Seven months after “The Stock Tip,” Seinfeld would return for a truncated Second Season. The twelve episodes would air between January and June of 1991. While not quite the show that it would become, Season 2 begins laying the foundation for the series, and the way comedy itself would be presented for the rest of the decade. The characters begin forming. The standup is shorter. Larry David (and his voice) make their first appearance on camera. And writers Larry Charles and Peter Mehlman would join the crew.
There are some really bad episodes; some of the worst in the entire series, like “The Apartment,” “The Heart Attack,” and “The Deal.” Even the worst episodes of Seinfeld are better than anything else – but these ones really push that narrative.
“The Ex-Girlfriend,” and “The Phone Message” feel more like standard early 90s sitcom tropes than Seinfeld, which is fine. The Jerry and George banter is clicking, and the conversations about nothing are strong. And both episodes include plots that are relatable to us who experienced dating in the 1990s.
The addition of Charles and Mehlman also bring some of the weirder episodes. “The Jacket” with Lawrence Tierney playing Elaine’s crazy father. “The Statue” in which Kramer finally leaves the apartment. “The Baby Shower” which dates the show with references to MC Hammer and cable companies. And “The Busboy” in which Jerry predicts the popularity of Seattle aren’t awful but aren’t great either. They have asymmetrical plots and do what Charles and Mehlman would be known to do – push the boundaries of normal.
Season 2 also brings the first Seinfeld Classics
“The Pony Remark” aired on January 30, 1991. It’s the seventh episode of the series, and is regarded as the turning point for the show, which was failing in the ratings and on the chopping block for cancellation. Barney Martin and Len Lesser make their debuts as Morty Seinfeld and Uncle Leo; Iconic characters for the rest of the show’s run. And Kramer mentions putting levels in his apartment, which becomes a recurring gag.
“The Revenge” is one of the first episodes to feature parallel stories. George quits his job, setting up memorable scenes where he discusses his options and pretends that quitting never happened (as Larry David once did). Jerry and Kramer get their revenge on a laundry machine in a scene that showcases the amazing physical comedy of Michael Richards. It’s also the first mention of Newman (voiced by Larry David.)
And of course, episode 16 of the series, airing May 23, 1991. “The Chinese Restaurant” has become one of the most iconic episodes of Seinfeld, and television in general. Shot in real time, the entire episode is the epitome of a show about nothing as Jerry, Elaine, and George wait for a table at a restaurant. The conversation is sharp. The dialogue is funny. They first mention the movie “Plan 9 from Outer Space.”
Nothing happens! But it’s still somehow great. It also ends with the first quotable line by the great James Hong who turns 94 today: Seinfeld four!
Seinfeld is available to stream on Netflix
