The Stand-In

Not quite up to the high standards set here. Kramer has a little person friend who does stand-in on a soap opera. The set is filled with little people and apparently, the guys efforts to be taller (by like half an inch) breaks all kinds of rules. Jerry tries to make some poor guy laugh at the hospital with interesting results. Jerry talks Elaine into going out with his friend, but during their date he commits a no no. The discussion of this is the funniest part of the episode. Still, it closes out in an outrageous way. One thing about sitcoms, they often end and there is no follow up. This is the case here. Oh, I failed to mention George's obsession with a suit where the pants woosh when he walks.

Season 5, Episode 16, "The Stand-In"

"The Stand-In" is probably my least favorite episode in season 5 of Seinfeld. Although, being a Seinfeld season 5 episode, it still has its moments of hilarity.

The episode features the four leads in four separate story lines that don't interact in any meaningful way. What's worse, is that none of them have any truly satisfying or funny conclusions. In fact, they're all very mean-spirited, reminding me more of the spirits of seasons 8 and 9.

The only actor who pulls a Season 5-worthy performance here is Jason Alexander. George's story starts out great and drags out towards the ending, but it has some hilarious moments thanks mainly to Jason's body language. Elaine's and Jerry's stories are completely nonsensical, and though Julia is quite funny in the episode's most iconic scene, it's still not enough. Kramer is, strangely, almost passive in this episode. He only serves as a foil to Mickey - who appears in the series for the first time, and serves as the only really memorable thing about it.

Jerry's story: Was ok. Not that funny to be honest

Karmer's Story: Meh!

George's story: Kind of funny. George being George is what made it tolerable

Elaine's story: Only when She and Jerry discuss "he took it out" was the only funny/highlight.

Overall and ok episode

Verdict: Spite.