Seinfeld's Puffy Shirt Joins Smithsonian - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 11-21-2004, 10:45 AM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D86F6G3G0.html

Seinfeld's Puffy Shirt Joins Smithsonian

WASHINGTON (AP) - Move over, ruby slippers. That puffy shirt's moving in. The outlandishly unfashionable shirt worn by Jerry Seinfeld on his hit TV show went on display Friday at the Smithsonian, alongside Kermit the Frog, Archie Bunker's chair and Dorothy's magic slippers from "The Wizard of Oz."

At the end of its nine-season run, "Seinfeld" - the "show about nothing" - left lots of well-loved lines but few tangible relics suitable for enshrinement in the National Museum of American History.

Thus, The Puffy Shirt, which appeared briefly in a single episode. What makes that bit of wardrobe so memorable is that it serves as an icon, not only of "Seinfeld" but American popular culture.

"It looks funny and it sounds funny, and that's a good combination for a joke," Seinfeld told The Washington Post at a donation ceremony Thursday night. Before the puffy shirt episode aired in 1993, Seinfeld said, he had no idea it would become a classic.

On the air from 1989 until 1998, "Seinfeld" won 10 Emmy Awards and was TV Guide magazine's pick for the greatest show of all time.

In episode No. 66, comedian Jerry nods politely even though he can't make out what his pal Kramer's girlfriend is asking - she's a "low talker." Later to his horror, he learns he's agreed to wear the goofy, puffy shirt she designed when he appears on the "Today" show.

The white shirt, looking like a pirate's ruffled nightmare, was designed in real life by the show's costumer, Charmaine Simmons.

"This might be the first joke inducted into the Smithsonian Institution," Seinfeld noted.

barwars · 11-21-2004, 10:50 AM

Very, very cool.

slackermonkey · 11-21-2004, 06:29 PM

So how long before The Kramer joins the Smithsonian?

barwars · 11-22-2004, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slackermonkey
So how long before The Kramer joins the Smithsonian?

I would think that would make it first.
I'm actually wearing "The Kramer" T-Shirt right now.

rusyd · 11-22-2004, 10:00 PM

I heard about the puffy shirt going to the Smithsonian on my local news this morning, and I thought it was pretty cool.

Kitt · 11-22-2004, 10:45 PM

That's nice! Puffy was one of my favorite episodes.

slackermonkey · 11-23-2004, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
I would think that would make it first.
I'm actually wearing "The Kramer" T-Shirt right now.

I've always wanted that shirt.

I think I'd rather have it as a poster, though. Too bad it's not sold in any actual stores.

barwars · 11-23-2004, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slackermonkey
I've always wanted that shirt.

I think I'd rather have it as a poster, though. Too bad it's not sold in any actual stores.

Actually it is.
We have a store in our mall set aside only for posters, and that's one of them.
I'm hoping to see it under the Christmas tree.

slackermonkey · 11-23-2004, 07:10 PM

Really? I've seen them at several online stores but never in an actual store.

Either way, that painting would look great in my room, especially in that frame like in the picture. It's got kind of a kitsch factor.

11-21-2004, 10:45 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Seinfeld's Puffy Shirt Joins Smithsonian http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D86F6G3G0.html Seinfeld's Puffy Shirt Joins Smithsonian WASHINGTON (AP) - Move over, ruby slippers. That puffy shirt's moving in. The outlandishly unfashionable shirt worn by Jerry Seinfeld on his hit TV show went on display Friday at the Smithsonian, alongside Kermit the Frog, Archie Bunker's chair and Dorothy's magic slippers from "The Wizard of Oz." At the end of its nine-season run, "Seinfeld" - the "show about nothing" - left lots of well-loved lines but few tangible relics suitable for enshrinement in the National Museum of American History. Thus, The Puffy Shirt, which appeared briefly in a single episode. What makes that bit of wardrobe so memorable is that it serves as an icon, not only of "Seinfeld" but American popular culture. "It looks funny and it sounds funny, and that's a good combination for a joke," Seinfeld told The Washington Post at a donation ceremony Thursday night. Before the puffy shirt episode aired in 1993, Seinfeld said, he had no idea it would become a classic. On the air from 1989 until 1998, "Seinfeld" won 10 Emmy Awards and was TV Guide magazine's pick for the greatest show of all time. In episode No. 66, comedian Jerry nods politely even though he can't make out what his pal Kramer's girlfriend is asking - she's a "low talker." Later to his horror, he learns he's agreed to wear the goofy, puffy shirt she designed when he appears on the "Today" show. The white shirt, looking like a pirate's ruffled nightmare, was designed in real life by the show's costumer, Charmaine Simmons. "This might be the first joke inducted into the Smithsonian Institution," Seinfeld noted.

11-21-2004, 06:29 PM	#3
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	So how long before The Kramer joins the Smithsonian?
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11-22-2004, 10:45 PM	#6
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	That's nice! Puffy was one of my favorite episodes. Attached Images

11-21-2004, 10:50 AM	#2
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Very, very cool.

11-22-2004, 10:00 PM	#5
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I heard about the puffy shirt going to the Smithsonian on my local news this morning, and I thought it was pretty cool.

11-23-2004, 07:10 PM	#9
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Really? I've seen them at several online stores but never in an actual store. Either way, that painting would look great in my room, especially in that frame like in the picture. It's got kind of a kitsch factor.