Seinfeld Quotes
Shmoop will make you a better lover...of quotes
ALL QUOTES POPULAR BROWSE BY AUTHOR BROWSE BY SOURCE BROWSE BY TOPIC BROWSE BY SUBJECTSource: Seinfeld
Speaker: Jerry Seinfeld
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Context
This line was spoken by Jerry (played by Jerry Seinfeld) in Seinfeld, written by Larry Charles (1989-1998).
Seinfeld is the sitcom about nothing, but it did occasionally deal with real social issues in its own way, like homophobia.
In the episode "Outing," Jerry, Elaine, and George are jabbering away at their usual booth at Monk's Café, when they're eavesdropped on by an NYU student reporter, who thinks they're closeted gay men. Jerry spends most of the episode telling the reporter that he isn't gay, but affixes "Not that there's anything wrong with that" to his statements so he won't come across as homophobic.
However, the reporter still thinks that Jerry and George are gay, and it becomes a news story built on comedic misunderstandings. She thinks that Jerry and George are using her as a beard, especially when Jerry tries to date her, along with every other Seinfeld guest actress.
The episode won a GLAAD Media Award and spawned one of Seinfeld's most famous catchphrases. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Where you've heard it
You've used it when one of your friends is about to do something crazy, like go cliff diving or eat the hottest wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, and you tolerate their interest, but don't want to participate.
Additional Notable References:
- This quote got used as the title of an article about some not so good Seinfeld episodes. Well, in 180 episodes, there's bound to be a couple stinkers.
- Here is an article, published in honor of the episode's 20th anniversary, about how important it was in exposing the average American to anti-LGBT bigotry.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This line can sound pretty awkward, but it's from a sitcom, so it's all good.