Seinfeld: Season 1

Season 1 (5 episodes)

• Episode 1: “The Seinfeld Chronicles” (aka “Good News, Bad News” aka “Pilot”
  • Original air date: July 5, 1989 then repeated on June 28, 1990
  • Plot: George and Jerry discuss the romantic intentions of a woman coming to NYC for business and asking to stay with Jerry for the weekend.
  • Characters Introduced: Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Kessler (later renamed Kramer)
  • Guest Stars/Notable Characters: Lee Garlington as Claire a waitress at Pete’s. Initially intended to be a regular, she was later replaced with the character Elaine Benes.
  • Notable Locations: Pete’s Luncheonette (which would later be changed to Monk’s), Jerry’s apartment is a one-bedroom (bedroom not shown). The layout has a balcony, and an all window (3 sides and ceiling) “sunroom” to the left. In the bathroom you can see the pedestal sink. The view out the window is a red brick building smack against the balcony.
  • Foods eaten: George asks for decaf coffee but the waitress gives him caffeinated. Jerry east Oaties cereal at 1am
  • Kessler mooched items: lunch meat
  • Nothings of interest: George is NYC apartment realtor. Kessler owns a dog.
  • Significant Others:
    –Jerry: Laura
  • Stand-up routines: 4
  • My Grade: B-. A little awkward but the idea is there.

• Episode 2: “The Stakeout”
  • Original air date: May 31, 1990 (2nd episode aired, 3rd filmed)
  • Plot: Jerry and Elaine have recently broken up and agree to try and be platonic friends by being each other’s “dates” at birthday party and a wedding in the same weekend.
  • Characters Introduced: Kramer (formerly Kessler), Elaine Benes, Morty and Helen Seinfeld (Jerry’s Parents)
  • Guest Stars/Notable Characters: Liz Sheridan as Helen, Phil Bruns as Morty (later recast).
  • Notable Locations: Jerry’s apartment is now a studio with a pull-out couch. The sunroom has been enclosed with more of a nook feel. Kitchen is slightly remodeled. New fridge. In the bathroom you can now see the bathtub instead of the sink. There is a little room before the bathroom. The view out the window is a white building across the street. The video store is called “Champagne Video”.
  • Recurring gags: George pretending to be an architect. “Art Vandalay” the importer/exporter.
  • Nothings of interest: The porno is titled Emerald Dimples
  • Flub: A woman in the video store steps down off of the soundstage set.
  • Significant Others:
    –Jerry: Vanessa
  • Stand-up routines: 3
  • Awards: Nominated for a Writer’s Guild Award
  • My Grade: B+. The characters seem more formed. Elaine is charming and odd. Jerry’s parents have a fairly funny exchange.

• Episode 3: “The Robbery“
  • Original air date: June 7, 1990
  • Plot: Jerry’s apartment is robbed so realtor friend George finds a perfect new apartment which the two of them fight over.
  • Notable Locations: George and Jerry have lunch at Monk’s cafe for the first time. Jerry complains that his apartment is a dump: barely any hot water, the refrigerator doesn’t work, the radiator is on 24/7/365, the lobby door is broken.
  • Kramer mooched items: Spatula
  • Foods eaten: Elaine eats the cream from an oreo over an entire scene
  • Disrespecting Authority: Jerry complains to the cop that they never find anything that’s been stolen.
  • Stand-up routines: 3
  • My Grade: B-. The relationships between the four are starting to gel but the trademark banter is missing.

• Episode 4: “Male Unbonding“
  • Original air date: June 14, 1990 (2nd filmed 4th aired.)
  • Plot: Jerry unsuccessfully tries to break up with a long time friend.
  • Guest Stars/Notable Characters: Joel Horneck played by Kevin Dunn who originally auditioned for the role of George.
  • Notable Locations: Jerry apartment has all of the previously stolen items back (because this episode was filmed before episode 3). Jerry’s apartment number is 411.
  • Foods eaten: Elaine eats one orange peanut m&m in about 6 separate bites.
  • Kramer mooched items: Ketchup
  • Kramer scheme: Pizza place where you make your own pie.
  • Nothings of interest: First episode Julia Louis-Dreyfus filmed. Only episode title that doesn’t begin with “The”. First episode with Jonathan Wolff’s title music.
  • Significant Others:
    –George: “A girlfriend”
  • Character excuses: Tutoring a nephew.
  • Stand-up routines: 4
  • My Grade: B-. Barely any Elaine

• Episode 5: “The Stock Tip“
  • Original air date: June 21, 1990
  • Plot: Jerry and George invest in a bad stock
  • Notable Locations: In a Monk’s Diner booth the wall behind George is noticeably greasy and dirty. It’s really gross. Jerry’s apartment is mentioned being a one-bedroom again.
  • Items eaten: Jerry makes an instant coffee
  • Kramer’s mooched item: He asks if some “out of town anarchist friends” can use Jerry’s apartment after a rock concert.
  • Kramer scheme: Roll-out tie dispenser
  • Nothings of interest: Elaine says she’s allergic to cats. Elaine ponders the idea of killing her boyfriend’s cats. George has upwards of $10,000 to invest in the stock market. George smokes a cigar. George removes $1 from the waitress’ tip. First reference to Superman.
  • Significant Others:
    –Jerry: Vanessa
    –Elaine: Robert (unseen man with cats)
  • Stand-up routines: 4
  • My Grade: B-. Not the most interesting story.