Newman's first name is Norman.
Viewers debate whether the farmer's daughter calling out "Norman" in a recent episode reveals Newman's first name or is a mishearing of his last name.
Last week's 1 hour rerun left what may or may not be a vital clue as to what Newmen's first name is. Newman, after being dumped on the road by Kramer hikes to a farmer's house. The farmer's daughter takes a shine to him, and in the aftermath, is chased off by her father with a shotgun. As she bids a fond farewell to her hunk of a mailman she says:"Bye Norman."
Unless this is a mangling of Newmen, that would mean Norman is indeed his first name. Food for thought.
[email] (David A. Tharp) wrote:
It definitely sounded like Norman to me too.
I posted this information last week, but some people thought she was just making it up because she didn't know his name. I think things are simpler than we sometimes make them seem. I think the farmer's daughter found out his name over dinner -- or whatever they were doing that got him kicked out -- and used it (Norman). I also think Jerry confirmed for us that Dolores's name was Dolores (not Regina).
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It seemed pretty obvious to me that the farmers daughter character was just too stupid and heard Newman as Norman when they were introduced (not shown on camera). Her cry of "Norman!" is the last bit of dialogue and closes the scene and is supposed to be a punchline, the joke being that she is "in love" with Newman but can't even remember his name. If the punchline were supposed to be that this was revealing Newman's first name I think it would have been something funny to make us laugh (Norman is no Cosmo).
It seems to me that this is the simpler explanation and anything else is really a stretch.
Oliver
[email] (Oliver Postlethwaite) wrote:
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What background? The farmers daughter is an old stereotype and the situation Newman was in is often used as a premise in old sex jokes. The character is supposed to be not too bright. I was not implying that she mangled his name with her pronounciation or accent, merely that she was too ditzy to get his name right in spite of the fact that she "loved" him. It's a lame joke for sure but I think that's what they were going after.
BTW, my memory is a little foggy right now -- was it ever established on the show that Newman was his last and not first name? Maybe in the Scofflaw episode when he was in court?
i always thought newman was his first name also i don't think that they would reveal his first name like that and leave so much doubt about it. even if it was norman its not that funny is it>?
Yeah, you're right - The judge in the Scofflaw always referred to him as Mr. Newman.
I don't think Jerry likes Newman enough to reveal what his first name is. Seinfeld is just a smaller scale version of your 7th grade gym class, you know, with people being called by their last names and all. Hey, the show isn't called Jerry!!
I don't think Newman has a first OR last name...it's just Newman...like Cher...actually I can see the resemblance.
I respectfully disagree with this theory. First of all, doesn't she say "I love you Norman!!"? Saying that but getting his name wrong is why that is so funny. And given what we know about Newman's love life, having him sleep with the farmer's daughter without her knowing his name fits right in. Newman is not exactly the sensitive type.
On the flip side, Norman is the perfect name for Newman, but so would be Sheldon, Murray, etc.
Just my $0.02.
Bob Wells
[email] (David A. Tharp) wrote:
I think it was just a mangling of Newman.
I think not . The southern tongue could not transform Newman into Norman. Besides wouldn't the mailman tell the sweet lady his first name?
I don't know who you were responding to, but nothing in your short message makes sense.
1. Why would people living in the Midwest have a "southern tongue." Kramer and Newman were taking the bottles to Michigan, not Mississippi.
2. Newman is exactly the kind of pig who would not even bother to tell his bedmate his real first name. And since the father made his violent intentions clear, would you divulge any clues that would help him find you and kill you?
All that was trying to be pointed out is that she doesn't know his name. She just says Norman in stead of Newman. It's not a southern accent thing, she's just...air headed. She said it in a very serious tone which made all the better. That's all it was. It was just supposed to be funny. That's it. Really.
Rob :)
Don Cameron wrote:
Logical? It's a *punchline*.
The joke is that the girl is so dumb that she gets her lover's name wrong.
Another remote possibility is that Neuman gave her a phony name (call me Neum...er, *Norman*).
On the other hand, if Neuman's real name is Norman, where is the joke? 'Norman' Neuman just isn't funny.
jw
"Poor Lily" -Kramer
I do beleive that Norman Newman is a winner! Think about it. Wouldn't his parents consider a name that was allitertive? Also considering the daughter's speech patterns I don't see how or why she would mangle the name. Also wouldn't Newman tell her his first name?
I take up the challenge without fear! Yes, It was Michigan and not Mississippi or Missouri that the lads were delivering the cans & bottles but the lady in question did have that accent! Tell me if I'm wrong but didn't the father & daughter have different accents?
Newman may be a pig (or a hunk) but I think he did tell them his first name & besides the southern drawl or the midwestern twang wouldn't transform Newmen into Norman!
We can't be sure either way because the show (even in its bad moments) has a zen quality to it. I do beleive that no drawl or twang could transform Newmen into Norman.
I thought the reason the name "Norman" was used was because the joke was supposed to be that his name wasn't important, like they couldn't remember the name. But, of course I could be wrong, I missed the re-run of the Bottle Deposit so it has been a while.