The Outing

"The Outing" is the fifty-seventh episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. It was the 17th episode for the 4th season. It aired on February 11, 1993.

Plot

While at Monk's Cafe, Elaine notices a woman in a nearby booth eavesdropping, and as a prank speaks to Jerry and George as if they were a closeted gay couple. The eavesdropping woman turns out to be Sharon (Paula Marshall), a New York University reporter who is planning on interviewing Jerry. Later, Sharon visits Jerry's apartment to conduct the interview. His and George's conversation during the interview solidifies her misconception that they are gay. Eventually, they recognize her from the coffee shop, and strenuously deny that they are gay, conditioning their denials with "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Throughout the episode Jerry and George, and most of the other characters, fear being seen as homosexual, yet also feel guilty and afraid they will be perceived as homophobic.

The interview with Jerry is published in the school newspaper, and subsequently gets picked up by the Associated Press. Jerry ends up dating the college reporter, largely in an attempt to convince her he is heterosexual, but all does not go well. In his typical cowardly fashion, George decides to use his (fake) orientation as an excuse to break up with his girlfriend, Allison (Kari Coleman). After overhearing a joking conversation between Jerry and George, the reporter changes her mind and believes that Jerry and George lied to her, that they are actually gay, and that they used her to hide the fact that they are lovers.

The episode ends with Kramer receiving a visit from an attractive young man, causing George and Jerry to briefly wonder what's going on, only to have Kramer explain "He's the phone man.... Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Trivia

• According to the "Inside Look" interviews on the episode's DVD release, the original script was almost abandoned due to fears of offending the gay community. When a writer casually used the phrase "not that there's anything wrong with that" in a discussion about salvaging the episode, Jerry Seinfeld immediately realized if that line was added to the script, it would be socially acceptable. The line would soon afterward become a catch phrase (Jason Alexander maintains that it is the most popular to originate from the series) and the episode won a GLAAD Media Award^[1], Seinfeld has stated that he is particularly proud of the episode as it simultaneously satirizes both homophobia and excessive political correctness.

Quotes

• Kramer: Aaaah! Enough lying! The lying is through. C'mon, Jerry, the masquerade is over. You're thin, late thirties, single...

Jerry: So are you.

Kramer: Yeah... (jumps back in fear)

• Jerry/George/Kramer/Jerry's mother/George's mother: Not that there's anything wrong with that.
• Jerry: I've been outed! I wasn't even in!
• George: Hey, I've figured what my name is going to be if I ever become a porno actor.

Jerry: Oh really, what's that, Buck Naked?

George (after a brief pause): Yeah, how'd you know?

Superman Reference

Explaining his attraction to her, Jerry tells Sharon that she reminds him of Lois Lane.

References

• Seinfeld: The Outing - TV.com
• Seinfeld Lists - The Outing