Episode 37 - The Good Samaritan

The Plot:  We’ll play the “one phrase” game once again for true Seinfeld aficionados.  Tell me if you recognize the line, “you are so good looking”. 

The episode starts with Jerry witnessing a hit-and-run driver hitting another car. He is on the car phone with Elaine at the time, who tells him he has to go after the driver. He does, but when the driver steps out he realizes that she is a beautiful woman named Angela and decides to date her.

Jerry lies to Elaine saying he went into Queens and intimidated the man with karate moves. After dating the hit-and-run driver, Angela, Jerry finds out that the car that she hit belongs to Becky Gelke, another woman he has always wanted to date. He tells Becky that he will do something about the damage. Meanwhile, Kramer has been experiencing convulsions and passing out and ultimately determines he is having an adverse reaction to the sound of Mary Hart's voice on Entertainment Tonight.

George and Elaine go out to dinner with a married couple. Elaine makes up an elaborate story that she once dated a romantic matador from Spain named Eduardo Corrochio, making his name up hesitantly on the spot. When the wife sneezes, George casually tells her "God bless you", but her husband does not say anything. When George points this out, the husband, Michael, gets mad. Later, when George is describing the story to his friends, Jerry opines that “God bless you” is really just a random phrase with no meaning and could easily be replaced by saying “you are so good looking” after a sneeze.

The wife, Robin, ends up liking George because of the “God bless you”, and they have an affair. As George and Robin are in bed together, Michael calls Elaine to find out where his wife is. Elaine does not know, but soon realizes that Robin used her as an excuse and tries to cover up. Michael doesn't buy it and figures out Robin is with George. He then exclaims into the phone, "He's finished! I'm going to sew his ass to his face! I'm going to twist his neck so hard his lips will be his eyebrows! I'm going to break his joints, and reattach them!"

Meanwhile, Jerry confronts Angela about Becky's car, but unfortunately Elaine walks in at that very moment and figures out that Jerry "lied" about his story. Jerry goes to Becky's house to write out a check for her damage and then ask her out, but Becky accuses him of hitting her car. George manages to escape from Michael by joining Jerry on his out of town gigs. Kramer uses the accident as an excuse to talk to Becky and ends up getting a date with her. But when he rings the bell at her apartment and she opens the door, Mary Hart is on the TV and Kramer has another convulsion..

Fun Facts:

• Kramer’s convulsions when hearing the voice of Mary Hart was based on an actual case reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
• In 2009, an Iowa man was fired from his job for repeating the “you are so good looking” phrase to a co-worker who had sneezed and being accused on sexual harassment.
• This was the only episode ever directed by a cast member.  Jason Alexander directed.

  

Favorite Quote:   

George: I said 'God bless you'. Was that so wrong?
Jerry: The question is, did you allow a space for the husband to come in with his 'God bless you'? Because as the husband, he has the right to first refusal.
George: Yes, yes, I definitely waited. But let me say this: Once he passes on that option, that 'God bless you' is up for grabs.
Jerry: No argument. Unless, she's one of these multiple sneezers, and he's holding his 'God bless you' in abeyance, until she completes the series.
George: Well I don't think she is a multiple sneezer, because she sneezed again later, and it was also a single.
Jerry: What if she's having an off night?

Favorite Scene:   Robin, the woman George said “God bless you” to, has called and left a message asking him to call her back.  He calls her from Jerry’s bedroom and returns with a befuddled look on his face:

George: Oh my God.
Elaine: What?
George: Well she apologized, and then she wanted to know if we could get together Wednesday afternoon.
Jerry: Get together?
George: Maybe she just wants to talk to me?
Elaine: Married women don't 'get together'. They have affairs.
George: Oh my God, an affair. That's so adult. It's like with stockings and martinis, and William Holden. On the other hand it probably wouldn't cost me any money.

The Lesson:  Is the lesson in this episode tied to the hit-and-run, the “God bless you” or Mary Hart?  Good question.  I actually had a lesson from all three story lines, but I’m going to go with the hit-and-run.  How often do you see companies that launch with the best intentions.  Their vision is based on solving a significant problem in their community or society in general and their solution is one with the potential to make the world a better place.  And somewhere along the line, the company bumps into a potential partner or customer that causes them to reject their original focus and take a more short-term, me-first approach.

Like Jerry dating the hit-and-run driver only to find out that the victim was the woman he really wanted to date, companies can find they miss their bigger calling (and possibly even greater success) when they get distracted from their original mission by the pretty girl (partner/customer) in front of them.  By no means am I suggesting that you do not pay attention to your customers or partners as you grow your business.  They are the end-all/be-all of your company.  But if one potential partner can knock you off stride and turn you against what you know is right from wrong, then you probably need to take a step back and refocus your attention.

We're Back!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry again fans.  I had no idea how hard it would be to stay current with a Blog.  I have no excuses other than my own inability to devote time to this effort.  I hope that this is the last long term hiatus in the project.  Thanks for sticking with me.

Episode 36 - The Limo

The Plot:  Again, it just takes the one simple phrase to identify the episode to fans.  Jerry’s, “She’s a Nazi George” is a highlight. 

Jerry flies in from Chicago and George arrives to take him home. His car has broken down on the Belt Parkway and the two are stranded. Jerry points out a limousine chauffeur with a sign for someone named O'Brien. Jerry had seen an O'Brien in Chicago complaining to the airport staff that he had to reach Madison Square Garden. Since the real O'Brien's flight is overbooked and he will not be arriving in New York, George tells Jerry that since it is such a long wait to get a cab, they should pose as O'Brien and his colleague and take the limo home. George chooses the first name Colin and assumes the identity of O'Brien, as Jerry makes up the name Dylan Murphy. The chauffeur believes them and lets them into the limo and then informs them that they will be heading to Madison Square Garden and that they have four passes for the night. George remembers the Knicks are playing the Bulls that night at the Garden, which must be why O'Brien wanted to get there. Jerry calls up Elaine and tells her to wait with Kramer for them to pick them up for the game, and also tells her to call him and George by their pseudonyms.

After the call, Jerry and George learn that two of the people the passes were intended for are still coming. The chauffeur stops and a man, Tim, and a woman, Eva, get in with them. George feigns sleep and Jerry introduces himself. Eva and Tim tell Jerry that they are great fans of O'Brien's newsletter and book, The Game, neither of which has he heard of. Luckily, the two have never seen a picture of O'Brien and have no way of knowing who George really is.

As Kramer and Elaine wait outside the apartment building, Jerry mentions that they will probably miss the tip-off, and Tim wonders if he means "someone's been tipped off." George, interested about the book he supposedly wrote, asks Eva to describe her view of it. She and Tim cite the book's analysis of something called "the game," all its major players, and how the fate of the world depends on it. Eva mentions that O'Brien is making a speech that night, and George nervously reads a faxed copy of it for the first time. Kramer mentions how strange it is that George and Jerry took a limo when they had the former's car, and wonders why they insist on being called different names.

George reads O'Brien's speech and finds to his and Jerry's dismay that it is full of remarks expounding antisemitism, anti-Zionism and white supremacy. As he continues it, a loud bang is heard outside. Tim pulls out a pistol and exits the car. Eva tells George that she would do anything for him, even die. Tim comes back and says it was just a flat tire. He then adds if someone really were shooting at them, he would be prepared, and pulls out a briefcase of pistols. A news report reveals that Donald O'Brien, head of the regional chapter of the Aryan Union, a high-profile Neo-Nazi organization, is scheduled to make his first public appearance at the Paramount, adjacent to MSG, to deliver the speech at a rally. He is an outspoken Neo-Nazi, admirer of Adolf Hitler, and passionate fascist  Crowd control officers have lined up several barricades to keep away hordes of protesters.

On the street, Kramer and Elaine run into her friend Dan and his friends, who tell them they are going to the Nazi rally to protest O'Brien. He then mentions no one knows what O'Brien looks like. As George explains to Jerry that he is attracted to Eva, they plan to have the limo drive back to the Upper West Side and get out when they see Elaine and Kramer, who realizes that Jerry must be the O'Brien at the rally, which explains the limo. As it drives past them, Kramer sees Jerry and shouts, "O'Brien!" This attracts other protestors across the street standing at a bus stop. As Kramer and Elaine dive through the door and they chase the limo down the street, the phone rings. Kramer picks it up and hands it to Eva. She listens for a few seconds and tells the others, "It's O'Brien." Tim pulls out his gun and demands that George and Jerry say who they really are, and Jerry and George, and later Elaine, all rapidly (and nervously) attempt to explain themselves at the same time. The car pulls up to the Paramount and the protesters begin rocking it. Dan notices Elaine as one of the passengers, and she awkwardly acknowledges him. George is placed in front of the news teams identified as Donald O'Brien, and the protesters horde around him as he frantically denies being O'Brien and shouts for Jerry.

Fun Facts:

• Eva is obviously a reference to Hitler’s girlfriend, Eva Braun.
• The woman that plays Eva, Suzanne Snyder, returns in Season 5 as Poppie’s daughter.
• In a reference to late 1980’s and early 1990’s American politics, O’Brien is supposedly too controversial for David Duke, a former KKK member who was elected to the Louisiana State Legislature and ran unsuccessfully for President in both the Democratic (88) and Republican (92) primaries.

Favorite Quote:   

Kramer: Don't you see? There's always been something very strange about Jerry, always so clean and organized. Do I have to spell it out for you? The limo? The name? The rally at Madison Square Garden? Jerry, O'Brien are the same person. Jerry is the leader of the Aryan Union!
Elaine: Jerry's a Nazi?!
Kramer: I can't believe I didn't see it.
Elaine: Listen, you idiot! Just calm down! I know Jerry, he's not a Nazi.
Kramer: You don't think so?
Elaine: No, he's just neat.

Favorite Scene:   George and Jerry are in the back of the limo and George is like a little kid.  He’s so excited he can’t sit still.  He decides to call his Mom and tell him what he’s done and in typical Costanza fashion, the entire call goes horribly wrong:

George: This is incredible! This is one of the greatest things I've ever done in my life! I'm gonna call my mother.

Jerry: What for?

George: I dunno, I'm in a limo. (dials) Hello ma? It's me. Guess where I am.  In the back of a limo. No, nobody died. It's a long story, I can't tell you now. Because I can't. I said I can't. If I could, I would. Would you stop it? Alright, look, I'm getting off. No, I'm not telling you! How's this? I'm never telling you! I don't care! No! Fine! Never!!
Jerry: She happy for you?

The Lesson:  I think I remember why I stopped this Blog prior to this episode.  How do you derive a lesson for entrepreneurs out of a mixup in which someone is mistaken for a Nazi?  Hmmm.  Well, here it goes:

In the early stages of most startups, it is difficult to truly define your company and explain it to people in a way that can be clearly understood.  Oftentimes, people come away from interactions with startups, with a wildly different take on the business than that of the founder.  It is important when starting a business, to take some time and practice explaining what it is you are trying to build.  As silly as it may sound, take some time to practice in front of a mirror or in front of a camera.  Try to tell the audience what you do and why they should be intrigued within 30 seconds.

Don’t focus on buzzwords or things you think your audience wants to hear.  Focus solely on the vision you have created for the business and how you can communicate that vision clearly and concisely so that all who have heard you, understand what you have built.  Trying to be something you are not, letting someone believe you are something you are not, probably won’t end up with people calling you a Nazi, but it will end up with people having unreal expectations for your company and failing to appreciate the progress you make along the way.

Episodes 34 & 35 - The Boyfriend

The Plot:  A two part episode featuring the first appearance of Keith Hernandez.  After a basketball game at the gym, Jerry meets one of his idols, former New York Mets baseball player Keith Hernandez and wants to make a good impression. Meanwhile, George is out of time on his unemployment and he works harder than ever on his scheme to get a 13-week extension. He tells the unemployment office he was close to a job with Vandelay Industries, a company that makes latex products and whose main office is Jerry's apartment. Kramer and Newman accuse Hernandez of spitting on them during a Mets game at Shea Stadium; however, Jerry supports the "second-spitter theory" that Hernandez was not involved citing the “incontrovertible laws of physics” or the “magic loogie”. Keith asks Jerry about Elaine's relationship status. Keith makes a date with her and breaks a date with Jerry.

Having been busted by his unemployment officer after Kramer unknowingly answers Jerry's phone, George tries to curb losing his benefits by taking the officer's daughter out for a date, which goes terribly wrong for him and causes him to express to Jerry his desire to date a tall woman. Meanwhile, Jerry becomes jealous that Keith is spending more of his time with Elaine on dates until Elaine breaks up with Keith because he smokes. When Keith asks Jerry to help him move his furniture, Jerry finally has enough and breaks up their friendship. Right then, Kramer and Newman confront Keith on the alleged "spitting incident." Keith provides them with the truth that, in fact, he saw the real spitter, Mets relief pitcher Roger McDowell on the “grassy knoll” next to the player’s entrance. Kramer and Newman then remember that they had taunted McDowell throughout the game going so far as to pour a beer on him while he was in the bullpen and they apologize to Keith and offer to help move his furniture. George rushes in, with one last desperate attempt to win over his unemployment officer by acquiring a baseball autographed by Hernandez, but he is too late. As he mopes, a tall woman suddenly appears with George's wallet, which he had dropped on the sidewalk outside, causing George to give a happy smile.

Fun Facts:

• The first episode in which the live audience applauds when Kramer enters.
• The first episode in which “Vandelay Industries” is a latex firm.
• The “Magic Loogie Theory” is based on the “Magic Bullet Theory” outlined in “JFK” the Oliver Stone film about the assassination of JFK.

Favorite Quote:   Some of the best one line quotes in show history:

Jerry: I have to dribble, if I give it to you, you just shoot.  You’re a chucker.

Kramer: Hey, you know this is the first time we’ve seen each other naked?

George: I’d love to be a Civil War buff.  What do you have to do to be a buff?

George: You know Keith, what I’ve been wondering, with all these ball clubs flying around all season, don’t you think there would be a plane crash?

Jerry: Newman, Kramer, if you'll indulge me. According to your story Keith passes you and starts walking up the ramp then you say you were struck on the right temple. The spit then proceeds to ricochet off the temple striking Newman between the third and forth rib. The spit then came off the rib turned and hit Newman in the right wrist causing him to drop his baseball cap. The spit then splashed off the wrist, Pauses In mid air mind you- makes a left turn and lands on Newman's left thigh. That is one magic loogie.

Elaine: Well I’d watch that third base coach because I don’t think he’s waving you in.

Favorite Scene:   George has told the Unemployment Office that he is close to landing a job with Vandelay Industries and gives them Jerry’s phone number.  He runs from the office to Jerry’s apartment to tell him to answer his phone as Vandelay.  Thinking he’s beaten the bureaucrat to the punch, he heads to the bathroom.  At that moment, the phone rings and Kramer answers, not knowing about the Vandelay scam.  As Kramer is telling the Unemployment Office that they have the wrong number, George comes running out of the bathroom with his pants around his ankles screaming at Kramer to tell them they have the right number.  He falls face down onto the floor, crying at the loss of his benefits as Jerry enters to stare at the half naked Costanza lying on his floor.  Pondering the situation, Jerry deadpans:

Jerry: So you want to be my latex salesman.

The Lesson:  There are so many storylines in this episode that I struggled to pull out just one lesson, but then again, I’ve got so many episodes to go, I can’t afford to waste any good ones.  After careful consideration, the primary lesson provided by this episode is “keep everyone you do business with in perspective.”  Jerry becomes infatuated with a guy, simply because he is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.  It screws with his head and makes him doubt himself and how he should interact with Hernandez. 

Startups can fall into the same trap.  I can’t tell you how often we see entrepreneurs come to us and boast that Google, Microsoft, Twitter or some other corporate giant is reaching out to them as a potential partner.  These companies are ready to change their business model, their core product or even their marketing themes, simply to please the corporate all-star. The plain truth is that one of these giant companies has reached out to them in the first place, because they saw value in the company just the way it was.  There is no need to change or doubt yourself, just because a recognized name has taken an interest.

In the episode, Hernandez tells Jerry he would love to do comedy.  Instead of taking it as a compliment, it furthers Jerry’s insecurity.  Startups are faced with the same insecurities.  Don’t let a bigger brand’s admiration make you question your value.  

Sorry

Sorry to all for the disappearance.  I can whine about how busy things have been recently, but all of you are busy and that is no excuse.  I will try my best not to let another month go by without a posting.  Thanks to everyone for sticking with the blog.

Tyler

Episode 33 - The Fix-Up

The Plot:  Once again, an episode that can be summed up in one line: “My boys can swim!!!”  This episode also was the start of NBC’s crossover actor approach.  This episode features Maggie Wheeler (who was better known as the obnoxious Janice on NBC’s “Friends”) as a friend of Elaine’s.  Jerry and Elaine try to setup George and Cynthia (Wheeler) on a blind date.  George has given up on women because “it’s hard enough to find a woman I dislike, much less a woman I like.”  Cynthia has given up on men because the good one’s know their good and so they don’t want to be tied down and the mediocre ones are so insecure they act like they’re not good enough.  Cynthia is looking for someone who has nothing, because “he just has to appreciate me because he’s so desperate.”  Elaine immediately thinks of George.

In ping ponging scenes, Jerry is describing Cynthia to George, while Elaine is describing George to Cynthia.  This provides great insight into the different characteristics that are important to men and women.  George’s concerns seem centered on finding a low intellectual, but highly attractive date, while Cynthia wants to know if he has a job.  Jerry and Elaine have a “pact” that despite telling George and Cynthia that all details will be kept secret, they will tell each other all of the intimate details they get from the daters. 

 On his way out to the blind date, George is at Jerry’s when Kramer walks in with a brown paper bag filled with colored condoms that he got from Bob Sacamano. George, ever the optimist, takes one just in case.

In a split screen, George calls Jerry to tell him that the date went great and that they had sex on the floor in his kitchen.  At the same time, Cynthia calls Elaine to tell her about the kitchen sex.  Unfortunately her take on it was a little different.  “How good could it be, my head was on a hotplate.”  Despite their previous pact, when Jerry and Elaine reconnect, neither is willing to divulge even the slightest detail.  George, thinking the date went great, continues to pursue Cynthia who has now stopped taking his calls.  George and Jerry begin to argue over the way to address Cynthia’s rejection, prompting Kramer to come into the apartment and break up the fight.  On the way out, Kramer absentmindedly tells George not to use the condom he took as the whole batch was defective.  The next scene finds Cynthia telling Elaine she thinks she’s pregnant.

In one of the greatest show moments of all times, George walks into Jerry’s apartment while he and Elaine are discussing Cynthia’s possible pregnancy, and instead of freaking out, George bursts out in joy, shouting, “I did it!!  My boys can swim.”

The episode concludes with Cynthia not being pregnant, deciding that George is not such a bad date and agreeing to go out with him again.

Fun Facts:

• The first reference to Bob Saccamano, who will become a recurring but unseen character.
• This episode won an Emmy for Larry David for outstanding writing.
• The first of several “Friends” crossovers.

  

Favorite Quote:   Once again, a couple of classics:

Jerry: How was it? What'd you talk about?
Elaine: Well, you know, the usual; The Federal Reserve, the rainforest. Cynthia thought we should nuke the rainforest, you know, get rid of it in one fell swoop so we can at least eliminate it as a subject of conversation. What about you?

Cynthia: What does he look like?
Elaine: Pardon?
Cynthia: What does he look like?
Elaine: Um, well, he's got a lot of character in his face. Um, he's short. Um, he's stocky.
Cynthia: Fat. Is that what you're saying, that he's fat?
Elaine: Powerful. He is so powerful, he can lift a hundred pounds right up over his head. And um, what else. What else. Oh, right. Um, well, he's kind of, just kind of losing his hair.
Cynthia: He's bald?
Elaine: No! No, no, no, he's not bald. He's balding.
Cynthia: So he will be bald.
Elaine: Yup.

Cynthia: Has he ever been married?
Elaine: No.
Cynthia: Has he been close?
Elaine: He once spent a weekend with a woman.

Favorite Scene:   One of the great scenes in show history.  Jerry and Elaine are arguing a discussing the fact that Cynthia might be pregnant when a stunned George stops cold in the doorway, looking at first like he might pass out:

Elaine: I knew those condoms were defective!
Jerry: How did you know they were defective?!
George walks in.
Elaine: Because! Because she missed her period!
George: She missed her period? Oh my god. I can't believe it! I'm a father! I did it! My boys can swim! I can do it! I can do it!

The Lesson:  The point of the episode from the writer’s standpoint is that the things that are important to men and women when dating are very different.  George and Cynthia are focused on completely different things when evaluating whether to accept the blind date setup.  This is also a great lesson for entrepreneurs.  So often, you are so focused on your company and the process of building it, that you become myopic in your viewpoint.  The things that are important to you about your product or service, may not be as important to your customers.  I’ve seen so many instances where a founder gets consumed with certain elements of the business, that ultimately have no bearing on consumer adoption or revenue.  Steve Jobs has taught all of us that the details in designing a product or a service are important, but they are only important if the customer thinks they are important.  Don’t sacrifice your vision for your company, but don’t be blind to the needs/interests of others, or you may find yourself as desperate as Cynthia and George.

Episode 32 - The Suicide

The Plot:  The episode begins with Elaine telling Jerry that she must fast for three days in order to get tested for ulcers.  Jerry leaves to take his trash to the garbage chute, bumps into George and then Gina, a very attractive woman who dates Jerry’s neighbor Martin (or Marteen, as she pronounces it).  Martin is clearly not pleased that Gina is talking to Jerry.

The next scene has Gina banging on Jerry’s apartment door asking for help because Martin has tried to commit suicide.  Martin was so upset that Gina was dumping him and he believed Jerry has something to do with it.  When Jerry goes to visit Martin in the hospital, Gina comes onto him, urging Jerry to kiss her in front of Martin while he’s in a coma.

In an alternate storyline, George (who is still unemployed) is going on a vacation to the Cayman Islands, using a non-refundable super-saver ticket.  Elaine convinces George to go see a psychic before the trip and she warns him not to take the vacation, but it interrupted by Elaine who criticizes her for smoking while pregnant.  The psychic throws them out without ever telling George why he shouldn’t go on the trip.

Jerry becomes worried when Newman sees him with Gina. Later, in the comatose Martin's hospital room, Newman hints to Jerry that he will tell Martin what's been going on with Jerry and Gina, while Kramer is in there to tell Martin to give him back his vacuum cleaner. Jerry attempts to buy Newman off with the extra Drake's coffee cake that he has; however, Elaine (now starving without food) takes it and devours it before he can even eat it. Meanwhile, George finds Rula the psychic in another hospital room as she is going into labor. He tries to discover from her the reason why he shouldn't go to the Caymans; however, she is taken away to give birth before she can divulge it. Amidst all the commotion Martin awakens from his coma and Newman promptly tells him everything, resulting in Jerry being choked.

 

While in the Caymans, Kramer played nude backgammon with Elle Macpherson, one of the models who was there for a shooting of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. Upon his return he explains to George that he was mildly stung on the foot by a jellyfish, and theorizes that this is why the psychic didn't want George to go on the trip. George sarcastically agrees. George and Jerry leave to have dinner with Elaine (who had to reschedule her appointment) while Kramer rushes back to call Elle.

Fun Facts:

• Once again, George is concerned that he might contract Lupus, and asks the psychic if this is why he shouldn’t go.  This seems to be the go to disease for George.
• This is the first episode in which we see Newman.  It also prompts the very first “Hello…Newman”
• Jason Alexander’s mother makes a cameo appearance playing a woman sitting next to Elaine on a bench. 

Favorite Quote:   Once again, a couple of classics:

George: Hey, I’m all set. I got the ticket. I’m going to the Cayman Islands this Friday.
Jerry: I don’t get you. Who goes on vacation without a job? What, do you need a break from getting up at 11:00?

George: It’s an incredible deal. I don’t know why you don’t come with me.

Jerry: Nah, I don’t go for these non-refundable deals. I can’t commit to a woman. I’m not going to commit to an airline.

Jerry: I didn’t know what the coma etiquette was.

Kramer: There is no coma etiquette. You see that’s the beauty of the coma, man. It doesn’t matter what you do around it.

Jerry: So you’re saying, his girl, his car, his clothes, it’s all up for grabs. You can just loot the coma victim.

Kramer: I’d give him 24 hours to get out of it. They can’t get out of it in 24 hours, it’s a land rush.

Jerry: So if the coma victim wakes up in a month, he’s thrilled, he got out of the coma. He goes home, there’s nothing left?

Kramer: NOTHING LEFT! That’s why I’m trying to get that vacuum cleaner. Because somebody’s going to grab it.

Kramer: So what’s going on between you and Gina?

Jerry: Well, I went with her to the hospital last night.

Kramer: Uh, uh.

Jerry: So we’re in the room and she’s trying to get me to kiss her right in front of him.

Kramer: Uh, uh, you see that’s the great thing about Mediterranean women. All right, so what did you do?

Jerry: Nothing.

Kramer: Ah, what kind of a man are you? The guy is unconscious in a coma and you don’t have the guts to kiss his girlfriend?

Favorite Scene:   When Gina wakes Jerry after Martin tried to kill himself, he scrambles back and forth over changing his clothes:

Gina: It’s Martine. I think he’s dying. He tried to kill himself with pills.

Jerry: What?

Gina: Come on.

Jerry: In my pajamas? I better get my robe.

Gina: We don’t have enough time.

Jerry: It’ll take two seconds.

Gina: There is no time.

Jerry: We don’t have two seconds?

Gina: All right. Go ahead.

Jerry: Nah, forget it.

Gina: No, go ahead.

Jerry: Nah. I’ll just wear the pajamas.

Gina: Will you just get it.

Jerry: Are you sure?

Gina: Forget it. Come on.

Jerry: Nah, I’ll go get the robe.

The Lesson:  I wish I hadn’t used the lesson from Episode 17 – The Busboy (Things are never as good or as bad as they seem at the time), because that applies so well here.  But since I’m trying to find a unique lesson in every episode, I’ll just go with “make sure you know the whole story before you make a decision.”  Entrepreneurs live in a rapid fire world where they do not have the time to “study” every issue before needing to make a decision.  Hopefully, you have a core set of principles that guide your decision making process and you are not subject to the actions of others.  Yet, sometimes you are forced to react to a set of actions or circumstances that dictate a certain direction for your company.  In such case, make sure you are operating with a complete set of facts.  In The Suicide, George decides not to go on vacation because something bad is going to happen, but he does not know the extent of the “bad”.  Before pulling the plug on some aspect of your business (or your vacation) make sure you know why you are pulling the plug and make sure you know the whole story.