The Switch
Encyclopedia
"The Switch" is the 97th episode of NBC
sitcom Seinfeld
. This was the 11th episode for the 6th season. It aired on January 5, 1995. This episode is notable for revealing Kramer
's first name as Cosmo.
is recognized by Mrs. Landis (Gail Strickland
), a former potential employer from Doubleday.
Elaine lends Mr. Pitt's tennis racket, a Bruline, to her in hopes of getting a new job. Meanwhile, Jerry
is dating Sandy, a "non-laugher".
George
is dating Nina (Charlotte Lewis
), a model who eats a lot and who Kramer
thinks may be bulimic
.
George has dinner with Nina; she feasts on the food and then goes to the bathroom to "freshen" herself. Jerry has dinner with Sandy; he keeps making funny remarks but she doesn't laugh, just saying "that's funny". Back at the apartment, Jerry describes how his jokes just bounce off his girlfriend. George now strongly suspects his girlfriend is bulimic because he heard a "blah" in the bathroom, and wants a matron
to spy on her to verify that she intentionally throws up. We then meet Kramer's mother, Babs (Sheree North
), who happens to work as a matron, but Kramer doesn't want anything to do with her. When she first sees her son, she yells out his first name in shock, the first time in the series we ever learn Kramer's first name. A bewildered George, who went with Kramer, confusedly repeats his name, "Cosmo"?
Mrs. Landis, who injured her humeral epicondylitis playing tennis, is devastated and states she has no reason to live if she can't play tennis, and Elaine doesn't have the heart to ask for the racket back.
George and Kramer both enter the restaurant Kramer's mother works in, and Babs reveals her son's first name: Cosmo. Back at the apartment, Elaine says Mr. Pitt needs his racket for a match against Ethel Kennedy. George arrives with the news of Kramer's name, much to everyone's delight. Kramer accepts his name and says he was running from his true self.
When Jerry goes to his girlfriend's apartment he meets Laura, Sandy's roommate, who does laugh at his jokes. Later, he talks with George, saying he intends to try the "switch".
George declares it is impossible: no one in Western history has ever switched a girlfriend for her roommate. Jerry and George spend long hours devising a plan to accomplish the switch. Finally, George comes up with the plot: Jerry will suggest a ménage à trois
, Sandy will be disgusted, break up with Jerry, and tell Laura, who in turn will feel flattered, thus paving the way for Jerry to date her.
While Mrs. Landis is out for lunch Elaine sneaks into her office to retrieve the racket. However, she is caught by Mrs. Landis's assistant.
Kramer now uses his first name regularly. He tells his mother to quit her job as a matron. George's plan for Nina goes wrong because of this, so he goes into the women's bathroom himself to spy on her. He hears the noise of someone being sick and shouts "Aha!" but it turns out to be another woman he hears and his date walks out on him.
Meanwhile, Sandy and Laura both have agreed to the ménage à trois. George is ecstatic about it, but Jerry won't go through with it because he doesn't want to become an "orgy
guy". Meanwhile, Newman
, a good tennis player, is out of town, so Kramer uses his keys to retrieve a Bruline tennis racket just like Mr. Pitt's. When they open the door they see Babs in a compromising position with Newman. After she exclaims her son's name in surprise, Newman, looking as surprised as ever, echoes, "Cosmo?"
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
. This was the 11th episode for the 6th season. It aired on January 5, 1995. This episode is notable for revealing Kramer
Cosmo Kramer
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Michael Richards...
's first name as Cosmo.
Plot
After playing tennis ElaineElaine Benes
Elaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
is recognized by Mrs. Landis (Gail Strickland
Gail Strickland
Gail Strickland is an American character actress.Strickland was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Theodosia and Lynn Strickland, who owned a tire shop...
), a former potential employer from Doubleday.
Elaine lends Mr. Pitt's tennis racket, a Bruline, to her in hopes of getting a new job. Meanwhile, Jerry
Jerry Seinfeld (character)
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main protagonist of the American television sitcom Seinfeld . The straight man among his group of friends, this semi-fictionalized version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was named after, co-created by, based on, and played by Seinfeld himself.The series revolves around...
is dating Sandy, a "non-laugher".
George
George Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
is dating Nina (Charlotte Lewis
Charlotte Lewis
Charlotte Lewis is an English actress.-Career:Charlotte Lewis made her film debut as a teenager in the 1986 Roman Polanski film Pirates. She followed it that same year with the female lead in The Golden Child alongside Eddie Murphy. Later appearances include the film Tripwire and Storyville...
), a model who eats a lot and who Kramer
Cosmo Kramer
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Michael Richards...
thinks may be bulimic
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time, followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed, usually by purging and/or by laxative, diuretics or excessive exercise. Bulimia nervosa is...
.
George has dinner with Nina; she feasts on the food and then goes to the bathroom to "freshen" herself. Jerry has dinner with Sandy; he keeps making funny remarks but she doesn't laugh, just saying "that's funny". Back at the apartment, Jerry describes how his jokes just bounce off his girlfriend. George now strongly suspects his girlfriend is bulimic because he heard a "blah" in the bathroom, and wants a matron
Matron
Matron is the job title of a very senior nurse in several countries, including the United Kingdom, its former colonies, including the Republic of Ireland, although the title Clinical Nurse Manager has become acceptable as an alternative.-History:...
to spy on her to verify that she intentionally throws up. We then meet Kramer's mother, Babs (Sheree North
Sheree North
Sheree North was an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was known for being 20th Century Fox's answer to Marilyn Monroe from 1954 to 1956...
), who happens to work as a matron, but Kramer doesn't want anything to do with her. When she first sees her son, she yells out his first name in shock, the first time in the series we ever learn Kramer's first name. A bewildered George, who went with Kramer, confusedly repeats his name, "Cosmo"?
Mrs. Landis, who injured her humeral epicondylitis playing tennis, is devastated and states she has no reason to live if she can't play tennis, and Elaine doesn't have the heart to ask for the racket back.
George and Kramer both enter the restaurant Kramer's mother works in, and Babs reveals her son's first name: Cosmo. Back at the apartment, Elaine says Mr. Pitt needs his racket for a match against Ethel Kennedy. George arrives with the news of Kramer's name, much to everyone's delight. Kramer accepts his name and says he was running from his true self.
When Jerry goes to his girlfriend's apartment he meets Laura, Sandy's roommate, who does laugh at his jokes. Later, he talks with George, saying he intends to try the "switch".
George declares it is impossible: no one in Western history has ever switched a girlfriend for her roommate. Jerry and George spend long hours devising a plan to accomplish the switch. Finally, George comes up with the plot: Jerry will suggest a ménage à trois
Ménage à trois
Ménage à trois is a French term which originally described a domestic arrangement in which three people having sexual relations occupy the same household – the phrase literally translates as "household of three"...
, Sandy will be disgusted, break up with Jerry, and tell Laura, who in turn will feel flattered, thus paving the way for Jerry to date her.
While Mrs. Landis is out for lunch Elaine sneaks into her office to retrieve the racket. However, she is caught by Mrs. Landis's assistant.
Kramer now uses his first name regularly. He tells his mother to quit her job as a matron. George's plan for Nina goes wrong because of this, so he goes into the women's bathroom himself to spy on her. He hears the noise of someone being sick and shouts "Aha!" but it turns out to be another woman he hears and his date walks out on him.
Meanwhile, Sandy and Laura both have agreed to the ménage à trois. George is ecstatic about it, but Jerry won't go through with it because he doesn't want to become an "orgy
Group sex
Group sex is sexual behavior involving more than two participants. Group sex can occur amongst people of all sexual orientations and genders...
guy". Meanwhile, Newman
Newman (Seinfeld)
Newman is a recurring character on the television show Seinfeld, played by Wayne Knight from 1991 until the show's finale in 1998.-Background:...
, a good tennis player, is out of town, so Kramer uses his keys to retrieve a Bruline tennis racket just like Mr. Pitt's. When they open the door they see Babs in a compromising position with Newman. After she exclaims her son's name in surprise, Newman, looking as surprised as ever, echoes, "Cosmo?"
Guest stars
- Wayne KnightWayne KnightWayne Eliot Knight is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor perhaps best known for his role as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld...
: Newman - Sheree NorthSheree NorthSheree North was an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was known for being 20th Century Fox's answer to Marilyn Monroe from 1954 to 1956...
: Babs Kramer - Gail StricklandGail StricklandGail Strickland is an American character actress.Strickland was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Theodosia and Lynn Strickland, who owned a tire shop...
: Ms. Landis - Charlotte LewisCharlotte LewisCharlotte Lewis is an English actress.-Career:Charlotte Lewis made her film debut as a teenager in the 1986 Roman Polanski film Pirates. She followed it that same year with the female lead in The Golden Child alongside Eddie Murphy. Later appearances include the film Tripwire and Storyville...
: Nina - Jann Karam: Sandi
- Terry SweeneyTerry SweeneyTerry Sweeney is an American writer, comedian and actor.-Saturday Night Live:Sweeney is best known for his appearances as a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live during that program's 1985-86 season....
: Keith (Ms. Landis' Asst.) - Heather Medway: Laura
- Clive Rosengren: Mr. Clotworthy
- Jacqueline M. Houston: Lorraine
- Cheryl Francis HarringtonCheryl Francis HarringtonCheryl Francis Harrington is an award-winning actress. She is best known for playing Mambo Garcelle "Haiti Lady" DuPris on the television series The PJs.-Film:-Theatre :-External links:TELEVISIONBrothers & Sisters-Ken Olin, Dir....
: Waitress - Tish Smiley: Woman