The Contest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Seinfeld episode | |
| "The Contest" | |
 George suffers insomnia. |
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| Episode no. | 51 |
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| Airdate | November 18, 1992 |
| Writer(s) | Larry David |
| Director | Tom Cherones |
| Guest star(s) | Jane Leeves & Andrea Parker |
| IMDb profile | |
| Seinfeld - Season 4 August 1992 - May 1993 |
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| List of all Seinfeld episodes | |
The Contest is the 51st episode of the popular US sitcom, Seinfeld. It aired on November 18, 1992. It was the eleventh episode of the fourth season.
[edit] Plot
The four main characters – Elaine Benes, Cosmo Kramer, George Costanza and Jerry Seinfeld – make a bet to see which one can go the longest without masturbating. It is one of the show's most notable and talked about episodes, and is notorious for its address of the taboo subject. The Contest begins with George telling the others that, "my mother caught me", and explains (without mentioning the word) that he was masturbating in his parent's house, while reading a Glamour magazine. After George's lack of self restraint is criticized by Jerry, George decides to make a bet with him for $100. Elaine and Kramer decide to join in (Elaine for $150, because as discussed, it is easier for a woman to not masturbate, as it is part of "the male's lifestyle"). Each character is confronted with a particular distraction throughout the show. John F. Kennedy Jr. is a distraction for Elaine, the naked woman across the street distracts Kramer and Jerry, and the patient receiving the sponge bath is George's distraction. The first to be eliminated is Kramer, almost immediately. The second is Elaine. The way the show demonstrates someone has lost the contest is by showing the character enjoying a good night's sleep at the end of the day. Also, Kramer and subsequently Elaine are shown publicly placing their money on Jerry's counter as soon as they had lost.
The winner is not actually confirmed in the episode, although circumstances suggest it was George. This was confirmed in both the season five episode "The Puffy Shirt" and the season six episode "The Race". However, in the final episode, it is revealed that George had actually cheated during The Contest, therefore, making Jerry the true winner.
[edit] Notes
- Although the episode was about masturbation, the word itself was not uttered in the whole episode. It has been reported that NBC censors would not allow it. Euphemisms and other subtleties were used to convey the meaning. Upon being questioned, George responds, "I was alone" which seems to instantly indicate the meaning to Elaine, Kramer and Jerry. Phrases such as "Master of Your Domain" are used to indicate a successful standing in the bet. This phrase is used in two other episodes in the series. Other phrases include "King of the County," "Lord of the Manor," and "Queen of the Castle."
- Ironically, George actually used the word "masturbation" 7 episodes earlier in "The Ticket".
- According to the "Notes About Nothing" feature on the Season 4 DVD, Kramer's memorable "I'm out" scene was the character's 100th entrance into Jerry's apartment in the course of the series.
- Since this episode, George can be seen with a Glamour magazine in later episodes, such as "The Handicap Spot" and "The Sniffing Accountant".
- This is the 1st appearance of George's mother, Estelle Costanza.
- George states in another episode that his mother has never smirked or laughed, but she does when he enters the hospital for the second time.
