Seinfeld (TV Series) The Baby Shower (1991) User Reviews

Elements of what make 'Seinfeld' great in the future are present here, but I don't think they come together well here

[SLionsCricketreviews · 6/10 · 4 February 2018]

As the second season nears its end, 'Seinfeld' has come a bit of a way so far despite not yet finding its stride and identity. This episode in particular seems like a recipe for a classic down the road and while writer Larry Charles has some great ideas present here, they never come together in a way that feels particularly satisfying, especially given the intent for chaos here.

If we consider the numerous storylines at play here, then there's the expectation that the climax will be hectic and therein should lie the comedy. 'Seinfeld' is usually brilliant at intertwining separate storylines into one cohesive climactic whole but here in "The Baby Shower" as with many other early 'Seinfeld' attempts, it never really comes together.

So let's quickly consider the plot lines at play here:

• Kramer hooks Jerry onto illegal cable and promises to have his source get it up and running by the time Jerry gets back from a gig
• During his absence, Elaine borrows Jerry's apartment to run a baby shower for a friend
• George had a particularly bad experience with this woman and wants to use this occasion to crash her baby shower and get back at her
• Jerry's gig is canceled due to a blizzard and he makes his way back to the apartment (with George) as the baby shower is running, only to discover that the illegal cable is being installed at the time as well

That certainly is a formula for a 'Seinfeld' classic but I find "The Baby Shower" numbingly dull and low on energy. Even George's story with him attempting to get back at a woman for something so in the past should be hilarious but I never really found myself laughing at any of it, largely because the episode as a whole really lacks any zip.

Whether the criticism is unfair or not, I really dislike Jerry's 'nightmare' that he has on the plane over his fear about the illegal cable being installed in his apartment. It doesn't really fit the style and even tone of the series in retrospect, however unfair a criticism it may be.

The Elaine/Jerry interactions really drag the episode down too, especially the overlong scene early in the episode that ends with Elaine getting Jerry's apartment to run the baby shower. Perhaps I'm used to a more zippy and high pace 'Seinfeld' but an episode like "The Baby Shower" particularly suffers from a lack of intent. There's no real intent in pacing and the absence of even early Larry David hurts "The Baby Shower".

There's the recipe of a 'Seinfeld' classic that the series, still in its infant stages, cannot quite optimize to its fullest. It's a real missed opportunity in my opinion, as is a lot of the show's first two seasons.

Cable Boy

[dannylee-78082 · 7/10 · 2 March 2023]

1. Jerry gets new cables or not 2. Jerry gets shot or not 3. George gets cake put on him

I noticed that there were some negative reactions to this episode. I honestly found it pretty good. I think George is basically fully formed as a character and he's arguably more relatable and likable than Jerry himself. I was slightly confused at the dream sequence because there definitely was a tonal mismatch but I give credit for trying new things. The separate subplots all converged together into one setting, which was the baby shower. I think this way of writing has been a go-to formula for Seinfeld. There was also another parallel plot as Jerry received the "obsessive-past-lover" treatment, which George basically is in this episode. The whole illegal cable storyline was ok. Not the best but not the worst. I am definitely glad that we get more episodes in season 3 because while season 2 has been a much better upgrade than season 1, it still is rough around the edges at times.

Harsh and Uneven

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 25 January 2022]

There are some very choice moments here but things become so abrasive at times. George is going nuts because a baby shower is being held for a woman whom he dated, a performance artist, who treated him like dirt. Meanwhile, Kramer talks Jerry into having a couple of Russians install illegal cable. The scene as Kramer and the Russians and George and Jerry crash the party is very good.

Sometimes the road less travelled is less travelled for a reason.

[Otoboke · 5 February 2008]

I didn't enjoy this one so much. It was entertaining sure, but it didn't make me laugh that much and certain scenes felt under-written, lacking any real punch. Charles does a good job handling characters and has a fairly good grasp on their personalities developed thus far, but there is a notable difference between this episode and the previous ones that is only explainable through David and Seinfeld's lack of involvement.

Perhaps the biggest gripe I have is the very anti-climactic resolution used to tie up George's story. It begins brilliantly and is developed well, ending up with George wearing his chocolate covered shirt and walking over to confront his problem. Unfortunately, the following scenes lack any real conviction, comedy or sufficient use of the character's personality. I also have a major gripe with the dream sequence which simply does not work and seems completely out of place in a show like Seinfeld. Taken in context of the entire episode, it just seems like a random signature of the writer included for the sake of it.

I found the way in which Charles managed to juggle three plots and eventually make them collide to be more of a hit than a miss, but it's clear that because of limited space, each separate plot doesn't get enough time to be at all memorable. The stand-up scenes too are less successful than others from the series; I really enjoyed the opening segment on switching channels, but everything else failed to strike even a smile. Elaine's plot I couldn't have cared less about, and for me it seemed to serve as a cheap way to intertwine the plots. Unlike the previous episode, she is definitely under-used here.

What I loved most about the show however was the involvement of Jerry, Kramer and the cable-guys. Even though Kramer's motivation for Jerry to get cable is unclear, it still provides some of the best scenes of the episode usually thanks to Richards' brilliant performance.

Overall, probably the worst episode I've seen so far, but not without it's silver lining.

Jerry the cable guy

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 30 January 2008]

George at his most pathetic, Kramer at his most determined, Jerry at his most... well, Jerry - all of this in The Baby Shower, one of the funniest episodes of Seinfeld's early years.

The story's title derives from Elaine's decision to hold a baby shower for a friend of hers. Unfortunately there are two problems: first of all the event will be held in the less than happy Jerry's apartment; secondly, the celebrated mother, Leslie, used to date George and supposedly ruined his shirt, something he wants revenge for. And just to make things easier, Kramer keeps insisting Jerry should get illegal cable TV.

All these absurd situations are deftly intertwined and eventually combined in the epilogue, spawning several memorable moments. The best are of course those featuring George, from his description of Leslie ("She deserves a baby monsoon, she deserves Rosemary's baby!") to his inevitably embarrassing confrontation with her. Rarely has selfish stupidity been more entertaining, and writer Larry Charles exploits the Costanza factor to the max, while still giving Jerry a couple of classic scenes, like the fantasy bit where the feds bust him for the illegal cable, or the excruciating encounter with a former date who calls the comedian a "useless piece of dust". The show, on the other hand, is anything but, as it keeps amusing audiences all over the world.

One of the first real gems in the series

[FlushingCaps · 9/10 · 2 March 2014]

This episode provided all the things we expect in a Seinfeld--George and Jerry in a big discussion, Kramer involved with some shady characters, and things not working out as George planned.

Here we have George telling about how he once dated this "performance artist" that Elaine now wants to give a baby shower for--using Jerry's apartment, of course. George went to see her perform and was most distressed when she spilled a chocolate drink all over his bright red shirt and he could never get the stain out. When Jerry asks whatever happened to the shirt, George explains that he still has it--the collar is fine, so he wears it under sweaters.

Kramer tries to get Jerry to get cable TV--with an illegal hookup from some Russians who he brings into the apartment. He tempts Jerry, "56 channels" and tells him about 75 Met games on cable this year. Jerry gives in.

Jerry is conflicted, worried that the police will close in on him because the hookup is illegal. This leads to a fabulous scene that is best unspoiled. Once you see the episode, you'll likely agree it makes this episode more than any other scene.

Meanwhile, George is planning on some measure of revenge on his former date--right at her own baby shower. Just as he is ready to let loose, a totally unexpected thing occurs that ruins it for him.

I just started going through the complete Seinfeld episodes last week, again. Many of the not-so-funny ones come early. Good shows, compared to other series, but clearly near the bottom when rating Seinfelds. From start to finish, this one is one of the funniest so far.

O.K., maybe I liked George's line about still wearing the stained shirt only under sweaters because many years ago I used to have a nice shirt that got a big rip in it that I wore under sweaters.

I also loved the way Kramer kept working at Jerry to get him to agree to let the Russians install cable. A normal guy would have offered, and when the friend said he wasn't interested, given up. But then, nobody ever accused Kramer of being normal. Nine stars.

"I'll see you around. If you're around, and I'm around, I'll see you around that area. You'll be around other people. You won't be around me. But you will be around."

[bombersflyup · 6/10 · 8 January 2022]

The Baby Shower is about Jerry getting an illegal cable hook-up and a baby shower held at his place, while out of town.

The episode's fine, also out of order it appears. It really hinges on George and his grudge, as there aren't enough laughs throughout. Which as a twist is swapped to Jerry and someone holding a grudge against him. While amusing, it wastes the buildup somewhat. George lying in order to confront Leslie's good, but our characters are walked all over here, by this spiteful person, so where's the fun? It's also unjustified that it merges like it does. Jerry's standup's alright, his FBI shooting nightmare doesn't work at all.

George: Someday, before I die, I'm gonna tell that woman exactly what I think of her. I'll never be able to forgive myself until I do. Jerry: And if you do? George: I still won't be able to forgive myself, but at least it won't be about this.

One of my favorite episodes!

[jodyjo-99949 · 9/10 · 9 March 2024]

This episode is actually one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes.

The main reason is because it's a great example of perfect ensemble acting, which requires incredible timing, talent and skill. Add to that a live audience and three cameras, there was a great deal of possibilities that anything could go wrong and disrupt the actor's and production crew's timing and the actor's character portrayals. I'd love to know how long the filming of this episode actually took to complete and how many times individual scenes had to be re-shot. I hope not very many because that takes a tremendous toll on the actors and the crew. The final product is seamless, the acting spot on and highly creative writing. I love it every time I see it!

Yeah

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 17 June 2020]

This is a funny episode with lots of interesting and funny situations

Illegal cable and baby shower

[vivianla · 6 February 2022]

Elaine was asked to set up a baby shower for a girl that George has a grudge on. Jerry asks what a baby shower is like - is there an orgy? Hazing of the baby?

Jerry says in his comedy show at the end what does take care really mean? See you around?