10 Episodes of 'Seinfeld' That Probably Wouldn't Be Considered "PC" Today

Jerry Seinfeld's been going through it lately. The living legend lost a bit of public favor after an explanation as to why he doesn't perform at colleges snowballed into a debate over which types of jokes have been unfairly deemed "too PC" and which are, just plain bad. Since then he's been getting dragged as yet another "middle-aged white dude" (the Internet's favorite descriptor, lmao) who doesn't know what's funny and what's sexist anymore. It got me thinking: dude is the co-creator and star of one of history's funniest shows ever. Seinfeld owes its place in history in part to characters who were uncharacteristically narcissistic, as well as episode plots (about nothing) that addressed prevalent social issues and pushed buttons. Read: definitely not PC.

These days when an episode of television goes over the line, the next morning the Internet is typically ablaze with takedowns and thinkpieces, word to the Game of Thrones guys. Often allowances are made for film and TV that existed in a different era. Even a contemporary takedown of Seinfeld would have to acknowledge the critical and social climate of the then versus the allegedly evolved climate now. But what if Seinfeld were released today—as the entire series was on Hulu—but it was brand new? Would it still be heralded? Here are ten episodes that would surely draw the ire of several groups, movements, factions and many a Hot Take writer the next morning if they aired today. Cheers to the funniest sitcom ever finally being available to stream!

The one where: An intrepid NYU reporter, thanks to a misunderstanding, outs Jerry as gay and George as his secret BF.

Who it would offend: One can easily imagine an internet activist or two not being charmed by the classic "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" recurring disclaimer, not to mention the fact that Jerry and George are so alarmed at their sexuality being misconstrued in the first place.

The one where: Traffic jams courtesy of the Puerto Rican Day parade causes typical Seinfeld mayhem-about-nothing which concludes with Kramer stomping on a burning Puerto Rican flag.

Who it would offend: It caused a controversy back in 1998, it would probably cause one now. (Incidentally, it boasts the second-highest viewer ratings of the show.)

The one where: Jerry tries to discern—and is troubled by—whether his girlfriend has fake breasts.

Who it would offend: A "So What If She Does" piece would be up the following morning. Bonus backlash under the same theme: another of Jerry's Girlfriends™ in "The Little Kicks" who has "man hands," and Sue Ellen Mischke and the courtroom bra-top in "The Caddy."

The one where: Jerry tries to date a cop; George bags a woman while still wearing a toupee; Elaine tries to "turn" a gay man

Who it would offend: The LGBT community who would no doubt object to the very idea of Jerry and Elaine's "change teams" concept, and probably Jerry's rationalization that it failed because of a gay man's familiarity with the male "equipment."

The one where: Kramer erects The Merv Griffin set in his apartment and brings the gang plus Newman through as guests.

Who it would offend: The Seinfeld core four evolved into full sociopaths by series end but I'm sure plenty of thinkpieces would call too far on Jerry, then George and finally Elaine, for all drugging his girlfriend in various manners to gain access to her cool old-school toys. It can easily be seen as an episode that laughs about date rape.

The one where: Jerry's attempts to woo a Native American woman are repeatedly hindered by incidentally poor racial form.

Who it would offend: Native Americans who, despite the episode's execution in making Jerry and Kramer look like assholes, nevertheless probably wouldn't appreciate that a white guy is having so much trouble well, staying out of trouble.

The one where: Jerry buys his Dad a Wizard organizer; George has a final face-off with Susan's parents; Elaine can't figure out her boyfriend's race

Who it would offend: Much like "The Outing," the idea that the show is tackling an issue head-on probably still wouldn't protect them from someone pointing out that the fact that the gang's debating Elaine's boyfriend's race in the first place. Even with the "Benes" gag that concludes the subplot, a thinkpiece calling out the idea of interracial relationships being desirable from an image perspective would surely be written.

The one where: Jerry gets carpal tunnel from signing Japanese royalty checks; Kramer hosts visiting Japanese businessmen

Who it would offend: Kramer's overcrowded solution for hosting his friends is putting them up in pull-out dresser drawers...

The one where: Elaine rushes to stock up on contraceptive sponges before they're taken off the market.

Who it would offend: This one is tricky. On the one hand, deeming whether a GUY is spongeworthy or not is a concept you might see played on Broad City or Inside Amy Schumer to critical acclaim. But it could toe a line and end up on the wrong side of the casual sex argument. That's to say nothing of Pro Life factions...

The one where: Clips from the show's best moments are aired in honor of the 100th episode milestone.

Who it would offend: Prestige sitcom fans appalled by the idea of such blatant filler episodes.