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Episode #416 -- "The Outing"
Originally Aired: Thursday, February 11, 1993, 9:30PM
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Production Credits:
Supervising Producer ................. Larry Charles
Supervising Producer ................. Tom Cherones
Executive Producer ................... Andrew Sherman
Created By ........................... Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld
Written By ........................... Larry Charles
Directed By .......................... Tom Cherones
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Cast:
Jerry Seinfeld ....................... Jerry Seinfeld (well, duh!)
George Castanza ...................... Jason Alexander
Elaine Benes ......................... Julia Louis-Drefus
Kramer ............................... Michael Richards
With:
Sharon Leonard ....................... Paula Marshall
Allison .............................. Kari Coleman
Helen Seinfeld ....................... Liz Sheridan
Morty Seinfeld ....................... Barney Martin
Estelle Castanza ..................... Estelle Harris
And:
Sailor ............................... Anthony Mangano
Male Nurse ........................... Ben Reed
Manager .............................. Lawrence A. Mandley
Man #1 ............................... Charley Garrett
Scott ................................ Deck Mckenzie
Man #2 ............................... David Gibbs
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Previous episode references:
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Episode 411 - "The Contest"
o The sponge bath scene
Richard L. Trionfo notes:
o Didn't two people get Elaine the same gift for her birthday?
o The scene with Jerry explaining to the reporter about George's babbling
about being gay reminded me of the virgin reacting to the contest
between the four.
o The obsession to jackets (Kramer)
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Net reaction and comments:
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o First off, I'll just note that 37 of the posts since last week's show
contained the line "Not that there's anything wrong with that".
o General net.consensus was that this one of the best episodes ever,
certainly the best since "The Contest". Oliver Postlethwaite
disagrees somewhat: "Now don't get me wrong, I liked the show, but
after all the hype I was expecting more. It nowhere near touches "The
Contest". There were some great scenes, like when George challenged
the reporter to have sex with him and the reversed reference to the
sponge bath. But if I hear "Not that there's anyhting wrong with that"
one more time I'll cry. And NO this is not an invitation for someone
to follow-up with that remark!"
o Many posters wondered about Elaine's refusal to take off her parka. A
few theories as to why include:
o Elizabeth G. Levy:
"NYC apartments are generally heated by a very fickle steam
system: either you have virtually no heat, or you feel you're in
the tropics. I suppose Elaine might have been cold from some
quirk in the heat, but then Jerry had no problems.
Interestingly, I'm under the impression that only a tiny
minority of New Yorkers actually wear parkas (dark overcoats
being de rigueur). I suppose that coat would be about as unique
as her shoes."
o Robert N. Talbert:
"I didn't think it was a strictly New York thing (like a guy
who's never been further north than Baltimore would know
anything about New York) -- doesn't it bug you when you ask
someone to take their coat off, and then they don't? Doesn't it
make you feel like they are trying to assert some kind of
DOMINANCE OVER YOU??!? REFUSING YOUR POLITE REQUESTS TO THE
POINT WHERE YOU MIGHT JUST WANT TO SLAP THEM SILLY WITH A
CHAINSAW??!"
o Young-Sup Lee:
"here's my elaine coat theory: something must have happened to
elaine's intended "costume" for that scene, e.g. spilled
something on it. the crew was working overtime, so someone
suggested she put a coat on over it. then in the middle of the
scene, jerry does an ad-lib: "why don't you take off your coat?"
it was so funny that they decide to keep it in other scenes...
only clue: JLD's subtle smirk and the notion of other apparent
ad-libs, e.g. jerry's "what did you say?" when someone mutters
under his/her breath."
o Mike Contento:
"I could be wrong, but I thought it was because she had Jerry's
gift hidden under her coat and had to sneak out of the apartment
with it when Kramer gave Jerry the same present (the telephone).
I'm not sure why she wouldn't take it off in the reporters
office..."
o Jon Conrad:
"My take on this is that Elaine (as has been established) just
doesn't like to be bossed around. If she feels (even on a whim
of the moment) like somebody is trying to control her, then she
gets very stubborn. She started out keeping her parka on "just
because" -- maybe because she felt comfortable and she was
leaving in a minute anyway. Then when it became an "issue," she
was more and more determined to stick to her guns -- nobody is
going to tell HER what to wear or not to wear! (Shades of
having her shoes talked about.) Then when it came up again in a
later scene, she was more determined yet; why should she have to
take off her parka if she doesn't want to? Like a lot of
incidents in the show, it doesn't have any deep significance
except as examples of how ornery we can get sometimes just
because we feel like it."
o Others thought that JLD was pregnant, but this was refuted by
numerous others.
o Ben Scott muses:
"What's the deal with George's new girlfriend, though? It's like he's
got a new girl every week and he's always trying to get rid of them."
and:
"The show is becoming more and more plot-dependant for its humor
lately, I've noticed. I mean, for a show about "nothing", it's sure
getting elaborate. Not that there's anyt- (mmph!)"
o John Andrea and I seem to share the same thinking:
"Seems to me that the "Not anything wrong with that" episode is based
on the typical premise of many sit-coms 'backfired joke & a
misunderstanding'. Just about every "Three's Company" episode used
it. But in Seinfeld it was much more believable, and much better
done. And they managed to make it funny too."
o For Mike Murphy, "it would have to be Noriega."
o A few posters pondered whether or not Jerry is gay in real life, or
at least mistakenly been romoured to be. Earl Scott Seifert cites
much evidence to support that Jerry is, or at least could be.
o Julius Malixi adds credence to the Kramer Fan Club: "I can't believe
that someone who doesn't hardly even say a word, can really make me
laugh."
o Kevin Perry saw the episode as an occasion to call for George's death:
"Up until last night's show, I have been ambivalent about the George
bashing that's been going on in this newsgroup. But when he walked
in on Jerry's date with the reporter and kept trying to use Jerry to
convince his girlfriend that he's gay, I had enough. George was
funny when he just screwed up his own life, but lately he's been
screwing up Jerry's as well.
o A mystery user (saxxx001@staff.tc.umn.edu) wonders what I wonder:
"When Kramer entered the apartment to give Jerry his gift, it sounded
like he said "Faruba!". Does this mean "Happy Birthday" in some
other language? I've been exclaiming it all day, and nobody has
slapped me yet, so I assume it's harmless."
o Rabindra.P notes a possible continuity problem:
"How did George and his girl friend get into Jerry's apartment when he
was making out with the NYU reporter. I thought that one had to be
buzzed in thro' the main door in his apartment complex."
o Ross Waring comments:
"Well that has to be the best, most intelligently written gay humor I
have ever seen on TV. As someone who is single, thin, and neat, I am
very impressed with the consistently good writing on this program.
I wonder if Jerry was in imminent danger of being outed by a tabloid
and so he took the opportunity to defuse the situation with a
preemptive program. In any event, I look forward to more classy gay
humor (in stark contrast to the crap that "In Living Color" comes out
with)."
o Much ballyhoo has been put forth as to what George was drinking when
Sharon comes into the apartment. Possibilities include Valilla Egg
Cream Soda (Howard A. Rumjahn), among others. One thing's for sure:
"it sure as hell wasn't a Snapple" (DR JAZZ).
o Ted Schuerzinger clears up the culotte query:
"I believe it's spelled "culotte" as in the French Revolutionary group
the "Sans Culottes" so named because they refused to wear the breeches
that were the French fashion of the time.
o Dave Vernest asks:
"What's the deal with the constant "Not that there's anything wrong
with that" that always comes after any reference to homosexuality?
Is this merely for laughs, or could it be NBC's way of protecting
itself from backlashes by pesky special-interest groups?? Huh?, do we
see an ulterior motive here?"
o Sean Erwin responds:
"To me, this was funny cause of the underlying hypocrisy. Seinfeld or
Kramer or someone would say something that would indicate that they
are obviously uncomfortable with being labelled as gay, or that one
of their friends or relatives might be gay, and then say "not that
there's anything wrong with that" in an attempt to reassure
themselves and each other that it's not really a big deal, despite all
the fuss they are making about it. I think this reflects heterosexual
society as a whole in America right now, as heterosexuals realize
that feeling threatened by the fact that gay people exist is
irrational, and when, after a moments thought, can say "there's
nothing wrong with it," but still the initial gut reaction is
negative."
o Richard Rees adds:
"...what was really great about the show, what was the source of the
comedy, was the way the show, I think, made fun of homophobia by
making fun of the characters' fears of becoming, or being seen as
gay--hence when Jerry got a Bette Midler CD and tickets to "a lavish
Broadway musical" etc.--it was funny that these things suddenly took
on these "scary" implications that Jerry was gay by association. What
the show plays on is the suddenly fragile line opened up in those
instances between straight and gay sexuality that men, especially,
like to think is very solid."
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Quotes and Scene summary:
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% Opening monologue...
Jerry: I don't know about you, but I'm getting sick of pretending to be excited
every time it's somebody's birthday, you know what I mean? What is the
big deal? How many times do we have to celebrate that someone was born?
Every year, over and over... All you did was not die for twelve months.
That's all you've done, as far as I can tell. Now those astrology
things where they tell you all the people that have the same birthday as
you? It's always an odd group of people too, isn't it? It's like Ed
Asner, Elijah Muhammed and Secretariat.
[End of opening monologue -- Time 0:26]
% The scene opens with George dropping off his date for the night. She
% obviously has had a wonderful evening...
Allison: I don't want to *live*! I don't want to *live*!
George: Because of me? You must be joking! Who wouldn't want to live because
of me? I'm nothing!
Allison: No... You're *something*.
George: You can do better than me. You could throw a dart out the window and
hit someone better than me. I'm no good!
Allison: You're good. You're *good*!
George: I'm bad. I'm *bad*!
Allison: You're *killing* me!
% We cut to Monk's where G+J+E are dining (it being a diner, and all). Jerry
% is over making aphone call while G+E talk at the table.
George: So what could I do? I couldn't go through with it. She threatened
to kill herself.
Elaine: Over you?
George: Yes. Why, is that so inconceivable?
% Er, George, I don't think that word means what you think it means...
% Cut to Jerry who is over at the phone trying to get Sharon Leanord at NYU.
% Meanwhile, Elaine and George exchange thoughts on what they got Jerry for
% his birthday.
George: I got two tickets to see "Guys And Dolls".
Elaine: I got him a two-line phone.
% Jerry returns to the booth and explains the phone call.
Jerry: Unbelievable! She's not there.
George: What paper does she write for?
Jerry: The works for the NYU school newspaper. She's a grad student in
journalism. Never been to a comedy club. Never even seen me, has
no idea who I am.
Elaine: Never even seen you? Gotta kinda envy that...
Jerry: Y'know, you've been developing quite the acid-tongue lately...
Elaine: [Proudly] Really?
% The camera pans out some so that we can see the three at their table and
% a girl sitting with her back to George at the next table. She starts to
% become interested in what the people behind her are talking about as Elaine
% pops the following philosophical dilemma to her companions:
Elaine: Hey, who do you think is the most unattractive world leader?
Jerry: Living or all time?
Elaine: All time.
Jerry: Well, if it's all time, then there's no contest. It begins and ends
with Brezhnev.
Elaine: I dunno. You ever get a good look at Degaulle?
George: Lyndon Johnson was uglier than Degaulle.
Elaine: I got news for you. Golda Meir could make 'em all run up a tree.
% Elaine notices the woman sitting behind George is eavesdropping on their
% conversation and discreetly alerts J+G. She decides to add some spice to
% the conversation. The makes sure to say it loud enough so that the spy
% at the next table is sure to hear...
Elaine: Y'know, just because you two are homosexuals, so what? I mean you
should just come out of the closet and be openly gay already.
% Jerry rolls his eyes and turns away in disbelief while George on the other
% hand addresses Jerry directly:
George: So, whaddya say? You know you'll always be the only man I'll ever love.
Jerry: [indignantly] What's the matter with you?
George: [quietly] C'mon, go along...
Jerry: I'm not goin' along. I can just see you in Berlin in 1939 goose-
stepping past me: "C'mon Jerry, go along, go along..."
% Elaine dismisses Jerry as a big poop for not playing along, and Jerry raises
% a topic while the eavesdropper gets up and goes to make a phone call.
Jerry: Y'know I hear that all the time.
Elaine: Hear what?
Jerry: That I'm gay. People think I'm gay.
Elaine: Yeah, you know people ask me that about you, too.
Jerry: Yeah, 'cuz I'm single, I'm thin and I'm neat.
Elaine: And you get along well with women.
George: I guess that leaves me in the clear...
% Meanwhile over at the phone booth, the eavesdropper reveals that she is one
% Sharon Leonard and she's calling the newspaper that she got to the diner
% late and missed out on meeting up with Jerry. As she's hanging up, George
% and Jerry make a trip to the bathroom (have two guys ever actually gone to
% the bathroom together? Hmmmm...)
% We switch back to Jerry's apartment. Jerry's unpacking groceries (no cereal
% to be seen) and George comes in.
George: I just thought of a great name for myself, if I ever become a porno
actor.
Jerry: Oh yeah, what? "Buck Naked"?
George: Yeah, how did you know that?
Jerry: You told me that already like two months ago.
% George is obviously disappointed that his name didn't go over "bigger" and he
% gets Jerry's opinion on a tres-gauche shirt. Jerry is less than impressed.
George: Allison bought it for me.
Jerry: How you gonna get out of *that* one?
George: I dunno. I guess I have to wait for her to die.
% Sharon buzzes and comes up to Jerry's apartment. George decides to stay.
% There's a knock at the door and when Jerry answers it, the two decide if
% they've ever met before. It's pretty obvious Sharon remembers Jerry and
% George as that "funny" couple from Monk's. Jerry hasn't placed her face,
% however. Sharon is introduced to George and...
Jerry: He's gonna hang around if that's alright with you?
Sharon: Sure, I'd like to talk to him, too.
% Sharon asks Jerry if he does anything besides stand-up and when Jerry replies
% that he and George are doing a pilot for NBC, Sharon says "oh, so you also
% work together." which seems to puzzle Jerry a bit. Before another question
% can be asked, George has helped himself to some fruit...
George: Jerry did you wash this pear?
Jerry: Yeah, I washed it.
George: It looks like it hasn't been washed.
Jerry: So *wash* *it*.
George: You hear the way he talks to me?
Sharon: You should hear how *my* boyfriend talks to me...
% Again, Jerry seems confused as to what Sharon is saying. Something's not
% quite right... But, before another question can be asked, again George
% has a question-- this time for Sharon...
Geroge: Let me ask you something. What do you think of this shirt?
Sharon: It's nice.
George: Jerry said he didn't like it.
Jerry: I didn't say I didn't like it. I said it was O.K...
George: No, you said you didn't like it...
Jerry: Oh, so what if I don't like it. Is that like the end of the world, or
something?
% Bombardier... Open bomb doors. The big one is about to be dropped...
Sharon: So how did you two meet?
Jerry: Actually, we met in the gym locker room.
George: Yeah. Actually it was in gym class. I was trying to climb the ropes
and Jerry was spotting me. I kept slipping and burning my thighs and
then finally I slipped and fell on Jerry's head. We've been close ever
since.
% George takes a hold of Jerry's leg to stress the point and Sharon, who
% obviously thinks she has a real story here now, asks another question:
Sharon: Do you guys live together?
Jerry: [quizzically] Live together?
George: No, I got my own place.
% Jerry is about *this* close (picture my thumb and forefinger *really* close
% together) to figuring out what is going on here, when the "question fatale"
% is asked:
Sharon: And do your parents know?
Jerry: Know *what*?
George: My parents? They don't know *what's* goin' on...
% It's at this point, I *swear* I heard a big clunk noise in Jerry's head as
% his eyes light up like sunbeams. Sherlock Seinfeld has solved the mystery.
% (Actually, since he took so long to figure it out he's probably closer to
% Encyclopedia Brown than Sherlock Holmes, but I'll give him the benefit of
% the doubt. Heck, it usually took the guys on "Three's Company" 25 minutes
% to figure out something this complex...)
Jerry: Oh God, you're that girl in the coffee shop that was eavesdropping on
us. I *knew* you looked familiar!
% All three rise from the couch and a rather excited J+G try to explain things
% to a very confused reporter.
Jerry: There's been a big misunderstanding here! We did that whole thing
for your benefit. We knew you were eavesdropping. That's why my
friend said all that. It was on purpose! We're not gay! Not that
there's anything wrong with that...
George: No, of course not...
Jerry: I mean that's
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