The Contest

Season 4, Episode 11, Aired
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Episode Summary

George swears off doing 'you know' after being caught by his mother, causing her to throw her back out and ending up in the hospital. When Jerry proposes a contest to see who can go the longest without. Elaine and Kramer want in, but the four of them soon get into situations that test their will power to temptation.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (21)

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  • perfect

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Nov 13, 2010 Report Abuse
    the gang have a contest to see who can go the longest without... doing something... and they all bet 100 (Elaine bets 150). but they are soon all tempted. who will end up winning this bet?

    hilarious episode, i can't think of one scene that did not make me laugh. are you master of your domain?, and the ever famous "I'm out!" line, this episode is really hilarious from start to finish, with every scene being funny and memorable. series classic, no doubt, and my overall grade for this episode is an A+, simply a hilarious episode and very well-writtenmoreless

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    0 0

  • George gets caught master-bating by his mother,which leads to George,Jerry,Kramer and Elaine contesting who is "master of their domain".All 4 are tested in various ways.In the end they all give in,but as a later episode suggests,George apparentlmoreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By drwoowoocl, Sep 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    This certainly has to rank among the funniest and wildest TV sit-com episodes ever.Dealing with a subject which is so taboo,the actual word describing it is never used during the entire episode.The ways in which each is tempted are hilarious,from the naked girl across the street to the sexy nurse in Georges moms hospital room,to Jerry dating a virgin,not to mention Elaine meeting John Kennedy,Jr.This episode is brillantly written.This is an example of most season 4 episodes,where the humor just seems to come so naturally from simple situations.George in his insecure mode is at the top of his game,and we actually empathize with poor,frustrated Jerry.Kramer is,well,Kramer,and even Elaine comes off fairly sympathetic in this episode.We never actually learn who wins in this episode,but there is a reference to it in "The Puffy Shirt"where George claims that "he won a contest".However,in the series finale,it is suggested that George cheated.Im not sure how he could do that though.Im prone to go along with the idea that he won.The George in the later episodes might have found a way to cheat,but I dont think the George in this episode could pull it off.moreless

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  • Defining episode.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By thefanof, Sep 05, 2010 Report Abuse
    "The Contest" is one of the most recognizable episodes of television and really set the pace for what a sitcom is supposed to be. One story, one idea driving all the characters toward a common goal, with some funny detours along the way.

    The episode is legendary because of its execution, how they could have such a raunchy topic without even mentioning it by name.

    This is one of the reasons Kramer became an icon, for distinguishing characteristics and behavior like this and why he is one of television's greatest personalities.

    You would be hard-pressed to find a more meaningful episode of television for a series than this.moreless

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  • "Are you the master of your domain?"

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Apr 11, 2009 Report Abuse
    This episode, although not clever. It was perfectly amazing. It was probably because this episode was so controversial. I love how the group of friends did a contest like this. I cannot believe Elaine came in third place! Well I thought she was going to win. i love the JFK Jr. scenes. He ends up with Marla the virgin!? Elaine must of been pissed. I know George ended up winning but they never actually talk about it, and did Jerry actually give in to the naked woman. He goes to the window, but at the end you see George sleeping. Nobody won? I also fell in love with the sleeping scenes. It was hilarious!moreless

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  • Master of your Domain

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By poinsecurra, Aug 07, 2008 Report Abuse
    What a great episode!

    The four decide to host a contest to see who can go the longest without gratifying themselves. It features of the best dialogue in all of the and some of the best moments, especially when George visits his mother in the hospital. This is what make Seinfeld such a reveled series. You really can't beat "The Contest" episode.

    As the foursome try to see who can hold out the longest, we're treated to a crazy storyline with Jerry and his girlfriend, "The Virgin", we also get Elaine seeing John F. Kennedy Jr. at the health club. It's a definite treat.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • First appearence of George's mother Estelle. Edit
    • When Kramer enters Jerry's apartment and says "I'm out", it is the 100th time Kramer enters Jerry's apartment starting from the first episode. How fitting. Edit
    • When Marla and Jerry are making out on his couch, we can see someone walking behind the set through the window in Jerry's bathroom. Edit

  • Notes

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    • In 2008, The Emmys Academy chose the most memorable comedy TV moments. The scene where the gang create and start the contest, was in the top 5. Edit
    • This episode received an Emmy nomination in 1993 for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Comedy Series. Edit
    • I think that, like Jason Alexander, Michael Richards does a little spontaneous acting. It's right in the beginning, after the talk about laundry while being held hostage by terrorists. He says "You, take off your socks, your pants, your underwear, we're doing a wash" and I think this wasn't in the script because Julie Louis-Dreyfus' reaction and especially Jerry Seinfeld's reaction is quite natural. If you ever watched bloopers of Seinfeld (or if you watched "The Clip Show"), you know how Jerry laughs when he laughs for real, naturally. Now, just after Richards says that line, the laugh is the same, if you listen to it carefully, you understand that. Also when the frame is cut to George entering, we can see that both Seinfeld and Dreyfus sit straight, but both were laughing and thier heads were bowed down. I think Jerry Seinfeld couldn't stop laughing after Richards' improvised line and they taped the rest afterwards. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Jerry: All right, Costanza. It's just you and me. Edit
    • Jerry: I haven't been myself lately. I've been snapping at everybody. George: Me too. I've been yelling at strangers on the street. Edit
    • Kramer: I'm out!! Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Elaine: And then there were three.
      This quote is the recurring line in Agatha Christie's book "And Then There Were None," also published as "Ten Little Indians." Edit

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