Thursday, May 30, 2013

Episode 6 - The Ex-Girlfriend


The Plot:  The first episode of Season 2.  George is dating a woman, Marlene, who annoys the hell out of him because she drags out every conversation.  And yet he can’t bring himself to breakup with her because “she’s so sexy.”  He notes how he tried to love her.  He looked at her over and over urging himself to love her.  He even told her he loved her, but he could never actually fall in love.  Jerry finally convinces George to end it, and after a particularly ugly breakup, George remembers he left some books in Marlene’s apartment.  George asks Jerry to go retrieve the books and Jerry ends up dating her.  She maintains this “psycho-sexual” hold over him even though she annoys him as well.  Her most irritating offense, starting a conversation in a thick southern accent with, “You know Jerry,…”  




After succumbing to his more animal instincts, Jerry attempts to jump into a relationship with her only to be rejected.  When inquiring why she was spurning him, she tells him she saw his comedy act and was unimpressed.  “I just can’t be with someone if I don’t respect what they do.”  Which prompted Jerry to respond, “You’re a cashier!”  The episode ends with Jerry’s standup noting that women are much more concerned with a man’s job than vice versa.  If a man is physically attracted to a woman he will say “Really?  A slaughterhouse?...You’re just lopping their heads off?...So listen, why don’t you shower up and we’ll get some burgers and catch a movie”.



Fun Facts:

  • The show was due to air on January 16, 1991, but was pre-empted as all networks were covering the first night of bombing during the first Gulf War.
  • The first episode filmed before a live studio audience.
  • Contains one of my all-time favorite lines.  When referring to how George should break up with Marlene, he tells him, “You should just do it like a band-aid.  One motion, Right Off!!!”


Favorite Quote: 
JERRY: I feel terrible. I mean, I've seen her a couple of times since then, and I know I can't go any further, but.. I've just got this like, psycho-sexual hold over me. I just want her, I can't breathe. It's like a drug.
KRAMER: Woah, psycho-sexual.
JERRY: I don't know how I'm going to tell him.
KRAMER: Man, I don't understand people. I mean, why would George want to deprive you of pleasure? Is it just me?
JERRY: It's partially you, yeah.

Favorite Scene:  George visits a chiropractor and after a minor adjustment is presented a bill for $75.  Incredulous at the cost, he screams, “I was in there for two minutes.  He didn’t do anything.  Touch this, feel that.  Seventy-five bucks.  What’s seventy-five bucks?  What am I seeing Sinatra in there?”

The Lesson:  One of my other favorite pop culture references for entrepreneurship comes from the Facebook inspired movie, “The Social Network”.  When we are introduced to the Sean Parker character played by Justin Timberlake, he is trying to explain to a girl who he is.  He tells her he’s an entrepreneur and she quickly replies: “Ohhh, you’re unemployed”.  

How often do founders hear similar sentiments.  It is important to remember that people will not respect you just because you choose to start a business.  Most people have no idea what it takes to launch a company.  The sacrifices that startups require, (long hours, missed meals, the always-on mentality) often go unnoticed by all but those closest to you.  You shouldn’t look to start a business because you think you’ll gain some level of respect.  Startups should be solely focused on solving a problem, building a better product or service, and/or addressing a societal need.  Respect may end up being a by-product for some entrepreneurs, but it’s certainly not the basis for jumping into the startup pool.  Otherwise, you have to remember, the world needs cashiers also.




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