The Maestro (Seinfeld)
"The Maestro" | |
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Seinfeld episode | |
Episode no. |
Season 7 Episode 3 |
Directed by | Andy Ackerman |
Written by | Larry David |
Production code | 703 |
Original air date | October 5, 1995 |
Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
Season 7 episodes | |
"The Maestro" is an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. It first aired on October 5, 1995. It was the series' 113th episode and third episode for the seventh season. The title character is played by Mark Metcalf.
Plot
George decides that he should help a security guard who works at Susan's uncle's store and must stand all day. Elaine begins dating Bob Cobb (Mark Metcalf), a.k.a. the "Maestro", after meeting him through Kramer, and immerses herself in classical music. Kramer gets an out-of-court settlement in his lawsuit that nets him free coffee at any of the chain's locations around the world instead of money, much to the dismay of his lawyer Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris), as he and Kramer could have been very rich if Kramer had declined the first offer. Jerry offends The Maestro by calling him by his real name; furthermore, The Maestro's unsolicited declaration that there are no houses to rent anywhere in Tuscany prompts Jerry to ask Poppy about the matter, and he is referred to Poppy's cousin, who makes him an offer he can't refuse.
George delivers a rocking chair to the security guard, who falls asleep in it; the store gets robbed as a result. During the credits, we see Elaine and the Maestro in his house in Tuscany, enjoying the view from their window (in a reference to the movie A Room with a View, "O Mio Babbino Caro" plays in the background), when they see Jerry and Kramer arrive in a taxi across the street; both men get in an argument with Kramer misunderstanding the currency conversion rate and Jerry wondering why he brought him until they both marvel the house.
Production
"The Maestro" was the first appearance of Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris), a parody of Johnnie Cochran.[1] Morris and Cochran had visited the same barbershop in Los Angeles for years,[1] and so Morris was very familiar with Cochran's personality and mannerisms. Jerry Seinfeld interrupted Morris' audition for the role by turning up the air conditioning and remarking "You're so funny you're making me sweat."[1] The table reading for "The Maestro" was held on August 27, 1995,[2] and it was filmed before a studio audience on August 30.[2] Michael Richards' mispronunciation of the words "theater" and "caffè latte" was unscripted.[1]
Reception
"The Maestro" first aired on October 5, 1995.[2] The episode earned a ratings share of 22.5/35.[2]
Superman reference
The Maestro's name is Bob Cobb. Bob Cobb is the original alias of Mon-El, a supporting character in Superman comics.
The name Bob Cobb would be used again by Larry David in the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode "Trick or Treat."