‘Seinfeld’ hits Netflix, however some jokes have been cropped out of view | Engadget

Classic ’90s sitcom Seinfeld simply landed on Netflix after a six-year run on Hulu. Given that the present was filmed years earlier than HD was a factor, it was initially displayed in a 4:3 facet ratio on TV (and the DVD units that got here years later). But on Netflix, the present has been cropped right into a 16:9 widescreen format to suit on fashionable TVs. As noted by Rolling Stone, which means some visible gags have actually been erased. 

Twitter customers @boriskarkov and @Thatoneguy64 succinctly identified the issue with a selected episode known as “The Pothole.” In the episode, George Costanza and Jerry Seinfeld are looking for George’s misplaced keys, which have been dropped in a pothole that was then paved over. In a crop the place George wildly yells on the pothole, the Netflix crop removes the pothole solely. The 16:9 facet ratio most likely additionally cuts out another gags within the sequence — or on the very least, it may be a jarring expertise for individuals used to how the present initially appeared.

Of course, this is not a brand new downside. Crops of Seinfeld have been on cable TV for years, and Hulu additionally confirmed the sequence in 16:9, as properly. Given Netflix’s recognition, Seinfeld is getting a lot of additional consideration proper now, and thus a bunch of recent viewers are most likely checking it out who won’t have seen it on Hulu. The same controversy occurred in late 2019 when the whole run of The Simpsons hit Disney+. After loads of complaints about missed visible gags, Disney ultimately launched the seasons that aired in 4:3 of their authentic facet ratio. Hopefully Netflix will do the identical factor with Seinfeld — however within the meantime, as with many basic reveals, probably the most genuine strategy to watch them might be on DVD.