Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: Seinfeld’s “The Finale”

Tread Perilously‘s tour of controversial finales continues with Seinfeld‘s final episode, “The Finale.”

When Jerry and George get a call from NBC about their long-shelved Jerry pilot, their dreams come true. The network wants to put the show on the air and gives Jerry and George prominent positions as writer-producers. To celebrate, they also offer Jerry the use of the private NBC plane. Jerry and his pals decide to fly to Paris, but they’re waylaid in a small Massachusetts town with a good Samaritan statute. Soon, they find themselves on trial for failing to help a carjack victim (played by the late John Pinette), and all of the people they’ve wronged come out of the woodwork to testify against them.

Erik and Justin get immediately derailed by discussion of NBC executive offices, Manimal, and cocaine. Erik compares Kramer to a Hanna-Barbera cartoon character and introduces another Jacob’s Ladder scenario regarding the NBC plane. Justin calls out the Seinfeld writers for the poor quality of their fat jokes. Both decide special guest Philip Baker Hall is the funniest performer in the entire episode. Erik points out the preponderance of Twin Peaks actors throughout the episode. He also admits he found the Soup Nazi unfunny.

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