The Sniffing Accountant

I was there for the taping in 1993 and I loved the episode. Kramer's belch was classic and I'm glad people can see it in the outtakes. My little bit of trivia involves Estelle Harris, George's mother. During a break I chatted with her outside the studio. She was super nice. She had an injured ankle or something and was walking with crutches. She put them aside whenever they started shooting. I also recall that whenever Jerry Stiller screamed his head off, which was his usual volume, Larry David could be seen with a big smile, beaming with delight. What else? In those days, when the show included Jerry's standup, they would shoot the standup one day, I think a Monday, and then shoot the episode the next day. I think the standup audience would typically include staff members, such as Karen Wilkie. I attended the taping as part of a group of Seinfeld fans who were connected by the "usenet" group alt.seinfeld. This was in the early days of commercial internet. Members of the group had gotten to know Karen, in the office, I think, which lead to an invitation for the group to come to a taping. We came from all over the country and after the taping was over we got special treatment. After the audience had left, we were allowed to descend upon the set, take pictures, etc. And many of us got autographs from cast members who graciously hung around. The issue of Rolling Stone with the cast on the cover had just come out as I recall, and some got those autographed. Jerry was less friendly than the others, seeming to have things on his mind and a bit annoyed by our buzzing around the set. Jerry appeared the next day on Leno, to which we also were extended invitations---I had almost forgotten about that!

Season 5, Episode 4, "The Sniffing Accountant" "The Sniffing Accountant" is one of the weaker episodes in season 5 of Seinfeld, though it's still a classic like any other episode in this fantastic season. The main storyline doesn't make a whole lot of sense - it's only Newman's presence that makes it funny, along with one unforgettable scene from Kramer.

The other stories are of more interest - the episode is noteworthy for marking the first appearance o Marty Rackham as Jake Jarmel, one of the few guys who could actually stand up to Elaine, and this is one of the first occasions in which she shows she's just as insane as the other three; and Frank Costanza trying to teach his son about bras is priceless and a classic scene. Enough to make the episode funny in repeated viewings.

for me no one episode of Seinfeld even if it's not super stunning goes below 8 on a scale of 10 and those that are 9 of 10 or 10 of 10 are plenty. This one is an 8 but if you are a Seinfeld fan as you would love to claim then you should watch all seasons and be loyal to the whole thing and of course you won't regret it. Those people are amazingly funny even if they were silent and doing nothing. No one will ever surpass this masterpiece sitcom. I'll give you for free the Seinfeld Cocktail of this episode. Elaine's boyfriend is perfect and flawless but he has only one problem that she can't live with- believe it or not, he doesn't use exclamation marks! Would you accept such a thing? of course not Lainy. Jerry, Newman and Kramer cook something together and you shouldn't miss this one. George is fixed up for an interview by his father as a brassier salesman! Frank Costanza is in one of his finest episodes here.

Once again everyone overreacts to a situation. It starts with a meeting at the diner where the accountant who represents Jerry, Kramer, and Newman begins sniffing. Of course, the natural reaction is to assume he is a coke addict who is siphoning off money from them to buy his drugs. Kramer sets up a sting operation and tries to catch him in the bathroom. His physical comedy is so great. The counter hitting him in the face is priceless. The other plot is George trying to get a job with a bra company. He is living with his folks and has a chance to make some money. His father gives him a lesson in what a bra is. It is to die for. Also, Elaine's confrontation with her new boyfriend because he didn't put any exclamation points in a note about a child being born.

The performence at the bar should cement Michael Richards a one of the all time greatest physical comedy character actors. Comedy gold! Not to be missed.