Seinfeld is a typical multi-cam sitcom for the most part, but one episode needed the crew to execute a difficult special effects shot of Kramer as a turkey.
The bizarre plot of “The Butter Shave,” the opening episode of Seinfeld season 9, has Newman believing that Kramer is a turkey. This was a difficult visual effects shot for the crew to pull off. Jerry Seinfeld, the star of Seinfeld, is a fictionalized version of himself, a stand-up comedian from New York whose outrageous antics with his pals serve as the inspiration for his material. In “The Butter Shave,” Kramer begins shaving with butter rather than shaving cream, Elaine boards a terrifying transatlantic flight with David Puddy, and Jerry grows more competitive with hack comic Kenny Bania. George also poses as disabled in order to receive special treatment at work.
One day, Wayne Knight’s character Newman is drawn to the scent of a buttered Kramer after Michael Richards’ character Kramer (spreads butter all over his body) passes out in the sun. A waitress brings out a buttery, freshly cooked turkey while Newman is seated in Monk’s Café, and Newman has a delusional dream that Kramer’s head is superimposed on the turkey’s body. Because the show focused on ordinary people in ordinary situations, the Seinfeld crew hardly ever needed to use complex visual effects technologies like CGI and blue screens. But the shot of Kramer as a turkey required some complex VFX work.
Get ready to gobble up some laughter with this classic Seinfeld clip featuring Kramer’s unforgettable Thanksgiving turkey transformation!
Ah Thanksgiving. A time for family, friends, and, of course delicious food. But for the eccentric Kramer, Thanksgiving takes a hilarious turn when he decides to become the turkey himself!
The Scene:
In this iconic scene from the beloved sitcom Seinfeld, Kramer is tasked with picking up the Thanksgiving turkey. However, in true Kramer fashion, things don’t go as planned. He ends up getting locked in a walk-in freezer with the turkey, and when he finally escapes, he’s covered in feathers and completely disoriented.
The Laughs:
Kramer’s turkey transformation is a comedy goldmine. From his frantic attempts to escape the freezer to his bewildered appearance when he emerges, every moment is filled with laughter. The scene is a perfect example of Kramer’s unique brand of humor, and it’s sure to leave you in stitches.
The Impact:
This scene has become one of the most memorable moments in Seinfeld history. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to find humor in everyday situations, and it’s a reminder that Thanksgiving can be a time for unexpected and hilarious surprises.
Additional Resources:
- Watch the full scene on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=67BAY06T5Do
- Read more about the scene on the Seinfeld Wiki: https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/The_Turkey
So, if you’re looking for a good laugh this Thanksgiving, be sure to check out Kramer’s turkey transformation. It’s a classic Seinfeld moment that will have you gobbling up the laughter.
P.S. Don’t try this at home! Unless you’re Kramer, of course.
P.P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!
Kramer’s Head Was Edited Onto A Turkey Via A Blue Screen
In the “Inside Look” DVD featurette from “The Butter Shave,” director Andy Ackerman provides an explanation of how the Seinfeld crew achieved the shot featuring Kramer dressed as a turkey. The producers made the turkey wing wave to Newman by removing a wire off-screen. Kramer turns his head, waves it, and says, “Hey, buddy,” when Newman believes he is a turkey. Actor Michael Richards was positioned on a bluescreen table in front of a bluescreen backdrop so that Richards’s head could be superimposed on the turkey in order to place Kramer’s head on it.
Ackerman stated, “It was a really funny shot, but it took a while to shoot and probably only lasted three seconds on-screen.” ” Ultimately, it was worth the effort to make this moment happen. The studio audience laughed heartily at the picture of Kramer dressed as a turkey, and it went on to become one of Seinfeld’s most famous visual gags. Kramer’s portrayal of a turkey not only makes for a hilarious sight gag, but it also signaled Seinfeld’s drastic tone change following Larry David’s departure from the program. This moment helped to set the absurdist, cartoonish sensibility for the final season.