Aired Thursday, February 9, 1995 · 30 min
Elaine attempts to convert a gay man to heterosexuality. Kramer sets George up with a woman and, not having a photograph, describes her to a police sketch artist. Jerry hooks up with a female officer who then has Jerry take a polygraph test on whether or not he's seen the show "Melrose Place."
Posts per day after the first airing
Fans defend the episode's portrayal of Elaine attempting to convert a gay man as harmless fiction, arguing critics should lighten up and noting the show doesn't promote actual conversion.
Posters discuss the meaning of "beard" from the episode, with disagreement over whether it refers to a gay man's female companion or vice versa, while one joking reply confuses it with facial hair.
Fans debate whether a joke about shaking juice has a masturbation double meaning, with most disagreeing it was intentional.
Fans discuss the origin of the "dingo ate your baby" line, explaining it references a real Australian news incident and identifying the episode scene where Elaine uses it.
Fans discuss Elaine's aggressive behavior toward George in the episode, with some defending her honesty as helping a friend while others find her violent.
Fans celebrate Seinfeld's mention of Melrose Place, viewing it as validation for watching the rival Fox show and discussing whether Melrose Place is actually worth watching.
Fans discuss whether Elaine's hair has ever been shown down and loose rather than pulled back, with some remembering specific episodes where her hair was down.
Fans debate the exact wording and context of Kramer's famous decaf cappuccino scene, with multiple attempts to accurately recall the dialogue between Kramer and a psychiatrist in an office setting.
Fans debate the spelling of Kramer's first name, with one arguing it's spelled with a 'K' (Kosmo) while others cite closed captioning evidence that it's 'Cosmo'.
Fans discuss Kramer's Klein bicycle and notice it changes colors between episodes, speculating about the reason for the change.
Fans debate the best lines from the show, sharing favorite quotes including George's parking lot mishap and Jerry's exchange with Elaine about breasts.
Fans discuss a theoretical connection between a Seinfeld scene and the film Midnight Cowboy, debating whether it references the movie's ending and identifying an actor's previous role.
Fans discuss missing scenes from the episode, including George's baldness cure subplot and Elaine's Chinese restaurant bet challenge that didn't make the final cut.
A viewer asks for clarification on the ending of "The Beard" episode after their VCR cut off during the final scene with Kramer in a lineup.
Fans express romantic interest in Elaine, with posters humorously declaring their desire to marry someone who looks and acts like the character.
“Do you also cry when Tom gets Jerry in the cartoons.”
“It occured to me after watching the last episode where Elaine convinces her gay friend to "switch teams" only to have him switch back that Elaine has slept with about 6 different guys on the show.”
“I can't believe you don't know what a "beard" is!”
“Now all men can tell their girlfriends they watch it and not be ashamed.”
“I don't think she was hotile...just (brutally, no pun intended :) )honest If a friend of yours were making a complete ass out of himself would you not show him the error of his ways?”
“I suppose if Jerry and Elaine said "Diluted Fruit Juice?"”
Fans help answer a trivia question about Jerry's favorite TV show that he was addicted to and had to take a lie detector test about; the answer is Melrose Place from The Beard episode.
Fans identify the episode title as "The Beard" and discuss its syndication schedule, with one noting it aired February 9, 1995.
Poster shares photos comparing his physical appearance to Jason Alexander's character George Constanza, noting the resemblance and asking if others see it too.
Fans identify the Tupperware scene as being from The Beard episode, with someone providing the exact dialogue between Kramer and a homeless man over the container.
Viewers notice that syndicated reruns of "The Beard" have scenes omitted compared to the original NBC broadcast, likely to make room for additional commercials.
Viewers discuss and identify the episode where George says "Nothing is a lie if you believe it," with most agreeing it's "The Beard" involving a lie detector test about watching Melrose Place.
Fans explain that "beard" is slang for a woman who dates a gay man to hide his sexual orientation, which was Elaine's role in the episode.
Fans discuss a George quote about lying, with someone correctly identifying it as "it's not a lie if YOU believe it" from the lie detector test episode.
The Millennium episode will air on New Year's Eve.
Fans theorize that Seinfeld reruns are deliberately scheduled to coincide with relevant real-world events, citing The Beard airing on Melrose Place's finale night as evidence of intentional timing.
Fans request the exact dialogue from a lie detector scene in The Beard episode where Jerry is questioned about Melrose Place plot points, with one viewer providing the full transcript.
Viewers discuss whether Elaine was trying to convert a gay man to heterosexuality or asking about baseball positions (shortstop vs backstop) in "The Beard" episode.
Fans note a mini-reunion of Seinfeld guest stars appearing together on Judging Amy, including actors from The Beard episode and other Seinfeld appearances.
UK fan asks for explanation of the term 'beard' as used in the episode title and plot, with American poster providing humorous explanation of the slang term.