The Summer Of George (season 8, episode 22)

written by Alec Berg & Jeff Schaffer, directed by Andy Ackerman
original airdate: May 15, 1997

George’s severance package from the Yankees allows him to take the summer off. Jerry is confused when he discovers his girlfriend has a dude. Elaine is bothered by a co-worker because she doesn’t swing her arms when she walks. Kramer works as a seat filler at the Tonys and gets swept up on stage with a winning production. Molly Shannon and Raquel Welch guest star.

FEATURED LOCATIONS

The Improv is not featured in this episode.

Jerry’s Apartment
Jerry and George dissect Lanette’s “dude,” and his impact on Jerry’s relationship. Kramer unveils his newly-won Tony Award, but fears having to fire Raquel Welch from the production in exchange for the trophy. Elaine tries understanding the appeal of the catfight, while George starts his summer “decompression.”

Monk’s Café
George offers to work as Jerry’s relationship “assistant” to help with his demanding new girlfriend. Elaine suggests to her coworker that she swing her arms more.

coffee shop
New York, NEW YORK
George discovers his Yankees severance package includes three months pay, so he declares it “the Summer of George,” where he will “taste the fruits and let the juices drip down my chin!”

J. Peterman
Elaine gets in a catfight with her coworker Sam, who doesn’t swing her arms when she walks. Sam later trashes Elaine’s office, and begins stalking her around the building.

Lanette & Lyle’s apartment
386 Columbus Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 81st Street – Museum Of Natural History (B,C)
Jerry struggles to figure out Lyle’s place in Lanette’s life, and to bump this “dude” out of the picture. Jerry eventually gets rid of Lyle, but can’t keep his spot as the new “dude” when he doesn’t have Lanette’s dinner party invitations in time.

Radio City Music Hall
1260 Sixth Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 47-50th Streets – Rockefeller Center (B,D,F,M)
The home of the 51st annual Tony Awards, where Jerry takes Lanette as is date, and Kramer inadvertently wins a Tony while working as a seat-filler, even partaking in the acceptance speech for “Scarsdale Surprise.”

Scarsdale, NEW YORK (map)
Kramer wins a Tony Award for “Scarsdale Surprise,” about the murder of Scarsdale Diet creator, Dr. Herman Tarnower, and is forced to fire Raquel Welch as “payment” for keeping his Tony.

George’s Apartment
George spends an extra-elongated “decompressing” period for the Summer of George, even buying a new recliner with a built-in fridge. He “decompresses” so far though, that his body is severely atrophied, and he needs to undergo physical therapy after falling down the stairs (thanks to the invitations).

Sardi’s
234 W. 44th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: Times Square – 42nd Street (1,2,3,7,N,Q,R,S)
Kramer goes for dinner here with the producers of “Scarsdale Surprise,” but ends up with an ultimatum: give up his Tony, or fire Raquel Welch from the show.

Sfuzzi (NOW CLOSED)
58 W. 65th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 66th Street – Lincoln Center (1)
Jerry gets reservations for him and Lanette here, all part of Jerry’s whirlwind day with her, which requires George to “assist” in his relationship with her.

Melody Stationers (NOW CLOSED)
1070 Madison Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 77th Street (6)
George returns to the infamous invitations store, this time to buy premium super glossy invitations for Jerry and Lanette’s dinner party.

Majestic Theatre
245 W. 44th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal (A,C,E)
The fictional home of the Broadway run for “Scarsdale Surprise,” where Kramer is forced to fire Raquel Welch before being beaten up and having his Tony destroyed by her.

Central Park
New York, NEW YORK (map)
George stops off in the park and decides to play 9 holes of “frolf” before heading home.

Elaine’s Apartment
Elaine’s recording of Sam’s verbal threats include Sam warning Elaine that she will follow her to her building’s laundry room, or the ATM in the building across the street, or a nearby watch shop.

New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (now New York-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center)
525 E. 68th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 68th Street – Hunter College (6)
George is admitted to the hospital for extensive trauma to his legs, due to a state of extreme atrophy due to inactivity. George later is forced to rehab his legs, but is ignored by his physical therapist for Elaine’s coworker Sam, teaching her to “walk” while swinging her arms.