My Seinfeld Year

by Fred Stoller

His little pep talk gave me the confidence to not censor myself, to bravely throw out any germ of an idea, because I had him right there. There was a new character on the show that year, Mr. Pitt. He was Elaine’s new boss and was a very staunch, meticulous man. And Jerry Stiller played Frank Costanza, George’s argumentative father. “Know what hit me?” I said. “What if Mr. Pitt and George’s father had it out? I think they should butt heads because they’re both so bull-headed. There might be something funny there.” All of a sudden, Larry’s face turned red with rage, as if me just suggesting that idea had ruined his show. “What!? That’s not an idea! That’s stupid!” he said. Then, he turned around and stormed out of my office. I felt stupid, excitedly opening up like that and being slammed down. Before I could think of something to say to save face, Larry relented a little. He stopped, turned around and said, “Okay, I did tell you to try anything out on me. I did say that. Sorry.”