The Soup Nazi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Seinfeld episode | |
| "The Soup Nazi" | |
 The Soup Nazi |
|
| Episode no. | 116 |
|---|---|
| Airdate | November 2, 1995 |
| Writer(s) | Spike Feresten |
| Director | Andy Ackerman |
| Guest star(s) | Larry Thomas, Alexandra Wentworth & Ana Gasteyer |
| IMDb profile | |
| Seinfeld - Season 7 September 1995 - May 1996 |
|
|
|
| List of all Seinfeld episodes | |
"The Soup Nazi" is the title of the 116th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, which was the 6th episode of the 7th season. It first aired in the United States on November 2, 1995.
The Soup Nazi is also the name of the character played by Larry Thomas. The term "Nazi" is used as an exaggeration of the over-regimentation he constantly demands of his patrons.
Contents |
[edit] The episode
The episode opens with Jerry extolling the virtue of the soup made by the Soup Nazi. He takes care to "prep" George on the strict code of behavior required by the Soup Nazi in his store. George makes a mistake while trying to get his soup, by questioning the absence of bread with his order and he is refused service.
George and Elaine discuss their annoyance with Jerry's and his girlfriend's sweet-talk, particularly when the couple calls each other "Schmoopie." George and Susan behave in a similar way to illustrate the point that their behavior is embarrassing to others. Susan appreciates that George finally shows his feelings in public.
Meanwhile, Elaine purchase an antique armoire, but cannot move it in to the building on a Sunday. Leaving Kramer to guard the armoir, which she must leave on the sidewalk, she goes to purchase some soup. Elaine's behavior at the Soup Nazi's restaurant prompts him to shout, "No soup for you!" and ban her for one year. Elaine's armoire is stolen by a pair of homosexual "street toughs" who intimidate Kramer.
Kramer, through continual praise and flattery, gains favor with the Soup Nazi, who gifts Kramer an antique amoire. Kramer give the amoire to Elaine as a replacement for her stolen one. Elaine seeks revenge against the Soup Nazi when she discovers his secret recipes in the old armoire. She taunts him, possibly also informing him for the first time of his popular nickname: "You're finished, Soup Nazi!" This victory comes with a price, as the Soup Nazi decides to sell his remaining stock and close the business, to the dismay of everyone who loves his soups.
"The Soup Nazi" is one of three episodes which feature Cedric and Bob, the "street toughs." Though their homosexuality is merely implied in the series, it is explicitly stated in the supplemental materials of the 7th season DVD set. It was decided that only gay men would want to steal an armoire.
[edit] The character
The Soup Nazi was portrayed by Larry Thomas, who was nominated for a 1996 Emmy for the role.[1] Thomas, who didn’t realize that the character was based on a real person, received the inspiration for his portrayal from Omar Sharif’s performance in Lawrence of Arabia.[citation needed]
A stone-faced immigrant chef with a thick Stalin-esque moustache, he is renowned throughout Manhattan for his delicious soups. He demands that all customers in his restaurant meticulously follow his strict queuing, ordering, and payment policies. Failure to adhere to his demands brings the admonishment, "No soup for you!", whereupon the customer is refunded and denied his order. Some of the soups he serves are cold cucumber, corn and clam chowders, jambalaya, turkey chili, mulligatawny, and crab and lobster bisques.
The Soup Nazi character makes a brief cameo in the Seinfeld series finale, in which his name is revealed to be Yev Kasem.
[edit] The real "Soup Nazi"
The character Yev Kasem was inspired by Al Yeganeh, an actual New York City soup vendor who runs Soup Kitchen International in midtown Manhattan at 259A West 55th Street, near 8th Avenue. The store is closed in winter; a sign posted outside informs customers that the chef is in "Argentina for the summer."[2]
According to an Associated Press article published 2005 April 29, Yeganeh plans to open a chain of soup stores called The Original Soup Man. The first franchise opened in Princeton, New Jersey on October 24, 2005. His company, Soup Kitchen International, plans to open 1000 outlets nationwide.[3] Soup Kitchen International's original location is now closed.
Prior to his fictional counterpart's appearance on Seinfeld, the real Al Yeganeh was unflatteringly referred to by local patrons as the "Terrorist." His soups were renowned for their excellent quality, but his interactions with customers seemed somewhat capricious. Some were granted extra side items like candy or bread, but no clear rules for this attention were ever established. This arbitrariness was referred to in the show: When George asks why he doesn’t receive any bread though previous customers have, the Soup Nazi replies, "You want bread? Two dollars!!"
Before the episode was written, much of the cast of Seinfeld, including Wayne Knight, had been to Soup Kitchen International. After it aired, Seinfeld and some of the other writers returned, whereupon Yeganeh, who hates the "Nazi" label, told Seinfeld he had ruined his life.[citation needed] Cosmo Kramer's inspiration, Kenny Kramer, agrees that Yeganeh's nickname is unfair. He jokingly suggests his nickname be changed to "Al, The Soup Rat Bastard."[citation needed]
[edit] Quotes
- George: Medium turkey chili.
- Jerry: Medium crab bisque.
- [George notices he didn't get any bread with his soup.]
George: I didn't get any bread.
Jerry: Just forget it. Let it go.
George: Um, excuse me; I think you forgot my bread.
Soup Nazi: Bread - $2.00 extra.
George: $2.00? But everyone in front of me got free bread.
Soup Nazi: You want bread?
George: Yes please.
Soup Nazi: $3.00!
George: What?
Soup Nazi: No soup for you! [Snaps fingers.]
[The cashier takes away George's soup and gives him back his money.]
[edit] Trivia
Right: Al Yeganeh
- A sign which reads, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone," is visible inside the shop in the episode.
- Like Jackie Chiles, the Soup Nazi has appeared in commercials after the end of the series. In an advertisement by the Center for Consumer Freedom, he denies food to people he considers to be too fat.
- The Soup Nazi’s plan to flee to Argentina at the end of the episode may refer to the sign outside Yeganeh’s shop or to the fact that many Nazis fled there after WWII.
- Larry Thomas appeared as himself in the Scrubs episode "My Self Examination." He denies he is the Soup Nazi when asked by J.D. (Zach Braff), who then tricks him into saying the catch phrase, "No soup for you!"
- Future Saturday Night Live cast member Ana Gasteyer appears in the episode as a customer with one line ("But I didn't do anything!").
- "No Soup for You!!" was a category on Jeopardy!'s November 30, 2004 Seinfeld-themed episode. This Jeopardy! episode is notable as the one in which 74-time champion Ken Jennings lost for the first time.
- On one episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, a mysterious chef says, "No Soup for you!" to Tyranno Hassleberry while they are dueling.
- On the series premiere of Show me the Money, the first question answered referred to The Soup Nazi.
[edit] Goofs
- As Elaine walks back to Kramer after she tastes George's soup, the stolen armoire can be seen directly behind her as she walks into the frame.
[edit] References
- ^ See "Awards for Seinfeld." Internet Movie Database.
- ^ See a profile of Yeganeh in "The Soup Man of 55th Street." New York Cookbook. ed. Molly O'Neill. Workman Publishing, 1992. pp. 70-71. ISBN 1-56305-337-3; See one of his recipes on p. 78. of the same work.
- ^ See the official website at The Original Soup Man.
[edit] External links
- Soup Kitchen International - Official website
- The Original Soup Man stores - Official website
| Seinfeld |
|---|
| Characters |
| Main Characters: Jerry Seinfeld | George Costanza | Elaine Benes | Cosmo Kramer |
| Related to Jerry: Helen Seinfeld | Morty Seinfeld | Uncle Leo | Kenny Bania | Sally Weaver | Dr. Tim Whatley |
| Related to George: Estelle Costanza | Frank Costanza | Susan Ross | Mr. Wilhelm | Mr. Kruger | Lloyd Braun | George Steinbrenner |
| Related to Elaine: J. Peterman | David Puddy | Mr. Lippman | Justin Pitt | Sue Ellen Mischke |
| Related to Kramer: Newman | Mickey Abbott | Jackie Chiles | Bob Sacamento | Babs Kramer | Lomez |
| Other: Soup Nazi | "Crazy" Joe Davola | Minor characters in Seinfeld |
| Culture of the Seinfeld Universe |
| Festivus | Master of Your Domain | Regifting List of fictional films in Seinfeld | Coffee Table Book About Coffee Tables |
| Episodes |
| List of Seinfeld episodes | The Seinfeld Chronicles |
| Other |
| List of Seinfeld references to actual people | Running gags in Seinfeld |
