#11: Staying on the Fence

In addition to abortion, Seinfeld also uses the topic of homosexuality in its episodes as fodder for its storylines. In one of the most popular Seinfeld episodes is “The Outing” (February 11, 1993), an article is written by an NYU student that announces Jerry and George have a homosexual relationship and the episode takes off from there. From this episode, the famous line “not that there’s anything wrong with that” is incorporated to make an obvious and blatant ambiguous stance on the gay issue. However, this clear stance is excessively used for humor instead of its intended meaning of there’s not anything wrong with being gay.
For example, at the end of the episode, George arrives at Jerry’s apartment to find Jerry and the NYU student together on the couch. In order for George to convince his girlfriend that he is gay he begins to come onto Jerry by touching him excessively. As a result, the NYU student walks out saying that it was too weird. Jerry takes offense to that and repeatedly yells down to the hall that “it’s not true!” After a moment’s pause, Jerry then blurts “not that there’s anything wrong with that.” Seinfeld took an ambiguous stand on the issue because it didn’t want to offend any of its viewers, but by doing so, it also used the issue as its main punch line for humor throughout the episode. Therefore, Seinfeld’s ability to not take a stand on the issue leaves the topic open for discussion to its audience and the reason “not that there’s anything wrong with that” is such a popular punch line.