Seinfeld: The Pilot | Episodes 63-64 Recap Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4qiPSJo3pQ Listen to the Podcast: Rob Cesternino and Akiva Wienerkur continue their journey to watch every Seinfeld episode as they discuss the Season 4 Finale, Episode 23, “The Pilot.” Rob Cesternino and Akiva Wienerkur are ready for a wet and wild end to Seinfeld’s forth season, as they bring you the recap of “The Pilot”, which first aired on May 20, 1993. Rob shared how this episode aired on the same night as the Cheers series finale, causing an even bigger ratings spike than usual. Akiva had a short snippet of news about Jeff Garlin indicating there’s a 51% chance that there will be another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Jerry’s opening standup is a familiar bit about how people are more afraid of public speaking than death. The episode opens with Kramer arguing with Jerry about why he can’t play himself in the pilot. Rob and Akiva both agreed that the real Kenny Kramer must have done the same thing in real life. Jerry points out that he can’t act either, so they don’t need two main characters played by people who can’t act. They each try to give their best fake laughs to no avail. They are waiting to hear from Russell, who is out with Elaine. She is trying to let him down easy, though he is obsessed with her. She points out that he is a powerful executive that can get any woman he wants, and she just doesn’t like TV. If he worked for something like Greenpeace, it would be different. Back at Jerry’s, he is admonishing George for wearing sweatpants out in public. Rob and Akiva both agreed that nowadays it’s much more acceptable to wear workout gear. NBC calls to let them know they will be casting the show, much to the chagrin of George. We learn why George is upset about things getting started in the next scene with his therapist. He tells her it’s because he is scared of success, and he feels God doesn’t want him to be happy. Before he leaves, she points out a discoloration on George’s lip, causing him to yell at her for furthering his anxiety. Jerry doesn’t see anything when George asks him about his lip, but the cab driver does. At the end of the scene, the camera pans in on the man washing the car window, and it’s Crazy Joe Devola. At NBC, George is showing all the executives the discoloration on his lip, soliciting advice from any avenue he can. They start the auditions, and George is excited about this actor auditioning for the George role, though he is nothing like him. Rob described the actor as “the most 90s MFer we’ve seen on the show”. The next guy auditioning for George, played by Jeremy Piven, fits the George character perfectly, since he’s bald, neurotic and schlubby. When an attractive woman comes in to audition for the Elaine part, Jerry jumps right in to flirt/read lines with her, but George doesn’t like her, so she’s sent out. There is a montage of actors auditioning for Kramer, and one in particular seems to hit all the beats. When he leaves, George notices that he took the box of raisins from the table on his way out. Next, Kramer comes in pretending to be Martin Von Nostran, there for the audition. The executives recognize him from the Calvin Klein add. As the audition goes along pretty poorly, Kramer is struck with the sudden urge to go to the bathroom, so he runs right out of the room. Back at the diner, Elaine and Jerry are discussing how obsessed Russell is with Elaine. Elaine notices that all the waitresses at Monks happen to be top heavy, which has her question their hiring practices. Meanwhile, George is at the doctor having his lip looked at. The doctor is noncommittal about whether its cancer, but George is wanting some reassurance. After his doctor visit, George is talking about it with Jerry, he blows George off,