The Jimmy

I have always enjoyed Seinfeld (the storylines and characters), but never found it particularly funny (especially the stand-up before and after (sometimes during) each episode).

This episode IS actually "laugh out loud" funny. Kramer's performance is hysterical.

Of course this episode could never be made today (as it would be considered offensive to the mentally challenged).

This episode tops the "cigar Store Indian" in terms of episodes that would be far too offensive to ever fly today. Depicting Kramer as mentally challenged (because he was overloaded with Novocain) and also the implication that something awful was done to Jerry while he was sedated at the dentist are two ideas that today's television would never have allowed, but Seinfeld went ahead with. I wonder sometimes if the censors at the time had an issue with this or not. The subplot with "the Jimmy" was actually hilarious, especially if you've known surreal individuals like this who actually talk this way.

Season 6, Episode 18, "The Jimmy"

"The Jimmy" shows better than any other episode just how different season 6 was from seasons 4 and 5. While the earlier seasons relied heavily on the four main characters, the interactions between them in very limited settings, and their dealings with various social situations, season 6 began to rely on more supporting characters, more locations, more physical comedy and gags, and more outlandish situations.

None of which really takes anything away from the quality. While the scripts are less tight, the show is also less wordy and as a result constantly funny. "The Jimmy" is in fact one of the funniest Seinfeld episodes ever, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander are both in top form and Bryan Cranston makes yet another memorable appearance as jerkass dentist Tim Whatley. Classic.

There are a couple of dynamite things here. We are back the health club and we meet Jimmy. He talks without using pronouns for himself. He is an arrogant jerk who likes to let everyone know it. Elaine mistakes him for another guy because she doesn't know his schtick. George hooks up with Jimmy, hoping to franchise some ridiculous looking athletic shoes. Kramer has center stage, however. He has been to the dentist and can't talk. He is also coming out of laughing gas. He is mistaken for a mentally handicapped man and given tickets to a fund raiser for that particular group. Mel Torme is singing at the fundraiser. What Michael Richards does is beyond belief.