The Outing

The Outing
Season	4
Episode	57
Air Date	February 11, 1993
Writer(s)	Larry Charles
Director	Tom Cherones
prev	The Shoes
next	The Old Man

“The Outing” is the sixteenth episode of Season 4, and the 57th episode overall. This episode was written by Larry Charles and directed by Tom Cherones; it first 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, 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, with the two stating that they were attracted to one another all along. In his typical cowardly fashion, George decides to use his (fake) orientation as an excuse to break up with his girlfriend, Allison. George tries to act gay with Jerry in front of Allison to prove that they're homosexuals, but when Jerry doesn't follow along, George's ruse doesn't convince her. However, the reporter saw George's attempt to act gay 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."

Notes About Nothing

• This episode earned Larry Charles an Emmy nomination.
• The scenes with George and his mother in the hospital reference almost identical scenes in “The Contest”.
• When Estelle Harris was not available at one time, Fran Drescher stood in for Estelle in the hospital scene. You can find it in this episode's “Inside Look” in the Season 4 DVD set.

Quotes

• "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" - Jerry, Kramer, Helen Seinfeld
• "I'm gay. I'm a gay man. I'm very, very gay ... Extraordinarily gay, steeped in gayness." - George
• “I open up the paper and this is what I have to read about? I fell right off the toilet!” - Estelle Costanza
• “If you boys cannot control yourselves, then I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” - Larry
• George answers Jerry's phone: “Hello.”
• Helen (on the other end of the line): “George?”
• George: “Mrs. Seinfeld?”
• Helen: “Oh, my God!”
• Jerry: “Oh, my God.” (takes the phone) “Ma?”
• Helen: “Jerry?”
• Jerry: “Ma!”
• George: “Oh, my God! My mother!” (runs out of Jerry's apartment)