys.
Story and Production: Only Kramer's gimmick was engaging.
George's story felt so forced.
Elaine's story was ok. She wasn't a Bword in this episode.
Jerry's story was funny.
Overall, Kramer's little host gig saved this episode.
Highlight: Jerry and the gang playing with toys. Jerry drugging the lady. Kramer as a host. Noticing George break character and laugh on the Merv Griffin set.
Laugh Meter: 7
Girlfriend attractiveness level: Jerry's is a nice 7.5. She's a cute girl. George's girl was a plain Jane, she gets a 5.
Villain: Jerry because he drugged a lady to play with her toys. That's so awesome. George's girl was also a villain for being oversensitive, as if George meant to run over the animals.
What can be learned?: You don't always have a deal with the animals.
Verdict: A fun, creative episode. I liked it.
Sorry, but Elaine hit the wall after the end of season 6. She had a doll face now she's just an average Veep.
Date: March of the 09th of year 2023rd.
What is this episode about?: Kramer becomes the new host of the Merv Griffin show. His Co Host is none other than Newman.
George drives over animals.
Elaine tries to saddle the saddler.
Jerry plays with classic vintage toys.
Story and Production: Only Kramer's gimmick was engaging.
George's story felt so forced.
Elaine's story was ok. She wasn't a Bword in this episode.
Jerry's story was funny.
Overall, Kramer's little host gig saved this episode.
Highlight: Jerry and the gang playing with toys. Jerry drugging the lady. Kramer as a host. Noticing George break character and laugh on the Merv Griffin set.
Laugh Meter: 7
Girlfriend attractiveness level: Jerry's is a nice 7.5. She's a cute girl. George's girl was a plain Jane, she gets a 5.
Villain: Jerry because he drugged a lady to play with her toys. That's so awesome. George's girl was also a villain for being oversensitive, as if George meant to run over the animals.
What can be learned?: You don't always have a deal with the animals.
Verdict: A fun, creative episode. I liked it.
Great episode but didn't age well
cherylkyrandia1 April 2023
This episode of Seinfeld centres on Jerry wanting to play with his new girlfriend's toys. In a bid to do so, he sedates her (creepy much?) and spills the beans on Kramer's new Merv Griffin Show set that he's made in his little unit. The episode has some pretty funny moments, particularly when Newman joins in. And it's also a rare glimpse into Kramer's apartment - albeit remodelled into a talkshow set. I like Kramer's contribution to this episode more than Jerry's - who as you can imagine raises eyebrows when you think about what he's actually doing. One wonders if we are too woke for this episode in this modern age.
Beyond ridiculous
loujg-241-819694 June 2015
This is, by far, my least favorite episode of Seinfeld. The series was always praised for the comedy of everyday situations that we can all relate to, but this episode contains some of the most outlandish circumstances the cast ever encountered. The whole story with George and his girlfriend trying to save a squirrel is just stupid. Why would George continue to date this girl who is making his life miserable when he keeps reminded Jerry that "he's getting' nothing"? Jerry's attempt at playing with his girlfriend's toy collection is so lame that even Seinfeld's childish act can't save this script. Elaine's "sideler" sub-plot wasn't bad, since that is something many people can relate to. As silly as this episode is, Kramer's fantasy talk show with the Merv Griffin set does give us a few classic moments when Newman joins the 'show' and they introduce and new format: "Scandals and animals". Having Jim Fowler make a cameo in the final moments further pushes the bounds of absurdity. Would he really go to a residential apartment building thinking it was a television show? And then stay when he sees its only a figment of Kramer's imagination?
Merv Griffin redux
safenoe8 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Merv Griffin plot was absolutely hilarious, and the way that Kramer rescued the discarded set and installed it in his own apartment was a stroke of genius, and the way he interacted with Jerry, George, Elaine, with Newman as Kramer's Ed McMahon, with special guest Jim Fowler. Absolutely hilarious that's for sure, and I couldn't stop laughing. Anyway, Newman is played Wayne Knight, whose career exploded in 1992 when he starred in Basic Instinct with Sharon Stone, supported by Michael Douglas.
The bit about Jerry using sedatives on his girlfriend was a bit icky even when it debuted in 1997, and certainly now for sure init.
The bit about Jerry using sedatives on his girlfriend was a bit icky even when it debuted in 1997, and certainly now for sure init.
Painful to Watch
Samuel-Shovel4 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Merv Griffin Show", Kramer finds the discarded talk show set in the garbage and sets it up in his apartment. A new coworker of Elaine's keeps sidling up behind her and scaring her. She tries to figure out a way to stop him. George accidentally runs over some pigeons and a squirrel with his car, causing his girlfriend to be upset with him. Jerry dates a girl with an expensive collection of vintage toys she won't let him play with. He starts drugging her so she'll fall asleep and he can use them.
This is a bit of a time capsule episode in the sense of cultural norms. Jerry intentionally drugging this lady and getting her drunk so he can play with her "toys" is a problematic plot like, especially the way it is portrayed here. I can't see any comedy today touching a similar premise with a 10 foot pole. People would go nuts, especially in a post "Me Too" world where Hollywood has had to have a long look in the mirror.
It's uncomfortable to watch if I'm being honest. That coupled with a dated Merv Griffin bit just makes this episode a drag. George's plot like is pretty unfunny as well. That just leaves Elaine's. Hers is fine but nothing to shout about. It's probably the only thing keeping me from rating this one a 1.
This is a bit of a time capsule episode in the sense of cultural norms. Jerry intentionally drugging this lady and getting her drunk so he can play with her "toys" is a problematic plot like, especially the way it is portrayed here. I can't see any comedy today touching a similar premise with a 10 foot pole. People would go nuts, especially in a post "Me Too" world where Hollywood has had to have a long look in the mirror.
It's uncomfortable to watch if I'm being honest. That coupled with a dated Merv Griffin bit just makes this episode a drag. George's plot like is pretty unfunny as well. That just leaves Elaine's. Hers is fine but nothing to shout about. It's probably the only thing keeping me from rating this one a 1.
"The seats smell like garbage!"
thejcowboy2230 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Ever watch something on TV, movies or even in live theater and break out into hysterical laughter? Something so striking at first glance that it tickles your funny bone? On a personal note back in the late 1980's I visited my Uncle John in his Staten Island home. After pleasantries were exchanged a spontaneous comment came out of my Uncle John;s mouth. "Hey, did you watch Seinfeld?All the rage. Seinfeld what a sit-com." That's what my Uncle said when the show aired on NBC back in the 1990's. Anyone who was anyone even John Q. Public for that matter watched the show which was a Thursday night staple for viewers with hefty Nielsen ratings to back the shows popularity. Creator Larry David put together this ensemble of players centered around comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Jerry, who's daily life (which wasn't glamorous) despite a successful career as a stand-up comic, has these mundane situations thrown at him. Daily problems with restaurant delivery, meeting the right girlfriend or a misplaced wallet. The narrative was basically about "Nothing"! Jerry, in his cramped apartment has his regulars who seem to pop in whenever they feel like it. His friends are so comfortable as if each one feels they live there. So assured in fact that they open Jerry's refrigerator and help themselves to a bowl of cereal. This particular episode caught my interest because it mirrors my real life past experiences. Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) retrieves the entire set of the Merv Griffin Show from a dumpster. Kramer transforms his entire living room to look like the Merv Show. The set fits perfectly. So perfect that the Late Merv would approve of the transfer of venue. Kramer goes a little further as he talks and acts the likes of Mr. Griffin complete with fashionable suit and tie. Moreover Kramer would interview any one who enters his apartment / Merv Griffin set. Meanwhile George Costanza (Jason Alexander) has run ins with wildlife, mainly pigeons and the unfortunate accident involving a squirrel. Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has a problem with an over zealous co-worker. Finally our main exponent in all this "Jerry" who has an attractive leggy girlfriend who inherited classic children's toys. Jerry pleads with his girlfriend if he could play with those classic action figures instead of romance on the couch. "Look Jerry but don't touch the toys!" says Celia (Julia Pennington) the demanding strict significant. I had all those experiences in my life . Accidentally running over a squirrel. Setting up my room to emulate a talk show set. Had a pushy co-worker steal my thunder when I worked in an insurance company. Finally I used a girlfriend Phyllis who lived in Muncie,New York which was one of the first areas in the late 1970's to be wired for cable television. Although she didn't possess classic toys she did have cable TV and I would go over her house to watch Sunday night hockey games from Madison Square Garden. I remember sitting on her couch in her den. Phyllis the wanton lover asked me if I thought she was pretty? I, being clueless responded by saying," The Rangers power play is pretty good too!" This episode mirrored my life and gave me fond memories from my past which I'll always cherish to this day.
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