1/16 Episode Parodies Peterman, Travelogues

In the Jan. 16 episode, world traveller J. Peterman figures prominently. Yet, it is Jerry's trips to Florida that are documented travelogue-style. It's done in imitation of films of the 1930's-1940's that were set in exotic locales; those films often advanced the plot by displaying maps, often with arrows. A well-known example of this is the opening scene of "Casablanca". "Raiders of the Lost Ark", a paean to 1930's-40's action films, also includes such a map with arrows (done in a tongue-in-cheek style, IMHO).

The episode was all the more amusing because Peterman's travel tales are treated as ho-hum, boring stuff, while Seinfeld's trips to Florida are documented in great detail. To many New Yorkers, travelling to Florida is about as eventful as a trip to New Jersey. South Florida sometimes is called, jokingly, the sixth borough (after Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island). New Yorkers fly or drive to Florida because the subway doesn't go there yet.

Comments?

---Alvin H. Nichter

Alvin Nichter wrote:

Just that my parents both lived in the Bronx for the first thirty-some years of their life and they and their families *never* went to Florida during that time. I'm not saying you're wrong; I'm just saying I've never heard that before.

-Jen

The annual winter exodus to Florida isn't at all universal. (I'm a lifelong resident of Manhattan, and neither I nor my family ever went for the winter.) However, the population of some sections of Brooklyn, such as Flatbush/Midwood, diminish noticeably during the winter months. I've also known people from Queens who winter in Florida. (I'm actually admitting in public that I once knew people in Queens! Ugh!) Although New Yorkers from many backgrounds go to Florida for the winter, it's far more common in Jewish neighborhoods. Just try to get a return flight from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to New York the week before Passover; the planes are full.

---Alvin H. Nichter

In article , Alvin Nichter writes:

And whats wrong with queens...?? from Flushing,,,

It Shrinks...???

Just Me, Lisa.

Interesting observation. I didn't think of that, but it's true that there is a contrast between the humor of Peterman's exploits and the semi-seriousness of Jerry's commute.

What I still don't understand is why Jerry had to fly to Florida to buy the car from Klompus. Couldn't he just overnight him a check? And don't they have comedy clubs in Florida? He could've at least gotten a gig! :-)