Could this be? According to IMDB, the character of Frank Costanza never appeared on Seinfeld until season four, in the episode The Handicap Spot. Further, it was originally shot with John Randolph (Serpico, The Bob Newhart Show, MASH, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation), and not Jerry Stiller.
Does anybody know what’s up with that? Was Randolph fired during the live taping, or did he walk out, or what? Jerry Stiller is a pretty big star to be a last minute substitute.
I don’t know the reason John Randolph wasn’t cast for Frank Costanza’s second appearance, but his initial appearance was probably considered a one-shot deal. When the character was brought back the following season, presumably Randolph wasn’t available, and Jerry Stiller began breathing life into the character.
Interestingly, Randolph’s scenes were re-shot with Stiller for the syndicated version of “The Handicap Spot.” This wasn’t to slight Randolph, but to acknowledge that Stiller had pretty much become Frank Costanza.
Both versions of the episode are presented on the DVD, with an intro from either Jerry Seinfeld or Jason Alexander (I forget which) noting how much they enjoyed working with Randolph.
It’s also interesting that when they re-cast Morty Seinfeld, Jerry’s father, after one episode, they still show the original actor in the re-runs. Philip Bruns was the actor who played Seinfeld in one episode in the first season, before being “replaced” by Barney Martin in the second season.
Gee, no foolin’? Crazy, Daddy-O! (Sorry, I’m watching West Side Story right now.)
Since I didn’t watch the show until maybe 1996, I never saw the original broadcast. Let’s say I want to see it, it’s season 4, right? Which disk?
what does Frank Costanza have to do with Emily Hartley or Serenity?
The once and no future Frank Costanza was played by John Randolph. John Randolph played Emily Hartley’s father on The Bob Newhart Show. Emily Hartley was Suzanne Pleshette’s character’s name. ‘Serenity Now!’ was from Frank Costanza on Seinfeld. Nothing to do with Firefly.