ENTER GEORGE, THE GENTLER

VIRGINIA ROHAN
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
08-29-1996
ENTER GEORGE, THE GENTLER
By VIRGINIA ROHAN
Date: 08-29-1996, Thursday
Section: LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT
Edition: All Editions -- 3 Star, 2 Star P, 2 Star B, 1 Star Late, 1 Star Early

Over the summer, George Costanza may have developed a conscience.
Maybe even a little heart.

This week, NBC said that the Sept. 19 season opener of "Seinfeld"
will have George (Jason Alexander) "coming to terms with the unexpected
demise of his fiancee."

Apparently, the show's writers had second thoughts about George's
callous behavior in the season finale, which had Susan (Heidi Swedberg)
dying after licking toxic glue on the envelopes for their wedding
invitations. At the hospital, George -- who'd gotten cold feet about the
wedding -- was hardly grief-stricken. In fact, he immediately tried to
make a date with Marisa Tomei, whose supposed penchant for bald men
surfaced in a previous episode.

Fans of the show were sharply divided about whether this story line
was funny or just plain offensive. After I criticized the show's
insensitivity -- a view shared by many readers -- a few readers protested.
John A. Larkin of Paramus e-mailed to say, "IT'S A TV SITCOM. It's not
real life. Now, if President Clinton, or one of my friends, acted that
way after somebody died, then I'd be a little upset. `Seinfeld' is
make-believe. If they don't want to be Politically Correct and go for
the crass joke, then I say sit back and enjoy."

On the other hand, NBC and the show's producers were pelted with
complaints. Entertainment Weekly reported that "Seinfeld" fans were in
warring camps over the episode. TV Guide featured a highly critical
evaluation by a death-and-dying expert.

It'll be interesting to see if the show truly atones -- or further
deepens the divide. (That season opener will feature a new round of
commitment phobia, as Jerry has to "decide if he wants to proceed with
his engagement to a woman [Janeane Garofalo, not seen].")

Over on "Friends," by the way, viewers will "see Ross and Rachel
still enjoying their passionate romance, Monica trying to recover from a
disappointing breakup, and Chandler still surprised that he might have
discovered his soul mate on the Internet." And "Mad About You," which
will anchor NBC's Tuesday lineup, begins with the elated Buchmans (Paul
Reiser and Helen Hunt) searching for the best obstetrician-gynecologist
to confirm their home-pregnancy test results. (This season, Carol
Burnett will make an appearance as Jamie's mom, and Mel Brooks will
guest-star as Paul's uncle.)

On the tube tonight. In a special "20/20" (9 p.m., ABC), Lynn Sherr
updates her report on a "last hope" alternative treatment for anorexia
and bulimia. And CBS presents "Candid Camera's Fiftieth Anniversary" (8
p.m.), featuring "best of" bits from the old Allen Funt show. The
special's hosts are Leeza Gibbons and Funt's son, Peter.

You can call Virginia Rohan at 646-4280, fax her at 646-4047, write her
at The Record, 150 River St., Hackensack, N.J. 07601, or send e-mail to
her at newsroom {AT} bergen-record.com.

Keywords: TELEVISION. SHOW

Copyright 1996 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.