NBC
“Seinfeld,” the live-action network sitcom, was no stranger to controversy. The show once shockingly killed off George’s fiancée Susan in a wedding-invitation mishap and frequently used racial stereotypes for laughs. This approach was often justified by portraying the main characters — Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer — as the villains of the story. This unique aspect of the show, portraying jerks behaving badly, is what endeared it to many viewers.
But did “Seinfeld” cross the line? During its first run in the 90s, there were occasional complaints, but seldom any actions taken. However, “The Puerto Rican Day” episode was an exception. This second-to-last episode of the series depicted the main characters stuck in traffic during New York City’s annual Puerto Rican Day parade. Their frustration was heightened by a purple Volkswagen Golf that wouldn’t let them pass on the busy Fifth Avenue. The group eventually splits up, with Elaine trying to escape on foot, while the others pretend to be potential tenants to use a bathroom in an apartment.
While this might seem like a typical “Seinfeld” episode, the climax ignited real-world protests.
In “The Puerto Rican Day,” Kramer accidentally sets a Puerto Rican flag on fire with a sparkler. In a panic, he tries to extinguish the fire by stomping on the flag, which infuriates the parade attendees. Kramer manages to escape the angry crowd, but when he reaches Jerry and George’s apartment, they realize Jerry’s car is empty, and see the crowd attacking it.
Seinfeld’s Lesson: Don’t Mess With Puerto Rico
NBC
“The Puerto Rican Day” episode triggered protests from the Puerto Rican community, unfortunately coinciding with the airing of the much-anticipated series finale the following week. The controversy escalated when it was revealed that the “Seinfeld” writers had declined to preview the episode for the then president of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, Manuel Mirabal. Alec Berg, one of the writers, added fuel to the fire by stating, “We don’t consult a rabbinical council when we do a show about Jews.”
The protests were effective; NBC never aired “The Puerto Rican Day” again and removed it from the “Seinfeld” syndication package. Was this the right decision? It’s debatable, but it’s clear that the Puerto Rican community had every right to be outraged. This episode is often ranked among the five worst “Seinfeld” episodes. The question remains: would “Seinfeld” have been allowed to air an episode where Kramer accidentally burned and stomped on the American flag? Unlikely. This episode came across as racially insensitive, even if it was intended to mock Kramer’s characteristic cluelessness.
Considering the hardships Puerto Rico has faced over the years, including devastating hurricanes and denial of aid by the Trump administration, comedians should think twice before making the island nation their punchline, especially those who are not particularly skilled at stand-up comedy.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
