Seinfeld (TV Series) The Jacket (1991) User Reviews

One of the really great early Seinfeld episodes...

[AlsExGal · 9/10 · 2 July 2020]

... and a personal episode for producer/writer Larry David. The episode is all about Elaine's dad, a famous author and grouch, coming to town. George and Jerry are going to meet Elaine and her father at his hotel for dinner, but Elaine is late. Leaving George and Jerry to try and make conversation with this very intimidating figure, they ultimately both end up hiding in the men's room wondering where Elaine is and how can they possibly get out of this situation. The title comes from the fact that Jerry has just bought a suede jacket that has this loud barber-pole like red and white striped pattern in the lining ,and this jacket is Jerry's prized possesion du jour.

Since Jerry and Elaine have known each other since college, having even dated for awhile, you wonder why Jerry has never met this guy. Maybe it was by design on Elaine's part considering dad's temperament.

The episode comes from Larry David meeting the father of somebody he had been dating who was also a famous author and intimidating grouch. There are also some interesting bits in the DVD extras about the actor who played Elaine's dad, Lawrence Tierney. If you ever wonder why he wasn't a recurring character on the show after doing such a bang up job, apparently he stole a butcher knife off the set of Jerry's kitchen. Jerry actually asked him about it and Tierney said he intended to fake the scene from Psycho and pull the knife from his jacket as "a joke". When you've got even Michael Richards (Kramer) thinking you are crazy you are NOT going to be asked back.

To me, Seinfeld was a show that took a couple of seasons to find its oh so perfect rhythm. This episode was one of the first to be almost perfect with some absolutely fabulous dialogue by David.

Do you like ice

[dannylee-78082 · 7/10 · 26 February 2023]

1. Jerry gets a new jacket 2. Jerry and George meet Elaine's dad 3. Jerry's new jacket is done

Solid episode! It's really fun to hear about all the ideas that Larry David is able to get inspired from in his daily life. This episode was based on him meeting Richard Yates, whose daughter he used to date. Yates himself was a famous author and served as an inspiration for Elaine's father, played by Lawrence Tierny. Surprised to hear that he usually plays mob members and this was his first comedic role as I thought he had excellent sense. I don't really know how I feel about Kramer. Wish they give him more substance other than annoying, nosy, neurotic neighbor. He seems to cause lots of trouble for the gang, particularly in this episode. He does what he's asked to do well but it's hard to get an overall sense of the character.

Alton Benes

[safenoe · 7/10 · 24 March 2024]

Lawrence Tierney guest stars as Alton Benes, and it was Lawrence's first and only appearance as Alton, who is Elaine's father. I first watched this episode pretty much soon after it debuted in the early 1990s, and only now, after starting to look at the trivia in imdb, did I learn that Lawrence, who passed away in 2002, cause some fear on the set of Seinfeld, which explained why he wasn't brought back. Upon reflection, perhaps the producers could have recast Alton with someone more reliable like Robert Redford, Paul Newman, John Thaw, you name it. But not to be. Anyway, I'm enjoying reflecting on Seinfeld, and its popularity endures, with the current younger generation loving its theme song and musical beats of course.

"Pipe down, chorus boy!"

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 15 November 2007]

Infamous for its off-set incidents, The Jacket is one of the five most memorable episodes of Seinfeld's second year (the other four are The Pony Remark, The Chinese Restaurant, The Revenge and The Deal), featuring some of the best comedic situations of all time.

Plotwise, nothing unusual: the center of attention is a jacket Jerry bought. Only it isn't a normal jacket: first of all, it was very expensive (other people's repeated attempts to figure out the price are superb); secondly, it causes a few problems when Jerry and George (who seems unable to get a certain song out of his head) go to dinner with Elaine's father, grouchy novelist Alton Benes (Lawrence Tierney, of Reservoir Dogs fame), whose volatility is close to putting the whole evening at stake.

That lots of episodes were literally stolen by the supporting characters (especially George and Kramer, the latter proving said theory towards the end of this story) shouldn't come as a surprise; That a guest star managed to hijack the entire 23-minute show with just one scene is startling, and yet such is the power of Tierney's performance. It's a shame it didn't last: Alton was supposed to be a recurring character, much like Jerry and George's parents, but the former tough guy's unstable behavior (he reportedly fooled around with a knife on the set) limited his presence to one episode only. A shame, because he showed a comic timing that's incredibly rare in "serious" actors, making this a truly unmissable Seinfeld episode.

A particularly unforgettable line: "We had a funny guy with us in Korea. A tail-gunner. They blew his brains out all over the Pacific. There's nothing funny about that!". He's certainly right, but there's something endlessly amusing about him saying that the way he does. A real treat.

with an unblemished record of staunched heterosexuality.

[Otoboke · 19 February 2008]

'The Jacket' is a great episode full of wonderfully written jokes and less emphasis on plot that the previous shows tried. Although still lacking in some areas, and not quite hitting the nail on the head with the gags, the show is nevertheless evolving, taking form into something witty and intelligent.

The plot of the episode is notably thin, but as a result leaves lots of room for drawn-out uncomfortable scenes where such is needed, which strengthen it as a whole. Perhaps the best example of this is during Jerry and George's meeting with Alton Benes (Elaine's father) in which the two are completely out of their comfort zone; intimidated and frightened by the man's passive-aggressive nature. Jerry and Jason both play the parts wonderfully, being utterly convincing and hilarious in their awkwardness. Tierney completes the triangle and delivers a performance both utterly amusing and yet convincingly threatening all the same.

The limited scenes with Kramer and Elaine work well, using both characters but I'm starting to get a little tired of Elaine's usual shelving to mere dialogue recaps rather than anything visual. I understand that there simply isn't enough time in one episode to show everything that she talks about, but it's undeniably frustrating when it happens over and over. As usual though both cast members do a great job with what they're given, with Richards as usual stealing any scene that he's in- check out that curious desire for Jerry's old jacket! In the end, a strong episode from season two; not quite as funny as some previous episodes, but is certainly memorable and distinct from the rest. With great performances, a wonderful guest character and the lots of Jerry's mundane every-day life philosophy, 'The Jacket' is great entertainment.

My Favorite Episode

[nbrice18 · 10/10 · 24 December 2020]

I had always liked this episode but once I found out that film noir star Lawrence Tierney played Elaine's father I liked it even more. Tierney was hysterical as her gruff and somewhat scary dad. He was quite a handsome man back in the day. My favorite line of his: "pipe down chorus boy".

The ending where Alton Benis is driving home is priceless.

Clothes Make the Man

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

In a weak moment, Jerry spends a small fortune on a sport jacket. It becomes a constant source of humor. Eventually, he wears it to a dinner with Elaine's father. He and George spend the longest period of their lives with this guy who is incredibly frightening. My favorite show so far in this series.

There's nothing funny about that.

[mswanberg-72405 · 10/10 · 7 April 2018]

Omg! Elaine's dad's face when George orders a club soda w/ no ice! Omg!

George is right. You get more without ice.

[ThunderKing6 · 10/10 · 23 January 2023]

January 22 2023

About: Jerome Seinfeld purchases a new suede jacket that likley cost over 1000$. We will never know. In this episode we meet Elaine Bene's scary father.

Story and production: The episode only takes place in mostly 2 places with majority being at Jerry's crib and in a lobby.

Jerry and George dialogue was remarkable.

The price of the Jacket till this day has never been stated.

Jerry and George were struggling with Mr. Bene's.

Kramer and Elaine had an off screen story about birds.

Mr. Benes actor played his role. Very well. Still to this day I wonder why he didn't return. I know he was scary to work with but they could have Recasted so we can learn more about Elaine.

Highlight: Master of the house... George guessing the price... He's in the bafroom.

Laugh meter: 10

What can be learned? Listen to the weather man before you wear suade because it might rain/snow... Or just wear it inside out...

"We had a funny guy with us in Korea. A tail gunner. They blew his brains out all over the Pacific. There's nothing funny about that"

[SLionsCricketreviews · 6/10 · 17 January 2018]

Lawrence Tierney is captivating and memorable enough in the central setpiece of this otherwise, in my opinion, disappointing episode. "The Jacket" appears to be a fairly well regarded episode of early Seinfeld and for me this is another case where I simply do not laugh frequently enough during the early stages of the show. Some characters are better sketched out than others by this point (Jerry and George) and others (notably Kramer and Elaine) have yet to find their groove within the structure of the show.

The entire episode revolves around a jacket if the title did not clue you in. The premise of Jerry buying an ultra-expensive jacket and boasting about it is decent enough but it simply does not ever reach territory that I find all that rewarding as far as comedy is concerned. My favourite moment that revolved around the jacket was George attempting to guess its price range having just promised Jerry that he would not nag him about the ridiculous price he paid for it. It really highlights some of the obsessive and pathetic qualities that down the road made George Costanza one of the all time great TV characters.

Lawrence Tierney is very good even if I find most of the dialogue lukewarm at best. That is, with the exception of the line in which he reminisces about a soldier during the Korean War that reminds him of Jerry. It's such a great delivery by Tierney and truly the most captivating moment of the episode for me.

A lot of the very early stages of Seinfeld have not particularly aged as well for me and that is simply a large reason as to why I find this episode fairly underwhelming despite its fine reputation. Neither the portrayal of Kramer the freelancer in this episode nor Elaine recounting to Jerry and George why she was late to meet the two for dinner with her father come close to really making me laugh and they highlight some of the shortcomings of the two respective characters during the early stages of the show. Tierney is very good and memorable and it's rather unfortunate that his difficult mentality behind-the-scenes prevented future appearances of the character. On an amusing side note, Larry David would throughout the remainder of his time on the show, threaten misbehaving cast and crew members by bringing up the possibility of a future Lawrence Tierney episode after the star reportedly had a knife mishap on set!

Two minutes. Believe me, I know his two minutes.. By his conception of time, his life will last over two thousand years.

[bombersflyup · 6/10 · 9 January 2022]

The Jacket is about Jerry buying the perfect suede jacket, only for it to be ruined as he and George join Elaine's dad for dinner.

Not much comedy in this episode other than the standup, it's more about Jerry making a sacrifice for the friendship. He could make up an excuse or make a scene, but like he says earlier "It's just money," he'd rather keep his self-worth. It's a low-point for Kramer, not giving Jerry the jacket back, that's despicable.

We had a funny guy with us in Korea. A tail gunner. They blew his brains out all over the Pacific. Nothing funny about that.

The Jacket

[nuclearfanta · 5/10 · 28 June 2022]

This show is a comedy, right? Expensive jacket, almost 10 gay jokes in 20 minutes, Kramer is rude to Jerry, Elaine's story why she is late. Tail gunner guy. Indeed, nothing funny about that. Early Seinfeld episodes didnt age well.

Suede Jacket and Elaine's Father

[vivianla · 30 January 2022]

Jerry buys an expensive suede jacket. They agree to meet Elaine's father who is a famous writer. He is however extremely awkward to talk to and cold. He looks at them funny when they order non-alcoholic drinks. Elaine comes later because she was helping give Jerry's neighbour a solid by sitting in his car. Her father asks who the lipstick is for and Elaine later says her father thinks everyone is gay.

Oops! Blooperville in the Kitchen.

[cacher1858 · 23 November 2006]

While Jerry stands and talks to George in the kitchen about Composer Robert Shuman his collar is raised up in the back on his white shirt, thus showing his colored tie. As George returns to the refrigerator to return his soda, or water, we notice that Jerry's collar is now laid down and smoothed out in the back with the showing of no colored tie, at no time (apparently) does the camera ever stop, nor does Jerry or George, make any attempt to fix jerry's collar. The tie is magically straightened out, collar laid down and fixed, and the tie is now neatly tied under it, with absolutely no color showing at all in the back on the collar line of the shirt. Why is there no goof section for this episode?