When my life got out of control earlier this month (that two-week blur of torpedoed apartment, severed internet, and filthy hair), I took to watching Seinfeld for comfort and respite. My husband and I don’t have cable, so we compensate with streaming Netflix. With the internet (and all streaming options) down for a fortnight though, I was forced to dig out the box of old DVDs we keep under the bed. These are the discs that, no matter how much media is posted online, we just can’t bring ourselves to part with. The box is an eclectic mix of his, hers, and ours: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, 13 Going on 30, Annie Hall. It is also where we keep Seinfeld seasons 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6.
I love the Seinfeld characters almost as much as I love Carrie and the girls, and they kept me company for eight hours straight last Tuesday when I took the day off to put my apartment back together. George’s neuroses was a balm on my frayed nerves.
The marathon reignited my passion for the show, and now I find myself craving Seinfeld all the time. Even with the internet back up, it’s all I want to watch, and every time Elaine does her signature “Get out!” shove, I get a fresh thrill. Even my husband, a serious Seinfeld aficionado, is sick of it. Yes, he concedes, it may be the greatest television comedy of all time, but why don’t we watch something new? He also made the following gentle observation: Between Sex and the City and Seinfeld, you’re really stuck in the ‘90s aren’t you?
Huh.
You know when he said this, I remembered reading something in the Times Style section not too long ago about how Elaine’s granny dresses, socks, and clunky shoes were making a comeback. I also remember thinking: Yes!
Is this why I still can’t get used to my cell phone? Why I am the only person I know who still religiously watches SNL? Why I am in love with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein’s Portlandia, particularly this sketch:
My gut feeling is that I’m not stuck in anything, just simply behind. There is just so much media and culture to absorb, and I’m meticulous. Just a few weeks ago, I listened to Radiohead for the first time and thought hmm…not bad. And I bet in 2032, I’m sure I’ll really appreciate…whoever it is that’s hot right now.
Emily Sproch is a writer and a Sex and the City tour guide. Each Friday, she chronicles the fine line between reality and fiction in her column “Almost Carrie.”
JoAnn Levine
Sooo good…so much fun.
Emma
Totally on the same page. Radiohead is still new to me, and SNL will never be old.
Amy
I am with you! I am stuck a bit further back in the 80’s and into the 90’s. I don’t think we’re missing anything…..
kelly
ha! love it.
angelalynn
My husband and I moved to maine in the 90’s, however, Maine was caught in the 60’s!!!! Needless to say, Our girl’s had to comb down their 3″ high bangs and trade in their hair style for none. Make-up was for old ladies, fun was skating on “the Muck” in below 0 degrees, the mall was an hour away and was BORING! No more dances as they were known to our kids, rather dancing a clip,clop move (think river dance) and of course everyone brought a covered dish to the dances (VEGETARIAN, a lot of HUMMUS, huh?).Our daughters first sleep over found them playing flashlight tag in the graveyard behind our house? Where were the gameboys,nintendos,and play stations? Within a week the girls had made friends and had become a part of this lovely culture. We do however, wonder why each one moved to a major city when they could,(bummer). Love,angelalynn
Laura Boling
Hahaha!! Em, this reminded me of that time you made me a mixed tape and it had songs on it like Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” and you were like “This is my all-time favorite new song! Have you heard it??” and I was like, “Yes. Many times. This song came out like 5 years ago.”