Seinfeld Festivus: Funniest Holiday Episode of All Time

Festivus, an anti-capitalist holiday from Seinfeld, is a secular celebration of grievances, meatloaf, and feats of strength. Happy Festivus!

It's that time of year again, when Christmas trees, Hannukah menorahs, and gift-buying are all the rage. But what about those of us who are tired of the commercialism of Christmas or have a pile of grievances in need of airing? For those of us, there is Festivus.

This anti-capitalist holiday was born from the comedy sitcom Seinfeld, when scriptwriter Dan O'Keefe included the idea into the Seinfeld holiday episode "The Strike" in 1997. The episode featured four separate plots involving each character: Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer, which came together at the end during the hilarious Festivus dinner hosted by George's family.

The combination of all four in the setting of this absurd fictional holiday, which has since become a real holiday, made for one of the best Seinfeld episodes ever made, and the funniest holiday episode from any TV show.

In the episode, Jerry meets a woman with "two-face," Elaine tries to get a free sub, George is obsessed with gift exchanges at work, and Kramer goes on strike from his job at a bagel shop.

This episode, in particular, was comedic genius. Each story is already funny, with great moments like George being confronted about the fake "Human Fund," and Elaine also being confronted by the betting parlor that is her go-to fake number. And the acting talents of guest stars Bryan Cranston, Kevin McDonald, and Jerry Stiller bolster the hilarity of each scene.

Festivus came from the idea of Daniel O'Keefe, whose father was a lot like Frank, except Irish, and from New Jersey. The real version, before Seinfeld, was a random event that took place when O'Keefe's father felt like it. The holiday has five observances: the Festivus Pole, Festivus Dinner, the Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, and Festivus Miracles.

The episode, and the holiday, was notable and hilarious enough that Festivus took off instantly. By the year 2000, only three years after airing, Super Bowl coach Brian Billick was calling the playoff game "Festivus Maximus." By 2005, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proudly had his own Festivus pole in his living room. Today, Festivus is celebrated by thousands of people and has even been petitioned to be made an official national holiday.

Festivus seems to tap into an inherent discontent in America with the growing commercialization of Christmas, evident even in the late '90s. Black Friday deaths were on the rise at the time, as people stampeded over others and fought tooth and nail for material goods, and, like many of us, Frank Costanza became fed up with it all.

Taking place on December 23rd of each year, just days before Christmas, it can be an incredibly cathartic event to celebrate. Many frustrated and stressed people take to social media each year to air their grievances, or simply wish others a Happy Festivus and maybe share a Festivus miracle or two. So put up the aluminum pole and prepare the meatloaf - it's time for Festivus!

Share With Others