5 Seinfeld Episodes That Are Unwatchable Today

As television's official "show about nothing," "Seinfeld" continues to make audiences laugh thanks to its absurd takes on the humdrum of daily life as a 30-something New Yorker. From many failed relationships and career changes to parental drama and difficult neighbors ("Newman!"), "Seinfeld" tackled relatable topics in its signature exaggerated fashion.

Most of the show's plotlines and funniest moments remain timeless. The tiny kicks of Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) never get old. Neither will the wrath of the Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas) or the signature entrances of Kramer (Michael Richards). However, even the biggest "Seinfeld" fans may find themselves cringing over certain episodes that didn't age too well.

The subtle objectification of an underage girl, cultural insensitivity, mental health, and sexual assault are just a few topics that "Seinfeld" poked fun at over its nine-season run. While modern-day media would be hard-pressed to use such topics as the butt of the joke, the '90s was a free for all. That's why, upon rewatching decades-old episodes in present day, audiences will encounter several moments and wonder, "Wow, did they really just do that?"

It's made evident early on that Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and George Costanza (Jason Alexander) aren't exactly great with the ladies. Despite having a constant rotation of women in their lives, neither can make a relationship stick, largely due to their own hyper-specific preferences and early onset icks. However, in "The Shoes" (Season 4, Episode 16), this duo hits a new low when they ogle an underage girl.

While visiting NBC executive Russell Dalrymple (Bob Balaban) in an attempt to sell him on their new comedy pilot, Dalrymple becomes violently ill from food poisoning. While in the bathroom, his 15-year-old daughter Molly (Denise Richards) comes home. Noticing her cleavage, Jerry pokes George, who blatantly stares at her chest. Naturally, when Russell returns from the bathroom and catches the gross act, he's not pleased. Back at Jerry's apartment, George tries to rationalize, "It was cleavage, I couldn't look away!"

This episode is viewed as extremely inappropriate by some "Seinfeld" audiences. One commenter on Reddit said, "I honestly don't want to continue watching anymore. Super gross." Many especially took issue with the guys' rationale behind their actions — that it's the same as Russell lustfully looking at Elaine. A Reddit commenter said, "As if that's the same as them knowing a girl is 15 and still purposefully looking at her breasts, without even acknowledging that it's creepy or predatory."

Thanks to the iconic third person delivery of Jimmy (Anthony Starke), "The Jimmy" (Season 6, Episode 19) is one of the most unforgettable episodes of "Seinfeld." However, beyond Elaine's unexpected gym suitor, it's also jam packed with problematic plotlines.

The first involves Jerry, who is convinced he was sexually assaulted by dentist Tim Whatley (Bryan Cranston) and Whatley's assistant while he was unconscious during a procedure. Jerry is, understandably, upset. Which is why many viewers take issue with his concerns being dismissed, given the real world misconception that men can't be victims. A commenter on Reddit said, "The most surprising thing was when Jerry was telling Elaine about it. She shrugged it off and said, 'So what? You're single.' Like whoa, wait ... it's okay if you're basically raped passed out in a dentist's chair as long as you're single?"

Meanwhile, Kramer is mistakenly assumed to be autistic due to Novocaine-induced slurred speech and Jimmy's sports training sneakers. While some argue that the dentist incident is far more controversial, others find both plotlines pretty difficult to watch. One Reddit commenter said, "But what really is worse, shrugging off rape or making fun of the mentally handicapped?? Both are pretty bad!"

Some viewers and even a cast member agree that one particular episode of "Seinfeld" is unwatchable today — "The Bris" (Season 5, Episode 5). The plot centers around Jerry and Elaine, who are named godparents of their friends' newborn. Their job? Organize the baby's bris, the Jewish ritual of circumcision, and hire a mohel to perform it. However, the selected mohel (Charles Levin) isn't what they expected. He's loud, erratic, doesn't seem to like children, and accidentally slices Jerry's finger off.

Jason Alexander pushed back against "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David (the real-life inspiration behind George), whose initial depiction of the Jewish figure was more "disgusting" than what we see in the final edit, according to the actor. Even after softening the character, Alexander, who is Jewish, found the portrayal to still be too much. He said in an interview with the Television Foundation Academy, "I'll take every Jew joke you've got, even the borderline offensive ones ... [but] to make one [a mohel] who is a child hating, self loathing, foul mouthed incompetent, to me was anti semitic in a hurtful way." Alexander added, "I'm not proud of that episode at all."

A number of fans also have no issue skipping "The Bris," not only because of the poor Jewish representation but the over-the-top character as a whole. One commenter on Reddit said, "The mohel is the most annoying character in any 'Seinfeld' episode ever."

Traffic in New York City is no joke, especially when a large-scale event occurs. Jerry and friends experience this in "The Puerto Rican Day" (Season 9, Episode 20), with the crew attempting to drive back into Manhattan post-Mets game during the annual Puerto Rican Day parade.

As Jerry remains in the car, the other three go their separate ways. After happening upon an apartment tour and a desperately needed bathroom, Kramer returns to the festivities on the street, where he accidentally sets a Puerto Rican flag on fire and proceeds to stomp on it to put out the flames. 

When the controversial episode aired, the Puerto Rican community took offense. Manuel Mirabal, then-President of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, said (via The New York Times), "It is unacceptable that the Puerto Rican flag be used by 'Seinfeld' as a stage prop under any circumstances." NBC issued an apology and the episode was pulled from syndication.

Though it was returned in 2022 and, at the time of this writing, is available on Netflix, many "Seinfeld" fans find the episode unwatchable. This is due to the offensive scene, but more so its lackluster plotline. A commenter said on Reddit, "'The Puerto Rican Day' parade episode is not as horrible as people say because it's racist. It's definitely just an awful episode." Another said, "It was one of the least funny episodes, independent of that [the flag burning] altogether."

Similar to "The Jimmy," "The Chinese Woman" (Season 6, Episode 4) has dual storylines that some viewers find unwatchable. The first centers around racism. While "Seinfeld" is no stranger to poking fun at minority groups, their depiction of Chinese people may have gone too far. When crossed phone lines accidentally connect Jerry to Donna Chang (Angela Dohrmann), he's fully convinced that she's Chinese due to her name and speech — and is disappointed when he learns she's white, with a last name of "Changstein."

A commenter on Reddit said, "It seems to me the mispronouncing of the words by Donna Chang (ridiculous/ridicurous) and then the mocking by Jerry (rines/lines) was an incredibly racist reference to how Chinese people can't pronounce L's ... Incredibly racist!"

The other controversial plotline centers around mental health. While Jerry is pursing Donna, Elaine is accidentally causing mayhem in the love life of her friend Noreen (Kelly Coffield). After leaving her boyfriend due to Elaine's antics and opinions, Noreen dates Kramer — and, to her dismay, might be pregnant with his child. In the post-credits scene, she's standing atop a bridge looking distraught, until the cape-wearing lawyer (Larry David) approaches and offers help.

Deeming it the show's darkest episode, one Reddit commented. "Noreen was manipulated by Elaine and Kramer. Kramer might have impregnated her. She almost jumped off the bridge. Thanks to Frank Costanza's lawyer she didn't."

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org