"The Finale" is the name given to the final two episodes of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. It aired on May 14, 1998 to an audience of 76 million viewers. Image File history File links Seinfeld_finale. ... Larry David Larry David (born July 2, 1947) is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, comedian, producer and film director born and raised in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York. ... Image credit: Tom Keller Andy Ackerman is a director and producer who is best known for his work on Seinfeld and the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... The Butter Shave is the first episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... The Voice is the one-hundred and fifty-eighth episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Serenity Now is the one-hundred fifty-ninth episode of Seinfeld. ... The Blood is the one-hundred and sixtieth episode of Seinfeld. ... The Junk Mail is the one-hundred and sixty-first episode of Seinfeld. ... The Merv Griffin Show is the sixth episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... THE SLICER The Slicer is Eleanor’s younger sister “The Slicer” is one beautiful and tough little lady. ... The Betrayal is the one-hundred and sixty-fourth episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Apology is the one-hundred and sixty-fifth episode of the hit NBC television series Seinfeld. ... It has been suggested that The Human Fund be merged into this article or section. ... The Dealership is the one-hundred and sixty-seventh episode of Seinfeld. ... The Reverse Peephole is the one-hundred and sixty-eighth episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Cartoon is the one-hundred and sixty-nineth episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Strong Box is the one-hundred and seventieth episode of Seinfeld. ... The Wizard is the fifteenth episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... The Burning is the sixteenth episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... The Bookstore is the one-hundred and seventy-third episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Frogger is the 174th episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... Categories: ... The Puerto Rican Day is the one-hundred and seventy-sixth episode of the hit NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Clip Show, Part 1 is the twenty-first episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... The Clip Show, Part 2 is the twenty-first episode of the ninth season of Seinfeld. ... Seinfeld logo The following is an episode list for the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... A situation comedy, usually referred to as a sitcom, is a genre of comedy programs which originated in radio. ... Seinfeld is an Emmy Award-winning sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, running a total of 9 seasons. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... The following is a list of most watched television episodes, organized by country and based on various criteria. ...

Plot

After finally striking a deal with NBC over their sitcom pilot, Jerry, Jerry and George are faced with having to leave New York City for California. Before doing so, they decide to take NBC's private jet to Paris with Elaine and Kramer, for one "last hurrah". Unfortunately, Kramer causes engine troubles by hopping up and down on the plane while trying to get water out of his ears, nearly killing the four friends in a crash. Upon what looks to be their final moments of life, George reveals he cheated in "The Contest", and Elaine tells Jerry "I've always loved you", but the pilot manages to steady the plane, so Elaine awkwardly finishes her comment by adding "-nited Airlines." They make an emergency landing in the small, fictional town of Latham, Massachusetts. NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... A sitcom or situation comedy is a genre of comedy performance originally devised for radio but today typically found on television. ... Information Gender Male Age Late 30s Occupation stand-up comedian Family Morty (father) Helen (mother) A Sister Relatives Leo, Mac (uncles); Stella, Silvia, Rose (aunts); Jeffery, Artie Levine, Douglass (cousins); Nana (grandmother) Portrayed by Jerry Seinfeld Created by Jerry Seinfeld. ... Information Aliases Art Vandelay, Biff, Buck Naked, Cantstandja Gender Male Age 30s Occupation various jobs Family Frank (father) Estelle (mother) Brother Shelly (cousin) Susan Biddle Ross (Fiancee) (Deceased) Portrayed by Jason Alexander Created by Larry David George Louis Costanza is a fictional character on the United States-based television sitcom... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Cosmo Kramer is a fictional character on the United States based television sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), played by Michael Richards. ... The Contest is an episode in the popular US sitcom Seinfeld in which the four main characters Elaine Benes, Cosmo Kramer, George Costanza and Jerry Seinfeld make a bet to see which one can go the longest without masturbating. ...

While killing time in Latham, waiting for the plane to be repaired, they witness an overweight man getting carjacked at gunpoint. Instead of helping him, they crack jokes about his size while Kramer films it all on his camcorder, then they proceed to walk away. The victim notices this, and tells the reporting officer. The four main characters are then taken into custody for violating the Good Samaritan law that requires bystanders to help out in such a situation. The most serious violation punishment in the real world would be a mere $2500 fine, meaning the writers exaggerated the consequences of the offense. Good Samaritan laws in the United States and Canada are laws protecting from blame those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. ...

A lengthy trial ensues, bringing back many characters from past shows as character witnesses testifying against the group for their "selfish" acts from throughout the series. The Virgin, the low-talker, the Bubble Boy, Babu Bhatt, the Soup Nazi, George Steinbrenner, Susan Ross' doctor from the night she died, the overweight man who was carjacked, and several others are called to the witness stand, among many more enemies and acquaintances. Attorney Jackie Chiles defends them with the defense that the witnesses are just trying to settle scores with the four and are really exaggerating, that the four did not want to get shot by the criminal, and even George's mother tries to get them released by offering to have sex with the judge. The four are found guilty, and sentenced to a year in prison, with Judge Arthur Vandelay (Art Vandelay - George's fictitious alter ego) proclaiming: "I can think of nothing more fitting than for the four of you to spend a year removed from society so that you can contemplate the manner in which you have conducted yourselves. I know I will." The Virgin is the fiftieth episode of the hit sitcom Seinfeld. ... The Buble Boy is the name of a 1992 episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld, and the name of a character in that episode. ... Plot Jerry tries helping the owner of a small restaurant attract customers by giving him a suggestion. ... Larry Thomas as the Soup Nazi Yev Kasem (a. ... George Michael Steinbrenner III (born July 4, 1930 in Rocky River, Ohio), often known as The Boss, is an American businessman and the principal owner of Major League Baseballs New York Yankees. ... Phil Morris as Jackie Chiles Jackie Chiles is a fictional attorney portrayed by American actor Phil Morris. ... Art Vandelay is the name that George Constanza invented originally in the Seinfeld Episode entitled The Stakeout. ...

In the final scene before the credits, the four main characters sit in a jail cell - strangely unfazed by what has just happened to them, still concerned mostly with the minutiae that preoccupied them beforehand. Jerry begins a conversation about George's shirt buttons, using lines from the very first episode of the series ("The second button is the key button. It literally makes or breaks the shirt..."). George then wonders if they have had that conversation before. Also, Kramer is ecstatic about finally getting the water out of both his ears, which was the real cause of the near plane crash accident in the first place. Elaine still cannot believe they are in prison, but Jerry tells her they can get out on parole in six to seven months, which is the amount they will have to pay on the apartment, and he will attempt to have Jerry picked up again. The Seinfeld Chronicles (also known as Good News, Bad News and Stand Up) (Series Original Script Title) is the pilot episode of the NBC series, Seinfeld. ...

In a last bit of comedy during the credits, Jerry is seen wearing an orange jumpsuit, performing a stand-up routine of prison-related jokes to an audience of fellow prisoners (including Kramer). "So what is the deal with the yard? I mean when I was a kid my mother wanted me to play in the yard. But of course she didn't have to worry about my next door neighbor Tommy sticking a shiv in my thigh." He is eventually threatened by a heckler/fellow prisoner (voiced by Larry David). The final line of the series is Jerry, being yanked off stage, saying "Hey, you've been great, I'll see you in the cafeteria!" A Prison shiv christened the Throat cutter A shiv (from the Romani word chiv) is a slang term for a sharp or pointed implement used as an improvised knife-like weapon. ... Larry David Larry David (born July 2, 1947) is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, comedian, producer and film director born and raised in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York. ...

Quotations

• Newman: All right, but hear me and hear me well. The day will come - oh, yes, mark my words, Seinfeld - your day of reckoning is coming, when an evil wind will blow through your little play world and wipe that smug smile off your face! And I will be there, in all my glory, watching, watching as it all comes crumbling down!

• Prosecutor: State your name please.
  Soup Nazi: Yev Kasem.
  Prosecutor: Could you spell that?
  Soup Nazi: NO! Next question.

• Prosecutor: How long was his book overdue?
  Mr. Bookman: 25 years. We don't call them delinquents after that long.
  Prosecutor: What do you call them?
  Mr. Bookman: Criminals.

• Elaine: [before she is taken to prison] Puddy! Don't wait for me!
  David Puddy: [nonchalantly] Alright.

• Elaine: His soup wasn't that great anyway.
  Soup Nazi: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!

• Jackie Chiles: [leaving with Sidra after the trial is over] Oh, and Mr. Seinfeld, they're real....and they're spectacular!]

• Jerry: You've been great! See you in the cafeteria. (The last line of the series)

Phil Morris as Jackie Chiles Jackie Chiles is a fictional attorney portrayed by American actor Phil Morris. ... Information Gender Male Age Late 30s Occupation stand-up comedian Family Morty (father) Helen (mother) A Sister Relatives Leo, Mac (uncles); Stella, Silvia, Rose (aunts); Jeffery, Artie Levine, Douglass (cousins); Nana (grandmother) Portrayed by Jerry Seinfeld Created by Jerry Seinfeld. ...

Trivia

• The working title for this show was "A Tough Nut To Crack" to throw off outsiders about the contents of the episode.^{[citation needed]}
• This episode is generally seen as a homage to Albert Camus' novel The Stranger.^{[citation needed]}
• Geraldo Rivera's (then) CNBC show was used for footage for the finale only.
• The conversation in prison, about the "second button being the most important", is the exact same conversation that begins the pilot episode. This causes George to remark, "Haven't we had this conversation before?" To this, Jerry responds, "Yeah, I think we have."
• This was actually the closest to a reunion for the sketch comedy, Fridays, they include Michael Richards (Cosmo Kramer), Larry David (co-creator, writer, and can be heard as a prisoner), Bruce Mahler (Rabbi Glickman), and Melanie Chartoff.
• The town of Latham, MA does not actually exist outside of the Seinfeld universe. There is, however a Latham, NY which is about 155 miles north of TV Jerry's apartment at 129 W 81st St.

This article is about the term working title. ... Albert Camus (pronounced )( ) (November 7, 1913 – January 4, 1960) was an Algerian-French author and philosopher. ... The Stranger, or The Outsider, (from the French L’Étranger, 1942) is a novel by Albert Camus. ... For the British bandleader see Gerald Bright Geraldo Miguel Rivera (born July 4, 1943, as Gerald Michael Riviera), known on television as Geraldo Rivera or simply Geraldo is an American television journalist and former talk show host. ... Seinfeld logo Seinfeld is a television sitcom, considered to be one of the most popular and influential of the 1990s in the U.S., to the point where it is often cited as epitomizing the self-obsessed and ironic culture of the decade. ... Fridays was the name of ABCs weekly late-night live comedy show, which aired on Friday nights from 1980 to 1982. ... For other persons named Michael Richards, see Michael Richards (disambiguation). ... Cosmo Kramer is a fictional character on the United States based television sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), played by Michael Richards. ... Larry David Larry David (born July 2, 1947) is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, comedian, producer and film director born and raised in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York. ... This article should belong in one or more categories. ... Melanie Chartoff (born December 15, 1948 in New Haven, Connecticut) is an actress best known for her voice role in Rugrats, and for her comedic work on the ABC series Fridays from 1980-1982, and on the early 90s Fox sitcom Parker Lewis Cant Lose. ...

Reaction and ratings

The finale of Seinfeld was criticized by many for being vindictive towards the characters - who are shown to be amoral, selfish misanthropes - and, by extension, towards the audience who tuned in to watch them every week. Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker seemed to echo the majority sentiment in declaring the episode "off-key and bloated...Ultimately, Seinfeld and David's kiss-off to their fans was a loud, hearty, 'So long, suckers!'"^[1] Others valued it for the large number of cameo apperances from past episodes, as well as the perceived in-joke of the four characters being convicted and imprisoned on the charge that they did nothing, a play on the "show about nothing" mantra. One way or the other, the 1998 episode made TV history as the third most watched finale of a U.S. television series ever, behind only M*A*S*H in 1983, and Cheers in 1993, in front of Friends and Frasier both in 2004, Everybody Loves Raymond in 2005, and Will & Grace in 2006. Entertainment Weekly (sometimes abbreviated EW) is a magazine published by Time Inc. ... 2002 Lincoln cent, obverse, proof with cameo Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewelry made in this manner. ... M*A*S*H is an American television series developed by Larry Gelbart, inspired by the 1968 Richard Hooker (penname for H. Richard Hornberger) novel M*A*S*H: A Novel About Three Army Doctors and its sequels, but primarily by the 1970 film MASH, and influenced by the 1961... Cheers is a popular American situation comedy produced by Charles-Burrows-Charles Productions in association with Paramount Television for NBC. Cheers was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Frasier is a popular American situation comedy television series that starred Kelsey Grammer, reprising the character of psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane from parent show Cheers, which had ended months before. ... Everybody Loves Raymond was an American sitcom broadcast on CBS from 1996 to 2005. ... Will & Grace is a popular Emmy Award winning and Golden Globe nominated American television sitcom that was originally broadcast from 1998 to 2006. ...

Guest stars

Ian Abercrombie (born September 11, 1936 in London) is an English actor. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Frances Bay is a character actress known for playing a variety of quirky elderly women. ... Steve Carlson (born August 26, 1955 in Virginia, Minnesota) is a retired American ice hockey forward. ... Bryan L. Cranston (born March 7, 1956 in San Fernando Valley, California) is an American actor, voice actor, writer and director, best known in his role as Hal, the father of the family in the Fox Network television situation comedy Malcolm in the Middle. ... Brian Doyle-Murray (born October 31, 1945) is an American comedian and actor from Chicago, Illinois. ... Anthony Van Epperon (born February 21, 1957 in Sweetwater, Tennessee, USA) is an American actor. ... Richard Fancy is an American actor best known for his long recurring role on Seinfeld as the publisher Mr. ... Warren Frost is an American actor, known for his role in Twin Peaks and the father of Mark Frost. ... Brian George (born 1952, Israel) is a character actor who plays guest role Middle Eastern characters of varying degrees of stereotypicalness. ... Philip Baker Hall (born September 10, 1931) is an American screen actor. ... Estelle Harris (born April 4, 1932 in New York City), is an American actress who is best known for her supporting role as Estelle Costanza, Georges (Jason Alexander) mother, and Franks (Jerry Stiller) wife on the long-running TV sitcom Seinfeld. ... Teri Lynn Hatcher (born December 8, 1964) is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American actress and author. ... Richard Herd (born September 26, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American character actor in television and film. ... Keith Hernandez (born October 20, 1953 in San Francisco, California) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, who played for the St. ... Steve Hytner in Seinfeld Steve Hytner (sometimes credited as Stephen Hytner) is an American actor best known for his role as Kenny Bania in Seinfeld. ... Carlos Jacott is a film and television actor. ... Scott Jaeck as Samuel Wilder Scott Jaeck is an American actor who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 29, 1954. ... Wayne Knight (born August 7, 1955) is an American actor, known for his roles as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld, Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park, and as police officer Don Orville in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. ... Scott Klace is perhaps one of the most well-unknown actors of the late 20th century. ... Jane Leeves Jane Leeves (born April 18, 1961) is an actress best known for her work as Daphne Moon on Frasier. ... Leonard King Len Lesser (born December 3, 1922) is an American actor best known for his role as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld after having joined the cast during the second season. ... This article should belong in one or more categories. ... Barney Martin (March 3, 1923 – March 21, 2005) was an American actor. ... Phil Morris (born April 4, 1959 in Iowa City, Iowa) is an American TV and movie actor. ... Sheree North (born January 17, 1932, in Los Angeles, California - died November 4, 2005 in Los Angeles), was an actress and singer who appeared in numerous Broadway shows, Hollywood movies, and television series from the 1950s onwards. ... John Gerald OHurley (born October 9, 1954, in Kittery, Maine) is an American actor best known for his recurring role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld. ... Ed ORoss was born on July 4, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... James Pickens, Jr. ... John Pinette (born March 23, 1964)[1] is an actor and stand-up comedian based in the U.S.. He has toured the comedy club circuit since the 1980s and has appeared in cinema and television. ... Victor Raider-Wexler is an American television and film actor. ... James Rebhorn (born September 1, 1948) is an American character actor who has appeared in over one hundred television shows, feature films, and plays. ... For the British bandleader see Gerald Bright Geraldo Miguel Rivera (born July 4, 1943, as Gerald Michael Riviera), known on television as Geraldo Rivera or simply Geraldo is an American television journalist and former talk show host. ... Miguel Sandoval (born November 16, 1951) is an American film and television actor. ... Reni Santoni, born April 21, 1939 in New York City, is a film, television and voice actor. ... Liz Sheridan (born April 10, 1929 in Westchester County, New York) is an American actress. ... Jerry Stiller (born June 8, 1927) is an American comedian, actor, and father of Ben Stiller. ... Brenda Strong (born March 25, 1960 in Brightwood, Oregon, USA) is an American actress. ... Larry Thomas as the Soup Nazi Larry Thomas, best known for his role as the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, has appeared in a number of films, TV shows, and commercials, and appears at autograph-signing shows across the country. ... Myra Turley is an American film and television actress most recognized for her roles as Dale on the 1995 sitcom Muscle and as Madeline Evelley in Clint Eastwoods Academy Award winning movie Flags of Our Fathers. ... Patrick Warburton (born November 14, 1964) is an American actor. ... Danny Woodburn (born July 26, 1964) is an American actor. ... Daniel von Bargen (born June 5, 1950 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American film and television actor. ... Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1941, Grace Zabriskie is a character actress who has played small roles in many popular American films and television series. ... Jim Zulevic Jim Zulevic (1965 – January 7, 2006) was an American actor, improvisational comedian, television writer, and radio host. ...

References

1. ^ "So long, suckers!". )