The Contest

This article is about the Seinfeld episode. For the Australian game show, see The Con Test.
"The Contest"
Seinfeld episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 11
Directed byTom Cherones
Written byLarry David
Production code411
Original air dateNovember 18, 1992 (1992-11-18)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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Seinfeld season 4
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"The Contest" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American television sitcom Seinfeld, and the 51st episode overall. Written by Larry David and directed by Tom Cherones, the episode originally aired on NBC on November 18, 1992.[1][2] In the episode, Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer hold a contest to determine who can go for the longest time without masturbating.

As NBC executives felt that masturbation was not a topic suitable for prime time television, the word "masturbation" is never used in the episode, instead replaced by a number of comic euphemisms.[3] The term "master of my domain", describing someone who has resisted the urge to masturbate, has since become a popular catchphrase.[4][5]

David won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for the episode. In 2009, "The Contest" was ranked number 1 on TV Guide's list of the "100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time".

  1. ^ "Seinfeld Season 4 Episodes". TV Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  2. ^ Kytasaari, Dennis (2007-08-09). "Seinfeld (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)". epguides.com. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  3. ^ Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 3, 2012: Interview with Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Interview with Steven Moffat; Review of the film "The Avengers.". National Public Radio (U.S.) WHYY, Inc. May 3, 2012. OCLC 958462148. Scroll down to 'View online' to hear the audio of the interview.
  4. ^ Johnson, Jeff (2006-06-05). "Master of My Domain". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  5. ^ Marin, Rick (2000-07-16). "The Great And Wonderful Wizard of Odds". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-24.