(Special thanks to dear friend of the blog Rina Schiller, for her research that was utilized in the writing of this post. She can be followed on Twitter @RinaS and on Instagram @engiqueer.) After Kramer auditions for the role of "Kramer" in the pilot episode of Jerry, he is overcome with intestinal affliction and goes off … Continue reading “The Pilot” – Bathroom Law
After George spots an eclair in the garbage bin at Mrs. Enright's home (his girlfriend, Lindsay's, mother), he reaches into the trash can to enjoy the baked delight. Bum status notwithstanding, was George within his legal rights to take the eclair out of the trash? Who actually owns the garbage? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOCGwm-hmd8 Trash is considered abandoned … Continue reading “The Gymnast” – Garbage Law
Elaine's friend Robert is afraid that he will be fired from his job because he is gay. To fool his boss into thinking he is straight, Elaine agrees to be Robert's "beard" - a pretend girlfriend. If Robert were to shave his beard and be openly gay, is he protected from anti-discrimination laws? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdU9Dcd4WV8 The … Continue reading “The Beard” – Sexual Orientation Discrimination
(This post was done in conjunction with our appearance on "But I Don't Want to be a Secondary Character," a podcast dedicated to discussing the secondary characters of Seinfeld. Download the podcast and subscribe! Plus follow our friends from BIDWBASC on Twitter and Instagram.) After George receives some information from his friend Simons about a … Continue reading “The Stock Tip” – Insider Trading
After Rachel inadvertently sees George's shrinkage, George gets his revenge on her by tricking Rachel into eating non-Kosher food - lobster - in the omelette he makes her for breakfast. Can George be in legal trouble for tricking Rachel into eating non kosher food? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbJSg4AlV78 New York's first Kosher law was struck down in 2002 … Continue reading “The Hamptons” – NY Kosher Laws
(Editor's note: This analysis is meant to deal only with the concept of Stare Decisis, not the complexities of the exact boundaries of the right to an abortion. That was discussed in this article.) After a discussion with Jerry about abortion, Elaine decides to broach the topic with her new boyfriend Carl to make sure … Continue reading “The Couch” – Stare Decisis
While discussing their new joint-business venture allowing patrons to bake their own pizza, Kramer and Poppie have an intense debate about whether it is a pizza when it "comes out of the oven" or when "you put your fists in the dough." Does Kramer have a right to always make determinations about how he wants … Continue reading “The Couch” – Abortion
When Jerry attempts to return a a jacket for "spite," the store declines to issue a refund. Is it true that Jerry can’t return an item based purely on spite. Can Jerry change the reason for why he is attempting to return an item? https://youtu.be/fP0MXJAQhmo All parties involved in a contract which is governed by the … Continue reading “The Wig Master” – Obligation of Good Faith
After H&H Bagels grants the union's request to give employees $5.35 per hour, the 12 year strike ends and Kramer goes back to work at the bagel conglomerate. But after being denied time off for his observance of The Festivus holiday, Kramer goes back on strike in demand of getting the holiday off. Could Kramer … Continue reading “The Strike” – Worker Strikes
After the gang heads out to the Hamptons to see the baby, Jerry, Kramer, and Elaine catch a glimpse George's girlfriend Jane tanning topless before George gets the chance to see her. By being topless on the beach, has Jane violated public exposure laws? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpUQyXI0Sns&t=91s New York Penal Code 245.01 defines public exposure as appearing … Continue reading “The Hamptons” – Going Topless/Public Exposure
