Once Upon a Time… on Seinfeld
The new ESPN doc about the ’86 Mets is great but it will forever live in the shadow of Seinfeld.
I’ve been wracking/racking my brain trying to find other instances of pop culture that reference some historical event and then live to overshadow the history they fed off of.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter if I don’t have other examples because I’m just going to follow it up with my belief that we may have the most glaring case sitting right here in front of us on ESPN.
First off, a huge round of applause for Jimmy Kimmel and Cousin Sal for assembling the new ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary, ‘Once Upon a Time in Queens.’ It may not be as in depth as ‘The Last Dance’ but it is a really enjoyable way to spend a few hours even if you’re not a Mets fan or even a baseball fan.
Take it from me, I’m an Orioles fan and a major component of the Metropolitans success has coincided with Baltimore misery. Actually every event in modern history could be connected to and add to Baltimore’s baseball misery but I digress. The Mets delivered several blows to my Birds in the late 60s, early 70s. From Mets ace Tom Seaver dismantling the heavily favored Os in the ’69 series to Frank Cashen, the former Baltimore Exec and Baltimore native, leaving Memorial Stadium for Shea and taking former Oriole Davey Johnson with him to manage that ’86 Mets team. The same Davey Johnson who flied out to end the ’69 Series against Mets. You could argue that the Mets have done more damage to my beloved Os than that other NY team. Haha take that Yankees!
On the plus side one of my best friend’s, Bernie, is big Mets guy and at one point his son looked like Mr. Met so it hasn’t all been bad.
So why would someone with so many reasons to dislike another franchise binge watch 4 straight episodes of an ESPN doc dedicated to yet another NY sports story?
The short answer is… it’s fun watching Boston lose. But an even better answer is, it reminds me of Seinfeld.
I’m sure for many Mets fans it’s wonderful to relive the ’86 season in all its glory. To revisit the truly sensational arm of Doc Gooden, the smooth swing and effortless stride of Daryl Strawberry, the tobacco-filled, foul mouth of Lenny Dykstra or the angelic glow of Gary Carter’s smile.
The experience however is entirely different if you’re a diehard Seinfeld fan.
To be honest I’m glad I’m not a diehard Seinfeld fan AND a diehard Mets fan because for those of us who are just Seinfeld fans this Mets doc is merely an excuse to remember and laugh about arguably the greatest episode (technically a two-parter) in the history of the franchise. Sure The Contest and The Marine Biologist are up there, but for my money The Boyfriend wins the proverbial pennant.
There are so many incredible moments in this one episode, each expertly woven together in a way that only Larry David could concoct.
From this moment above when Jerry and George meet Keith in the locker room to the moment when Newman and Kramer finally come face to face with the Spitter. The moment when Elaine asks Jerry, ‘are you jealous of him or jealous of me?’ and he’s speechless. And the way they tie the whole thing into Oliver Stone’s JFK. It is television comedy at it’s finest.
The bottom line Mets fans is your last World Series and this doc is most memorable for it’s connection to a Seinfeld episode. And to be clear that ain’t a bad thing. The last Orioles World Series is most memorable for… gimme a minute… beating Philly? Earl Weaver getting tossed? Cal Ripken Jr. catching the final out? Nah, it’s Rick Dempsey and especially my favorite O, Eddie Murray winning a title.
If I had to pick one part of this doc that I didn’t love it is the fact that Kimmel and Co. didn’t interview every member of Seinfeld about the experience and the episode. Maybe they did and maybe Seinfeld and David turned them down.
If I had to guess though I think I know the reason they didn’t. The team already gets too many questions about the connection to the episode and they didn’t want it to overshadow the story. Thats just my guess.
Anyway, I’d love to hear which line from that episode you loved the most? Or what moment during the documentary made you think of the Seinfeld episode?
The full episode as well as Part 2 is streaming on Hulu and strongly encourage you to watch it and then watch ‘Once Upon a Time in Queens.’
