Howdy,
I've been rather sick as of late, so the FAQ file isn't near as complete as I would have hoped for the first version. However, I still think it's a good enough starting point to get things rolling.
There are still quite a few gaps in it (especially mini-bios on the main characters (I was hoping to find that old FAQ list) and information on "Vandelay Industries", the "Seinfeld" mailing list).
Anyway, feel free to add to the list by posting or mailing information, and I should be able to have a much better release of this list by next week.
Anyway, I gotta go lie in bed and cough some more. The FAQ follows the ^L.
Later <cough, cough>, Scott --- By day, [email], by night, rec.sport.hockey Ottawa Senators Contact TODAY'S .SIG: [Pay heed, for this quote/word/fact may alter your very being!] "(Chad) Erickson was a complete joke. He will never play for us again. The guy who drafted him should be dead." -- Cincinnati coach Dennis Derosiers )-> In case it's not obvious, BNR and I may or may not share these views. <-(
"Seinfeld" Information File and Frequently Asked Questions List
===============================================================[FAQ Version pi/4 -- Updated: March 14th, 1993]
This file is intended to provide a general information base and answer some frequently asked questions posted on alt.tv.seinfeld. It is hoped this file is found useful to newcomers to the group as well as fill in the information gaps in the minds of experienced a.t.s.'ers. Additions and corrections to this file should be directed to the FAQ administrator, noted in section 1.1.
Table Of Contents ================= 1) Administrivia 1.1) Information File & FAQ List 1.2) Episode Guide 1.3) Episode Capsules 1.4) Files By Anonymous FTP 1.5) "Seinfeld" Mailing List
2) The Show and It's Characters
2.1) Introduction to "Seinfeld"
2.2) The Main Players
2.2.1) Jerry
2.2.2) George
2.2.3) Elaine
2.2.4) Kramer
2.3) Regular Co-Stars
2.3.1) Newman
2.3.2) Morty and Helen Seinfeld (Jerry's parents)
2.3.3) Mrs. Castanza
2.3.4) Uncle Leo
2.4) Notable Guest Star Appearances
2.4.1) ...As Themselves
2.4.2) ...Playing Others
2.4.3) ...Mentioned But Not Seen
2.5) Behind-The-Scenes-Type People
2.5.1) Larry David
2.5.2) Tom Cherones3) Regular Show Aspects 3.1) The Diner 3.2) The Apartment 3.3) Main Characters' Occupations
4) Frequently Asked Questions (And Other Things You Should Know)
4.1) What is Kramer's full name?
4.2) What's up with Jerry's money?
4.3) What's Jerry and Elaine's relationship?
4.4) What's the whole "New York Thing"?
4.6) Is Pez the official fifth food group of alt.tv.seinfeld?
4.5) Snapple: Discuss
4.7) Whither official "Seinfeld" merchandise?
4.8) "Seinfeld" vs. "Home Improvement"
4.9) List Of Awards Won By "Seinfeld"
4.10) If You Were On A Deserted Island And Could Only Have One Episode
Of "Seinfeld" To Watch, which one would it be? (debating the
validity of the question is left as an assignment for the reader)
4.11) Who is Art Vandelay?
4.12) Does Jerry Read alt.tv.seinfeld?
4.13) "His whole life revolves around Superman and cereal"
4.14) "Is George Jewish? Is he Italian? Can he drive a three-inch nail
through a board with his...?"---
1.1) Information File and FAQ List
This file is maintained by Scott Simpson ([email]). It is
posted monthly to alt.tv.seinfeld. Any additions or corrections
to this list should be sent to the aforementioned email address. 1.2) Episode Guide
The official alt.tv.seinfeld episode guide is maintained by Bob
Warznak ([email]). It is posted periodically to
a.t.s. It is also available by anonymous FTP (see section 1.4). 1.3) Episode Capsules
The "Seinfeld" episode capsules are compiled by Scott Simpson,
([email]). They are posted pretty much weekly to a.t.s. 1.4) Files By Anonymous FTP
Presently, only the "Seinfeld" Episode Guide is available from anon
FTP. It is located at ftp.coe.montana.edu in the /pub/TV/Guides
directory. 1.5) "Seinfeld" Mailing List
The "Seinfeld" mailing list, "Vandelay Industries" has been up and
running longer than alt.tv.seinfeld. It can be reached at:
... 2) The Show and It's Characters
2.1) Introduction to "Seinfeld"
"Seinfeld" began life as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" July 5, 1989,
9:30PM as a one-hour pilot on NBC. It didn't see the light of day
again until it's first full season began, as simply "Seinfeld", May
31st, 1990. The show basically rotates around stand-up comedian
Jerry Seinfeld and his everyday routine... <blah blah blah> 2.2) The Main Players
2.2.1) Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry is played by, of course, Jerry Seinfeld... <blah blah blah>
Other work: Touring Stand-Up show, numerous Letterman appearances
2.2.2) George Castanza
Played by Jason Alexander... <blah blah blah>
Based on the show's producer/creator Larry David.
Other work: _My Fair Lady_ (Broadway), "Jacob's Ladder"
2.2.3) Elaine Benes
Played by Julia Louis-Drefus. J.L-D. is married to fellow "SNL"
alumnus Brad Hall. They have one child together, born in between
"Seinfeld" seasons last year (which is why she is absent from the
season premiere this year and is only seen from the shoulders-up
in "The Keys")... <blah blah blah>
Other work: "Saturday Night Live"
2.2.4) Kramer (Just Kramer)
Un-official idol of all of a.t.s., played with panache by Michael
Richards... <blah blah blah>
Other work: "Fridays (TV)", "UHF", "Young Doctors In Love" 2.3) Regular Co-Stars
2.3.1) Newman
Played by Wayne Knight. Many a.t.s.'ers loathe the man... <blah
blah blah>
Other work: "Dead Again", "Edge (TV)"
2.3.2) Morty and Helen Seinfeld (Jerry's parents)
Mrs. Seinfeld is played by Liz Sheridan, Mr. Seinfeld was played by
Phil Bruns in the Pilot episode, and by Barney Martin in all
subsequent appearances.
2.3.3) Mrs. Estelle Castanza
Played by Estelle Harris... <blah blah blah>
2.3.4) Uncle Leo
Played by Len Lesser... <blah blah blah> 2.4) Notable Guest Star Appearances
Many "big name" stars have appeared on "Seinfeld" (most often as
themselves), and many others have played other characters, or have
been "integral" parts of the show without being seen. 2.4.1) ...As Themselves
Candice Bergen, "The Keys"
Corbin Bernsen, "The Trip, Part II"
Keith Hernandez, "The Boyfriend"
(The Other Met (the "second spitter") Anyone know?), "The Boyfriend"
Keith Morrison, "The Trip, Part II"
Fred Savage, "The Trip, Part I"
George Wendt, "The Trip, Part II" 2.4.2) ...Playing Others
Michael Chiklis ........... Steve ("The Stranded")
["Wired", "The Commish (TV)"]
Siobahn Fallon ............ Tina (Jerry's sometimes girlfriend)
["Saturday Night Live (TV)"]
Clint Howard .............. Tobias ("The Trip")
[... <blah blah blah>]
Tawny Kitaen .............. Isabel ("The Nose Job")
["The New WKRP In Cincinnati (TV)", "America's Funniest People (TV)",
Ex-wife of that Whitesnake guy; she appeared in many of their videos]
Edie McLurg ............... Voice of ... ("The Old Man")
["WKRP In Cincinnati (TV)", "Valerie (TV)", etc.]
Brian Doyle-Murray ........ Mel ("The Bubble Boy")
["Caddyshack", "Groundhog Day", etc.]
Lawrence Tierney .......... Alton Benes (Elaine's Dad) ("The Jacket")
[... <blah blah blah>] 2.4.3) ...Mentioned But Not Seen
Woody Allen, "The Alternate Side"
John Cheever, "The Cheever Letters"
Joe Dimaggio, ""
Mickey Mantle, "The Visa"
... 2.5) Behind-The-Scenes-Type People
2.5.1) Larry David
Co-creator, writer and producer of the show, Larry David is also
the basis of the George character. If memory serves, he was also
"Ira" in "When Harry Met Sally..."... <blah blah blah>2.5.2) Tom Cherones Director of the show... <blah blah blah>
3) Regular Show Aspects
3.1) The Diner
The diner that the gang frequents on the show is called "Monk's".
The exterior shots are of "Tom's Diner" in New York City (located
on Broadway at 112th St.) Tom's is the subject of the song "Tom's
Diner" by Suzanne Vega on the album "Solitude Standing". 3.2) The Apartment
o Jerry's apartment is located at: .......
(given on "Mad About You")
o The bike is a Klein (though he seemingly never uses it)
o The Computer is a Mac (though he seemingly never uses it) 3.3) Character Occupations:
Jerry: Stand-up comedian
George: Real estate agent ("The Stakeout")
Proof-Reader ("The Red Dot")
Presently co-writer of Jerry's show for NBC
Elaine: Editor
Kramer: "Falls ass-backwards into money"
(Has also had a couple of acting jobs:
o One line in a Woody Allen film: "These pretzels are
making me thirsty" ("The Alternate Side")
o Murphy's secretary on an episode of "Murphy Brown"
("The Keys")
Newman: United States Postal Worker ("The Old Man")
Mr. S: Sells raincoats ("The Wallet") 4) Frequently Asked Questions (And Other Things You Should Know...)
4.1) What is Kramer's full name?
Likely the most asked (or should I say "debated") questions is
what is Kramer's full name on the show. Simply stated, Michael
Richards plays "Kramer". "Gee, Scott... Is that his first name
or his last name?" Well, it's never been mentioned, but it is
likely safe to assume it's his last name (from such clues as a
torn cover page from Kramer's treatment (in this year's season
premiere) shows only text where a last name would be, and it says
"Kramer")). Jerry has joked to interviewers that Kramer's full
name is "Kramer Versus Kramer", and one article has stated it as
"Mr. Bent Kramer" (although that has since been refuted since
another version of the article prints it as "Mr. Bent, Kramer").So remember, it's just "Kramer" until the show tells us otherwise.
4.2) What's up with Jerry's money?
Many episodes of "Seinfeld" deal with Jerry losing mass quantities
of money in one way or another, such as:
o Paying Uncle Leo $350 to get his watch back ("The Wallet")
o Paying Elaine's $200 phone bill ("")
o Paying hit and run damages ("The Good Samaritan")
o ... 4.3) What's Jerry and Elaine's relationship?
In the premiere episode "The Stakeout", we find out that Elaine and
Jerry used to be "together" but are now "just friends". In a later
episode ("The Deal") they try to have a friendship plus "the other
thing" and they end up agreeing that it's good to have "this, that
and the other thing", although no episode after "The Deal" addresses
this issue again-- they have been "just friends" ever since. 4.4) What's the whole "New York Thing"?
Many a.t.s.'ers claim to have special insight into the show since
a lot of the show's humour is based on living in New York City
(episodes like "The Subway" particularly accent this) and there
are numerous "Only in New York" subplots (such as Woody Allen
making a film). Anyway, the consensus seems too be that you don't
have to be a New Yorker to understand and appreciate the humour,
but it helps you empathise with the characters when they get into
situations like the above.4.5) Is Pez the official fifth food group of alt.tv.seinfeld? Is there a need to ask?
4.6) Snapple: Discuss
If Pez is the official fifth food group of a.t.s., Snapple must be
what you wash it down with. 4.7) Whither official "Seinfeld" merchandise?
Talk to Donna Tschetter ([email]). She has a veritable
varied verifiable variety of stuff, including T-shirts and mugs. 4.8) "Seinfeld" vs. "Home Improvement"
Sigh... Much ado about nothing, but a.t.s. has become a bit of a
soap box for people to state their views on why "Home Improvement"
sucks (or does not suck). This is only being debated since the two
shows occupied the same time slot (Wednesday, 9:00) for much of this
year. Generalising, one can see that "HI" is watched more by married
couples and children than "Seinfeld". 4.9) List Of Awards Won By "Seinfeld"
This year, "Seinfeld" won several American Comedy Awards, including
best TV series, best actor (Jerry), supporting actor (Jason) and
best actress (Julia). Many have scoffed at the exclusion of Michael
Richards, and the lack of "Seinfeld" to make the top nominees for
anything at the People's Choice Awards. The Directors Guild of America awarded "Seinfeld" best comedy series
honours this year also. 4.10) If You Were On A Deserted Island And Could Only Have One Episode
Of "Seinfeld" To Watch, which one would it be? (debating the
validity of the question is left as an assignment for the reader)
I'm sure "The Contest" is #1 amongst the group, but to be sure,
I think we should have an informal poll to decide. More later... 4.11) Who is Art Vandelay?
Art Vandelay was born in the first season premiere episode ("The
Stakeout") when George invented a name for a fictitious friend he
and Jerry were going to see. George subsequently uses the name
"Vandelay Industries" as a fake company he sought work at in order
to continue his unemployment insurance. And there was another
occasion, but I just can't think of it. Anyone? 4.12) Does Jerry read alt.tv.seinfeld?
Doubtful. Extremely doubtful. Really extremely doubtful. But he
does have an account on Prodigy. 4.13) "His whole life revolves around Superman and cereal..."
Many "subtle" props in the apartment reflect Jerry's real-life
persona. As such, we've seen Superman magnets on the fridge and
every episode there is an exorbinant amount of cereal in his
cupboards. There have been as many as 8(?) boxes on his shelf at
once. Some of the brands recognised: Apple Jacks, Cheerios, Chex, Corn Flakes, Double Crunch, Rice
Krispies, Trix It has also been publicly stated that Jerry (perhaps with the other
"fab four") will appear on boxes of Kellogg's cereal. Which brand
name hasn't been verified, but it seems to either be Raisin Bran or
Low-Fat Granola. 4.14) "Is George Jewish? Is he Italian? Can he drive a three-inch nail
through a board with his...?"
So much bandwidth... So little time... As far as I can tell, it's
been decided George plays a stereotypical Jewish character who is,
in fact, Jewish (asking for the kosher meal in "The Trip", etc.),
who happens to have an Italian surname. Thus, I think we can assume
he is, in fact, a Jewish-Italian American.=========================================================================== The Info File and FAQ List is compiled and maintained by Scott Simpson through many more life-endangering hours of laborious and grueling time at the keyboard. Distribute this file freely, but please leave in this disclaimer so that years from now when I'm visiting Malaysia some villager will approach me on the street and recognise me as the guy who finally wrote a FAQ for alt.tv.seinfeld and brought peace and harmony not only to that newsgroup, but to the world as well. Thanks. --- By day, [email], by night, rec.sport.hockey Ottawa Senators Contact TODAY'S .SIG: [Pay heed, for this quote/word/fact may alter your very being!] "(Chad) Erickson was a complete joke. He will never play for us again. The guy who drafted him should be dead." -- Cincinnati coach Dennis Derosiers )-> In case it's not obvious, BNR and I may or may not share these views. <-(