The Seinfeld episode was so controversial that NBC had abandoned it

“Seinfeld” went to pretty dark places over its mileage. He sent his main characters to prison for a year. It Killed George’s groom (Jason Alexander) Susan (Heidi Swedzberg)And very cold, I can add. Was even A – clearly bad – episode Where Jerry Seinfeld) maybe, maybe his dentist. Most Sitcoms in the 1990s retained safety and sweet, but Seinfeld, its co-author Larry David, and the other “Seinfeld” is not interested in such cases.

Advertisement

Given how free “Seinfeld” seemed to push the boundaries, it is amazing to hear about the moments when the NBC Execs decided to hold the line. For example, was to be Episode 2 season called “rate” or “pistol”, But he was never removed because NBC considered it too dark. The episode may have too much humor related to weapons, including the moment when Elein shows the gun to the head and is useless jokes about the murder of JFK.

Usually, fans can understand why NBC has cut the “bet”, even if it is fun to imagine the “Seinfeld” episode, where the show remains a complete nigilist. This may be why Recorded fan- “seinfeld” script “The Twin Towers” It was so popular when it was posted on the Internet in 2016. This is a scenario filled with a large number of standard “Seinfeld” tropes and storylines, except that it takes place immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Is it awful but also funny? Let’s just say, it can never be a real episode, even if “Seinfeld” continued in the early 2000s.

Advertisement

However fans are struggling to understand why NBC cut a storyline that did not seem which Sharply, everything is considered. A 2017. Tell the book “Seinfeld Journal of Facts: Official History”, explained the situation:

“NBC censors greatly allow Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David to get out of everything they wanted”Seinfeld. “One of the few exceptions was offered an episode in which George got into trouble:” You know, I have never seen a black man ordered a salad. ” Uh, said NBC. A whole episode of masturbation? We are great. But this show does not joke about the eating habits of African Americans. The script was sheltered. “

Over the years, fans have many times suggested why this proposed George’s storyline was such a problem. Was it more uncomfortable than what happened to the “Diplomat Club”, where George tries to prove to his chief that he is not a racist? And again, this episode came out in the 6 season, when “Seinfeld” has already become a hit -show, no longer threatens premature cancellation. The episode of the salad was the script of the 2 season when the series was still fighting the audience, and the writers had a much smaller power when working with NBC Execs.

Advertisement

For fans agreeing to NBC, the main argument is that “Seinfeld” with its white acting and most white writing room is probably better to stay away from this kind of racial humor. “One taboo that” Seinfeld “noticeably not taken over, there was a race,” television criticism David Frey wrote in 2010. “Unlike Rock” 30 “, there were no permanent participants of the black actor in the show. Therefore, it was poorly posted to give up final no.”

The biggest racial dispute of the show took place in the “Puert Rica Day” 9 season, in which Kramer ignites the Puertoan flag, and then tries to pull the flames right in the middle of the Puert Rica parade. Of course, Kramer ignites the flag, but good luck explains the crowd.

Advertisement

“We do not feel that the show is damaged by ethnic stereotypes because the Seinfeld audience knows that humor comes from viewing the main group of characters that fall into difficult situations,” the NBC said at the time. “Our gratitude to the broad comedy” Seinfeld “in no way takes away from the respect we have to the Puertoan flag.” The episode was subsequently pulled out of repetitions NBC.

Larry Charles, who wrote an episode of the gun, and the salad, has long claimed that they were sharply a mistake of the network. “If it was on” Louis “, you wouldn’t think about it twice,” he said Screen In 2014. “I think” Louis “has proven and” hold back your enthusiasm “, it has been proven that these subjects are worthy of research and comedy. I reject the idea that some subjects should not be affected.”

Advertisement

Probably, “Taming your enthusiasm” David will successfully give us a whole episode, joking about stereotypical black eating habits. In the “Watermelon” in the 11th season, David reveals the greatest secret of his black friend Leon (JB Smoove): he likes to eat watermelon, but too ashamed to eat fruit in the presence of white people. Larry sympathizes with Leon and urges him to release his shame, resulting in a supermarket a triumphant scene in which Larry urges people of all race to eat any stereotypical food they would like.

The episode, written by several writers “Seinfeld”, is almost similar to the response to the reaction to the suggested salt joke 30 years earlier. When Larry starts talking about black people who eat watermelons at the supermarket, the audience has completely expected that other customers would get a wrong imagination and suggest that the worst of Larry’s comments. Instead, customers understand exactly what Larry says and 100%with it. It almost feels that the writers argue: “You see? People are more open for this than you think.”

Advertisement