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 ...
I knew someone who knew Jason Alexander-they said he’d refuse to talk to people on the street who called him “George”
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.
(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.
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.
Plus, Jerry made out during Schindler’s List, not The Passion of Christ.
It’s as legitimate as Kwanza.
Under Obamunism, every dime I earn will be going to the "Human fund" to "help people".
Seinfeld co-creator Larry David an anti-Christian? Really?
Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting (October 29, 2009)
Where are the people who now go to Schindler’s List specifically to make out?
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.
Ask him if he's still a Pepper...
It’s sooooo 9/10/2001
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.
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.
And far more entertaining.
Poles serve only one legitimate purpose.
Well, two, if you include fire-fighting.
And we make great food too. Not to mention polkas.
LOL!
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