The Opposite (season 5, episode 22)

written by Andy Cowan and Larry David & Jerry Seinfeld, directed by Tom Cherones
original airdate: May 19, 1994

George decides to do the opposite of his instincts and everything falls into place, even a job with the Yankees. Meanwhile, Elaine loses her boyfriend and her job, but Jerry remains “even Steven.”

FEATURED LOCATIONS

The Improv

Jerry’s Apartment
George declares “the opposite” to be his new religion (thus his Messiah would be the Anti-Christ), while Kramer decrees Jerry “even Steven,” as everything always manages to even out for him.

Monk’s Café
George employs “the opposite” philosophy, ordering the opposite lunch (chicken salad on rye, untoasted, potato salad, cup of tea), which ends up getting him a beautiful new girlfriend and a job with the New York Yankees.

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CALIFORNIA (map)
George is filmed pondering his life, his work, his very existence here (no New York location is given). He then decides that every decision he has made in his life has been wrong…and thus, he must do the opposite.

Pendant Publishing
Elaine gets promoted due to Pendant’s takeover by Matsushimi, a Japanese conglomerate. However, Elaine is later released, as the company is collapsed after Elaine fails to tell Lippman he forgot his handkerchief (thanks to a mouthful of Jujyfruits), setting off a chain reaction that spelled the end of Pendant Publishing (and Kramer’s coffee table book). As a result, Elaine “becomes” George, unemployed and defeated.

Metro Theater (NOW CLOSED)
2626 Broadway, New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 96th Street (1,2,3)
George and Victoria go to see a movie, and when two moviegoers won’t stop talking or kicking Victoria’s seat, George activates “the opposite,” loudly threatening them to a fight and bluntly telling them to shut up.

Victoria’s apartment
New York, NEW YORK
George drops off Victoria outside her apartment, where George declares that he’s “the opposite of every guy she’s ever met.”

Cineplex Odeon Regency (NOW CLOSED)
1987 Broadway, New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 66th Street – Lincoln Center (1)
Elaine is told by theatre staff that that her boyfriend Jake Jarmel has been taken to the hospital after being sideswiped by a taxi…but she then stops off for popcorn and Jujyfruits. 

St. Vincent’s Hospital (NOW CLOSED)
170 W. 12th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 14th Street (1,2,3)
Elaine’s boyfriend Jake Jarmel is hospitalized here (in room 907) after being sideswiped by a cab, where he later discovers that Elaine stopped for candy before coming to see him.

ABC Studios
77 W. 66th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 66th Street – Lincoln Center (1)
Kramer appears on “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee” as his first stop on his coffee table book tour…but is kicked off the show for spitting his coffee all over Kathie Lee Gifford.

Yankee Stadium
George gets a job as Assistant To The Travelling Secretary for the Yankees from George Steinbrenner directly, after harshly criticizing him and the Yankees while utilizing “the opposite.”

Elaine’s Apartment
Elaine reveals she’s been subletting her apartment from Tina, who moved out four years earlier. Elaine then gets evicted for buzzing up a jewel thief on Thanksgiving, buzzing up Jehovah’s Witnesses, and for using Canadian quarters in the laundry machine.

CANADA (map)
Elaine reveals she is being evicted from her apartment for a myriad of reasons, including using Canadian quarters in the laundry machine.

Costanza House
George reveals he’s moving out…and offers Elaine a spot when she says she’s being evicted, due to his “natural instinct.” Estelle is shocked that George is leaving: “it’s like a dream!”

George’s Apartment
George reveals thanks to his new job, he’s going to buy an apartment on W. 86th St. he’s been looking at and move out of his parents’ house.