The "show about nothing" is full of iconic characters with intriguing personality traits. Nearly everyone on Seinfeld had a likable quality about them. If Elaine was cynical, she unequivocally stood up for women's rights, and, similarly, Jerry's paled in comparison with his generosity and Kramer was the moocher with a heart of gold.
George, on the other hand, was an exception to the rule. Nine Seinfeld seasons in, his lack of character development was apparent. He spoke without tact, and many things he said on the show haven't stood the test of time. Here are ten George Costanza quotes that are deemed morally and socially unacceptable today.
"How Can You Be Grateful When You're So Close To The End? When You Know That Any Second, Poof, Bammo, It Could All Be Over."
In the episode "The Old Man" when George volunteered to assist a senior citizen named Ben Cantwell, he shamelessly fixated on his age and blurted out facts about the life expectancy of men in the US. Although Ben tried to respond calmly, but, seeing as George lashed out at him for not fearing death enough, he got up and left.
Nothing could keep George Costanza from misbehaving with the man he'd volunteered to assist in the first place. Kudos to Ben for standing up to George and firing him.
"What Do You Think? She's One Of These Feminists Looking to Get Out Of The House?"
Season seven opens with George's sexist rant during a chess game with his girlfriend. He tells her she brought out her Queen too fast and compares it to feminists, or, in other words. women who seek equality of the sexes.
"Nah, the queen is old-fashioned... likes to stay at home, cook, take care of her man... make sure he feels good," says George seconds before his girlfriend checkmates him. He then shamelessly proceeds to break up with her all because she beat him at chess.
"What Am I, Waiting To Win An Oscar Here? This Is All I Have In My Life."
In season four, when the former NBC President Russell Dalrymple caught George Costanza ogling at his teenage daughter, his defense was that he couldn't look away. Later at Jerry's, he belligerently justified his act by saying gawking at women's breasts was the highlight of his life.
The worst part, however, was watching Jerry condone George's reprehensible behavior and scolding him for letting Russell catch him. When Elaine objected to this abhorrent act, the two men vigorously defended the leering.
"He's Actually Doing Him A Favor. It's Less Money For Him To Buy Food."
It's one thing not to help a defenseless person getting mugged and carjacked, but quite another to make body-shaming jokes about him. One of the most problematic Seinfeld moments of all time is when the gang crosses all limits by refusing to aid a carjacking victim and laughing his trauma off.
This incident occurs right after their plane crash-lands and they head into the fictional town of Latham, Massachusetts to get something to eat. There's nothing redeeming George and his pals, not even a near-death experience.
"I Don't Really See People In Terms Of Color."
"The Diplomat's Club" attempts to justify the fallacy that being friends with a person of color doesn't make people racists. Aside from this, the episode points to Seinfeld's lack of diversity. George offends his boss, Mr. Morgan, by telling him he looks like the boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, and he then tries hard to prove he doesn't have a racial bias.
He decides to orchestrate a scene for Morgan to see him with a person of color. Since George doesn't have a black friend, he harasses random men in the streets, and, in the end, bribes an exterminator named Karl with a free meal.
"Audrey, Before You Take The Bandage Off Now, Just Remember I Was The One That Encouraged You To Do This, You Know. Now That You Are Going To Be A Great Beauty, Let's Not Forget How This All Began."
How what all began, George? In season three's "The Nose Job," George dated a girl named Audrey, and, by virtue of his superficiality, he couldn't get himself to stop obsessing about her nose. She decided to get a nose-job thanks to the no-filter Kramer who in the first place told her she needs one to look "just as good" as the women in New York.
If this wasn't bad enough, before Audrey took off her bandages, George made a speech about how he helped her become the great beauty that she was going to be.
"Well, I Am Sure They Will Be Able To Fix It. You Can't Stop Modern Science. Can't Stop It..."
That, by the by, is George suggesting Audrey undergo a second cosmetic procedure to address the concerns after her first one went wrong. Before he could finish the rest of his abhorrent sentence... "no way, no how, science just marches.."
Elaine asked him to shut up. She had every right to tell off the person who encouraged his girlfriend into changing her appearance and causing her intense stress, and grief in the process.
"What Do You Know About What You Look Like."
If George Costanza reflected on the things he said, his head would explode. It drove him mad when Kramer said his girlfriend, Janet looked exactly like Jerry.
"You don't see this? Oh, you're like twins. This is eerie," said Kramer the moment he saw Janet. The men in the room protested, but, seeing as a no-filter person wasn't easy to handle, George whisked Janet away, who, by the way, was open-minded about the possibility. Of course, George had to cut her in the middle and remind her she didn't know anything about her looks.
"A Cup Of Coffee. That Doesn't Mean Anything."
When Elaine's friend said her pal, actress Marisa Tomei, was sitting home and into "quirky funny guys" like George, he conspired ways to go out on a date with her. Everyone, including Jerry, objected because he was engaged to be married to Susan. Though eventually, George did score a date with Marisa Tomei, Elaine needed a lot of convincing, including a sort of re-education on how a cup of coffee didn't mean anything.
"I Was Trying To Lead The Way. We Needed A Leader. Someone To Lead The Way To Safety."
When a kitchen fire breaks out at little Ben's birthday party, George shoves everyone, including the elderly and the children, out of the way in a mad panic. He knocks nearly everyone down to the ground and stomps on someone's arm as he makes his exit. Later, when Ben's mother and his girlfriend Robin confront him, the master manipulator defends his actions to the best of his ability.
George maintains that, as a leader, he had to save his life because otherwise there would be no one left to lead and all hope would be lost. This lame explanation leads to Robin dumping George and severing ties with him.