Eoin Butler: writer, journalist and Mayoman of the Year
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George Costanza’s Greatest Hits
1. “The Sea Was Angry That Day, My Friends” monologue (The Marine Biologist)
Jerry has set George up on a date. Since George is unemployed, Jerry (for some reason) has pretended that his friend is a marine biologist. During the date, George and his new love interest happen upon a beached whale. Earlier in the same episode, Kramer practices his drive by firing golf balls into the sea. 2. Answering machine (The Susie)
George’s girlfriend wants to break up with him. So he’s avoiding her, because he wants to take her to a function first to impress his workmates.
3. “If I Hear You Correctly, And I Think That I Do” (The Switch)
This isn’t a clip: this is an entire storyline from one episode. George doesn’t even appear until about a minute and a half in. But it’s very funny and Jason Alexander steals the whole episode.
4. “I’m The Opposite of Every Guy You’ve Ever Met” (The Opposite)
Self-explanatory. Worth noting how Jerry is always most supportive of George when he suspects his friend’s plans will end in disaster.
5. “And You Want to be My Latex Salesman?” (The Boyfriend)
The punchline was improvised during the take.
6. “My Mother Caught Me” (The Contest)
One of the best episodes they ever did. Note how deftly the subject of masturbation is raised without specifically being referred to. That scene is the funniest, but the best line in the episode (it has to do with an amusement park) is here.
7. “Anna Digs The Bad Boy” (The Little Kicks)
The point is made, I think.
8. “The Queen is Old Fashioned” (The Engagement)
Although the viewer could hardly have forgotten about George’s stinginess, selfishness, dishonesty, insecurity, and neurosis – this is inserted at the beginning of The Engagement episode as a quick reminder.
9. “It Has Come to My Attention That You And The Cleaning Woman Have Engaged in Sexual Intercourse” (The Red Dot)
Larry David – on whom the character of George is based – has often mentioned this as one of his favourite ever moments. Presented with irrefutable evidence that he has had sex with the cleaning lady on his desk, George’s mind flits through every possible excuse he could make before settling upon…. Well, you’ll have to watch it.
10. Shrinkage (The Hamptons)
I could explain but, urgh, it’s late, I don’t get paid for this and – fuck it – even if you don’t know the episode, you’ll figure it out. The next bit is here.
P.S. Embedding blocked on most of those clips for some reason, hence why I’ve only pasted links for most of them. Also, I wouldn’t have dared select George Costanza’s greatest hits without consulting my friend and esteemed fellow George-ologist Darragh. Thanks a lot to him for his imput!
May 27th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Come on Eoin,no love for Bozo the Clown?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuP9YClyPRY
May 27th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
No. No love for Bozo the Clown.
May 27th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
The sea was angry is the funniest thing i’ve ever seen. I miss Seinfeld. Do one for Kramer next!
May 27th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Yes, that’s my favourite too!
May 28th, 2010 at 8:25 am
At Christmas my girlfriend got me one of these:
http://disckingdom.com/images/categories/seinfeld_complete.jpg
great stuff obviously, but while watching some of it recently she commented that George was probably her least favourite character.
What do I do about this? We’ve been together and happy for 8 years, but this is grounds for a separation, surely?
May 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am
I dunno Rob, it could be some sort of temporary insanity, there has to be some sort of rehab for people like that.
May 28th, 2010 at 10:40 am
If anyone is the weakest character its Seinfeld himself. He always look like hes going to burst out laughing at any second. Also everyone laughs at the puffy shirt but no one ever laughs at his puffy hair which is just as ridiculous looking.
May 29th, 2010 at 7:11 am
I think Jerry Seinfeld would be the first to admit that he’s not the greatest actor in the world. But he compensates in other ways, often by giving himself the best lines.
May 30th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Just added the Senfield DVDs to my shopping list next time i’m shopping online. The episode the switch is really really funny.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:03 am
Brilliant selection in the end there Eoin. The comic timing in the Marine Biologist episode manages to floor you at how clever it all is, while subcutaneously laugh ’til the snot is snorting out of ya. Will there ever be a sitcom to match it?
Also, I think if you could reduce Costanza’s entire essence down to one tiny expression, it’s that smug shrug motion he pulls at 50sec into the answering machine message.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:04 am
Eh by ‘subcutaneously’ I mean ‘simultaneously’ of course. Fucking google chrome spell-check at 4am.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:18 am
Larry David wrote the Marine Biologist monologue at literally the last minute. I think Jason Alexander only got to read it through a couple of times before action.
It’s a real testament to his acting talent that he pulls it off.
4am – I’m up working too!
May 31st, 2010 at 12:53 pm
@eoin – did you WORK on seinfeld? You seem to know an awful lot about it!!
May 31st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Yes, I played Elaine for the first two series.