Seinfeld: The Chinese Restaurant Review

While Seinfeld today is regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms ever, it still had hurdles in 1991. For one, NBC was not pleased with their episode, The Chinese Restaurant. To keep in mind, this was a mid season replacement show. This was a production in the middle of producing season two episodes, but like The Busboy, aired very late. The network did let it air in late May. If you get a chance, watch the inside look. They had quite a bit of people talking about it, including an NBC executive.

It's a premise that is so simple, yet executed well by both Larry David and Jerry, based on an actual experience the two had. Jerry, Elaine, and George are out trying to get seated at a Chinese restaurant. That's it. No Monk's Cafe, no Jerry's apartment. Just stand up at the beginning and end, with the episode taking place only in that restaurant. That alone pissed off NBC to where they hated it. Hard to imagine since this is one of the show's most loved episodes.

As per usual for a Seinfeld episode, they're not getting seated and they wait desperately. I really wish I could talk more about this episode, but there's no filler. Jerry wants to go see in the theater Plan 9 From Outer Space. He also makes a lie to his uncle about going to his place for dinner, but gets caught in the end. George is waiting on a phone call from a girl, and you can pretty much guess what happens. Elaine doesn't have anything other than being very hungry. Kramer is not in this episode, which is a little strange Their idea was he never left his apartment as they explained in the inside look.

Hunger does a lot when someone doesn't get their food. David and Seinfeld make it very apparent with Elaine and give her quite a bit of emotions. It's weird having George trying to be a normal human in society. Easy to see why he becomes a funny cheapskate jerk as the show goes on. Even Jerry having issues with family is funny. Anything he does wrong, and many members will find out. A nice guest star they had was James Hong playing the host of the restaurant and being a thorn in the three's side. Then again, he's just doing his job.

Despite no Kramer, it's very funny, and less is more is not a bad thing. You don't see an episode go 15 minutes and then head for it's first commercials. It's rather easy to forget how strong some of these early episodes are, especially for a second season one.

Score: 8 out of 10

Next week's episode is one that was written quickly because of an unmade episode never making it past rehearsals.