Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Operatic Seinfeld (Extended Post)

I saw an opera over the weekend (La Boheme) and I actually enjoyed it! Of course, it got me to thinking about all of the operatic references in Seinfeld. I could think of five episodes that either featured or mentioned the opera or famous opera singers. Any aditional contributions to my list would be appreciated:

Episode 49 - The Opera

An entire episode devoted to Leoncavallo's immortal "Pagliacci". Every scene is brilliant. However, the following exchange, after Jerry accuses some guy of stealing his quarter, got me into a pugilistic mood prior to departing for the Benedum Center. Fortunately, nobody challenged me to a fight at the venue, in part due to the fact that the audience was 90% female and the average age was probably well over 70.

MAN: You think I care about money? That's how much I care about money. I don't care about money.
JERRY: Oh yeah, well why don't you just get lost!
MAN: Why don't you get lost!
JERRY: Because I was standing here, that's why.
MAN: Oh Yeah?
JERRY: Yeah!
The man walks away.
JERRY: I kinda like this opera crowd, I feel tough... Anybody else got a problem?

Episode 72 - The Barber

Another entire episode with an operatic theme and with background music exclusively from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville".

Episode 102 - The Beard

George compares his lying prowess to Pavarotti's voice.

Jerry: So George, how do I beat this lie detector?
George: I'm sorry, Jerry. I can't help you.
Jerry: Come on, you've got the gift. You're the only one that can help me.
George: Jerry, I can't. It's like saying to Pavarotti, "Teach me to sing like you."

Episode 113 - The Maestro

Elaine is singing "Le donna e mobile" from Verdi's "Rigoletto".

Episode 127 - The Doll

Elaine gets an autograph from Jose Carreras, "the other guy" of the Three Tenors.

ELAINE: You know the Three Tenors?
GEORGE: Yeah.. (Trying to remember) Pavarotti.. Domingo.. and.. uh.. the other guy.
ELAINE: (Nodding) The other guy.


That's all I can think of for now, but how many other sitcoms have even one reference to the opera?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Jackie Chiles Returns!

Straight out of the "You've got to be kidding" file:

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09091/959762-100.stm

Evidently, Attorney Jackie Chiles has been retained to represent the plaintiff, as Mr. Chiles has prior experience with cases involving faulty coffee cup tops (Cosmo Kramer vs Java World):

Episode 113 - The Maestro

KRAMER: Well ahh. I was trying to get to my seat and I had to step over someone and I kind of got pushed and it spilled on me.
JACKIE: Was there a top on it?
KRAMER: Yeah.
JACKIE: Now did you put the top on or did they put the top on for you?
KRAMER: No. They put the top on.
JACKIE: And they made the top. You didn't make the top did you?
(Kramer motions that he did not make the top)
JACKIE: (To secretary over intercom) Suzie. I want you to go down to Java World. Get me a cafe latte with a top. (To Kramer) We're gonna run some tests on that top.