Seinfeld: Season 7 – Volume 6
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: B Episodes: B+
BOSCO! SOUP NAZI! Are you Sponge worthy? It is amazing how Seinfeld has so quickly
become part of our culture. Seinfeld is a pure example of Jean
Baudrillard’s concept of “Simulacra and Simulation.” This concept embodies the fact that all
reality has been replaced by symbols and signs.
Our world has been overrun by imagery, infused by media, advertising,
quotations, and sound. A day does not go
by that Seinfeld is not on
television; syndication has been kind to the series. Going hand in hand with the constant
bombardment of the series is the compulsion of society to repeat or relive the
best moments of the series, as if they were part of this comedic yet fictitious
world. Seinfeld is the show about
nothing, but has so much to offer at the same time. It is a rare happening when a television
series can bring together so many creative elements to create a perfect
atmosphere.
The
combination of great, comedic actors with basic storylines containing emphasis
on situational comedy has created a phenomenon that has placed Seinfeld among
Classic TV royalty. With the coming of Season 7 on DVD viewers can “relive”
their favorite moments anytime they want.
Season 7 contains such
classic moments as George buying “Jon Voight’s car,” the infamous marble rye,
low flow shower heads, and the Cadillac.
The amazing part of Seinfeld is
that with one single word a person recall an entire vivid episode. The writing caliber as the Seinfeld Seasons went on just became
more detailed, hilarious, and memorable.
Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael
Richards collectively made up one of the best television comedy teams of all
time, embodying the essence of comedy bringing laughter and memories with each
and every episode. Season Seven was the height of Seinfeld, when the entire spirit of
Seinfeld fell together to form perfection.
All 24
episodes are presented in their entirety in this 4 Disc set. The picture quality of the Seinfeld series has always been
perplexing in picture quality. In their
original airings the quality was adequate for the time, then later in
syndication the picture quality got lower.
This DVD set’s quality where much better than any appearance on
television having been remastered in HD format, but overall more can be desired
from the great series. The picture is
presented in a full screen format, when all great series should embody an
anamorphic widescreen presentation, and the quality is adequate but can stand
to be remastered a bit more. The picture
quality is noticeably not up to par, especially with the bulk of television
being presented and filmed in HD format today.
The sound
quality is pretty good also being remastered, but the levels are off at times
and could also stand to be touched up to some degree. The extras on the Seinfeld DVD sets have
always been some of the best among TV on DVD.
The extras set include such features as The Elaine Benes Story,
Outtakes, Bloopers, Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentaries, Stand up comedy
footage, Sein-Imation (featuring classic scenes in new animation), trivia, and
a feature entitled Larry David’s Farwell.
All seasons of Seinfeld were amazingly memorable, but with the loss of
Larry David the writing team lost a valuable component to their creative
team. Overall, the set is well put
together and though more remastering is called for the set remains excellently
presented.
Seinfeld
will forever be a television classic, with its superb writing style and
excellent cast of actors. Season Seven stands out as one of the
best seasons ever written for the series, having a plethora of memorable
moments. With the combination of
Seinfeld in syndication, on DVD, and on peoples minds and mouths at all times
the situation comedy will never leave our culture. This type of phenomenon does not come by very
often but when it does it sticks in the minds and hearts of television viewers
forever. In the end, there may be memories and laughs for all, but NO SOUP FOR
YOU!
- Michael P Dougherty II
