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'Seinfeld' over, but Festivus keeps giving
CNN ^ | 12/23/09

Posted on 12/23/2009 7:58:12 AM PST by earlJam

(CNN) -- ... thanks to a "Seinfeld" writer whose father had made Festivus a quirky household tradition, a 1997 episode of the famed sitcom popularized the peculiar day.

To hear it from Frank Costanza, the character played by Jerry Stiller, the December 23 observance calls for little more than the erection of an aluminum pole, the airing of grievances and the demonstration of feats of strength -- which preferably culminate in wrestling down to the ground and pinning the head of the household.

For at least eight years, Julianne Donovan, 35, has been hosting Festivus parties in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. The graphic designer and illustrator said she was drawn to the holiday...

At her parties, people jot down their grievances and stuff them in the pole. They complain about parking tickets, the economy and their spouses, she said. One of her favorites in recent years read like this: "What's up with the dude in the white shoes? It's way after Labor Day."

Getting in on the fun in recent years is a stairway railing company called Wagner, (they)thought cutting up pipes to make aluminum holiday poles would be an easy -- and fun -- side business. Thus was born festivuspoles.com.

Leto said he's received orders from troops in Afghanistan and people living in Australia...When the company sent Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle a Festivus pole in 2005, he put it up in the executive residence. Today it appears in the state's historical museum.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Society; TV/Movies
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To: earlJam

I knew someone who knew Jason Alexander-they said he’d refuse to talk to people on the street who called him “George”


21 posted on 12/23/2009 8:48:45 AM PST by Mac from Cleveland ("See what you made me do?" Major Malik Hasan)
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To: traderrob6
"Frankly Jerry Stiller has always creeped me out. He’s the closest thing to a real life troll I’ve seen." You clearly haven't ever ridden a bus.
22 posted on 12/23/2009 8:55:40 AM PST by LifeComesFirst (http://rw-rebirth.blogspot.com/)
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To: earlJam

I have always thought that part of the brilliance of Seinfeld was that nothing was too sacred to handle, be it left, right christian, jewish or name a religion. You could look at Festivus through the lens that it mocks made up holidays like Kwanzaa just as much as it pokes or other holidays. The way he treated abortion on the show IMO shows it even better. Papi was a good hearted man who was pro-life while Elaine became a mean stereotypical feminazi over the issue.

His show, at least when it was in it’s prime, is what is lacking on TV today.


23 posted on 12/23/2009 9:03:01 AM PST by aft_lizard (Barack Obama is Hugo Chavez's poodle.)
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To: MotleyGirl70; Cagey; Mr. Brightside; earlJam; Rb ver. 2.0; lesser_satan; Taffini; jdm; countess; ...
Bagels are on me!

(But I got a lot of problems with you people!)

Seinfeld Ping List. To be on the list, you must bring me a stamped card from Atomic Sub. Or just ask.

24 posted on 12/23/2009 9:10:18 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: earlJam

Oh come on, everybody saw how shallow and awful they were, only the weirdos wouldn’t see that.

What I find a little distressing is that nobody realizes what utter and total buttmunches Niles and Frasier Crane are. I mean, they are truly evil.


25 posted on 12/23/2009 9:12:41 AM PST by LifeComesFirst (http://rw-rebirth.blogspot.com/)
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To: Frantzie

Plus, Jerry made out during Schindler’s List, not The Passion of Christ.


26 posted on 12/23/2009 9:15:48 AM PST by earlJam
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To: earlJam; Slings and Arrows; Revolting cat!

It’s as legitimate as Kwanza.


27 posted on 12/23/2009 9:42:23 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: Dr. Ursus
I made a donation to thr Human Fund!

Under Obamunism, every dime I earn will be going to the "Human fund" to "help people".

28 posted on 12/23/2009 9:43:47 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: Frantzie
The show was anti-Christian.

Seinfeld co-creator Larry David an anti-Christian? Really?

Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting (October 29, 2009)

29 posted on 12/23/2009 9:46:23 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: earlJam

Where are the people who now go to Schindler’s List specifically to make out?


30 posted on 12/23/2009 9:47:10 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: Frantzie; Larry Lucido

Thanks for the ping, Larry.

Seinfeld made fun of everything. There was the babbling Rabbi who couldn’t keep a secret. The cigar store indian episode which totally came out against PC-ism. The Aids Walk ribbon episode, “You’re a ribbon bully.”. Jerry and company had a lot of laughs at the Jewish people as well. The ‘anti-dentite’ episode. Uncle Leo seeing anti-Semitism everywhere. Including the cook at the coffee shop. “They don’t just overcook a hamburger.”.

So, chill. I think the people buying the poles are the strange ones.


31 posted on 12/23/2009 9:48:41 AM PST by ReneeLynn (Socialism is SO yesterday. Fascism, it*s the new black. Mmm Mmm Mmm.)
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To: earlJam
A Festivus for the rest of us ...

32 posted on 12/23/2009 9:49:28 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Mac from Cleveland
I knew someone who knew Jason Alexander-they said he’d refuse to talk to people on the street who called him “George”

Ask him if he's still a Pepper...


33 posted on 12/23/2009 9:50:06 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: WhistlingPastTheGraveyard

It’s sooooo 9/10/2001


34 posted on 12/23/2009 9:51:29 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: ReneeLynn

One of my favorite lines:

*******************

Jerry (to a Catholic father): I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Whatley. I have a suspicion that he’s converted to Judaism just for the jokes.

Father: And this offends you as a Jewish person.

Jerry: No, it offends me as a comedian.


35 posted on 12/23/2009 9:53:06 AM PST by earlJam
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To: earlJam

The same priest with ELaine and Puddy.

Priest-”Often times in cases of interfaith marriages...”

Elaine-”Whoa. No one’s gettin’ married here. We’re just...having a good time.”

Priest-”Oh. Well, it’s easy then. You’re both going to hell.”

Puddy-”No way man. This is bogus!”

Elaine-”Aww, don’t worry. It’ll only seem like an eternity.” Makes devil horns. “Ahhhhhhhhh.”
Priest does the same and laughs.


36 posted on 12/23/2009 10:00:17 AM PST by ReneeLynn (Socialism is SO yesterday. Fascism, it*s the new black. Mmm Mmm Mmm.)
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To: a fool in paradise

And far more entertaining.


37 posted on 12/23/2009 10:02:36 AM PST by Slings and Arrows ("The solution to every ill is a cat." --TheOldLady)
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To: ReneeLynn

Poles serve only one legitimate purpose.

Well, two, if you include fire-fighting.


38 posted on 12/23/2009 10:02:49 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

And we make great food too. Not to mention polkas.


39 posted on 12/23/2009 10:07:06 AM PST by ReneeLynn (Socialism is SO yesterday. Fascism, it*s the new black. Mmm Mmm Mmm.)
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To: ReneeLynn

LOL!


40 posted on 12/23/2009 10:12:30 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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