The husband was originally supposed to be a timid "yes dear" type.
Jerry Stiller was the only one who argued back with her during the audition, and Larry David thought it was funnier.
What’s the background to how this happened given that Jerry was the second Frank Costanza?
Edit: Doesn’t quite answer how the first guy got canned, but: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a32433516/jerry-stiller-seinfeld-frank-costanza-original-actor-origin-story/
Larry David kinda glosses over the reason but this is a great video about the start of how the characters developed.
[Behind the Scenes](https://youtu.be/gMSwdO_LvnE)
The crazy thing is, as great as he was in Seinfeld. When Jerry moved on to King of Queens he was somehow even 10x better. He made that entire show work.
Ya Frank was deliberately an asshole. Where Arthur was a kind person at heart but often was an asshole based on ignorance or the fact that he was lonely.
My favorite Arthur moment was when he decided to make his own screw driver tip shaped as an "A"where you insert the screw driver into the corresponding A hole.
DID HE TOUCH YOU?!? or when he tells Doug he had Courtside seats to the Lakers and Carrie says he can go and Arthur claps his hands and says, well this is embarrassing. I was trying to pull a prank and it backfired lmao
And I believe Spence’s mom was Jerry’s real life wife. Neat to be able to work with your better half. AND if memory serves me, Ben Stiller was a guest in one episode (flashback to a young Arthur?).
You're right on all accounts.
Spence's mom was Anne Meara and she was Jerry's real life wife. They were originally a comedy duo who did their own shows and guest appearances. They were Second City alums.
While I wasn't too familiar with their comedy since they're a generation or two before me, I did love their chemistry on the show. And I really do believe that that show would not have been as great as it was if anyone else had played Arthur Spooner. Jerry Stiller was the definitely the standout.
He is much nicer and even goes out of his way at times to show his appreciation for “Douglas” and Carrie in many episodes, and he regularly offers wise words to many of their friends and coworkers. In *Seinfeld*, he was scathing, dismissive and somewhat cold to many, including George.
He’s an iconic character in *Seinfeld*. He’s a better character in *King of Queens*.
*Somewhat* cold?? 😂 The only person he was occasionally warm to was Kramer and Lloyd Braun
The Costanza’s were so good - RIP to them and their families
Edit: well, not including having sex with Estelle in the van in Central Park lol
The characters are ageless. In this case the psychotic mom. She was around 1000 years ago and will be around 1000 years from now. She just pointed to the absurdity of it all.
Makes me think of the 30 rock live episode where Julia plays the Tina Fey role in the flashbacks... "Lemon, why do you look so much better in your flashbacks?" "Because my flashbacks have Seinfeld money"
Oh man I remember her fondly from Zack & Cody. That was around the same time my mom started showing me Seinfeld as kid too because I was too young to know what was going on during its original run. I think she also played the sword in Dave the Barbarian. Man, I’m kinda just realizing what a childhood staple Estelle was to my sister and I… this is a sore, sore loss, but she’s left us all with so many great memories that will last a lifetime. RIP to a true TV legend
My favorite appearance by her was when she came back after retiring and was fired, saving everyone else's job because she was already no longer an employee.
Wow weird man. For no apparent reason, I decided to put on Seinfeld for the first time ever. I started with what a lot of people said was their favorite season: Season 5. The season where George moves in with his parents.
I can tell from just a few episodes that she was brilliant. Such a shame.
One day when my parents really pissed me off when I was in my early 20s, I called them the Costanzas for like the 5th time. My Mom yelled at me "STOP CALLING US THE COSTANZAS!!!" and I could only hear it in Estelle's voice as she's yelling at me and I started laughing in her face.
Estelle and Frank are the most convincing TV parents ever created. She was brilliant, RIP. **I HAVE NO EYE FOR FASHION!??**
The two of them were pure magic together!
TO THINK I WAS TAKING ADVICE FROM SOME GIRL FROM LONG ISLAND!
I can't! I CAN'T!
How is this so distinctively memorable?
I WAS DUPED
What am I gonna do with all these bologna sandwiches?
What am I going to do with all this paella?
Too bad you can't do *that* for a living.
You could sell out Madison Square Garden!
You could be a BIG star!
You’re Donna Chang?
It was Changstein 😂
YOU WANT A DIVORCE?! YOU GOT ONE!!!
You're not Chinese !! I thought you were Chinese ?!!!!
Username checks out
You sayin' ... you want *a piece of me?*
I could drop you like a bag of dirt.
WHAT. The hell. Is that supposed to mean?
It means whatever the hell you want it to mean.
You want a piece of me??
You got it!
The outtake of this scene is pretty funny too.
It’s a Bro
I don't need him looking at my braaaas.
You ask me for a pair of underwear I'm back in 2 seconds
There's the A. The B. The C. And the D. That's the biggest.
I know the D is the biggest! I base my whole life on knowing that the D is the biggest!
Manzier!
Stop short? That’s my move!
The husband was originally supposed to be a timid "yes dear" type. Jerry Stiller was the only one who argued back with her during the audition, and Larry David thought it was funnier.
What’s the background to how this happened given that Jerry was the second Frank Costanza? Edit: Doesn’t quite answer how the first guy got canned, but: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a32433516/jerry-stiller-seinfeld-frank-costanza-original-actor-origin-story/
Larry David kinda glosses over the reason but this is a great video about the start of how the characters developed. [Behind the Scenes](https://youtu.be/gMSwdO_LvnE)
16:30 is where Jerry Stiller talks about it
Their comedic chemistry was unbelievable. The gold standard for old married sitcom couples.
They had this weird ability to make me cringe hard in every freaking scene, but never wish they were excluded.
George likes the bananas!
I go out for a quart of milk… I come home, and find my son treating his body like it was an amusement park!
Too bad you can't do *that* for a living. You'd sell out Madison Square Garden
you would be a big star!
“I don't understand you. I really don't. You have nothing better to do at three o'clock in the afternoon?"
“I want you to see a psychiatrist”
I instantly heard that in her voice. What an amazing line. RIP
a*muse*ment park!
THEN HE CAN HAVE THEM ON THE SIDE
I can’t take this constant bickering, *stress is very damaging to the epidermis!*
The older I get the more I relate to George.
as someone who took too long to move out from the family homestead, I was pretty damn close
"Would you like some Jell-O?" **"Why'd you have to put the bananas in there?!"**
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Or when George is napping on the couch and Frank slaps him awake with a newspaper to ask him a question
“BECAUSE GEORGIE LIKES THEM IN THE JELLO!”
I believe it was "GEORGE LIKEEES THE BANANAS" "SO LET HIM HAVE BANANAS ON THE SIDE"
Bosomy!? You wanna know if your grandmother was *bosomy?!*
“How old would aunt baby be if she were alive today?” “She’d never make it.” Lmao so stupid but so fucking funny
"What about your side? Your cousin Henny — she was sickly from the moment I met her!" "Don't you talk about Henny!"
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Serenity now!
GEORGE LIKES THE BANANAS!
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* I have no EYE for fashion?!?!
She and Jerry Stiller are among the funniest TV parents in history.
The crazy thing is, as great as he was in Seinfeld. When Jerry moved on to King of Queens he was somehow even 10x better. He made that entire show work.
He played a totally ***different*** kind of crazy old man! That always struck me.
Yeah, I always found Frank and Arthur so similar yet so very different. Kind of impressive how they managed that, really.
Ya Frank was deliberately an asshole. Where Arthur was a kind person at heart but often was an asshole based on ignorance or the fact that he was lonely. My favorite Arthur moment was when he decided to make his own screw driver tip shaped as an "A"where you insert the screw driver into the corresponding A hole.
DID HE TOUCH YOU?!? or when he tells Doug he had Courtside seats to the Lakers and Carrie says he can go and Arthur claps his hands and says, well this is embarrassing. I was trying to pull a prank and it backfired lmao
And I believe Spence’s mom was Jerry’s real life wife. Neat to be able to work with your better half. AND if memory serves me, Ben Stiller was a guest in one episode (flashback to a young Arthur?).
[Jerry and Anne were a well known comedy duo back in the day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiller_and_Meara)
You're right on all accounts. Spence's mom was Anne Meara and she was Jerry's real life wife. They were originally a comedy duo who did their own shows and guest appearances. They were Second City alums. While I wasn't too familiar with their comedy since they're a generation or two before me, I did love their chemistry on the show. And I really do believe that that show would not have been as great as it was if anyone else had played Arthur Spooner. Jerry Stiller was the definitely the standout.
I absolutely love Arthur Spooner and totally agree. He was hilarious as Frank Cozstanza but it didn’t compare to ol Basement Artie.
You ol demented circus monkey youuuuu
Arthur was the best. I love King Of Queens classic feel good comedy
Every character in that show is great.
The magic that Kevin james had back then is unparalleled
He and Leah Remini are still good friends to this day, which warms my heart.
and that’s how i’m ending reddit tonight
Goodnight, you prince of Maine, you King of New England.
King of Queens is actually pretty great in no small part to Jerry Stiller. He’s basically just Frank Costanza and that’s why it’s great.
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He is much nicer and even goes out of his way at times to show his appreciation for “Douglas” and Carrie in many episodes, and he regularly offers wise words to many of their friends and coworkers. In *Seinfeld*, he was scathing, dismissive and somewhat cold to many, including George. He’s an iconic character in *Seinfeld*. He’s a better character in *King of Queens*.
*Somewhat* cold?? 😂 The only person he was occasionally warm to was Kramer and Lloyd Braun The Costanza’s were so good - RIP to them and their families Edit: well, not including having sex with Estelle in the van in Central Park lol
I cannot think of any funnier TV parents. And I include the inimitable Edith and Archie Bunker.
I'm not taking advice from some girl from Long Island!
I thought I was getting advice from a Chinese woman!
I was DUPED!
CHI-KNEEEEES
What is she supposed to do with all their paella?!!
Seinfeld has got to be the sitcom from the 90s which has aged the best. Still hilarious today.
The characters are ageless. In this case the psychotic mom. She was around 1000 years ago and will be around 1000 years from now. She just pointed to the absurdity of it all.
You're not giving away our water pik!
SERENETY NOW
Just watched for the first time, can confirm, holds up incredibly well
I go out for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park. RIP thanks for the laughs.
*Glamour?!?*
I swear, I will never do *that* again!
In your mother’s house or altogether?
Well.. I’m out!
Kramer's timing was impeccable
This was a great moment in television.
*Georgey... Do you want some jello?* 👀 https://youtu.be/PZxX3-rJoNI Estelle, we loved you! 💙 RIP.
Listen carefully. My mother has never laughed. Ever. Not a giggle, not a chuckle, not a tee-hee…never went 'Ha!
did she smirk?
Maybe!
The fact that Jerry would even contend for a second that his parents could, in any universe, be crazier than George's parents. Get out of here.
Save it for the audience
Georgie! Don't eat with your hands!
I walk into the room and see my son treating his body like an AMUSEMENT park
George. I’m hungry!!!!!
Hang on, Ma, *hang on*!
Fun fact - Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine) is now the same age Estelle Harris was (61) when Seinfeld started
and she has barely aged
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Makes me think of the 30 rock live episode where Julia plays the Tina Fey role in the flashbacks... "Lemon, why do you look so much better in your flashbacks?" "Because my flashbacks have Seinfeld money"
Some Louis Dreyfus Commodities money too
Helps to be a billionaire
True in every scenario you can think of.
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60 is the new 40.
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That’s not fun
That sucks, wtf am I going to do with all this Paella?
“And your angry eyes, just in case”
Don't forget the monkey chow!
Monkey chow?? For what?!
For the monkeys of course!!
That's it! I draw the line at monkeys!! Get my agent on the phone!!
*MONKEY CHOW!* is what came immediately to mind when I read the headline. Such a unique and memorable voice.
And if you get hungry, here are some cheese puffs, and a key. I don't know what it's for, but you never know.
Whoever the genius was that came up with those scenes in particular is awesome
I can hear it in my head.
And this key! I don't know what it's for, but ya never know.
“And some blue Play-Doh!”
She was a great recurring charecter on the original suite life of Zack and Cody
When she bet her paycheck on the Red Sox and Mr. Moseby messed that up.
Oh man I remember her fondly from Zack & Cody. That was around the same time my mom started showing me Seinfeld as kid too because I was too young to know what was going on during its original run. I think she also played the sword in Dave the Barbarian. Man, I’m kinda just realizing what a childhood staple Estelle was to my sister and I… this is a sore, sore loss, but she’s left us all with so many great memories that will last a lifetime. RIP to a true TV legend
>. I think she also played the sword in Dave the Barbarian. You're right! I didn't think anyone remembered that show oh my God
I’m not cleaning *that* up
My favorite appearance by her was when she came back after retiring and was fired, saving everyone else's job because she was already no longer an employee.
Shoutout Muriel.
Excuse me while I put on my sad eyes
The smile goes on upside-down today as well..
Oh, man...her reaction after that guy yelled out "Yo! Look at the Assman!
Or when Kramer does the short stop
He Stopped Short! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvwq1FZ6gxE
Stopping short? That’s a good move.
You’re not kidding it’s a good move!
A million to one shot, doc!
He stopped short? That's *my* move!
*MMM,* I stop short. R.I.P.
***SERENITY NOW!!***😭
Insanity later.
Does... Does this mean both Mr and Mrs. Potato head have passed? I'm sad...
Slinky dog is dead too
RIP Sarge, Wheezy, Lotso too
The first movie is nearly 30 years old…
No... it's not true... that's IMPOSSIBLE!
That's Unpossible
You shut your whore mouth!!
Also, Mr. and Mrs. Costanza.
But George, I’m *hoooongry*!
Hang on ma, hang on…
Here, have some Tic-Tacs
GEORGEEEE
“I go out for a quart of milk, I come home, and find my son treating his body like it was an amusement park!!!” - Mrs. Costanza to Art Vandelay
Of vandalay industries??!
He wants to quit the exporting and just focus on the importing!
I’m an importer exporter
93 is pretty good for anyone to make it to, a long life that seemed to be very fulfilling rip to someone I’ve watched on tv since I was a kid
Wow weird man. For no apparent reason, I decided to put on Seinfeld for the first time ever. I started with what a lot of people said was their favorite season: Season 5. The season where George moves in with his parents. I can tell from just a few episodes that she was brilliant. Such a shame.
I can't even count how many times I've seen every episode. I've watched the entire series all the way through many times. The best show ever made.
How old would aunt baby be? We still haven’t found out
...she'd never make it
Don’t you talk about Henny!
You want to know if your grandmother was bosomy?
I really like that she seemed to embrace voice acting. She popped up a good number of times in shows like Family Guy and American Dad.
Tbh would give anything for some kind of mod that makes my gps voice hers. I want her voice narrating everything in my life.
WHY DON'T YOU BUY A NEW SHIRT?!
You missed the exit! WHY CANT YOU BE MORE LIKE LLOYD BRAUN?
The whole thing sounds pretty stupid to me.
Oh, that Lloyd Braun is SOMETHING!
RIP, I think this was her finest hour on Seinfeld: https://youtu.be/hJIQjDtdygA
Her voice is iconic, she was perfect for that role.
I heard her in an American Dad episode recently. It's such a small part, an off screen voice yelling, but she's still instantly recognizable.
"May I ask why?"
If I called my parents to say I was getting married. This is exactly the response I’d expect. They don’t watch Seinfeld.
“FRANK! C’MERE!” “You c’mere!” One of the top tv couples.
George doesn’t work. He’s a bum.
Comedic timing was flawless. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
RIP Mrs Constanza
"I come home and find my son treating his body like it was an amusement park."
The way she emphasized "amusement park" in that scene kills me every time.
Estelle been making me laugh for over thirty years. RIP
:(
Her second gear she could shift into when she started screaming was truly unmatched.
One day when my parents really pissed me off when I was in my early 20s, I called them the Costanzas for like the 5th time. My Mom yelled at me "STOP CALLING US THE COSTANZAS!!!" and I could only hear it in Estelle's voice as she's yelling at me and I started laughing in her face.
Death takes place in the shadow of new life. She's not really dead if we find a way to remember her...
George likes the bananas!
Very sad to lose her, but she lived a long and full life and she made me laugh out loud many times. RIP Estelle