Seinfeld

The Pony Remark

Season 2, Episode 2, Aired 1/30/91

Episode Summary

Jerry worries that he may have killed an old relative, after he offends her with an off-the-cuff comment about hating kids who had ponies growing up.

8.4

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Richards

Cosmo Kramer
Jerry Seinfeld

Himself
Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Elaine Marie Benes (not in pilot)

Fan Episode Reviews (11)

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It works on so many levels!

9.5

"Superb"

By ilex91, Jun 24, 2010 Report Abuse

I think this was one of the earliest truly brilliant Seinfeld episodes. I actually thought the context in which Jerry made the pony remark seemed a little staged, but what followed was hilarious, with Jerry trying to defend himself, then agonising over whether he killed her, and whether he was obliged to attend the funeral. Barney Martin, playing the recast role of Morty Seinfeld, was brilliant, and would continue to be throughout the series, a much better choice then the original actor. His suggestion of catching a military transport flight home was so typical. I thought one of the funniest parts though was Kramers intention of installing levels in his apartment, and the ensuing argument over what the bet was for. And I also enjoyed George wondering how he was ever have the chance to have sex again, oblivious to the totally unrelated conversation that was occuring.moreless

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I had a pony!

9.1

"Superb"

By thefanof, Dec 03, 2009 Report Abuse

One of the most genius episodes of Seinfeld ever. So well done and such an accurate portrayal of how painful family get togethers can be and how one comment can be interrupted the wrong way and lead to chaos. This was possibly Morty's best episode in series history. From, "You have any idea what this funeral's gonna end up costing me? Oh, boy." to the base in Sarasota, to everything else, just an epic performance by one of the best supporting characters in sitcom history.

If you did not enjoy this episode, you probably are simply not a fan of good television.moreless

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Just a wonderful classic foot in mouth moment, with the staging well thought out from the small chair of Elaines as the shrinking violet to Manya sitting at the head of the table. And back peddling banter was so funny.moreless

9.0

"Superb"

By roseponder, Aug 17, 2009 Report Abuse

I have been there insert foot in mouth. This episode brings back those times when all you wanted to do was hide from the embarrassment and then trying to back peddle is classic. And putting Elaine in a small chair was great it just added to the whole feeling of the moment. And lets not forget Jerry just adding to the whole situation. Over the years I have seen Rozsi Freedman or(Rozsika Halmos as her stage name) play a number of characters, but this one as Manya was very menorable for me. She pasted away a number of years ago and being able to see her every now and then brings a smile to me face. She was my Great Aunt and it is nice to see she can still bring join and laughter to peoples hearts.moreless

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One of my most favorite early episodes.

10

"Perfect"

By DarthMcKellar, Dec 13, 2008 Report Abuse

The Pony Remark is one of my most favorite early episodes of all-time. You could really say that this was the episode that really won me over to the show and really got me to start paying more attention to the show. The thing about this episode is it's got some really great dialogue in it and the plot is really funny. This episode, unlike later installments really just has one plot and sticks to just one story. Although, it can be argued that the whole situation with George and Jerry and the softball game is a separate issue. I consider it linked with the original plot of Jerry thinking he killed Manya.moreless

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One of the few early episodes to really put across the greatness that was Seinfeld.

7.5

"Good"

By oceanic6, Mar 10, 2008 Report Abuse

Following a slow season 1 but an exhilirating start to Season 2, The Pony Remark sees the first classic episode of Seinfeld and a must - see for fans.

Jerry's parents are staying over so they can attend a dinner with one their European relatives named Manya but when Jerry and Elaine start a conversation that ends with Jerry saying "I hate anyone that ever had a pony when they were growing up." Manya then angrily states that she had a pony and storms out; the next day she dies but Jerry can't help but feel that it's his fault so he cancels his long - awaited softball game to attend the funeral.

As you can see the plot is very orginal on paper but the acting out of it is even better but is evenly balanced with Jerry's hilarious monologues and the gang's conversations on "nothing" which makes this the first truly funny episode of Seinfeld.

A lot of this episode deals with the introduction and development of characters; such as Jerry's Uncle Leo (Len Lesser) who makes his debut here and while he grown into one of the most memorable recurring characters on the show i felt he was a little muted in this. Jerry's Dad Morty (Barney Martin) also makes his first appearence as Jerry's Dad in an earlier episode was played by Phillip Bruns; the change in casting was a blessing as Martin is just more natural in the role of Morty and his chemistry with Liz Sheridan as Jerry's Mom is a lot more convincing.

Elaine is given probably the most screen time in this episode than any episode before this one to somehow develop her character but the storyline of her enquiring about the deceased's apartment is just too brief to be memorable with her not having one effective punchline to utter and Elaine proves that she's too weak a character to hold up an episode at this point. George and Kramer are given not much more than cameo roles in The Pony Remark but they light up in the time they're given. Kramer's insane plan about removing all his furniture and building "levels" is a great diversion. George isn't given a storyline in this episode but rather pnly two memorable scenes the first one not until about halfway through the episode. But both of them involve the gang engaging in a humourous discussion which shows that George is funny in any length.

The performances are from the main 4 are solid except when Jerry is meant to be remorseful where he shows a huge lack of range and the older castmembers nail their roles.

The episode ends on the most amusingly ironic line spoken since the end of "Of mice and men" and it caps off an excellent and overall classic episode of Seinfeld.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- This is the first time Jerry's unseen cousin Jeffery is mentioned. Edit
- Jerry is left handed, yet his baseball glove is for a right handed player. I guess it's possible for him to throw with his right hand, but I think this was simply a prop, and a continuity flaw. Edit
Notes
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- First appearances by Barney Martin ("Morty Seinfeld" (replacing George Bruns)) and Len Lesser ("Uncle Leo"). Martin was on 21 episodes, and Lesser was on 14. Edit
- This episode was nominated for the 1991 Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series". Edit
Quotes
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- Jerry: I hate anybody who had a pony growing up. Manya: I had a pony! Jerry: Well, I didn't mean a pony per se… Manya: When I was a little girl in Poland, we all had ponies. My sister had pony, my cousin had pony. So, what's wrong with that? Jerry: Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just expressing… Helen: Should we have coffee? Who's having coffee? Manya: He was a beautiful pony. And I loved him! Jerry: Well, I'm sure you did. Who wouldn't love a pony? Who wouldn't love a person who had a pony? Manya: You! You said so! Edit
- (George, Jerry and Elaine are sitting at a table. Jerry and George are wearing baseball uniforms.) George: Who gets picked off in softball? It's unheard of. Jerry: It's never happened to me before. Elaine: I remember saying to myself, "Why is Jerry so far off the base?" Jerry: I'll have to live with this shame for the rest of my life. (George consults his stat sheet of the game) George: And then in the fifth inning, why did you take off on the pop fly? Jerry: I thought there were two outs. Elaine: I couldn't believe it when I saw you running. (laughing) I thought maybe they had changed the rules or something. Jerry: It was the single worst moment of my life. George: What about Sharon Besser? Jerry: Oh, well, of course. Nineteen seventy three. Elaine: Makes you wonder, though, doesn't it? Jerry: Wonder about what? Elaine: You know… (looking up) the spirit world. Jerry: You think Manya showed up during the game and put a hex on me? Elaine: I never saw anyone play like that. Jerry: But I went to the funeral. Elaine: Yeah, but that doesn't make up for killing her. George: Maybe Manya missed the funeral because she was off visiting another galaxy that day. Jerry: Don't you think she would've heard I was there? George: Not necessarily. (pause) Jerry: Who figures an immigrant's gonna have a pony? (Elaine laughs) Edit
- George: I cannot envision any circumstance in which I'll ever have the opportunity to have sex again. How's it gonna happen? I just don't see how it could occur. Edit
Allusions
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