S05E02 - The Puffy Shirt
No: 66 | Season: 5 Episode: 2 | Air Date: 23-Sep-1993 | Production #503
But I don't wanna be a pirate!Summary
George thinks he's made it big when, shortly after moving in with his parents, he gets work as a hand model. Elaine arranges for Jerry to appear on The Today Show to promote a charity benefit. However, when out to dinner with Kramer and his new "low talker" girlfriend, a misunderstanding has Jerry agreeing to wear a ridiculous, pirate-style puffy shirt on TV.
Director and Writers
Director: Tom Cherones
Writers: Larry David
Quotes
George: Have you completely lost your mind? Who's dressing you? You look like a complete idiot!
George: Stress is very damaging to the epidermis.
Elaine: (to Jerry) You're all puffed up! You look like the Count of Monte Cristo!
Homeless Guy #1: (wearing the Puffy Shirt) Can you spare a little change for an old buccaneer?
George: My whole life was ruined because of the puffy shirt.
Estelle: I think you're all a little touched in the head.
Notes and Trivia
The puffy shirt from this episode is now part of the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
When the gang see a couple of homeless guys using the puffy shirts, you can hear a woman from the audience (between the laughs) screaming "Oh my god!".
A mini-sized replica of the puffy shirt was included as an extra in the 'Seinfeld Seasons 5&6 DVD gift set', released in November 2005.
The first network appearance of Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza. Later, for continuity sake in syndication, Jerry Stiller re-shot the scenes featuring his character in the previous season four episode "The Handicap Spot".
The "Today Show" segment was videotaped rather than filmed in order to imitate the live morning show's look.
For his performance in this episode, Jerry Seinfeld received a 1994 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Larry David also received an Emmy nomination in 1994 for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series.
This is a rare episode in which a scene doesn't take place at Monk's Coffee Shop. They are many episodes without Monk's, but most of those do not take place within New York City.
This episode marks the beginning of three related quotes. In this episode, Jerry says "But I don't wanna be a pirate!" Then, in S06E08 "The Mom & Pop Store", Jerry says "But I don't wanna be a cowboy!" A few episodes later, in S06E13 "The Scofflaw", Kramer says "I wanna be a pirate!"
When George says, "I won a contest," he is referring to the episode, "The Contest."
Goofs
When the low-talker pushed George towards the iron board the face of the iron is a dark color. However, when George is holding the iron and screaming, the face of the iron is silver.
George says to Kramer that Jerry doesn't even let anyone use his bathroom; however, George uses Jerry's bathroom in many episodes.
When George is eating out with his parents, the point of view over his mother's shoulder shows her holding up the menu, but from George's side her menu is seen lying on the table.
During George's dinner with his parents, when he says, "I'm a college graduate!" he sets down the pepper shaker, which he wasn't holding in the previous shot. Also, the salt shaker moves around between shots.
Cast
| Jerry Seinfeld | Jerry Seinfeld |
| Julia Louis-Dreyfus | Elaine Benes |
| Michael Richards | Kramer |
| Jason Alexander | George Costanza |
| Estelle Harris | Estelle Constanza |
| Jerry Stiller | Frank Costanza |
| Wendel Meldrum | Leslie |
| David Brisbin | Client |
| Bryant Gumbel | Himself |
| Deborah May | Elsa |
| Michael Mitz | Photographer |
| Kim Gillingham | Assistant |
| Terrence Riggins | Stage Manager |
| Ron Ross | Homeless Man |