The Dinner Party (Seinfeld episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Dinner Party" is the 77th episode of NBC
sitcom Seinfeld
. This is the 13th episode of the fifth season, and first aired on February 3, 1994.
, Elaine
, George
, and Kramer
prepare to attend a dinner party, but Elaine feels they must bring wine and cake to the party. George, who is sporting a large Gore-Tex
coat due to the cold weather outside, does not understand why, thinking that it would be better to bring Pepsi
and Ring Dings
.
Jerry and Elaine stop at a bakery to purchase a chocolate babka while Kramer and George go to buy wine. Jerry and Elaine forget to take a number at the counter. As a result, David and Barbara Benedict, a couple on their way to the same dinner party, get ahead of them in line and purchase the last chocolate babka. Jerry and Elaine eventually resort to purchasing a cinnamon babka, which Elaine considers "a lesser babka."
George wants to pay for the bottle of wine with a $100 bill
but the shop owner refuses to give him change. They go to a newsstand to break the bill by purchasing some chewing gum, but the attendant forces them to buy other things since the gum isn't worth enough for him to give that much change. Kramer buys a Clark bar
, a newspaper and a Penthouse Forum magazine before the attendant relents. When they finally buy the wine, they find that their car is stuck in its space because someone has double parked and obstructed their way. They are forced to wait for the driver to come back before they can pick up Jerry and Elaine. Disgusted at the turn of events, George likens double parkers to dictators, saying Mussolini
or Idi Amin
would never look in vain for an open spot.
Meanwhile, back at the bakery, adding to the misfortune of Jerry and Elaine, they find that the babka has a hair on it, and they are forced to wait in line again to purchase a new cake. While they wait, Jerry eats a black and white cookie
, on which he claims to base philosophical theories on race relations. They eventually exchange their babka for one that the saleswoman coughs on. They have to wait for Kramer and George to pick them up. However, the cookie causes Jerry to throw up, ending his non-vomit streak, which he claims had held since June 29, 1980. Meanwhile, a man with a cane crushes Elaine's toe, further adding to their misery.
Because of the cold weather, Kramer insists on going back inside the liquor store, where he is told that it is "not a hangout." George's coat accidentally knocks down some bottles of wine and he has to surrender the coat to pay for them. Outside, it turns out the double parker is Saddam Hussein
(or a look-alike with a British accent), who suggests George should wear warmer clothing or else he might catch a cold. The four friends finally arrive at the party, where they give the hostess the babka and the wine at the door and leave immediately thereafter without staying for the party.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
. This is the 13th episode of the fifth season, and first aired on February 3, 1994.
Plot
JerryJerry Seinfeld (character)
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main protagonist of the American television sitcom Seinfeld . The straight man among his group of friends, this semi-fictionalized version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was named after, co-created by, based on, and played by Seinfeld himself.The series revolves around...
, Elaine
Elaine Benes
Elaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
, George
George Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
, and Kramer
Cosmo Kramer
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Michael Richards...
prepare to attend a dinner party, but Elaine feels they must bring wine and cake to the party. George, who is sporting a large Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
coat due to the cold weather outside, does not understand why, thinking that it would be better to bring Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
and Ring Dings
Drake's
Drake's is a baking company in Wayne, New Jersey, United States, owned by Hostess Brands, which makes snack cakes such as Ring Dings, Yodels, Devil Dogs, Yankee Doodles, Sunny Doodles, Funny Bones, and coffee cake. Their mascot is a smiling duck wearing a chef's hat and neckerchief holding a...
.
Jerry and Elaine stop at a bakery to purchase a chocolate babka while Kramer and George go to buy wine. Jerry and Elaine forget to take a number at the counter. As a result, David and Barbara Benedict, a couple on their way to the same dinner party, get ahead of them in line and purchase the last chocolate babka. Jerry and Elaine eventually resort to purchasing a cinnamon babka, which Elaine considers "a lesser babka."
George wants to pay for the bottle of wine with a $100 bill
United States one hundred-dollar bill
The United States one hundred-dollar bill is a denomination of United States currency. U.S. statesman, inventor and diplomat Benjamin Franklin is currently featured on the obverse of the bill. On the reverse of the banknote is an image of Independence Hall. The time on the clock according to the...
but the shop owner refuses to give him change. They go to a newsstand to break the bill by purchasing some chewing gum, but the attendant forces them to buy other things since the gum isn't worth enough for him to give that much change. Kramer buys a Clark bar
Clark Bar
The Clark Bar is a milk chocolate peanut butter bar that is similar to a Butterfinger. It is manufactured by the New England Confectionery Company ....
, a newspaper and a Penthouse Forum magazine before the attendant relents. When they finally buy the wine, they find that their car is stuck in its space because someone has double parked and obstructed their way. They are forced to wait for the driver to come back before they can pick up Jerry and Elaine. Disgusted at the turn of events, George likens double parkers to dictators, saying Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
or Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
would never look in vain for an open spot.
Meanwhile, back at the bakery, adding to the misfortune of Jerry and Elaine, they find that the babka has a hair on it, and they are forced to wait in line again to purchase a new cake. While they wait, Jerry eats a black and white cookie
Black and white cookie
A black and white cookie, also known as a half and half cookie, a drop cake or a half moon, is a soft, sponge cake-like shortbread which is iced on one half with vanilla fondant, and on the other half by dark chocolate fondant...
, on which he claims to base philosophical theories on race relations. They eventually exchange their babka for one that the saleswoman coughs on. They have to wait for Kramer and George to pick them up. However, the cookie causes Jerry to throw up, ending his non-vomit streak, which he claims had held since June 29, 1980. Meanwhile, a man with a cane crushes Elaine's toe, further adding to their misery.
Because of the cold weather, Kramer insists on going back inside the liquor store, where he is told that it is "not a hangout." George's coat accidentally knocks down some bottles of wine and he has to surrender the coat to pay for them. Outside, it turns out the double parker is Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
(or a look-alike with a British accent), who suggests George should wear warmer clothing or else he might catch a cold. The four friends finally arrive at the party, where they give the hostess the babka and the wine at the door and leave immediately thereafter without staying for the party.