Oh my God, I laughed so hard at this episode that my neck hurts! Congratulations to the screenwriters and actors, this is a sensational episode that became my favourite in the entire series.
11 Reviews
"They don't know what's going on"
juanmaffeo15 July 2016
The other high point in Season 4 (and in Seinfeld actually), along with The Contest, The Outing is one of the most entertaining, clever and funniest episodes of the show. It actually comes out as a sequel to The Contest, not just because of the risky material but also because of one scene that makes reference to the classic. And this is what The Outing is: an immediate classic.
Although this episode doesn't revolve around our four protagonist, what makes this episode classic is the absurd amount of great scenes. From the interview to the two- line phone malfunction and the newspaper article aftermath (Kramer, Jerry's parents and Estelle's reactions are all hilarious) and last, but not least, the conclusion of the episode. There's not a dull moment.
Beside from the main story, we get some nice details that enrich the episode, like Elaine's problem with Jerry's birthday gift, Kramer's last line, the gang discussing ugliest leaders, Elaine and her coat problem, the guy from the militia.
Without a doubt, one of the best.
Although this episode doesn't revolve around our four protagonist, what makes this episode classic is the absurd amount of great scenes. From the interview to the two- line phone malfunction and the newspaper article aftermath (Kramer, Jerry's parents and Estelle's reactions are all hilarious) and last, but not least, the conclusion of the episode. There's not a dull moment.
Beside from the main story, we get some nice details that enrich the episode, like Elaine's problem with Jerry's birthday gift, Kramer's last line, the gang discussing ugliest leaders, Elaine and her coat problem, the guy from the militia.
Without a doubt, one of the best.
One of the Best of the Best
ekeby24 April 2008
From one of the best sitcoms ever, a take on what it means to be thought of as gay.
As a gay man, it's my opinion that this Seinfeld episode is an extraordinarily sharp, clever, and brutally honest commentary on straight attitudes toward gay people.
Of course, I'm speaking about contemporary urban/suburban life where "liberal" or "tolerant" views are not only accepted, they're enforced. They're enforced by peer pressure; few would admit to homophobia or anything other than an accepting take on gay life. In a phrase: political correctness.
This episode exposes the hypocrisy of many straight people who declare gay people as their equals. It happens every time Jerry (or any other character) says, "Not that there's anything wrong with that." What they're really saying, of course, is that there's EVERYthing wrong with that if THEY are being thought of as gay. Acceptance for these people only goes so far.
Thankfully, in the 15 or so years since this episode first aired, attitudes have become more enlightened. Me, myself, I think lot of the change is due to media exposure in general, and this episode of Seinfeld in particular.
As a gay man, it's my opinion that this Seinfeld episode is an extraordinarily sharp, clever, and brutally honest commentary on straight attitudes toward gay people.
Of course, I'm speaking about contemporary urban/suburban life where "liberal" or "tolerant" views are not only accepted, they're enforced. They're enforced by peer pressure; few would admit to homophobia or anything other than an accepting take on gay life. In a phrase: political correctness.
This episode exposes the hypocrisy of many straight people who declare gay people as their equals. It happens every time Jerry (or any other character) says, "Not that there's anything wrong with that." What they're really saying, of course, is that there's EVERYthing wrong with that if THEY are being thought of as gay. Acceptance for these people only goes so far.
Thankfully, in the 15 or so years since this episode first aired, attitudes have become more enlightened. Me, myself, I think lot of the change is due to media exposure in general, and this episode of Seinfeld in particular.
A Script based upon a lot more than nothing
DKosty12311 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is an excellent take on comedy based upon mistaken identity by people drawing incorrect conclusions based upon being misled. While that might be confusing enough, there is a real issue here, this episode is actually making fun of the new military policy in the 1990's of "Don't ask, don't tell," concerning sexuality of people in the military.
It sets up with Jerry waiting in the coffee shop for an NYU reporter whose doing a story on him. He does not realize the reporter is sitting behind him. Enter Elaine & George who decide when they notice the reporter is listening to them talk, starting up a routine that Jerry & George are gay.
The reporter then shows up @ Jerry's apartment to interview Jerry, finds George there, & draws all the wrong conclusions about their relationship. From here the problem compounds because of Kramer giving Jerry a defective 2 line phone too a New York Post article outing Jerry & George. One of Jerry's best lines is "I've been outed when I have never even been in."
The biggest play on words here & throughout this episode is the replacement of "Don't ask, don't tell," with "Not that there's anything wrong with that." This is an episode which pretty much centers on the main 4 with the reporter, Jerry's parents, & George's mom having small but funny reactions to the entire situation.
This is a classic farce protesting a ridiculous Military policy which is still in the process of being over turned. The script lines are sharp & the comedy is at a rapid pace the entire show.
It sets up with Jerry waiting in the coffee shop for an NYU reporter whose doing a story on him. He does not realize the reporter is sitting behind him. Enter Elaine & George who decide when they notice the reporter is listening to them talk, starting up a routine that Jerry & George are gay.
The reporter then shows up @ Jerry's apartment to interview Jerry, finds George there, & draws all the wrong conclusions about their relationship. From here the problem compounds because of Kramer giving Jerry a defective 2 line phone too a New York Post article outing Jerry & George. One of Jerry's best lines is "I've been outed when I have never even been in."
The biggest play on words here & throughout this episode is the replacement of "Don't ask, don't tell," with "Not that there's anything wrong with that." This is an episode which pretty much centers on the main 4 with the reporter, Jerry's parents, & George's mom having small but funny reactions to the entire situation.
This is a classic farce protesting a ridiculous Military policy which is still in the process of being over turned. The script lines are sharp & the comedy is at a rapid pace the entire show.
Funny
bevo-1367819 June 2020
Lighten up already!
m-4782619 January 2020
I was blessed with two great episodes back to back, this season. And this one, alongside the competition, was a real treat. Only overly sensitive people can find any mean spirited humor in this perfect, and highly anticipated gay themed episode. The infamous line « not that there's anything wrong with that ». To mimic some commercials raising awareness about the « cause ». Added another layer of off beat humor, to an already hilarious episode. And even though some parts are too « easy », you want them to go there and maybe more. The 90s...
Sarcasm at it's best
mostafa_adel_9225 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This episode defines comedy... even though it's dealing with a very controversial subject.."Gayness". It's really making fun of the American society trying to force itself to accept gayness just to prove that they're liberal.The "Not that there's anything wrong with it" line has a very important meaning behind it..."MOST PEOPLE DO NOT ACCEPT 'GAYNESS' THEY'RE JUST FORCED TO". Putting that aside, This episode will literally knock you to the ground. The moment when Kramer realizes that he's "tall, thin, mid 30s and single" ... Yous should definitely see his reaction!! Trust me on this. You wanna have an "extraordinary" Laugh. You need to watch this.
Elaine Sets the Wheels in Motion
Hitchcoc4 September 2022
When Elaine, George, and Jerry are having lunch, it is revealed that an NYU journalist grad student is supposed to Interview Jerry. He is annoyed she hasn't shown up. It turns out she doesn't know what Jerry looks like and is sitting with a friend right behind them. Elaine sees this and they set up things and begin to make comments about gayness (George and Jerry). This leads to an utterly hilarious episode. The young woman finally interviews Jerry and is convinced he and George are an item. George doesn't help things by doing lots of stereotypical things. Asking about his shirt. Getting tickets to Guys and Dolls. She eventually published the article and both George's and Jerry's parent get into the act. I made culottes for him when he was little and look what happened. This whole thing is so funny!
The ease dropper was one of Jerry's hottest girls.
ThunderKing622 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was about to not be made. Then Larry Charles randomly came up with the phrase and this is bay far is the #1 episode of Seinfeld.
This review was made on March 22nd of year 2023rd in the 21st century.
What was this episode about?: A cute girl things Jerry seinfeld and George Costanza are gay like Bert and Ernie
Elaine wears a jacket
Kramer buys a phone for Jerome.
Oh It's Jerry's birthday and he didn't know
Story and The production overview: The best greatest episode of Seinfeld. Very funny.
Highlight: if I had to choose one thing it would be George touching Jerry's shoes and hands.
Girlfriend attractiveness level: 10. She fine.
Laugh meter: 10±
Villian: the cute girl.
What can be learned?: Stay quiet.
Verdict: The best. The best.
This review was made on March 22nd of year 2023rd in the 21st century.
What was this episode about?: A cute girl things Jerry seinfeld and George Costanza are gay like Bert and Ernie
Elaine wears a jacket
Kramer buys a phone for Jerome.
Oh It's Jerry's birthday and he didn't know
Story and The production overview: The best greatest episode of Seinfeld. Very funny.
Highlight: if I had to choose one thing it would be George touching Jerry's shoes and hands.
Girlfriend attractiveness level: 10. She fine.
Laugh meter: 10±
Villian: the cute girl.
What can be learned?: Stay quiet.
Verdict: The best. The best.
It is satire
jonathanrivera-1033729 November 2019
I saw a review saying that the characters mean it when they were repeating the iconic line "not that there's anything wrong with it",if you really think that the characters actually meant it then why are you even watching this show,i mean i though it was obvious enough that they had that line repeated 10 times in the episode so oblivious people could get the joke but apparently not,still you 'll think that the fact that they say the line when an homophobic action it's done or implied would clearly underline the satire behind the whole thing.Also it's necessary to explained that this is way for the writers to show the hypocrisy of the characters that sometimes people forget are supposed to be not the greatest people and are the exact opposite of role models.
Not that there's anything wrong with that
safenoe19 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
These pretzels are making me thirsty is one of the very memorable catch-phrases from the 1990s sitcom hit Seinfeld, and definitely the catch-phrase of the decade was (and still is) Not that there's anything wrong with that, and in fact this episode, The Outing, was the subject of an academic article by Joanna L. Di Mattia, "The Show About Something: Anxious Manhood and the Homosocial Order on Seinfeld." I think there's a deeper meaning to the catch-phrase and it was kind of like the don't ask don't tell policy also from the 1990s, and in a way maybe Seinfeld understood the anxieties prevalent init.
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