Seinfeld (TV Series) The Stakeout (1990) User Reviews

What's wrong with Lonnie Anderson?

[callanvass · 8/10 · 16 February 2014]

Jerry and Elaine have recently broken up and have a platonic relationship. Jerry agrees to go to a friend's birthday party of Elaine's in exchange for accompanying him to a wedding. During the birthday party for Pamela, Jerry gets wrapped up in a conversation with a beautiful woman that he's very attracted too. They hit it off briefly before Elaine cuts them off to tell Jerry about a weird dream about wooden teeth. Jerry is embarrassed by it all and Elainesenses it, causing her to be very annoyed. Jerry doesn't manage to get much information from the woman. Jerry's parents are in town, staying at his apartment for the wedding. He refuses to ask Elaine who she is and gets advice from his dad. He claims Jerry should stake out the lobby of her work place and pretend he "bumped" into her. With the help of George, Jerry and George manage to conjure up a grand scheme and successfully get not only her name (Vanessa) , but Jerry gets a date as well. Elaine manages to find out about it all and things get very uncomfortable

This is a little slow and green compared to the classics you would see as the seasons went along, but it's still a very memorable episode that I always enjoy. It has many things that are noteworthy. George's desire to be an architect commences, along with the "Art Vandelay" that he would use on a few occasions during this show when he lies about something. These shows were much more realistic, albeit less entertaining than how outrageous and outlandish the episodes would become in later seasons. That's not to say I don't enjoy them, because I really do. This is the first appearance of Jerry's parents, but it would be the last of Phillip Bruns as the Dad. Barney Martin took over shortly after this and rightfully so. Nothing against Phillip Bruns, but Barney Martin is Jerry's dad. Phillip did a good job though. This is NOT Elaine's first episodes. Male Unbonding was filmed before this, but The Stakeout aired before this. Male Unbonding is when Elaine first appeared. Uncle Mac would be replaced by Uncle Leo. Joe George is rather bland as Uncle Mac. This episode is very entertaining for a number of reasons. Many things about the "Ex" storyline that Jerry and Elaine have going on rang true. It's not very often you see exes remain friends with each other. It doesn't usually work out. Jerry worried about stalking Vanessa at her workplace was great as well. You know you wanna see this woman again, but don't wanna come across as a creeper. Jerry's actions were completely real and understandable. If you're new to this show, it's a good episode to watch for history behind Jerry and Elaine's friendship.

Additional notes.

Jerry's inner monologue is hilarious

Vanessa would appear once more in The Stock Tip, which is a shame. I liked her

8.3/10

This episode feels closer to a "Seinfeld" episode than its predecessor

[SLionsCricketreviews · 7/10 · 6 January 2018]

"The Stakeout" mostly works in spite of some inherent issues that are largely absent when the show really hits its stride. It's still very early days for Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld and as such, and also given the less prestigious state of television at the time, they are excused. Unlike the pilot which lacked any clear sense of being a Seinfeld episode, this certainly bears some clear traces of what would become one of the great television series.

The issues with "The Stakeout" are some scenes of bogged down pacing and mildly lethargic dialogue, uncharacteristic of the typically witty and fast-whipped dialogue that define future Seinfeld, as well as the poor utilization of storytelling. George is not introduced in this episode up until the halfway mark at best and Kramer once again has next to nothing to do in this episode which is a little disappointing. While introducing Jerry's parents is a nice touch that helps the audience better understand his character during the early days, Seinfeld and David use Morty (played here by Philip Bruns and not Barney Martin) in the role that George would prove to be a far better fit as Jerry's conspirator and confidante and so it limits George's presence and impact in this episode. I find it a little unfortunate since George has the episode's biggest laughs and perhaps the only truly earned laughs up to this point in the show.

It is fantastic to see 'importer-exporter' and 'Art Vanderlely' make their entry into Seinfeld's vernacular this early into the show, both of which need no explanation to any long term fan of Seinfeld. To see these terms coined here and to see the writers employ continuity throughout the show is fantastic, for a show that largely ignores serialized storytelling (with the notable exceptions of seasons four and seven).

Seinfeld as a show also is not known for drama since Larry David had a famous "no hugs, no lessons learned" notice hanging in the staff offices in later seasons and while there are no hugs, there is something of a lesson learned between Jerry and Elaine, who makes her much needed entry into the show here. They're introduced as people who used to date and now engage in a friendship though Elaine is quick to spark signs of jealousy when Jerry shows interest in another girl. The episode certainly seems interested to ride the drama between the characters which is where I find the episode mostly suffers a little. By the end of the episode, they vow to a more productive and supportive friendship where they look beyond their history together. Once again, Seinfeld is beginning to establish itself more as the show it would become.

The best scene is the titular stakeout in the episode where Jerry and George stakeout the lobby of the law firm that the girl Jerry earlier shows an interest in works at. While they wait, they discuss their alibis of sorts which delightfully reminded me of the two parter from the seventh season, "The Cadillac", where Elaine and George must manufacture alibis for Susan. Nonetheless, the stakeout is truly funny and George immediately shows some of his more true character, such as the great little detail of his interest in architecture.

"The Stakeout" works in short. There are some notable issues I find, largely that some of the scenes lack that zip that makes Seinfeld so enjoyable to watch when it is at its best but that's to be expected here. There's also some poor utilization of the mechanism of storytelling and as I pointed out, this is most notable in just how long it takes for George to be introduced. There's also some actual laughs and a decent and Seinfeld-esque plot even if it does ultimately feel a little underwhelming. The attempts at drama hurt the episode and do not quite fit the show's now infamous descriptor as "the show about nothing" since it is about breakups and the complications that can arise from platonic relationships. Otherwise, this is a solid episode and a step up from its predecessor.

Let's Embarrass Ourselves

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 10 October 2021]

Jerry shows that despite having a relatively level head on his shoulders, he can talk hiimself into some odd things. Interestingly, he seems to feel that George should be his go to guy for ideas. The funniest part of this episode is the discussion about names and professions as they try to have a reason for stalking that young woman.

"Art Core... velay"

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 6 November 2007]

The Stakeout can be considered the proper start of Seinfeld, as the pilot had no Elaine and the other characters, bar Jerry, weren't that well defined, and boy, does it deliver: while most shows, especially sitcoms, improve in later seasons (even cult phenomenon Happy Days had a few sub-par moments in its first year), the series "about nothing" started superbly and never lost its edge over the course of 175 episodes.

This is the episode where Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) makes her first appearance, and in true Seinfeld fashion her debut doesn't go unnoticed: she and Jerry have a nice chat in a video store, discussing whether they should go to a dinner and telling a "dirty" joke that was pretty bold for 1991 (the stand-up comedian imagines a porn star's father referring to his son as a "public fornicator"). Subsequently, Jerry goes home to find his parents using his couch as a bed (priceless) and then attends the aforementioned dinner, where he meets a woman he is quite attracted to ("Do you date immature men?" "Almost exclusively"). Regrettably, he doesn't remember her name (Vanessa), nor did he ask for her phone number. All he remembers is the name of the law firm where she works (Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft - try forgetting THAT!), meaning he and George have to wait for her outside the building pretending they popped up by chance.

Taking everything that made The Seinfeld Chronicles excellent and fine-tuning it, Larry David and the protagonist define the formula that would make the series immortal: brilliant dialogue about rubbish topics (women using cheques), Jerry's monologues between one scene and the next, and one key moment for each cast member. In the case of this episode, the highlights are the bits featuring Kramer and George: the former shows up to play scrabble with Helen and Morty Seinfeld and invents the word "quone" (as in "to quone something"), while the latter, having to make up an excuse for him and Jerry being outside Vanessa's office, spawns one of the show's best recurring gags ("Art Vandelay. I'm an architect").

In short, The Stakeout is a quintessential Seinfeld episode: clever, well-written and, most of all, endlessly funny. A classic.

Reveals The Grail of the Series

[AudioFileZ · 10/10 · 29 October 2020]

Here it is. In the 2nd mind you, not the first, but the second episode. The whole gist, the very DNA...the beating heart of the series is revealed right here. Jerry tells Elaine as he is persuading her to go to a wedding with him: "there'll be a lot people to mock". Much more than the show about nothing, this is the very core of Seinfeld. Brilliant!

Sagman, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft

[dannylee-78082 · 7/10 · 21 February 2023]

1. Jerry meets Vanessa 2. Jerry performs a stakeout with George 3. Jerry has a talk with Elaine

I thought this was less funnier than the pilot but still fun. I thought Vanessa was an attractive, well-written character. It's also interesting to see Elaine and Jerry try to work out the aftermath of their breakup. Large parts about their relationship still remain a mystery but they seem like they have good chemistry as friends for the most part. We also get introduced to Jerry's parents who also seem like great comedic presence. I understand that Seinfeld doesn't really have a central plot but I think it's got good direction. Great followup to the first episode!

Brilliant in its simplicity

[alex_wimmer · 10/10 · 12 July 2022]

Having just restarted watching the show after having been through with it, I am amazed how good it gets as early as this. Every single performance feels so fresh and energetic, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus having her first appearance as Elaine. Jerry's interaction with his parents (surprised to realize upon third viewing that his father wasn't always played by the same actor!), his inner monologue while having to listen to Elaine's wooden teeth dream at Pam's birthday, while all he wants is talk to the woman across the table, the actual stakeout where Art Vandelay, the importer(-exporter) and George the architect are born: all of this is as simple as brilliant.

more quotes from that episode

[siimens7 · 9/10 · 25 September 2006]

JERRY's monologue: There's something about a cheque that, to a man, is not masculine. I don't know exactly what it is... I think to a man, a cheque is like a note from your mother that says ''I don't have any money, but if you'll contact these people, I'm sure they'll stick up for me... If you just trust me this one time I don't have any money but I have these... I wrote on these; is this of any value at all?'' _______________________

JERRY: (To Vanessa) So, you're a lawyer... VANESSA: Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft. JERRY: (To himself, quickly) Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft. Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft...

_______________________

JERRY: "Quone"? No, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to challenge that. HELEN: ...32... KRAMER: No, you don't have to challenge that. That's a word. That's a *definite* word. JERRY: I am challenging... KRAMER: Quone: to quone something.

_______________________

ELAINE: Couldn't agree more. JERRY: Good. ELAINE: Good. JERRY: Good. ELAINE: Great! JERRY: Great? Where do you get "great"?

Excellent episode; sets the stage for the whole series, gives the audience something to think about

[joeblowxxx · 10/10 · 2 July 2019]

The "Scrabble" scene is one of my favorites of the whole series. Jerry is exasperated before the scene even begins, waiting on his mom (the proxy of the audience member) to make a move. She's stalling, noncommittal. "Quo. Is that a word?" She needs answers, and Jerry can't, or won't, comply. She grabs the dictionary, to Jerry's incredulity; he can't believe she breaks free of the form so easily. She can know what he cannot, and it infuriates him. The audience laughs, but Jerry can't hear us. Enter Kramer. This was the first episode Elaine appeared in, and just as she propped up the show by exposing Jerry's vulnerability, Kramer reveals his hand, giving Mom the information she needs to win. Because he alone can see Jerry's letters. And we think the scene is over. "Quoan??" Jerry challenges, and the play is overturned. No one beats Jerry. Elaine may have pulled back the curtain on his fear of loneliness. But somehow, the power dynamic between Jerry and the audience hasn't changed. Whatever you throw at him feeds his relatability. He's still in charge. He's the King.

Birthday Party - Former Couple Turned Friends

[vivianla · 12 December 2021]

Jerry is a comedian and tells the crowd a story of how the women in front of him used cheques. He points out men do not use cheques, doesn't seem manly. It is like a letter from their mom saying if you contact these people you will get some money from me.

Jerry and Elaine go shopping at a video store. I love her blazer and brown bag look. Jerry pulls out an adult film and shows Elaine. She laughs and wonders what their parents think. Jerry makes up a dialogue of a man telling someone his son is now a public fornicator.

Elaine thinks it would be a funny gift to her friend. She is about to tell Jerry but stops. Jerry insists she goes on and she tells him about the birthday party at a bar. He offers a trade - she goes to a wedding with him and he will go to this party.

At the party Jerry thinks that a lawyer is hitting on him whose name he later learns is Vanessa. He goes home to his parents sleeping on his bed. He tells his parents of the problem and his father suggests he stakes out at her law firm. His mom asks who does he expect, a Sophia Loren? She thinks Elaine is good. His father suggests another celebrity.

Jerry decides to do the stake out with his friend.

Elaine comes to the apartment for the wedding. She tells him of a new guy she is seeing who works on Wall Street. High finance.

And To Think People Once Thought This Was Funny

[nebohr · 4/10 · 23 November 2021]

If it wasn't for the laugh track we doubt people would even realize this is a comedy show.

Jerry's opening monolog didn't age very well. Who writes checks?

Maybe the episode itself will be funny. Nope, it wasn't.

Oh, and every "audience" has the same actors. See for yourselves.

Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft. Sagman, Bennet, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft.

[bombersflyup · 8/10 · 23 December 2021]

The Stakeout is about Jerry trying to run into a woman he met at a party, whose name and phone number he didn't get.

The opening standup's golden, love Jerry's hand gestures to boot. Unfortunately the material within the episode's not as good and it's one of George's least impactful episodes. Though a good moment of his; when after deciding upon the story being told, Jerry says "Here she comes" and George panics, "Who am I again?," but once the task's achieved, he still wants to unnecessarily continue the lie saying he's an architect. The premise is fine and it's good stuff, but it's still a bit of a setup episode, finding itself and defining character roles. Have a different actor playing Morty as well.

I don't have any money, but if you'll contact these people, I'm sure they'll stick up for me... If you just trust me this one time I don't have any money but I have these... I wrote on these; is this of any value at all?''

No exports?

[ThunderKing6 · 10/10 · 3 January 2023]

Elaine makes her debut and she wasn't bad in seasons 1 to 3ish. After that she became a Veep and an empowered strong female.

This review was completed on January 3rd 2023

About: Jerry attends a boring social gathering with Elaine and meets a female that he falls in love with. He can't remember her name or if the guy he's with is her boyfriend, also he tries to avoid friction with his Ex Elaine Benes.

George has a minor role as a wing man to Jerry.

Elaine is just Elaine less annoying than her future self. She's just there to make Jerry feel awkward.

Jerry's parents make their debut they are there to provide advice for Jerry. This is the last time you see Phillip Burns as Jerry's dad.

I wish they gave him more time to develop, I have no beef with his performance.

Highlight: Lobby with George and Jerry that dialgue was well written and well stated. Georgy and Jerome had great chemistry from the getgo.

Overall, a great start to a classic series.

Should you watch this? Yes. Its a great simple to the point episode without modern day annoying tropes. Everyone in this sounded intelligent and like they had dignity.