SHRINKAGE!
The unkindest cut: ‘Seinfeld’ fans decry a narrower on-screen picture as iconic series hits Netflix
GEORGE Costanza would be upset about this shrinkage, too.
Fans of “Seinfeld” are fuming with Netflix after the show’s new exclusive streaming service changed the sitcom’s original 4:3 aspect ratio to the narrower, more modern and cinematic version of 16:9 — literally cutting out jokes in the process.
And die-hard supporters — who endured a summer without streaming the 1990s humor of co-creators Larry David, 74, and Jerry Seinfeld, 67, since the show departed from Hulu — have been quick to call out instances where the new ratio’s shrinkage on the top and bottom of the screen has caused problems.
One of the most visible issues (or lack thereof ) comes in the Season 8 episode “The Pothole,” which at 16:9 has cropped out the actual street obstacle from the title. Twitter user @Thatoneguy64 pointed out.
Other fans have aired grievances that Jerry’s
sneaker collection — his footwear being a character of its own in many ways — has also been cut out from the contemporary ratio, according to Complex.
On Netflix’s end, purchasing the entire series of “Seinfeld” at once to begin airing on Oct. 1 was a questionable move to begin with, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a press release.
“This is the first time we’ve taken a risk of this nature, going all-in on nine seasons at the jump.”
Although these mistakes might seem insignificant to an untrained eye, they mean everything to the audience dedicated to “a show about nothing,” with which Netflix was quick to make waves.
“seinfeld’s in 16:9 on netflix and is therefore unwatchable…bummer.” @Boriskarkov tweeted.
Even media buffs called out Netflix for spending like George Steinbrenner, purchasing the show’s rights for over $500 million, only to bring it back in such an unappealing way.
“SO, NETFLIX. YOU SPEND EIGHT SQUILLION ON SEINFELD AND THEN YOU SHOW IT IN THE WRONG RATIO,” Irish Times film correspondent Donald Clarke posted. His point was reiterated by Twitter user @fivepoisionskid, who added, “it’s psychotic to spend like $500 million on the streaming rights for seinfeld and not show it in the right aspect ratio.”
Similar to the time Jerry robbed an elderly woman of her marble rye, other fans have resorted to desperate tactics to watch the show properly.
“Seinfeld”… on DVD in the correct aspect ratio, ’cos I don’t want the top and bottom of the image chopped off.” @kaospheric tweeted.
Along with the aspect ratio drama, just before Netflix launched “Seinfeld,” Seinfeld himself spoke out on episodes he’s wanted to “fix.”
“There’s a number of them that I would love to have a crack at, but I don’t really believe, philosophically, in changing or even thinking about the past,” he told reporters at Citi Field on Sept. 29.
“But if you forced me or you gave me a time machine, yeah, there’s a few — I would fix some things,” Seinfeld added without getting into specifics.