DISCLAIMER: For some reason, unbeknownst to me, Kathleen Tracy says that The Clip Episode counts as only 1 episode, yet the eps that I have, and other episode guides I've seen on the internet, this is considered 2 episodes, Part 1 and Part 2. This obviously affects the numbering system here at the end. I will follow everyone else, except Tracy, and count it as 2 episodes. Therefore, there are 180 episodes, not 179. Also, as another proof that she is wrong is that Jerry says in the beginning of 9:22 The Clip Show Part 2 that there have been 180 episodes. (Although at this point we don't have the finale yet, making it 178 episodes, we must say that he meant that 180 episodes were filmed.)
Episode 23: The Finale Part 1
Episode #179; 9:23
Elaine repeatedly messes up etiquette-wise in trying to call her friend to see how her father who is in the hospital is doing. Kramer goes to the beach and has water in his ear. Jerry and George go to NBC and they are given the green light for their TV show "Jerry". They are also allowed to take the NBC private jet anywhere and decide, with Elaine and Kramer, to go to Paris. On the way, Kramer bounces around b/c of the water in his ear and knocks into the cockpit, causing the plane to descend rapidly and eventually land in Latham, MA, where they are arrested under the Good Samaritan law for not helping a fat guy when he was being carjacked.
Our Commentary
We end Season 9 as well as Seinfeld with this 2 part episode, rightfully entitled, The Finale. We will leave our usual closing points about the Season in the for the latter part of this episode, as usual, as well as a summation of Seinfeld. This commentary will focus on this part of the episode. Even though this episode does not really deserve it based on funniness, just based on the fact that it's the last episode entitles it to enter and close out the Top 50 along with it's 2nd part. There are some hilarious scenes no doubt, just not enough to make the Top 50 by themselves. In other words, if this was not the last episode, there would have been no way in hell for it to make the Top 50. We also get some nice linkages to previous seasons and a nice arc throughout the 2 part episode of Elaine calling. I'm not sure what's going on in Tracy's commentary below as most of those characters listed are not in this episode. ANYWAY, this was an interesting premise for Larry David to choose as the final episode. It was extremely appropriate to have him come back for this final episode as it is his baby. After this episode, LD's genious would return albeit in not such a perfect form in his feature firm debut, Sour Grapes, (which after checking IMDB, actually came out in April of '98, the month before this episode was on TV), which by the way, I was on the plane from Switzerland to Israel and they played the movie Cinderella Man, which was excellent by the way, I have no idea why it did so bad $-wise, anyway, the best boxer in the film, Max Baer, was portrayed by the main character (Richie Maxwell) in Sour Grapes, Craig Bierko. Just a nice note to ya'll. ANYWAY, nice episode. See, I can't say a little disappointing like most critics b/c I love Seinfeld and the last episode of the series has to be amazing and has to make the Top 50. That said, a little disappointing. But, I think any episode would have been. Even if you took a Top 5 episode and placed it at the end, it would have been extremely hilarious, but it wouldn't have ended Seinfeld properly. There's no story or summation or capping off of Seinfeld in those episodes. It only comes from a Larry David written, arching, long winded, insane story, with tons of LD shtick. Stay tuned boys and girls for 9:24 The Finale Part 2 for the usual rap up, season rap up, and not so usual Seinfeld wrap up. Peace out my babies.
Adam - Coming soon
EPISODE GUIDE from Jerry Seinfeld: The Entire Domain by Kathleen Tracy
- SEE ABOVE DISCLAIMER
178."The Finale (Part 1)" (May 14, 1998)
SUMMARY The new president at NBC gives Jerry and George a thirteen-episode deal on Jerry's old pilot. The
gang decides to celebrate by going to Paris on the NBC corporate jet, only to find themselves stranded in a small
Massachusetts town.
OF SPECIAL NOTE Episodes 178 and 179 originally aired as a one-hour special; counted separately in
syndication.
DIRECTOR Andy Ackerman
TELEPLAY Larry David
GUEST CAST Peter Blood (Jay Crespi); David Byrd (Pharmacist); Steve Carlson (Captain Maddox); David
Dunard (Guard); Donna Evans (Woman); Geoffrey C. Ewing (Bailiff); Warren Frost (Mr. [Henry] Ross); Keith
Her-nandez (Himself); Scott Jaeck (Officer Vogel); Wendle Josepher (Susie); Robert Katims (Mr. Deensfrei); Scott
Klace (Guard); Bruce Mahler (Rabbi Glickman); Ed O'Ross (Det. Blake); Kevin Page (Stu Chermak); James
Pickens Jr. (Det. Hudson); John Pinette (Howie); Victor Raider-Wexler (Dr. Wexler); James Rebhorn (DA Hoyt);
Peter Riegert (Kim-brough); Geraldo Rivera (Himself); McNally Sagal (Carol); Gay Thomas (O'Neal); Myra
Turley (Foreman); Jane Wells (Herself); Grace Zabriskie (Mrs. Ross); Van Epperson (Passerby); Jeff Johnson
(Criminal); Sean Moran (Man); Dianne Turley Travis (Receptionist); Jim Zulevic (Bernie)
RECURRING CAST Estelle Harris (Estelle Costanza); Steve Hytner (Bania); Wayne Knight (Newman); Len
Lesser (Uncle Leo); Barney Martin (Morty Seinfeld); Phil Morris (Jackie Chiles); John O'Hurley (J. Peterman); Liz
Sheridan (Helen Seinfeld); Jerry Stiller (Frank Costanza); Patrick Warburton (David Puddy); Danny Woodburn
(Mickey Abbott)
Stats
2nd Siyum
Celebrities (*Real)
*Keith Hernandez - 9:23 The Finale Part 1 & 9:24 The Finale Part 2
*Geraldo Rivera - 9:23 The Finale Part 1 & 9:24 The Finale Part 2
*Jane Wells - 9:23 The Finale Part 1 & 9:24 The Finale Part 2
3rd Siyum