BWW Flashback Friday: SEINFELD Unleashes Festivus on Society

It's the holiday season and there are many television shows that have classic Christmas or Hanukkah or Chrismukkah (Looking at you, OC) episodes that are must sees. However, for me, it isn't about those holidays, it's about one very special holiday. And that holiday, is Festivus. During the final season of SEINFELD in 1997, it was the resurrection of a Costanza family tradition that makes the episode a classic.

Jerry - Jerry meets Gwen at a holiday party at Tim Whatley's house. When she agrees to go out with him, he finds out that she's a two-face. In order to keep dating her, Jerry has to limit their dating life to the back booth at Monk's where the lighting makes her look fantastic. Because of her "dual appearance," Kramer mistakes her for someone else and tells her that he has another girlfriend.

Elaine - Also at the Whatley party, Elaine is hit on by a guy she dubs, "Denim Vest" for obvious reasons. She gives him her fake number, but accidentally writes it on the back of her Atomic Sub card just when she was one sub away from getting a free sub. She heads to the racetrack, the location of her fake number, and is instantly famous for all the fake phone calls she has gotten over the years. The two creepy guys working there hit on her, but she dismisses them.

Kramer - After being on strike for 12 years from his job at H&H Bagels, Kramer goes back to work when they finally agree to raise his wage. He doesn't last too long and begins to strike again when he isn't allowed time off. He tries to sabotage the place by breaking a steam pipe. Elaine caught in the impromptu steam bath, leaves looking like a wet rat. When she meets up with "Denim Jacket" to get her card back, he changes his mind realizing she is a "Two-Face."

George - After receiving a "donation made in his name" holiday gift, George decides to create a fake charity, "The Human Fund" to get out of buying gifts for all of his holidays. However, inspired by his charity, his boss, Mr. Kruger decides to donate $25,000 to the fund. When he is discovered as a fake, his only explanation is his family. To make him understand, George invites Mr. Kruger to Festivus.

The Costanzas didn't celebrate Christmas, they celebrated Festivus. Tired of the commercial and religious aspects of Christmas, Frank created a new holiday on December 23rd. Instead of a tree, there was just a plain aluminum pole which didn't allow for decorations since Frank finds tinsel distracting. At the Festivus dinner, you stand up and tell all of your family how they have disappointed you throughout the year. After the dinner, the head of the household selects a family member for a wrestling match in the "Feats of Strength" portion of the evening. Festivus ends when someone is pinned.

When Kramer discovers this holiday, he asks Frank to resurrect it. He also invites the creepy guys from the racetrack and Jerry's now ex-girlfriend, Gwen, to the dinner. They, along with Jerry, Elaine, George, George's parents and George's boss, Mr. Kruger, experience Festivus.

Festivus has become part of our regular vernacular as we prepare for the stressful holidays ahead. It is something that could only make sense from the mind of Frank Costanza and yet it was created from a real life family experience by writer Dan O' Keefe based on a holiday his father had created in the 1960's. And it's always validating to see that it's not just your own family that's crazy. Yes, the Costanzas take crazy to a whole other level, but with the inclusion of Festivus into the holiday season, there's just a little something for everybody now.

Seinfeldisms

• Standard Fake Number - A number that one always gives out when they aren't interested in hearing from the person they're giving it to. Ah, that sweet, innocent time before cell phones.

• Two Face - A person who, depending on the lighting, looks like two completely different people: One very attractive, one pretty hideous.

• Dr. Van Nostrand - Kramer's fake name he uses constantly. He had previously met Mr. Kruger when he pretended to screen him for skin cancer.

Recurring Characters

• Frank Costanza - George's Dad

• Mr. Kruger - George's boss at Kruger Industrial Smoothing, a company best known for their work on the Status of Liberty when they "couldn't get the green stuff off."

• Tim Whatley - Jerry's dentist who converted to judaism for the ability to tell Jewish jokes without sounding racist. (Played by Bryan Cranston)

So many Seinfeldisms are infused into everyday life now that it is hard to imagine a time when they were not. I mean, I still think twice before Double Dipping a Chip. Amazing just how much something a show about nothing can give.

Photo Credits: NBC, Rolling Stone

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