The Boyfriend (Seinfeld)

"The Boyfriend"
Seinfeld episode
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 17/18
Directed by	Tom Cherones
Written by	Larry David & Larry Levin
Production code	315/316
Original air date	February 12, 1992
Guest stars
Keith Hernandez
Episode chronology
← Previous "The Fix-Up" Next → "The Limo"
Seinfeld (season 3) List of Seinfeld episodes

"The Boyfriend" is a two part episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. It makes up the 34th and 35th episodes of the show, and 17th and 18th episodes of the show's third season. It first aired on February 12, 1992. In the 'extras' section of the Season 3 DVD, Jerry Seinfeld says it is his favorite episode. Upon its first airing it was initially titled "The New Friend".

Plot

The Boyfriend, Part 1

Jerry meets his idol, former New York Mets baseball player Keith Hernandez (appearing as himself) and wants to make a good impression. Meanwhile, George is out of time on his unemployment and he works harder than ever on his scheme to get a 13-week extension. He tells the unemployment office he was close to a job with Vandelay Industries, a company that makes latex products and whose main office is Jerry's apartment. The plan backfires when Kramer, unaware of George's scheme, answers Jerry's phone. Kramer and Newman accuse Hernandez of spitting on them during a Mets game at Shea Stadium; however, Jerry supports the "second-spitter theory" that Hernandez was not involved. Keith asks Jerry about Elaine's status. Keith makes a date with her and breaks a date with Jerry.

The Boyfriend, Part 2

Having been busted by his unemployment officer, George tries to curb losing his benefits by taking the officer's daughter out for a date, which goes terribly wrong for him and causes him to express to Jerry his desire to date a tall woman. Meanwhile, Jerry becomes jealous that Keith is spending more of his time with Elaine on dates until Elaine breaks up with Keith because he smokes. When Keith offers Jerry to help him move his furniture, Jerry finally has enough and breaks up their friendship. Right then, Kramer and Newman confront Keith on the alleged "spitting incident." Keith provides them with the truth that, in fact, he saw the real spitter, Mets relief pitcher Roger McDowell. Kramer and Newman then remember that they had taunted McDowell throughout the game and they apologize to Keith and offer to help move his furniture. George rushes in, with one last desperate attempt to win over his unemployment officer by acquiring a baseball autographed by Keith, but he is too late. As he mopes, a tall woman suddenly appears with George's wallet, which he had dropped on the sidewalk outside, causing George to give a happy smile.

Legacy

Jerry Seinfeld called four innings of a Mets game at Citi Field against the Detroit Tigers on June 23, 2010 on SportsNet New York, reuniting him with Hernandez, now an analyst for SNY. During that time he revealed that if Hernandez had turned them down they would have asked Gary Carter to take his place.