Hey,
I've got a question about the episode where Jerry has to return an old library book. Now there's this character mr. Bookman and the audience is going wild when he says something. Although his performance is very funny, I have the feeling that the audience knows him or the character he's playing and therefore I think I'm missing something. I guess it's something American and I'm from The Netherlands, so...
Thanks,
Marnix
I think they just found him funny because his name is Bookman and he works for the library...........
"MF Izeboud" wrote in message news:[email]...
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No, no, that was just the beginning. Kramer even mentioned it. The audience kept laughing at every move and word.
Marnix
funny,
playing
MF Izeboud wrote:
There is nothing "hidden" Lt. Bookman's character. The humour comes from how serious he is about his job and tracking down library books. It was as if he were tracking down murderers. His character is based a little on a famous American TV detective though. In the series Dragnet, Joe Friday had the same kind of short staccato way of talking.
I LOVED those scenes...
============================================================== From: Andy MacAskill
The A+ episode known as "The Library" included three scenes total with our favorite "library investigator" played to perfection by Philip Baker Hall. The marvelous material was written by Larry Charles; episode directed by Joshua White.
The first scene, in Jerry's apartment, begins with Jerry opening the door for the curmudgeonly "Lieutenant Bookman": ---------- -------------- ----------------- Oh, I'm glad you're here, so we can get this all straightened out. Would you like a cup of tea?
You got any coffee?
Coffee?
Yeah. Coffee.
No, I don't drink coffee.
Yeah, you don't drink coffee? How about instant coffee?
No, I don't have--
You don't have any instant coffee?
Well, I don't normally--
Who doesn't have instant coffee?
I don't.
You buy a jar of Folger's Crystals, you put it in the cupboard, you forget about it. Then later on when you need it, it's there. It lasts forever. It's freeze-dried. Freeze-dried Crystals.
Really? I'll have to remember that.
You took this book out in 1971.
Yes, and I returned it in 1971.
Yeah, '71. That was my first year on the job. Bad year for libraries. Bad year for America. Hippies burning library cards, Abby Hoffman telling everybody to steal books. I don't judge a man by the length of his hair or the kind of music he listens to. Rock was never my bag. But you put on a pair of shoes when you walk into the New York Public Library, fella.
Look, Mr. Bookman. I--I returned that book. I remember it very specifically.
You're a comedian, you make people laugh.
I try.
You think this is all a big joke, don't you?
No, I don't.
I saw you on T.V. once; I remembered your name--from my list. I looked it up. Sure enough, it checked out. You think because you're a celebrity that somehow the law doesn't apply to you, that you're above the law?
Certainly not.
Well, let me tell you something, funny boy. Y'know that little stamp, the one that says "New York Public Library"? Well that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole hell of a lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before: Flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What's this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Well, let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me. Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change the world, but what about that kid, sitting down, opening a book, right now, in a branch at the local library and finding drawings of pee-pees and wee-wees on the Cat in the Hat and the Five Chinese Brothers? Doesn't HE deserve better? Look. If you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped! Or: maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld; maybe that's how y'get your kicks. You and your good-time buddies. Well I got a flash for ya, joy-boy: Party time is over. Y'got seven days, Seinfeld. That is one week!
The second "Bookman scene" includes Kramer and his "spinster" gal Marion the Librarian. The two, walking hand in hand in the library after hours, think they're alone:
KRAMER: You know, the library is kind of a cool place when it's closed.
MARIAN: Oh, yeah. You don't have to be quiet. Listen to the echo: Hello!
KRAMER: Hello!
MARIAN: Hello!
KRAMER: Hello!
MARIAN: Hello!
BOOKMAN (emerging): Hello!
MARIAN (turning, surprised): Mr. Bookman.
BOOKMAN: I remember when the librarian was a much older woman: Kindly, discreet, unattractive. We didn't know anything about her private life. We didn't want to know anything about her private life. She didn't have a private life. While you're thinking about that, think about this: The library closes at five o'clock, no exceptions. This is your final warning. Got that, kewpie-doll?
And herewith the third and final "Bookman scene," just with Jerry again, who, back in the library now, writes out a check for the never-returned TROPIC OF CANCER and hands it to Bookman:
Anyway, I hope there's no hard feelings.
Hard feelings? What do you know about hard feelings? Y'ever have a man die in your arms? Y'ever kill somebody?
What is your problem?
What's my problem? Punks like you, that's my problem. And you better not screw up again Seinfeld, because if you do, I'll be all over you like a pitbull on a poodle.
JERRY (after Bookman exits): That is one tough monkey!
TheNewsGuy(Mike) schreef in berichtnieuws [email]...
funny, I
playing
American
how
he
same
Now that's what I wanted to hear...
Thanks,
Marnix
from
if
famous
Yes, it was definitely a parody of Joe Friday. But I'd go as far as to say based *heavily* on Joe Friday (in the original series), not just a little. The first time I saw that episode, I immediately made the connection--but then I grew up watching Nick-at-Night into the wee-hours of the morning during the summer while out of school... Anyway, Mr. Bookman really cracked me up and still does. (Thinking to myself: Did I just semi-admit to actually watching DRAGNET as a kid??? :)
--Todd Wheeling
I don't think I'd be able to memorize this kind of monologue even if I was paid to...
laura
On Fri, 3 Aug 2001, TheNewsGuy(Mike) wrote:
Laura Kimoto wrote:
That's how I felt. When the studio audience applauds at the end, I think it's really for a job well done by Philip Baker Hall (who was also great as the incumbent politician running against Woody in a Cheers episode). Incidentally, I think the scene would make a great audition piece for, say, a community theatre show--or just performed for fun at maybe a big (company?) picnic.
I guess it was related to "Mr. Bookman" being a well known actor in war and action movies. The crowd was going wild when he was calling Jerry "joy boy" and talking about his "good time buddies". I'm from Portugal and I also don't understand the reason of the wild laughter... but this is my guess!! :)
MF Izeboud escreveu na mensagem news:[email]...
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