Former 'Seinfeld' Writer Reveals Hidden Meaning of Classic Joke From "The Chinese Restaurant" Episode

Writer Spike Feresten spoke with HuffPo about the famous "Chinese Restaurant" episode's "Cartwright" line.

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Complex Original

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As we all clear our schedules for the arrival of Seinfeld on Hulu, we find ourselves immersed — once again — in the endless amount of classic moments and timeless observations on the ridiculousness of our existence explored through the filter of a "show about nothing." Of course, one of the most nothing-centered Seinfeld episodes was the series-defining "The Chinese Restaurant."

In the episode (now a startling 24 years old), the fab four (minus one) simply proceed to wait on a table at a Chinese restaurant. Penned by Seinfeld and head writer Larry David, the episode is noted as a remarkable and ultimately successful narrative risk undertaken by NBC. One of the episode's most hilarious moments revolves around young god George Costanza's attempts at placing a call to Tatiana — an understandably scorn lover George abandoned in the middle of intimacy just to go to the bathroom the evening prior.

Costanza fails to reach Tatiana and is forced to leave a message. When Tatiana calls the restaurant, the restaurant maître d' mistakenly calls out "Cartwright!" instead of "Costanza!" This, of course, results in immediate hilarity and just another in a series of botched connections for our fallen hero George Costanza. As it turns out, there's a bit more to that "Cartwright!" line than we originally thought. The Huffington Post caught up with former Seinfeld writer Spike Feresten, who revealed that the choice of 'Cartwright' was intentional — as 'Cartwright' is the family name at the center of the ancient TV western Bonanza (Bonanza: Costanza; get it?).

Now, imagine Seinfeld still on TV today. No, you're right. George would probably still use the phone at a Chinese restaurant because he's too embarrassed to pull out his cracked Android.

 

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