Here's blast from the past.
Interestingly, this doesn't exaggerate all that much...
- Log in to post comments
Advertisment
Here's blast from the past.
Interestingly, this doesn't exaggerate all that much...
That's about right. Back when I was an alt med junkie, I saw many of these types of practitioners. And spent a lot more than $38.
Yeah, I remember seeing that scene when it was still fairly new. When I started getting deeper into skepticism, the alties I met on the JREF forums didn't exactly do a whole lot to challenge that stereotype.
My aunt spent $550 for a 10-minute alternative "health consultation" once. That practitioner was the "cheapest" out of a dozen where she lived. Also, that $550 didn't even include all of the fees she incurred and the books and supplements she bought from him.
On the bright side, Stephen Tobolowsky delivers, as usual.
Ha! I've seen every episode of Seinfeld and I remember this one, but I just realized the guy in the TV is Larry David. I wonder if something similar to this happened to either David or Seinfeld in real life.
To re-phrase something I heard many (many) years ago:
"If all the people who went to 'alternative' practitioners were laid out end-to-end, nobody would surprised in the least."
"Alternative" medicine is exceedingly good at treating imagined disorders; not so good with real disease, however.
Thanks for the chuckle, Orac.
Prometheus
"You should have been born in August. Your parents would have been well-advised to wait."
Admit it; you're not gonna get advice like that from your mainstream doctor.
That's one of the three times I was able to spot Larry David in the showâother than him basing George Costanza on himself, obviously. When Jerry and Elaine saw Frank Costanza talking to a guy in a capeâturned out to be Frank's lawyerâand crossed the street to avoid him, that was Larry. And once when George was convinced the cashier at the coffee shop had stolen his $10 bill, he discovers he still has it when he buys something from a little hole-in-the-wall and the guy sticks his head out and says: "We don't accept bills with lipstick on the presidents".
Anybody else spot any other examples?
Especially the part where Kraemer defends (Eckman - sp?), saying they're trying to suppress his ideas, it sadly rings very true (thinking of Geiers and Wakefield). This is a very convenient out for those who get caught out and sanctioned for their fraud. Seeing this episode as a teenager is probably what inspired me to "roam amongst" alties of various flavors, figuring out how they work and the appeal. Which had absolutely nothing to do with grandiose plans to scam people.
Love it. I watched Seinfeld here and there, but not regularly, so I missed this ep. I like him much more knowing his head is screwed on right where alt-med is concerned.
They did a good job cramming in a lot of alt-med-ery in a very short time. Holistic! Conventional medicine is a business! Avoid hot water! Drink this healing tea!
Anybody else spot any other examples?
I don't remember appearances offhand, but there are also some voice parts. David was the voice of George Steinbrenner as well as the voice asking "is anyone here a marine biologist?" when the whale was stranded.
I wonder how many tries it took to do 1:39 to 4:13 without laughing
BTW, I have now officially adopted the holistic healer's gestures from 2:59 to 3:04 when I talk about the "wonders" and "benefits" of alternative medicine. :)