SEINFELD: THE PILOT {PARTS 1 AND 2} {FOURTH SEASON FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The fourth season finale in this comedy series set in New York City in which comedian Jerry Seinfeld plays himself. Humorous situations in his personal life are interspersed with brief stand-up comedy routines.
In this two-part episode, Kramer begs to play himself in Jerry and George's semi-autobiographical sitcom, "Jerry," though Jerry points out that he can't act. Elaine awkwardly tries to break things off with NBC president Russell Dalrymple, claiming that she "doesn't like TV," though he remains romantically obsessed with her. Jerry is thrilled to hear that the pilot is moving forward, but George panics that the universe won't allow him to be successful – seemingly confirmed when he develops an odd "discoloration" on his lip.
Jerry and George attend the "Jerry" casting session and inspect a parade of potential Jerrys, Elaines, Georges and Kramers – including the real Kramer, who attempts to crash the proceedings, and Tom Pepper, a very convincing fake Kramer who appears to steal a box of raisins upon departing. Elaine, still wondering about Russell, notices that all of the new waitresses at the diner have well-endowed chests; Kramer, unable to find a bathroom after the casting session, reveals that he now "can't get it back." George undergoes a biopsy and laments that he will surely die with "no dignity," and Sandi Robbins, playing Elaine on the sitcom, seems eager to study every aspect of the real Elaine's life, including her romantic past with Jerry. Meanwhile, Tom resists Kramer's "lessons" and decides to play the role his way.
Elaine, armed with impressive fake credentials and an unflattering outfit, applies to work at the diner and then triumphantly files a discrimination complaint when she is quickly rejected. Trouble erupts on the "Jerry" set when George attempts to direct the actors, and the producers soon realize that Jerry cannot, in fact, act. Jerry "dumps" Sandi as George antagonizes Tom with weird raisin questions. Russell desperately begs Elaine to take him back, but to no avail. Jerry advises a desperate Kramer to consider "the dreaded apparatus" for his problem. Elaine attends the pilot taping in disguise to avoid Russell, though she is quickly recognized by someone else. Michael Barth, who is playing George on the sitcom, has a very George-like freak-out right before showtime, and real George, amazed to learn that he's not dying of cancer, attempts to make amends with Tom, though fails again.
The taping goes well despite an unexpected appearance from "Crazy Joe" Davola, and everyone – including many past friends, lovers and enemies of the quartet – tune in to watch the "Jerry" premiere on Thursday evening. The show seems to be a hit, but Rita Kirson then calls Jerry and, revealing that she's been named the new NBC president in the wake of Russell's strange disappearance, informs him that she's passing on the show. Everyone immediately blames Elaine for apparently driving Russell to despair. When she returns to the diner, she's embarrassed to find that the busty waitresses are actually all lookalike daughters of the manager. Elsewhere, Russell's surprising whereabouts are revealed. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 20, 1993 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:34
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:53996
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Television production and direction; Television pilot programs
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1989-1998
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Andrew Scheinman … Executive Producer
- George Shapiro … Executive Producer
- Howard West … Executive Producer
- Larry David … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Tim Kaiser … Coordinating Producer
- Larry Charles … Supervising Producer
- Tom Cherones … Supervising Producer, Director
- Jerry Seinfeld … Producer, Created by
- Suzy Mamann Greenberg … Associate Producer
- Nancy Sprow … Associate Producer
- Joan Van Horn … Line Producer
- Jonathan Wolff … Music by
- Jerry Seinfeld … Cast, Jerry Seinfeld
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus … Cast, Elaine Benes
- Michael Richards … Cast, Cosmo Kramer
- Jason Alexander … Cast, George Costanza
- Bob Balaban … Cast, Russell Dalrymple
- Anne Twomey … Cast, Rita Kirson
- Gina Hecht … Cast, Dana Foley
- Peter Crombie … Cast, Joe Davola
- Jeremy Piven … Cast, Michael Barth (George)
- Larry Hankin … Cast, Tom Pepper (Kramer)
- Kevin Page … Cast, Stu
- Mariska Hargitay … Cast, Melissa
- Laura Waterbury … Cast, Casting Director
- Elena Wohl … Cast, Sandi Robbins (Elaine)
- Bruce Jarchow … Cast, Doctor
- Al Ruscio … Cast, Mr. Visaki
- Richard Gant … Cast, Fred
- Peter Blood … Cast, Jay
- Roger Rose … Cast, Mark
- Brian Bradley … Cast, Butler
- Samantha Dorman … Cast, Waitress
- Erick Avari … Cast, Cabbie
- Bob Shaw … Cast, Paul
- Stephen Burrows … Cast, David
- Deborah Swisher … Cast, 1st A.D.
- Jeff Oetjen … Cast, Wilton
- Pat Hazell … Cast, Himself