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The Understudy

‘The Understudy’

Season 6, Episode 24 -  Aired May 18, 1995

As Jerry dates Better Midler's understudy in a Broadway production of "Rochelle Rochelle", George causes a softball accident that knocks the leading lady out. Meanwhile, Elaine needs Frank Costanza's help when she thinks the Korean nail technicians are talking about her behind her back.

Quote from Frank Costanza

Elaine: Anyway, Mr. Costanza, what I want you to do is to go into the shop with me and tell me what they are saying. You do speak Korean?
Frank Costanza: I once talked to the reverend Sun Myung Moon. He bought two Jesus statues from me. He's a hell of a nice guy.
Elaine: Uh.
Frank Costanza: Ever see that face on him? It was like a big apple pie.
Elaine: Yeah, yeah. Uh. Uh, listen, Mr. Costanza, if, uh, if you do this for me I'll get you a manicure, I'll pay for it. Or you can get a pedicure if you want.
Frank Costanza: No one is touching my feet. Between you and me, Elaine, I think I've got a foot odor problem.

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Quote from Kramer

Kramer: So you're all in here together. How convenient. I hope you're all proud of yourselves. So, my dear, you think you can get to Broadway. Well, let me tell you something. Broadway has no room for people like you. Not the Broadway I know. My Broadway takes people like you and eats them up and spits them out. My Broadway is the Broadway of Merman and Martin and Fontanne. And if you think you can build yourself up by knocking other people down, good luck! [exits]

Quote from Frank Costanza

Elaine: What'd they say? What'd they say?
Frank Costanza: They made a derogatory comment about me.
Ruby: [Korean: "She's with a man twice her age. He doesn't look like he's got much money either."]
Lotus: [Korean: "Check out that sweater"] [all laugh]
Ruby: [Korean: "I think I saw a moth fly out of a pocket."]
Lotus: [Korean: "What happened to his tail?"]
Frank Costanza: Okay, that's it. [repeats Korean] Where's my tail? I heard every word you said. You got some nerve.

Quote from Frank Costanza

[in the back room:]
Kim: That voice? It sounds so familiar. It reminds me of when I was a young girl in Korea and I met an American businessman. He was a very unusual man. Quick-tempered with a strange halting way of speaking. We fell in love. But when I brought him home to meet my father, he refused to take his shoes off. And there was a terrible fight.
Lotus: That man also refuses to take his shoes off.
Frank Costanza: [o.s.] I never seen people treated like this!
[back out front:]
Ruby: So, you brought in a spy? Now, take your dry, bitten nails and get out! [Elaine exits]
Kim: Frank?
Frank Costanza: Kim?

Quote from Kramer

Kramer: [as he files Bette Midler's nails] So, what's the scoop on Bob Barker? Does he really give a damn about what all those things cost or is he just acting?

Quote from Kramer

Kramer: Hi, here. I made this for your.
Bette Midler: What is it?
Kramer: It's Macaroni Midler.
Bette Midler: Macaroni Midler?
Kramer: Yeah, see how you're singing?
Bette Midler: Yeah. [chuckles] [sings] Well, you made a long journey from Milan to Minsk.
Kramer: Oh, what's that from?
Bette Midler: Oh, that's one of the songs from my show. [sings] Well you made a long journey from Milan to Minsk Rochelle Rochelle You never stopped hoping. now you're in the Pinsk Rochelle Rochelle When the naysayers nay You picked up your pace You said nothing's going to stop me So get out of my face. I'm having adventures all over the place. Rochelle Rochelle!" What do you think?
Kramer: Oh, you are so freaking talented.

Quote from Jerry

Elaine: I didn't get to tell you about my new job.
Jerry: Where?
Elaine: Writing for the J. Peterman catalog.
Jerry: [pushes her] How did you get that?
Elaine: I met him.
Jerry: You met J. Peterman?
Elaine: Yeah.
Jerry: What is he like?
Elaine: He wore a classic horseman's duster, beige corduroy collar, 100% cotton canvas, high-waist, nine pockets, six on the outside, great for running along side a train... [Jerry walking away] Waving last goodbyes, posing on a veranda, Men's sizes small, medium, large.
Jerry: Yeah, I'll see you.

Quote from Jerry

Jerry: [inner monologue] All right, what am I supposed to do here? Should I go over there? It's not like somebody died. It's Beaches for god's sake. If she was sitting next to me I'd put my arm around her. I can't see making a big move like going all the way over there. I can't. I won't.

Quote from Elaine

Ruby: Ms. Elaine. You late.
Elaine: I know I know. I didn't have change for the bus and they don't give change in this city. So they threw me off the bus
Ruby: [Korean: "That's a shame"] But you'll have to wait for Lotus now.
Elaine: Well, how long is this going to take? I have, like, a million things to do.
Ruby: [Korean: "Mustn't keep the princess waiting. Princess in a big hurry. No change for bus. Poor princess."]
Elaine: What?, uh?
Ruby: Not long.
Lotus: [Korean: "Princess wants a manicure."]
Sunny: [Korean: "Oh, lucky me."]
Woman: [Korean: "Oh, you got the princess."]
Elaine: What is so funny?
Ruby: Sunny tell knock-knock joke.

Quote from Elaine

Elaine: I'm telling you, Jerry. I have a sneaking suspicion they were talking about me. I think they were calling me a dog.
Jerry: How would you know? You don't speak Korean.
Elaine: Because this woman came in with a dog and Ruby called the dog the same word they used when they were pointing at me. "Ge!" "Ge!" "Ge!"
Kramer: You know, maybe in Korean "dog" isn't an insult. Could be like the word "fox" to us. Oh, she's a dog!
Jerry: Why don't you go to another nail shop?
Elaine: Because they're the best Jerry, the best. Look. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

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