Seinfeld - Series 1 to 9 Complete DVD Box Set

Quote from: Seinfeld - Series 1 to 9 Complete DVD Box Set

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The self-branded “show about nothing” was wildly popular in the American 1990s in spite of, or perhaps because of, its irreverence and blatant dismissal of established sitcom paradigms (prominent characters that are sympathetic, themes, “very special episodes”). Creator Larry David and the ensemble cast pioneered the never-learn-never-grow mentality that carried over through to the next decade with David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and provided a sharp tonal contrast to “Friends”, NBC’s other Thursday night “Must See TV” hit.

Critics have pondered why Seinfeld never achieved the crossover success of “Friends”, or similarly sardonic comedies such as “Curb” or “Arrested Development”. As a character-based comedy focusing on deeply flawed dispositions and the uncomfortable situations they render, the show seems like a good fit in British comedy, particularly among “Curb” devotees. Meanwhile, phrases such as “man-hands”, “Soup Nazi”, and “these pretzels are making me thirsty” have been embedded into the American cultural lexicon.

The gang consists of ringleader Jerry Seinfeld (a near-mirrored portrayal of the namesake comedian) Elaine Benes (Julia Louis Dreyfus-"Saturday Night Live) Jerry’s promiscuous former girlfriend and the character with the most professional success, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), Jerry’s cartoonish neighbor, and George Costanza (Jason Alexander), stocky, bald, misanthropic cohort of Jerry’s who Larry David has compared most to himself.

For those used to this decade’s technical advances and overall comedic evolution, Seinfeld’s format, with the studio audience, occasional canned laughter, and traditional multi-camera shooting, may appear somewhat dated. But after sitting through the first half of the nine-season series, the catch phrases are sure to sneak their way into your daily speech.

This box-set contains all 180 episodes over 32 discs, an exhaustive 104 hours of bonus material (including commentaries, interviews and footage from a cast reunion) and a 226-page bound anthology filled with photos, quotes and trivia from every episode.