S07E06 - The Soup Nazi
No: 116 | Season: 7 Episode: 6 | Air Date: 2-Nov-1995 | Production #706
Summary
The gang all loves the soup from a new, temperamental cook unofficially called the "Soup Nazi". Jerry and his girlfriend are beyond affectionate, and their nickname "Schmoopie" drives George crazy. Elaine buys an antique armoire on the street, but it is stolen while being guarded by Kramer.
Director and Writers
Director: Andy Ackerman
Writers: Spike Feresten
Quotes
Soup Nazi: No soup for you, come back one year!
Elaine: You're through Soup Nazi. Pack it up. No more soup for you. Next!
Elaine: (to Kramer) Street toughs took my armoire?
Jerry: (to Elaine) He gave you the nice face discount.
Kramer: He's not a Nazi. He just happens to be a little eccentric. Most geniuses are.
Kramer: Where's the soup?
Elaine: The Soup Nazi kicked me out.
Kramer: Oh YEAH!!
Soup Nazi: (to George) You're pushing your luck little man.
Soup Nazi: You are the only one who understands me.
Kramer: You suffer for your soup.
George: Shhh! I gotta focus. I'm shifting into soup mode.
Notes and Trivia
According to episode writer Spike Feresten, the character of the "Soup Nazi" was based on the owner of a soup stand in the neighborhood of the Ed Sullivan Theater. When Feresten worked on "The Late Show with David Letterman", he and other staffers referred to the proprietor as the "Soup Nazi".
The Soup Nazi was based on Al Yeganeh, the real-life owner of Soup Kitchen International in Manhattan, New York City. After the episode aired, Seinfeld and members of the cast and crew went to the restaurant for lunch. Yeganeh yelled at them and stated that the publicity had ruined his reputation. After Seinfeld offered an apology, Yeganeh yelled "No soup for you!" and ejected them from his restaurant.
Al Yeganeh became famous off this episode, and went on to opening a chain of soup outlets all over America.
Larry Thomas has said he based the "Soup Nazi" voice on actor Omar Sharif.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus had not seen "Scent of a Woman" at the time of episode production and had to be coached for her Al Pacino impression.
The armoire thieves were written as homosexual because Larry David decided "only gay guys would steal an armoire." (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
A part in which Larry the coffee shop owner tells the two couples to stop kissing was cut for time. Larry can still be seen looking at them disapprovingly in the background as the two couples kiss.
This episode was nominated for the 1996 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Comedy Series. Larry Thomas was nominated for the 1996 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for playing "The Soup Nazi" in this episode.
The Soup Nazi's real name isn't officially announced until the series finale. The character's real name is Yev Kasem.
When the "Armoire Thief" says, "Are you talking to me?" he is making a reference to Robert DeNiro's famous line from the 1976 film "Taxi Driver".
The armoire stealing "street toughs" reappear in "The Sponge" and "The Puerto Rican Day".
Goofs
When Elaine meets George outside the soup stand, look between them before they enter the building. You can see the bottom of the backdrop rolled up on the ground.
Cast
Jerry Seinfeld | Jerry Seinfeld |
Julia Louis-Dreyfus | Elaine Benes |
Michael Richards | Cosmo Kramer |
Jason Alexander | George Costanza |
Wayne Knight | Newman |
Heidi Swedberg | Susan Ross |
Alexandra Wentworth | Sheila |
Larry Thomas | Soup Nazi |
Steve Hytner | Bania |
John Paragon | Cedric |
Yul Vazquez | Bob |
Thom Barry | Super |
Vince Melocchi | Furniture Guy |
Ana Gasteyer | Woman |
Michael Michaud | Customer (as Mike Michaud) |
Buddy Quaid | Customer |
Ruth Cohen | Ruthie Cohen |
Cedric Duplechain | Customer (uncredited) |
Judy Kerr | Woman (uncredited) |
Lawrence Mandley | Larry, Owner of Monk's (uncredited) |
Vivicca A. Whitsett | Customer (uncredited) |