The Table Read (15 Nov. 2009)

Rehearsals for the Seinfeld reunion show get complicated when Larry's text message exchange with a 9 year old Seinfeld fan lands him in trouble with the local authorities. Meanwhile, Leon tries to fool Michael Richards.

Director:

Larry Charles

Writer:

Larry David (story)

Stars:

Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Larry David	...	Larry David
Jeff Garlin	...	Jeff Greene
Cheryl Hines	...	Cheryl David
Jerry Seinfeld	...	Jerry Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus	...	Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Jason Alexander	...	Jason Alexander
Michael Richards	...	Michael Richards
Bob Einstein	...	Marty Funkhouser
J.B. Smoove	...	Leon Black
Eric André	...	Set P.A.
Randy Carter	...	1st A.D.
Diamond Dawn Cook	...	Hooker
Matt Cook	...	Waiter
Kebe Dunn	...	NBC Executive
Mary Pat Farrell	...	Mrs. Duberstein (as Marypat Farrell)

Storyline

Rehearsals for the Seinfeld reunion show get complicated when Larry's text message exchange with a 9 year old Seinfeld fan lands him in trouble with the local authorities. Meanwhile, Leon tries to fool Michael Richards.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Release Date:

15 November 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

40 min

Did You Know?

Quotes

Michael Richards: So Duberstein, that's a Jewish name right?
Leon: Yes it is! I was adopted by some lovely Jews.
Michael Richards: And you were Bar Mitzvahed?
Leon: Oh yeah, three times! The last time was a few months ago in Atlantic City.
Michael Richards: But I thought you only got Bar Mitzvahed once, you know, when you're 13 years old.
Leon: No, No, No-No, You misunderstood, it's once every thirteen years. You gotta recharge the Mitzva! So the Mitzvas are kinda full. Capacity! At full mitzva capacity!
Michael Richards: So, tell me about the groats?
Leon: Well... Everything I ate tasted...
[...]

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Connections

References Seinfeld (1990)

User Reviews

The Groat Syndrome

Finally all the elements are in place and the cast and crew of the Seinfeld reunion will sit together for a read through of the reunion show. As the reading is about to start, Stacey, a production staff member meets Larry in the parking lot. Emma, her young daughter wanted to meet Larry, so they're introduced. Stacey explains she might be running a bit late because she's taking Emma to the doctor. It appears the girl has developed a rash in her vagina. This announcement contributes to startle Larry.

As Larry gets into the studio he sees Marty Funkhouser who has invited himself to the reading. Larry tells him he is not welcome since it's a closed rehearsal. Marty prevails and is told to go to a remote spot. Julia Louis-Dreyfus feels sentimental about the upcoming show. Jason Alexander asks about the casting of Cheryl as his wife in the show, then he asks Larry to borrow his pen to take notes. Michael Richards is all nerves. It appears he might be developing a strange disease, a case of Groat Syndrome and he is afraid of how it will affect him.

Larry gets a text message from Emma, something he doesn't appreciate. When he answers, he writes in Capital letters, something that Emma feels is threatening. Stacey makes no bones telling him off and the effect his text had on the little girl, who is feeling bad not only because of the message, but of the infection in her privates.

As the reading begins, Larry can't help noticing how Jason puts the pen he gave him in his mouth, in his ears, in fact, everywhere. He feels repulsed by it. When Jason tries to return it, Larry gives him a piece of his mind. He doesn't want it, but would like to have a replacement. Larry and Jeff go to eat at a trendy restaurant. Larry, who shakes the host's hand with a twenty dollar bill, is given a nice table, plus the 'best waiter' in the place to take good care of him.

Michael Richards is told about a friend of Marty Funkhouser, a Mr. Duberstein, who has gone through the Groat Syndrome himself. Both men tell the actor Mr. Duberstein is doing fine. Larry meets Leon at a news stand and asks him to impersonate his sick friend, in order to calm Michael's fears. Leon has a chat with Michael and convinces the actor he was cured after wearing his black hat. When Marty brings the real Mrs. Duberstein to the studio, Richards realize he has been duped. He comes outside the lot, where a crowd has gathered for a tour, to give Leon a piece of his mind. The incident parallels the real life incident the actor had a couple of years ago where he was labeled racist when he used derogatory comments in his act.

Another episode that wows us because Larry David touches on so many things that are part of our ordinary lives: text messages, inconsiderate people that don't return what they borrowed, telling strangers intimate things that are better kept to oneself, subservient restaurant hosts that ignore us if we don't tip, and other interesting points are at the center of this show.

Directed by Larry Charles, the cast of "Seinfeld" comes back together in this funny episode. Larry David is generous to all of them and even brings other characters such as Wayne Knight, Stelle Harris, from the original show. Ray Proscia, Vicky Lewis and Sierra McCormick have some good moments.