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Kramer’s physical comedy

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Kramer’s Reality !Noir Hirsch wrote an article called Seinfeld’s Humor Noir. In this he

claims that Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) is the least realistic character of the four on the show even though he is based on Seinfeld’s writer Larry David’s friend. “Kramer is a clown in appearance and behavior. He has electric frizzy hair, a startled response, and wears peculiar retro 1950s outfits.” Hirsch’s point is true that the characteristics of Kramer are not normally seen in people we communicate with on a daily basis.

The most noticeable factor that separates Richards character from other TV people is his ability to use physical comedy in different forms than viewers are used to. An example of his comedy can be seen in the episode of Seinfeld titled “The couch” (6.5) where Kramers head twitches fast upon noticing that Poppy (Reni Santoni) had wet Jerry’s (Jerry Seinfeld) new couch. Richard’s hilarious facial expressions are seen throughout the series including in “The Cigar Store Indian” (5.10) While Hirsch argues that this character is not what popular society would have a person act according to. I suggest that he can be taken as more of a real person since he is the one who demonstrates his true feelings through verbal and physical actions to convey how he feels on the inside, and bring that out into the light, which relates his separate reality to the one that we live.

Race And Cultures

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When Kramer bursts into Elaine’s (Julia Louis Dreyfus) apartment in “The Cigar Store Indian” (5.10) he is faced with an interesting statue that was given to her and with permission takes it home.

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!!While his tastes appear to be a little eccentric with art and his

choices he shows a strong interest in other cultures. Him wanting to own this specific piece gives the impression that he can be interested in the representation of other cultures this one being Native American. His actions of making stereotypical indian sounds when passing by Jerry is a reminder of how most Americans are oblivious to ethnic groups around them. They are taught only certain ideologies, which most of the time are false or extremely misguided.

Although the subject of race and ethnicity are serious matters Michael Richards manages to make light of these tough areas by portraying the typical white American with humorous facial expressions and a quirky energy that is hard not to enjoy watching.

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Peoples Right to Choose:

kramer’s political mindset Poppy and Kramer are

going into the pizza making business together. That is until Kramer shares his idea of people being able to choose which ever topping they like.

!In certain episodes Kramer loudly expresses his beliefs that people

need to have the freedom to choose. The particular episode “The Pie” (5.15) which is pictured above illustrates how he wants a variety of food to be available for customers to choose from. Even though he is talking about pizza toppings there is an impression that suggests this subject is more than just food.

According to the writer Gencarella Seinfeld should be viewed as a “Democratic Discourse” contradicting what other critics have said of the sitcom. (Gencarella 390) I believe this idea is exactly what

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audiences can take from comical episodes such as this one. Instead of the show being about nothing or odd story lines it is subtle example of how America’s political culture was changing and taking on new ideas throughout our country.

!!!!!!!!!!!The term above came about in the second episode of season 9

when Cosmo hires an intern to do all his work including making lunch appointments with Jerry and the others. KRAmerica industries was his

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idea of providing college students with real life experience. It was good in theory, but not reality.

Standing In Place

In “The Sponge” (7.9) Cosmo decides to participate in an aids walk. At sign in he refuses to wear the ribbon saying; “that’s why I don’t want to” to the lady at check in when told he has to wear the piece.

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!“This is America I don't have

to wear anything I don’t want to wear.” His comical quote makes a great point that while we are supposed to have freedom our cultures tend to dictate what we can and should not do in our actions.

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Quirks Of Cosmo !In “the Little Jerry” (8.11)

Cosmo gets what he thinks is a chicken but is actually a rooster. He then names it after Jerry.

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“Oh, it's a beauty! It's got these

high-volume aqua-sage jets oscillating and

pulsating,soothing your every aching muscle. The water's gonna get over 120 degrees!”

Kramer talking about his hot tube in his living

room.”

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Now that I have covered how Kramers humor can be viewed on subjects that are controversial I will talk about his quirky side, which viewers cannot miss. He is constantly bursting with new opinions and ideas for inventions, always finding a new hobby to invest in and just simply involved with his own perception on life issues. I will not deny that he is at times extreme with his actions and startling to the people around him and audiences, but through his offbeat lifestyle he expresses certain qualities which provoke logical and innovative thinking. For example we have the episode where he proposes the concept of a coffee table book which only features information and pictures on coffee tables. Elaine hates this idea and does not tell her boss about it like she promised him. Instead Kramer is able to talk to her boss who loves the thought of making a book about coffee tables and tells Elaine that he looks for new inventions like that. Therefore his qualities are the kind to help things to progress into the future.

In conclusion Michael Richards portrayal of quirky, funky and innovative Kramer sets the tone for the sitcom by always bringing something new to the narratives. He has the ability to reveal the concepts that are a rare find and at times motivate people to attempt something that could lead to change. When we look past the silly actions we are

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“Hey hey hey hey, you know what would make a great coffee table book? a coffee table book about coffee tables. get it?”

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able to look further into what is being made to use from this particular medium.

!!• Boy, these pretzels are making me thirsty!

• If your not gonna be a part of a civil society, then just get in your car and drive over to the east side

• The carpet sweeper is the biggest scam perpetrated on the American public since one hour martinizing.

• The cat mrrreeeooowww is out of the bag!

• Here’s to feeling good all the time!

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Kramer Quotes !

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Works Cited

Hirsch, Irwin, Cara. "Seinfeld's Humor Noir." N.p.: n.p., n.d. 119-23. Web. !Gencarella Olbrys, Stephen. "Seinfeld's Democratic Vistas." Seinfeld's Democratic Vistas. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 390-95. D2l.DePaul.edu. Dec. 2005. Web. !Seinfeld Quotes." SeinfeldScripts. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2014. http://www.seinfeldscripts.com !David, Larry. Seinfeld, "The Cigar Store Indian. 9 Dec. 1993. Television. !David, Larry. Seinfeld, "The Hot Tube. 19 Oct. 1995. Television. !David, Larry. Seinfeld, "The Sponge" 7 Dec. 1995. Television. !David, Larry. Seinfeld, "The Couch" 27 Oct. 1994. Television. !

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!! That’s All Folks!

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!!!

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