Andy Ackerman Movies

The strike at the bagel place ends after 12 long years -- but will Kramer (Michael Richards) go back to his old job? In trying to blow off a guy in a bad denim jacket, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) may also blow her chances to win a free sub sandwich. George (Jason Alexander) harks back to the all-purpose "Festivus" holiday created by his dad to cover both Christmas and Hanukkah. And Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) finds out that his new girlfriend is "two-faced" -- that is, her looks alter radically depending upon the time of day, the lighting, and the location. (And speaking of location, wait till you see what the bagel place does to Elaine!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This is the legendary "backwards" episode, beginning at the end with a bedraggled Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) returning from a trip to India. Thereafter, each successive scene takes us back in time, culminating with the opening of the story -- 13 years earlier! In between, the action involves a birthday, a wedding, a snowball, and a man with the initials F.D.R. For the benefit of those confused by the reverse chronology, the syndicated print of this episode superimposes "time cards" at crucial points in the story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Purchasing the set of the old Merv Griffin Show, Kramer (Michael Richards) transforms his living room into a talk show -- but is it "Merv," or is it "Scandals and Animals?" (And yes, that's Wild Kingdom's Jim Fowler.) Meanwhile, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is plagued at work by a "sidler" who causes her to create a coffee stain in the shape of Fidel Castro. George (Jason Alexander) can't seem to drive anywhere without running over a cute little animal. And Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) hopes to persuade his girlfriend to let him sample her rare toy collection. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George's wedding to Susan (Heidi Swedberg) is delayed by three months -- and no one is more relieved than George (Jason Alexander). Hoping to gain admittance into the Friar's Club, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) borrows a jacket -- which he promptly loses to a band of gypsies, or at least that's what it looks like. In trying to replicate Leonardo da Vinci's sleeping habits, Kramer (Michael Richards) ends up at a restaurant which specializes in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is in for it when Peterman (John O'Hurley) hires a deaf employee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) receives several royalty checks for an appearance on Japanese TV -- each coming to the munificent sum of 12 cents. This sets Kramer (Michael Richards) to thinking that maybe some Japanese TV executive might be interested in Jerry's concept of "a show about nothing" -- which may or may not explain why Kramer has a hot tub installed in his apartment. Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) hopes to hit it off with her new boyfriend, Brett (James Patrick Stuart), who loves designer furniture and the song "Desperado" -- in that order. And George (Jason Alexander) hires some carpet cleaners -- actually troubleshooters for a religious cult -- to work on the offices at Yankee Stadium. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ordered to abstain from sex during the six weeks that his girlfriend is recovering from mono, George (Jason Alexander) finds that he has developed hyper-intelligence. Conversely, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) grows progressively stupider while helping out her boyfriend, an aspiring doctor. Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) has to develop a two-hour act for an appearance at a junior high school. And Kramer (Michael Richards) transforms his apartment into a non-PC smoking lounge -- and ultimately seeks out the counsel of Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris) when the tobacco has an adverse effect on his looks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) makes the acquaintance of Kevin (Tim DeKay) and his friends, who turn out to be the "bizarro" versions of Jerry, George, and Kramer (and catch that unicycle). As for the genuine articles: Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is bothered by the "man hands" of his girlfriend. George (Jason Alexander) earns passage to the "Forbidden City," hangout of all the beautiful supermodels. And Kramer (Michael Richards) is labeled "TCB" when he starts working in the office building where he had previously used the bathroom facilities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) goes to great lengths to peek at her diagnosis after visiting a doctor about a rash. Refusing delivery of a package with no return address, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is faced with a charge of mail fraud -- and worse still, a "basic instinct" moment with Newman (Wayne Knight). Kramer (Michael Richards) urges George (Jason Alexander) to act upon the "fact" that a photo clerk has including a sexy picture of herself in a batch of photos. And Uncle Leo's (Len Lesser) stove explodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In his inimitable fashion, George (Jason Alexander) breaks up someone else's romantic relationship with a few ill-chosen words. Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) develops stomach trouble when Elaine starts driving again. Kramer (Michael Richards) has trouble with his too-tight jeans -- and by extension, so does Kramer's little-person friend, Mickey Abbott (Danny Woodburn). And Susan (Heidi Swedberg) may be having second thoughts about marriage -- much to George's relief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George (Jason Alexander) is willing to get over the death of his fiancée, Susan, but her parents have other ideas as Seinfeld begins its eighth season. Also, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) renews his acquaintance with the "woman whose name rhymes with a body part." Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is left in charge of the office when Peterman (John O'Hurley) goes to Burma. And Kramer (Michael Richards) becomes a truly "towering" figure when he learns karate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George (Jason Alexander) opens his home to Ethan (Patrick Bristow), wig master for the road company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kramer borrows Ethan's "backup" dreamcoat, along with Elaine's walking stick. As for Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), she is hit upon by a sales clerk with whom Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is feuding. And Susan (Heidi Swedberg) doesn't quite understand when George finds a condom in his car, which he has left in a suspiciously cheap parking space. Listen for the voice of Larry David in the final scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first half of "The Bottle Deposit," it's Elaine versus the "Oh Henry Heiress" in a bidding war for a set of golf clubs originally owned by J.F.K. and highly coveted by Peterman (John O'Hurley). Kramer (Michael Richards) and Newman (Wayne Knight) travel to Michigan to get a double refund on a cache of soda bottles and cans. Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) car is stolen by his own mechanic. And George (Jason Alexander) jumps upon a major project without getting all the details. Originally telecast as a 60-minute episode, "The Bottle Deposit" has been edited into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide