Pilot S00E01 Good News, Bad News

48. S04E08 - The Cheever Letters

Guest Stars: Warren Frost (Mr. Henry Ross) Grace Zabriskie (Mrs. Ross) Lisa Malkiewicz (Sandra) Miguel Perez (Luis) Vanessa Marquez (Receptionist) Timothy Omundson (Ricky Ross) Patricia Lee Willson (Sara Ross) David Blackwood (Doorman) Heidi Swedberg (Susan)

Jerry and George begin to work on the pilot for the series they pitched to NBC. Jerry says the wrong thing while "messing" around with one of Elaine's co-workers. George & Susan tell her father about the cabin fire, he becomes distraught and letters saved from the fire soon explain why. Kramer goes to the Cuban Embassy in search of cigars and makes a deal.

b: 28-Oct-92 pc: 408 w: Larry David s: Larry David and Elaine Pope & Tom Leopold d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Warren Frost and Grace Zabriskie both appeared on David Lynch and Mark Frost's series Twin Peaks. Another Twin Peaks cast member joins Grace and Warren in an appearance in "The Rye".
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49. S04E09 - The Opera

Guest Stars: Ross Evans (Mr. Reichman) Hariet S. Miller (Mrs. Reichman) Bill Saluga (Usher) Tom Celli (Man #1) Jason Wingreen (Man #2) Glen Chin (Man #3) Peter Crombie ("Crazy" Joe) Heidi Swedberg (Susan)

"Crazy" Joe leaves Jerry a message saying he will put the "kibosh" on him. Kramer has tickets for the opera, Pagliacci, and everyone is going including Elaine and her boyfriend "Crazy" Joe. Elaine drops in on Joe's apartment and is she surprised by what she discovers, so she maces him with cherry Binaca and ends their relationship. Susan can't attend, so George tries to scalp her ticket. Joe, a big fan of Pagliacci, comes to the opera in clown garb; Elaine and Jerry attend together not realizing their different estranged relationships with Joe.

b: 04-Nov-92 pc: 409 w: Larry Charles d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Bill Saluga is best remembered for a character he played in Vegas and on variety television. That character was Raymond J. Johnson Jr.. "Oh you don't have to call me Johnson. Now my name is Raymond J. Johnson Jr. You can call me Ray or you can call me...". You get the idea! Also in the late '70s, Bill released a disco album called "Disco Johnson."
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50. S04E10 - The Virgin

Guest Stars: Jane Leeves (Marla) Anne Twomey (Rita) Heidi Swedberg (Susan) Kevin Page (Stu) Ping Wu (Ping) Leah Lail (Stacy) Peter Blood (Jay) Derya Ruggles (Woman in Bar) Dayna Winston (Carol) Julie Blum (Receptionist)

After much procrastination, George and Jerry strain to think of an idea for their TV series a few hours before a meeting with NBC executives. Jerry finds out a girl he once met is still a virgin, and later Elaine educates her about men after sex. George wants to end his relationship with Susan so he can exploit his writing profession as a pick-up line. Elaine runs into a Chinese delivery boy. Kramer watches too much television.

b: 11-Nov-92 pc: 410 w: Peter Mehlman s: Peter Mehlman and Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Following the broadcast of this episode Michael Richards played Kramer on an episode of Mad About You. It starred Paul Reiser & Helen Hunt. In the episode called "The Apartment," Reiser must get rid of his old apartment, that it seems Kramer has been subletting from him. However, in the first episode of the seventh season, George and Susan are seen watching and commenting on an episode of Mad About You. See also the NOTE associated with "Good News, Bad News."
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51. S04E11 - The Contest

Guest Stars: Jane Leeves (Marla) Ilana Levine (Joyce) Rachel Sweet (Shelly) Andrea Parker (Nurse) Estelle Harris (Estelle Constanza)

George's mother throws her back out when she falls down after catching him doing "you know." When George says he'll never do it again, Jerry challenges him to a contest of self-denial, when he accepts, Elaine and Kramer want in on the action, or rather the lack of it.

b: 18-Nov-92 pc: 411 w: Larry David d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Thanks to this episode, the series won the Emmy for best Comedy, Writing and Supporting Actor (Michael Richards). The episode was based in a real life experience of writer Larry David.

Tom Cherones won the Director's Guild of America Award for this episode. This episode was based on a real contest that Larry David participated in.

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52. S04E12 - The Airport

Guest Stars: Jennifer Campbell (Tia) Scott Burkholder (Prisoner) Jim J. Bullock (Attendant #1) Allan Wasserman (Grossbard) Lenny Rose (Passenger #1) Karen Denise Williams (Attendant #2) Annie Korzen (Passenger #2) Deck McKenzie (Security Guard) Maggie Egan (Ticket Clerk) Mark Christopher Lawrence (Sky Cap) Jack Graiman (Cop) William Evan Masters (Driver)

When their flight home gets canceled, Jerry & Elaine gets on another flight, the latter gets cramped into coach and Jerry parties in 1st class with a model. George and Kramer go between JFK and La Guardia to pick them up. When they settle on an airport George meets a convict and Kramer sees a man who owes him $240 from years ago.

b: 25-Nov-92 pc: 412 w: Larry Charles d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Larry Charles makes a cameo appearance as the guy who stinks up the bathroom before Elaine goes in. Thanks to Greg Gattuso for this tidbit. Greg is author of The Seinfeld Universe.

Viewer Paul Brackett, who must work in the airline industry, notes the following:

"They were flying from St. Louis to JFK, then to LGA. Only TWA flies these routes non-stop. They showed 2 ground shots of the aircraft, and both of the ground shots were of a Southwest airlines Boeing 737. Then they showed the plane in flight a couple of times, both shots were of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9. Then they showed the interior of the coach section, in which the colors of the seats and the configuration resembled the interior of a Delta coach plane, with 3-3 seating. Both the 737 and the DC-9 are 3-2 seating. Then they showed the interior of the first class section, which looked like the interior of a Continental DC-10 First class section, based on seating arrangements and color of the seats. One would think that folks in the TV industry would fly enough to notice these things!"

A St. Louis based viewer, Randy Canis notes that Jerry and Elaine are not at the real Lambert Field. I wouldn't expect them to be, that would be too expensive to film and only viewers familiar with the airport would ever notice.

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53. S04E13 - The Pick

Guest Stars: Jennifer Campbell (Tia) Gina Hecht (Dana Foley) Nicholas Hormann (Calvin) Tony Carlin (Fred) Francois Giroday (Male Executive) Blaire Baron (Female Executive) Steve Schubert (Man in Office) Heidi Swedberg (Susan) Wayne Knight (Newman)

Elaine is humiliated when she accidentally shows a bit too much on her Christmas card photo, that she has sent out to everyone she knows. Jerry has a date with the model from the plane, she later dumps Jerry because of "The Pick." George tries to reunite with Susan, but realizes it's a mistake, and uses "The Pick". Kramer goes to Calvin Klein to complain about "The Ocean," a fragrance they stole from him, and is asked to pose for a risqué underwear advertisement.

b: 16-Dec-92 pc: 413 w: Larry David s: Larry David and Marc Jaffe d: Tom Cherones

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54. S04E14 - The Movie

Guest Stars: Barry Diamond (Buckles) Perry Anzilotti (Usher) Tom La Grua (Kernis) Eric Poppick (Maurice) Cathy Lind Hayes (Woman Behind Elaine) Allan Kolman (Cab Driver) Molly Cleator (Cashier) Christie Mellor (Concessionaire) Jeff Norman (Man in Line) Paul Eisenhauer (Man in Theatre) Montrose Hagins (Woman in Theatre)

Jerry tries to make two show dates and afterwards go to the movie theater to meet everyone. George gets in the wrong line for tickets. George, Elaine & Kramer decide to go to another theater to see the movie. Kramer waits outside for Jerry but also wants a hot dog. Jerry misses his first show, then goes to movie theater to tell everyone he won't make the movie, but no one is there. Through a comedy of errors, everyone (but Kramer) misses the movie, they were originally going to see.

b: 06-Jan-93 pc: 415 w: Steve Skrovan & Bill Masters & Jon Hayman d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: According to viewer Jim Gilhooly, writer Steve Skrovan appears in an uncredited cameo as the man with the white hat that sits next to Elaine at the movie.
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55. S04E15 - The Visa

Guest Stars: Brian George (Babu Bhatt) Maggie Han (Cheryl) Ping Wu (Ping) John Hamelin (Babu's Brother) Gerry Bednob (Babu's Friend)

George meets a Chinese female lawyer who thinks he is real funny; so he tells Jerry not to be funny around her, but she becomes attracted to this. Kramer returns early from baseball fantasy camp, where he accidentally punched Mickey Mantle. A mix-up with Jerry's mail causes Babu to be arrested for not renewing his visa. Jerry tries to get the lawyer to help Babu, but George's honesty when his relationship is threatened causes Babu to be deported and Elaine to still be sued by the delivery boy she hit.

b: 27-Jan-93 pc: 414 w: Peter Mehlman d: Tom Cherones

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56. S04E16 - The Shoes

Guest Stars: Gina Hecht (Dana (Foley)) Anita Barone (Gail Cunningham) Michael Ornstein (Waiter) Denise Lee Richards (Molly) Bob Balaban (Russell)

Jerry and George struggle to keep their idea for a TV series alive, one of their problems is they don't know how to do the Elaine character. Jerry meets an old girlfriend he never could kiss, later Kramer gets the opportunity. The ex-girlfriend talks about Elaine's shoes, mainly because she wants them. George is caught staring at the cleavage of the daughter of the NBC executive who is approving their script. Elaine's cleavage provides a means to turn the tables on him.

b: 04-Feb-93 pc: 417 w: Larry David & Jerry Seinfeld d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Viewer Jeff Holland notes that it took Jerry and George a while to get around to adding a female to their pilot, just like it took Jerry and Larry to do.
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57. S04E17 - The Outing
Guest Stars: Paula Marshall (Sharon) Kari Coleman (Allison) Anthony Mangano (Sailor) Ben Reed (Male Nurse) Lawrence A. Mandley (Manager) Charley Garrett (Man #1) Deck McKenzie (Scott) David Gibbs (Man #2) Liz Sheridan (Helen) Barney Martin (Morty) Estelle Harris (Estelle)
No thanks to Elaine, Jerry must work hard to prove he is straight when a college reporter mistakenly reports that he and George are gay, "not that there is anything wrong with that." Things really get out of hand when the article is picked up by the New York Post.

b: 11-Feb-93 pc: 416 w: Larry Charles d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Viewer Jerry Balsam notes in this episode that Estelle claims to have been helped up by the super; however, we all know that the Costanzas live in a house in Queens.

Kyle Westphal notes George's comment about having to wait for his girlfriend to die. Of course, she becomes his fiancée first and then she does die, in "The Invitations."

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58. S04E18 - The Old Man

Guest Stars: Bill Erwin (Sid Fields) Tobin Bell (Ron) Robert Donley (Ben Cantwell) Lanei Chapman (Housekeeper) Victoria Dillard (Agency Rep) Jerry Hauck (Tim) Wayne Knight (Newman)

Jerry, Elaine & George volunteer to help the elderly. Jerry gets assigned to a nasty old man. Elaine is repulsed by the goiter problems of hers and George depresses his charge. Kramer and Newman try the business of selling old records to a used record store. Jerry loses track of his man when they try to take him to the dentist to repair his dentures, after the man had bitten Kramer's arm.

b: 18-Feb-93 pc: 418 w: Bruce Kirschbaum s: Larry Charles d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Viewer Eric Scheffel notes that old man's name is Sid Fields. This was the name of the landlord on the The Abbott & Costello Show. Which of featured Jerry's two favorite comedians, Bud Abbott & Lou Costello. In fact on 24 Nov 94, instead of an episode of Seinfeld being on, Jerry hosted a one hour special about the duo. The special was called Abbott & Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld.

Viewer Gerry Myerson notes that the other old man was named Ben Cantwell. Baseball trivia buffs recognize this as the name of a pitcher for the Boston Braves, who lost 25 games in 1935. No one has lost that many games in a season since then.

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59. S04E19 - The Implant

Guest Stars: Megan Mullally (Betsy) Carol Rosenthal (Ticket Clerk #1) Donald Bishop (Dr. Allenwood) Teri Hatcher (Sidra) Tony Amendola (Sal Bass (Rushdie)) Kieran Mulroney (Timmy) Peggy Stewart (Aunt May) Bruce E. Morrow (Father Jessup) Susan Beaubian (Ticket Clerk #2)

Jerry dumps his girlfriend after Elaine says her figure is the result of implants. Kramer claims to have seen Salman Rushdie at the health club. By accident Elaine later discovers the breasts are real. George accompanies his current girlfriend to Detroit for her aunt's wake. While there he tries to get a copy of her death certificate so he can get a 50% discount on the airfare.

b: 25-Feb-93 pc: 419 w: Peter Mehlman d: Tom Cherones

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60. S04E20 - The Junior Mint

Guest Stars: Susan Walters (Mystery Woman) Sherman Howard (Roy) Victor Raider-Wexler (Doctor)

Jerry has a date with a woman whose name he has forgotten, but it "rhymes with a female body part." Could it be "Mulva"? Elaine visits an old boyfriend who's in the hospital for an operation; he was once fat, thin she's interested again. Kramer gets an opportunity to witness the operation and he drags Jerry along, while watching they have an accident with a "Junior Mint."

b: 18-Mar-93 pc: 421 w: Andy Robin d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Her name is... I can't tell you everything! However, if you must know, see "The Foundation," where she returns assuming that Jerry has grown up.

This episode sparked a lawsuit from an employee of a company located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The employee claims that this company allegedly used the following incident as an excuse to fire him. He discussed this episode with a female co-worker. She didn't get the joke. So he provided a photocopy of a dictionary definition of the body part in question so he wouldn't have to say it.

As a follow-up to this story, the guy won his case, though the company plans to appeal.

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61. S04E21 - The Smelly Car

Guest Stars: Michael Des Barres (Restaurateur) Nick Bakay (Carl) Kari Coleman (Allison) Taylor Negron (Hairdresser) Courtney Gains (Clerk) Raf Mauro (Car Washer) Viveka Davis (Mona) Robert Noble (Salesman) Patricia Place (Wife) Walt Beaver (Husband) Heidi Swedberg (Susan)

The strong body odor of a valet is left in Jerry's car. George can't believe it when he spots Susan holding hands with another woman. Elaine loses her current boyfriend and Jerry is forced to try to sell the car, because the odor has taken a life of its own and permeated everything. George is turned by Susan's new outlook on life. Susan's friend is swayed to heterosexuality by Kramer, though later turned back off by a whiff of a jacket that Kramer borrowed from Jerry. When the car can't be sold, Jerry winds up leaving it and the keys out on the street.

b: 15-Apr-93 pc: 422 w: Larry David & Peter Mehlman d: Tom Cherones

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62. S04E22 - The Handicap Spot

Guest Stars: John Randolph (Frank Costanza (see NOTE)) Richard Portnow (Ray) Kathy Kinney (Angry Woman) Rick Overton (The Drake) Nancy Lenehan (Volunteer) Elizabeth Dennehy (Allison) Fritzi Burr (Maj-Jongg Lady #1) Norma Janis (Maj-Jongg Lady #2) Ina Parker (Maj-Jongg Lady #3) Marvin Braverman (Cop) David Blackwood (Security Guard) Eric Fleeks (Kicker) Donna Evans (Lula) Estelle Harris (Estelle) Jerry Stiller (Frank)

Going out to buy an engagement party present for "The Drake," George parks his father's car in a handicap parking spot, after taking Kramer's advice. An angry mob trashes the vehicle when a disabled woman gets injured, because of the illegal parking. While visiting the woman at the hospital, Kramer falls in love and feels compelled to replace the wheelchair. George becomes his father's butler after his father gets arrested for parking in the spot.

b: 13-May-93 pc: 420 w: Larry David d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: The U.S. syndicated version of this episode features Jerry Stiller in the role of Frank Costanza. Viewers overseas, still see John Randolph in the role. The sequences were re-shot in the spring of 1995. A role he didn't formally start until the next season in "The Puffy Shirt". I've been typed that the John Randolph version is still being seen overseas.

Viewer Jerry Balsam notes that in this episode, Kramer was referred to as a "hipster doofus," which is an inside joke Larry David wrote in response to a review of the series by Francis Davis that appeared in the December 1992 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. In the review, Davis describes one of the characters as "Jerry's across-the-hall neighbor, a hipster doofus known simply as Kramer." See the article at the Atlantic Monthly's website.

Viewer Ross Raniere seems to remember some controversy surrounding this episode before it was first aired. There was some backlash and offense taken at the plot. It was written in an article that it may not be aired. Given the production code of the episode, I would suggest that the airing of the episode was delayed and perhaps some of the content adjusted to appease the critics. Anyone have any details?

Overseas viewer Baptiste has noticed that in this episode Jerry says that he wants to buy a yoyo. In the "The Junior Mint", he has one and he is learning to play with it (we actually see him try and try, explaining that he is just learning): an example of losing something when episodes are shown out of production order.

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63. S04E23 - The Pilot (1)

Guest Stars: Mariska Hargitay (Melissa Shannon) Anne Twomey (Rita) Gina Hecht (Dana Foley) Jeremy Piven (Michael Barth (TV George)) Larry Hankin (Tom Pepper (TV Kramer)) Kevin Page (Stu) Laura Waterbury (Casting Director) Elena Wohl (Sandi Robbins (TV Elaine)) Bruce Jarchow (Doctor) Al Ruscio (Manager) Richard Gant (Fred) Peter Blood (Jay) Roger Rose (Mark) Samantha Dorman (Waitress) Erick Avari (Cabbie) Bob Shaw (Paul) Stephen Burrows (David) Bob Balaban (Russell) Peter Crombie ("Crazy" Joe)

Jerry and George get the green light to produce Jerry, the pilot for the series based on their "nothing" lives. Russell Dalrimple, the president at NBC behind the pilot, is obsessed with Elaine. George is obsessed with a white spot on his lip and a box of raisins taken by actor playing Kramer. The real Kramer has an internal plumbing problem and on his way to fix it, he gets delayed and is caused to "miss his chance." Jerry has an audition with the new "Elaine," a method actress interested in being Elaine in every way. The real Elaine has a problem with the coffee shop, they appear to be only hiring buxom waitresses, so she tries to get hired and files a report.

b: 20-May-93 pc: 423 w: Larry David d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Originally broadcast as part of a 60 min episode.
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64. S04E24 - The Pilot (2)

Guest Stars: Anne Twomey (Rita) Jeremy Piven (Michael Barth (TV George)) Larry Hankin (Tom Pepper (TV Kramer)) Kevin Page (Stu) Elena Wohl (Sandi Robbins (TV Elaine)) Al Ruscio (Manager) Richard Gant (Fred) Peter Blood (Jay) Brian Bradley (Butler) Bob Shaw (Paul) Deborah Swisher (1st AD) Jeff Oetjen (Wilton) Pat Hazell (Himself) Kari Coleman (Allison) Bill Erwin (Sid) Lanei Chapman (Housekeeper) Jane Leeves (Marla) Unknown (John-John) Rick Overton (The Drake) Elizabeth Dennehy (Allison) Maggie Han (Cheryl) Ping Wu (Ping) Brian Doyle-Murray (Mel) Carol Mansell (Mother) Jon Hayman (Voice of Donald) Jennifer Campbell (Tia) Nicholas Hormann (Calvin) Teri Hatcher (Sidra) Tony Amendola (Sal Bass (Rushdie)) Larry David (Man on Raft (uncredited)) Bob Balaban (Russell) Peter Crombie ("Crazy" Joe) Heidi Swedberg (Susan) Barney Martin (Morty) Liz Sheridan (Helen) Wayne Knight (Newman)

Rehearsals for the pilot begin. Russell's obsession with Elaine begins to affect his work. George asks TV Kramer about the raisins. The real Kramer might be forced to work on his plumbing problem by using the "dreaded apparatus." Elaine gets an investigation started on the owner of the diner. George gets the results of the biopsy of his white spot. At the taping of the pilot, Elaine sneaks in disguised and "Crazy" Joe jumps out of the audience. Elaine finds Morty's wallet in Jerry's couch. Everyone from the past season comments on the pilot as it's broadcast, they all think it's great. When Russell disappears, the fate of the pilot is in the hands of the new president, a person convinced that Jerry can't act.

b: 20-May-93 pc: 424 w: Larry David d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: Originally broadcast as part of a 60 min episode. The major characters from the past season that make comments on the pilot were not credited for this episode; however, we know who most of them were, so I've included their credit for this episode.
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Season 5
65. S05E01 - The Mango
Guest Stars: Lisa Edelstein (Karen) Leonard Termo (Joe) Veralyn Jones (Renee)
George tells Jerry about his lack of confidence below "the equator." Jerry begs Elaine for another chance when he finds out she faked her orgasms. Kramer gets banned from his favorite fruit shop.

b: 16-Sep-93 pc: 501 w: Lawrence H. Levy & Buck Dancer s: Lawrence H. Levy d: Tom Cherones

NOTE: The co-writing credit for the teleplay that was credited to Buck Dancer, is changed to Larry David in the syndicated reruns. Larry must have decided to use a pseudonym for the original broadcast. Buck is also the first name George would use if he was a porn star, the full name being Buck Naked.
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66. S05E02 - The Puffy Shirt

Guest Stars: Wendel Meldrum (Leslie) David Brisbin (Client) Bryant Gumbel (Himself) Deborah May (Elsa) Michael Mitz (Photographer) Kim Gillingham (Assistant) Terence Riggins (Stage Manager) Ron Ross (Homeless Man) Estelle Harris (Estelle) Jerry Stiller (Frank)

George is forced to move in with his parents. He gets a job as a hand model and becomes obsessed with keeping his hands safe. Kramer's girlfriend, who designs clothes and talks with a real low voice, asks Jerry a question that he politely answers yes to. He agrees to wear one of her new puffy pirate shirts on a Today Show appearance he is making.

b: 23-Sep-93 pc: 503 w: Larry David d: Tom Cherones

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