" The Chinese Restaurant " is the eleventh episode of the second season of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld and the show's seventeenth episode overall. The episode revolves around protagonist Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and his friends Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and George Costanza (Jason Alexander) waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant, on their way to see Plan 9 from Outer Space . Unable to get a table they hang around and talk, while George tries to use the phone that is constantly occupied and Jerry sees a woman he recognizes.
Written by Seinfeld and series co-creator Larry David, the episode was the first in which Jerry's neighbour Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) did not appear, much to Richard's disappointment. Due to "The Chinese Restaurant"'s lack of storyline, NBC executives objected to the broadcast of the episode, thinking audiences would be uninterested. It was not until David treatened to quit if the network forced any major changes upon the script, that NBC allowed the episode to be produced, though it did not air until near the end of season two.
First broadcast in the United States on May 23, 1991, the episode gained a Nielsen Rating of 11.7/21. Television critics reacted positively to the episode, which went on to become one of the show's first classic episodes; in 1998, a South Florida Sun-Sentinel critic wrote that the episode, along with the season four episode "The Contest", " broke new sitcom ground and expanded the lexicon of the '90s."
Plot
Jerry, George and Elaine decide to get dinner without reservations at a Chinese restaurant before seeing Plan 9 From Outer Space . Jerry lied to his uncle, saying he could not make it to dinner, to go see the film. The maître d' (James Hong) repeatedly tells them they will receive a table in "5, 10 minutes". George is nervous about his girlfriend Tatiana, whom he left during sexual intercourse as he felt he was "not getting enough space". He tries to call her, as she has agreed to talk to him, but a man (Michael Mitz) occupies the phone and ignores George. Jerry notices a woman (Judy Kain) whom he recognizes, but cannot remember from what.
A bored Jerry dares Elaine to take an egg roll off someone's plate and eat it, offering her $50 if she does so. Elaine approaches a table and tells them her friends would give her $50 to eat one of their egg rolls and she was willing to give them $25 of it. As she softly speaks the offer without moving her lips, and the diners are old and hard of hearing, they fail to comprehend her. She simply walks away and fails to collect on the wager. George gets frustrated when other patrons monopolize the phone. When he is finally able to call Tatiana, he gets her answering machine and leaves a message. Tatiana calls back, but the maitre d' calls "Cartwright" instead of "Costanza". The mysterious woman encounters Jerry, and Jerry remembers she's his uncle's receptionist. Realizing his cover is blown, he decides that he might as well call his uncle and have dinner with him after all. He describes to Elaine the "chain of calls" that will occur, now that the woman will notify his Uncle that she saw Jerry at the restaurant. In his explanation, Jerry makes a reference to the Bermuda Triangle stating: "Unfortunately nobody ever disappears!". Elaine announces that she'd rather eat at Sky Burger, due to her extreme hunger. Jerry, George and Elaine both agree to leave. As soon as they leave, the maitre d' calls their party.
Production
"The Chinese Restaurant" was written by series co-creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld and directed by Tom Cherones, who directed all of season two's episodes. David came up with the idea while he and Seinfeld were waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles. It was the first episode in which Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), Jerry's neighbour, did not appear. David explained to Richards that the reason for Kramer's absence was because, during Seinfeld ' s early seasons, the character never left his apartment. This was much to Richards' dismay, as he felt the episode was a breakthrough and as such, essential for the series' development. In an interview for the Seinfeld first and second season DVD box set he commented "The Chinese restaurant episode was so unique, and I just wanted to be a part of that because it was cutting edge. I knew that was a very important episode; it was so odd."
When David presented the episode to NBC executives he received a negative reaction. The network felt that the episode had no real story and that viewers would be uninterested. Executive Warren Littlefield commented that he was under the impression that there were pages missing from the script he had received. David argued that each character had a storyline; Jerry's story was he recognized a woman but did not know from what, Elaine's story was that she was very hungry and George's story was that the restaurant phone was occupied when he wanted to make a call. NBC disagreed and objected to the broadcast of the episode. To satisfy the executives, staff writer Larry Charles suggested Jerry's storyline to be on his way to Plan 9 from Outer Space , and thus placing the episode in "real time". When the NBC executives still objected, David threatened to quit the show if the network would force any major changes upon the script. Seinfeld supported David and NBC eventually allowed them to produce the episode without any significant alterations, though they strongly advised them not go through with it and postponed the broadcast of the episode until near the end of the season.
The first read-through of the episode was held on December 5, 1990, and it was filmed on December 11. Filming of the episode took place at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Los Angeles, California, where all filming for the second season took place. As the episode took place in only one location, it took less time than other episodes to be filmed. Cast members have remarked that the episode took least time to film than any other episode, as it took roughly half of the time it usually took to film an episode. A few changes were made to the episode; in the first draft of the script, George, Jerry and Elaine entered the restaurant talking about their least favorite holiday, this was changed to a discussion regarding the combination of cops and garbagemen. Seinfeld also used the replacement discussion the following year when he guest-hosted an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live . In the original draft the three friends also discussed how to prevent the events in the future, with George suggesting to bring a deck of cards and Jerry to bring a jigsaw puzzle with nothing but penguins. One scene was cut prior to broadcast, featuring George explaining to Jerry that he pulled his hamstring while trying to untuck the covers of a hotel bed during his recent stay in Boston. George can be seen grabbing his hamstring as he walks to the phone. The scene was later included on the Seinfeld seasons one and two DVD boxset.
Michael Mitz portrayed the man who is on the phone when George tries to call Tatiana; Mitz would return in the season five episode "The Puffy Shirt" as a photographer who photographs George's hands. Veteran actor James Hong portrayed the maître d'. The role of the maître d' is one of Hong's most famous roles in the United States. Judy Kain, known for a recurring role on Married... with Children , guest-starred as Lorraine Catalano, Jerry's uncle's receptionist. David Tress guest-starred as Mr. Cohen, a guest who enters the restaurant and gets a table without reservation, because he is good friends with the maître d'. David's voice can be heard among the group of elderly people Elaine offers money for one of their egg-rolls. Norman Brenner, who worked as Richards' stand-in on the show for all its nine seasons, appears as an extra; he is sitting by the door of the restaurant at the beginning of the episode and is still at the same spot when Jerry, George and Elaine leave.
Reception
On May 23, 1991 the episode first aired in the United States on NBC. The episode received a Nielsen Rating of 11.7 and an audience share of 21, meaning that 11.7% of American households watched the episode, and that 21% of all televisions in use at the time were tuned into it. Seinfeld was the eighteenth most-watched show of the week it was broadcast in, and the sixth most-watched show on NBC. A meeting between NBC executives was held after the broadcast regarding the fate of the show. The outcome was that if the writers would put more effort into episode story lines, the show would receive a third season order.
"The Chinese Restaurant" gained very positive responses from critics and is considered one of Seinfeld ' s first "classic episodes". Kit Boss, critic for the Ocala Star-Banner , commented the episode was "like real life, but with better dialogue". Various critics and news sources have pointed out that the episode defines the show's "show about nothing" concept. Critics have also noted that aside from being a turning point for the show, the episode also became a turning point for television sitcoms; one South Florida Sun-Sentinel critic commented that the episode, along with the season four episode "The Contest", " broke new sitcom ground and expanded the lexicon of the '90s." Vance Durgin of The Orange County Register p
What your mother never told you about Baby Shower Centerpieces
These unique and beautiful baby shower centerpieces will impress you, the mom-to-be and all of your guests! Diaper cakes, chocolate fountains, flowers and creative homemade ...
Baby Shower Diaper Cakes, Baby Shower Centerpieces, Personalized and ...
Unique for your Rubber Ducky Baby Shower. Personalized 3-Tier Baby Shower Centerpiece. A fun and useul gift idea!
Unique Baby Shower Gifts, Custom painted nursery decor, Children's ...
The online store specializing in unique nursery accessories, baby shower centerpieces and favors, and children's gifts.
Baby Shower Diaper Cakes
... party, these diaper cakes make fabulous centerpieces for your perfectly planned baby shower. ... Best Sellers Baby Shower Favors Baby Shower Gifts Personalized Baby Gifts Unique Baby ...
Baby Shower Centerpieces
Of course, the real center to any baby shower is the new life growing in the guest of honor’s belly – but why not celebrate that with a centerpiece as unique as the new mother ...
Baby Shower Centerpieces
Unique Centerpieces: Romantic Centerpieces: Elegant Centerpieces: Beach Centerpieces ... Baby Shower Centerpieces. Giggly fun for a new, little one! Don't you just love baby showers?
Baby Shower Centerpieces | Baby Shower Diaper Cakes | Unique Baby ...
The best selection of baby shower centerpieces, diaper cakes and baby shower gifts in many styles. Great gift ideas for new baby and delight the new parents
Baby Shower Centerpieces | Unique Baby Shower Centerpiece Ideas
Where are the best baby shower centerpieces? Close your eye and unleash your imagination...Balloons,Green Plants,Flowers,Candles,Soft Toys and any thing! Let me tell...
Diaper Cakes | Unique Baby Gifts | Baby Shower Diaper Cakes | New Baby ...
Unique Baby Gifts that new moms adore - The Diaper Cake ... to an actual cake makes a great addition to any baby shower décor or as a baby shower centerpiece.
Wedding Centerpiece | Unqiue Centerpiece Ideas
Christmas Centerpiece Ideas; Party Themed Centerpieces; Special Occasions; Bridal & Baby Shower Centerpieces; baby shower centerpieces; more decorating ideas; Wonderful & Unique Centerpiece ...