The Alternate Side (4 Dec. 1991)

Jerry's car is stolen. Elaine dates an older man. Kramer gets a small role in a Woody Allen movie filmed on his and Jerry's block. George must deal with the commotion of the movie filming as he gets a job parking cars on the block.

Director:

Tom Cherones

Writers:

Larry David (creator), Jerry Seinfeld (creator),

Stars:

Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jerry Seinfeld	...	Jerry Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus	...	Elaine Benes
Michael Richards	...	Kramer
Jason Alexander	...	George Costanza
Jay Brooks	...	Sid
Janet Zarish	...	Rental Car Agent
Edward Penn	...	Owen
Jeff Barton	...	Paramedic

Storyline

After Jerry has his car stolen - he even speaks to the remorseless thief on his car phone - he tries to rent a replacement but learns that it isn't quite as simple as thought it would be. George is intrigued to learn that there's a man in Jerry neighborhood who earns his living by parking everyone's car and moving them when required. George thinks he on to something that he could as well as anyone. Everyone is a bit jealous when Kramer gets a one line speaking part in Woody Allen's new movie which is being filmed in part just outside Jerry's apartment. Nothing seems to work out for anyone of them however.

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Plot Keywords:

reservation | sunglasses | key left in ignition | reference to woody allen | wheelchair | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1991 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shapiro/West Productions, Castle Rock Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

23 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jerry talks to the car thief on the phone, the voice of the thief is that of Larry David.

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Goofs

When Sid enters Jerry's apartment, he immediately starts talking and forgets to close the door. When the camera moves with Jerry to the refrigerator, the door is closed.

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Quotes

Rental Car Agent: Wouldf you like to purchase the renter's insurance?
Jerry: Yeah, you better give me the insurance because I'm going to beat the HELL out of this thing.

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Connections

Featured in Seinfeld: Highlights of a Hundred (1995)

User Reviews

"These pretzels are making me thirsty!"

Given the similarities in comic sensibility between Larry David/Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen (not to mention the fact that Larry has had minor roles in a few of Woody's films), it was only a matter of time before the quintessential New York director was in some way involved in the making of an episode of the ultimate New York TV show. The episode in question is the borderline genius The Alternate Side, which continues the series' tradition of bringing out the best (read: worst) in the personalities of Kramer, George and Elaine.

Allen's role in the plot is minimal, in fact he doesn't appear at all. It is just mentioned that he's shooting his latest movie (which would have to be Husbands and Wives, given the air date of the episode) not so far away from Jerry's apartment, and Kramer is lucky enough to get a small speaking part in the film. George is less thrilled by Woody's presence, given the film crew's presence prevents him from doing his job well (he's supposed to make sure no one parks their car on a certain side of the street on that particular day and move any vehicle that inadvertently breaks the rule). Meanwhile, Elaine dates an older man and ends up in trouble when the latter has a heart attack, and jerry, staying in motor-related territory, has to deal with the theft of his car.

The Alternate Side, apart from merging two comedic universes (Allen and Seinfeld), is one of the highlights of Season 3 for how it uses Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus is some exquisitely absurd situations (as usual, George is the king). It is verbally speaking, however, that the episode scores its biggest triumph, with Kramer's deliberately pointless movie line: "These pretzels are making me thirsty!". Just like Kelsey Grammar, who was given bad lines on purpose by the writers of Cheers to see if he could make them funny, Michael Richards turns that nonsense into an instantly quotable Zinger, which rightfully went on to become one of the show's most enduring catchphrases (and this, worth noting, was before the fourth season made Seinfeld a nationwide hit). Those pretzels, indeed.