Terrific comedy throughout the episode. Julia as Elaine and Jason as George just nailed it. Each and every scene is funny. Best episode of the series thus far.
10 Reviews
Laugh riot
AnandBlaster19 December 2021
"I don't know, who keeps track of hellos?"
MaxBorg8930 October 2008
Rarely has there been a comedic ensemble as good as Seinfeld's, mainly because the show allowed the four protagonists to team up differently every time. The most hilarious proof of this is The Tape, which features the best pairing of George and Elaine ever conceived in the series' nine years.
Remarkably, the episode focuses on pretty much one single storyline: with the exception of the bits where George orders hair-growing cream from China, the narrative is constantly occupied by the guys' reactions to a dirty message a female fan left on Jerry's tape recorder and George's adorably ridiculous infatuation with Elaine when he discovers she's the one who did it. This leads to some incredibly embarrassing moments when he has to explain the situation to jerry without revealing the whole truth.
Aside from her acerbic wit (always sharp as a state-of-the-art razor), Elaine's best quality is her sex appeal, and the show's writers always knew how to exploit it to great comic effect. For a good example of this, look no further than the scene where she reenacts the dirty talk in front of an unsuspecting George (if only all moronic sitcom sidekicks were like him...), or the perfectly timed epilogue, with all four main performers on top form. Although it's Jason Alexander who, as usual, gets most of the funniest scenes, the episode is in fact dominated by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, body and voice (sorry, I just had to say that). The only scene that comes close to her standout effort without her being in it (for the most part, at least) is when Jerry and George engage in a weirdly funny conversation about the habit of saying "hello". Priceless, as always.
Remarkably, the episode focuses on pretty much one single storyline: with the exception of the bits where George orders hair-growing cream from China, the narrative is constantly occupied by the guys' reactions to a dirty message a female fan left on Jerry's tape recorder and George's adorably ridiculous infatuation with Elaine when he discovers she's the one who did it. This leads to some incredibly embarrassing moments when he has to explain the situation to jerry without revealing the whole truth.
Aside from her acerbic wit (always sharp as a state-of-the-art razor), Elaine's best quality is her sex appeal, and the show's writers always knew how to exploit it to great comic effect. For a good example of this, look no further than the scene where she reenacts the dirty talk in front of an unsuspecting George (if only all moronic sitcom sidekicks were like him...), or the perfectly timed epilogue, with all four main performers on top form. Although it's Jason Alexander who, as usual, gets most of the funniest scenes, the episode is in fact dominated by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, body and voice (sorry, I just had to say that). The only scene that comes close to her standout effort without her being in it (for the most part, at least) is when Jerry and George engage in a weirdly funny conversation about the habit of saying "hello". Priceless, as always.
Coup de toe
dannylee-7808213 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
1. George finds Elaine attractive
2. George calls hair clinic
3. Everyone finds Elaine attractive
This was a hilarious episode but the ending got a little uncomfortable for both myself and Elaine. This type of humor would not really fly by these days because it left with a very predatory implication between 3 men and a girl, even though they are friends. Or perhaps I am too twisted. This episode showcases Elaine's many sides with her being flirtatious, erotic if necessary but also fun-loving. This gets everyone fall in love with her but I hope it remains a one-time thing as I don't see it developing into a further plot device. Jerry's reaction was priceless because we could tell he was picturing back to the times when they were together. We also get to see George's insecurity of his baldness and the lengths he will go to work on it. Even though Jerry is the main character, George always stands out to me. In my opinion, his character is what makes the show come alive.
This was a hilarious episode but the ending got a little uncomfortable for both myself and Elaine. This type of humor would not really fly by these days because it left with a very predatory implication between 3 men and a girl, even though they are friends. Or perhaps I am too twisted. This episode showcases Elaine's many sides with her being flirtatious, erotic if necessary but also fun-loving. This gets everyone fall in love with her but I hope it remains a one-time thing as I don't see it developing into a further plot device. Jerry's reaction was priceless because we could tell he was picturing back to the times when they were together. We also get to see George's insecurity of his baldness and the lengths he will go to work on it. Even though Jerry is the main character, George always stands out to me. In my opinion, his character is what makes the show come alive.
The Tape is one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes of all time,as it's so hilarious, as I would put this one in my top 5!
callanvass21 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
(plot). George Orders a miracle baldness cure from China. Elaine leaves an erotic message on Jerry's tape recorder. Her dirty-mouthed practical joke spurs sexual interest in her from guys, especially George!.
The Tape Is one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes of all time, as it's so hilarious, as I would put this one in my top 5!. The story is absolutely brilliant, and I loved the ending, as it was so hilarious as George, Jerry and Kramer stare at Elaine weirdly because she played the message on the tape recorder, plus it's extremely well written by Don McEnery&Bob Shaw and perfectly directed by David Steinberg!. Elaine is incredibly sexy in this, and George's facial expressions around Elaine were so funny in this one, plus I especially found the scene hilarious when he picks Elaine up from the airport. It was also really funny when Kramer went to hear the tape, and the volume was too loud, as he made a funny reaction, and this is extremely well made as well, plus Geroge looked hilarious with all that white bald cure cream on his head. This is truly an underrated episode, and I thought it was really funny, when George kept starring at Elaine in a really weird way at Monk's café, plus it's just so incredibly well done overall. The Tape is one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes of all time, as it's so hilarious, as I would put this one in my top 5, and if you haven't seen it please do so immediately, you won't regret it if your a Seinfeld lover!. ***** out of 5
Favorite quotes.
(George listening to the tape recorder for 1st time). George: Oh my god. Kramer: Let me hear. George: Wait, wait, wait!. George: Who is this woman?. Jerry: I don't know, I have no idea, I was just listening and she came on. George: This is like a penthouse letter.
(Elaine talking to George). Elaine: So did you hear this message?. George: Man it was unbelievable. Elaine: Really?. George: I can't get over it. Elaine: Sexy?. George: This woman drove us out of our minds!. Elaine: Like Uh, how did she sound?. George: She had this throaty, sexy kind of whisper. Elaine: Really?, like, like Jerry I want to slide my tongue around you like a snake, Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
(Jerry answering phone). Jerry: Hello?. Elaine: Hello, it's Elaine Marie Benes. Jerry: Well hello. Elaine: Hello, did you find out that woman was? Jerry: Yes I got her number. George: Is that Elaine?. Jerry: Yeah. George: Hi Elaine!. Elaine: So I guess you figure your in for a pretty wild night. Jerry: Well as I said this type of thing, is very common in show business. Elaine: Want me come by?. Jerry: Sure. Elaine: OK bye. Jerry: Bye. George: Did she say hello?. Jerry: What?, oh I don't know. George: What do you mean?,she heard me say hello, did she say hello back?. Jerry: I don't know, who keeps track of hellos?. George: Isn't it polite to say hello when somebody says hello?.
(George revealing to Jerry that he's attracted to Elaine). Jerry: Does she know?. George: NO!. Jerry: How did it happen?. George: I can't say. Jerry: Well why can't you say?. George: Because I promised her. Jerry: I thought you just said she Doesen't know?. George: She Doesen't. Jerry: So how can you promise her?, what is this an Abbot&Costello routine?.
(George Comes in with a black cowboy hat). Jerry: Sheriff.
The Tape Is one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes of all time, as it's so hilarious, as I would put this one in my top 5!. The story is absolutely brilliant, and I loved the ending, as it was so hilarious as George, Jerry and Kramer stare at Elaine weirdly because she played the message on the tape recorder, plus it's extremely well written by Don McEnery&Bob Shaw and perfectly directed by David Steinberg!. Elaine is incredibly sexy in this, and George's facial expressions around Elaine were so funny in this one, plus I especially found the scene hilarious when he picks Elaine up from the airport. It was also really funny when Kramer went to hear the tape, and the volume was too loud, as he made a funny reaction, and this is extremely well made as well, plus Geroge looked hilarious with all that white bald cure cream on his head. This is truly an underrated episode, and I thought it was really funny, when George kept starring at Elaine in a really weird way at Monk's café, plus it's just so incredibly well done overall. The Tape is one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes of all time, as it's so hilarious, as I would put this one in my top 5, and if you haven't seen it please do so immediately, you won't regret it if your a Seinfeld lover!. ***** out of 5
Favorite quotes.
(George listening to the tape recorder for 1st time). George: Oh my god. Kramer: Let me hear. George: Wait, wait, wait!. George: Who is this woman?. Jerry: I don't know, I have no idea, I was just listening and she came on. George: This is like a penthouse letter.
(Elaine talking to George). Elaine: So did you hear this message?. George: Man it was unbelievable. Elaine: Really?. George: I can't get over it. Elaine: Sexy?. George: This woman drove us out of our minds!. Elaine: Like Uh, how did she sound?. George: She had this throaty, sexy kind of whisper. Elaine: Really?, like, like Jerry I want to slide my tongue around you like a snake, Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
(Jerry answering phone). Jerry: Hello?. Elaine: Hello, it's Elaine Marie Benes. Jerry: Well hello. Elaine: Hello, did you find out that woman was? Jerry: Yes I got her number. George: Is that Elaine?. Jerry: Yeah. George: Hi Elaine!. Elaine: So I guess you figure your in for a pretty wild night. Jerry: Well as I said this type of thing, is very common in show business. Elaine: Want me come by?. Jerry: Sure. Elaine: OK bye. Jerry: Bye. George: Did she say hello?. Jerry: What?, oh I don't know. George: What do you mean?,she heard me say hello, did she say hello back?. Jerry: I don't know, who keeps track of hellos?. George: Isn't it polite to say hello when somebody says hello?.
(George revealing to Jerry that he's attracted to Elaine). Jerry: Does she know?. George: NO!. Jerry: How did it happen?. George: I can't say. Jerry: Well why can't you say?. George: Because I promised her. Jerry: I thought you just said she Doesen't know?. George: She Doesen't. Jerry: So how can you promise her?, what is this an Abbot&Costello routine?.
(George Comes in with a black cowboy hat). Jerry: Sheriff.
Sexy
bevo-1367819 June 2020
Jerry: What is this, an Abbott and Costello routine?
bombersflyup24 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Tape is about Jerry receiving an erotic message on his tape recorder and George ordering a bald cure cream from China.
A funny episode with memorable moments, but at the same time the plot's rather limited. Even though it's a George centric episode and he's terrific, Jerry has all the amusing lines; Excuse me... Kind of an expensive call. His standup's weak though. Pincus from "X-Files - Folie a Deux," makes a minor appearance.
Jerry: If it was real ,they would never let it out of the country. No baldness, it'd be like a nation of Supermen.
Kramer: Whoa! That was you?
A funny episode with memorable moments, but at the same time the plot's rather limited. Even though it's a George centric episode and he's terrific, Jerry has all the amusing lines; Excuse me... Kind of an expensive call. His standup's weak though. Pincus from "X-Files - Folie a Deux," makes a minor appearance.
Jerry: If it was real ,they would never let it out of the country. No baldness, it'd be like a nation of Supermen.
Kramer: Whoa! That was you?
Elaine was an 8 and became a 3 by season 7
ThunderKing615 March 2023
Not bloody likely.
March the 15th on year 2023rd
What was this episode about?: George seeks a hair cure and falls in love with Elaine.
Kramer films stuff.
Elaine talks dirty on Jerry's tape.
Jerry is Jerry.
Story and production: A decent coyote, road runner episode.
George storyline carries this episode.
I felt the ending was weird with George and Elaine showing up at Jerries right after Jerry arrives late at night.
Goof: this is season 3 and Kramer spoke to his mom. But in the episode where Kramers first name is revealed he states he has not spoken to his mom way longer than 4 years.
Highlight: The Chinese guy scene... George running back and forth.
Villian: N/A
What can be learned?: just shave off your scraps
Verdict: Elaine needs my Snake.
March the 15th on year 2023rd
What was this episode about?: George seeks a hair cure and falls in love with Elaine.
Kramer films stuff.
Elaine talks dirty on Jerry's tape.
Jerry is Jerry.
Story and production: A decent coyote, road runner episode.
George storyline carries this episode.
I felt the ending was weird with George and Elaine showing up at Jerries right after Jerry arrives late at night.
Goof: this is season 3 and Kramer spoke to his mom. But in the episode where Kramers first name is revealed he states he has not spoken to his mom way longer than 4 years.
Highlight: The Chinese guy scene... George running back and forth.
Villian: N/A
What can be learned?: just shave off your scraps
Verdict: Elaine needs my Snake.
Elaine and George
Hitchcoc1 May 2022
Jerry finds out that someone has recorded some really raunchy, sexual stuff on his tape recorder. He had left in on a table while doing his act. It turns out Elaine does it as a joke, but the males, especially George, drool all over it. She confides in him and he gets all turned on, even though she was only acting. There are so many hilarious interactions with the whole lack of knowledge thing going on. By the way, Kramer has a state of the art Camcorder with VHS tape. Seems like a hundred years ago.
George and Elaine reach new levels of awesomeness!
SLionsCricketreviews26 November 2015
"The Tape" is completely dominated by Julia Loius Dreyfus and Jason Alexander, who share some of the best chemistry on the show to date....perhaps the best! Elaine is really evolving into a character, all her own now. Her sexy voice and her pranks on Jerry are extremely funny, but it is mostly the way Julia and Jason play out their scenes together. They share such natural chemistry in some of the most delightful scenes to date.
The plot involving the Chinese hair growth product for bald men was also entertaining, especially Kramer's documentation of George's baldness.
All this makes "The Tape" an excellent episode; my second favourite of the season thus far.
The plot involving the Chinese hair growth product for bald men was also entertaining, especially Kramer's documentation of George's baldness.
All this makes "The Tape" an excellent episode; my second favourite of the season thus far.
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