Hot & Heavy: The Elaine Benes Podcast
This show explores the Seinfeld character, Elaine Benes, as portrayed by the brilliant Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Episode by episode, Elaine's storyline is explored in both plot and performance. If only she knew... she was the sponge-worthiest of them all.
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The Rye - Season 7 Episode 11
11/17/2023
The Rye - Season 7 Episode 11
NAMESAKE EPISODE! In The Rye, Elaine gets pissed at Jerry for describing her relationship with her spongeworthy saxophonist boyfriend as hot & heavy. While that descriptor doesn't bother him, using his mouth in a sensual way definitely does. This is such a fun plot for Elaine and writer Carol Leifer masterfully illustrates the ins and outs of women not wanting to appear too needy too soon. Enjoy!
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The Gum - Season 7 Episode 10
11/12/2023
The Gum - Season 7 Episode 10
Elaine has a wardrobe malfunction which causes every man around her to misinterpret her intentions because... boobs. This episode has some minor plot holes, but it is silly enough to make me overlook them. JLD displays her talent for acting awkward, but I wish we got to see more of her and not just more of her chest. From Jerry's giant glasses to Elaine's clingy wet t-shirt, this epsiode makes me giggle. Enjoy!
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The Sponge - Season 7 Episode 9
11/03/2023
The Sponge - Season 7 Episode 9
ELAINE NEEDS SPONGES! One of the best Elaine episodes by far, The Sponge delivers like the spermicide in which it is soaked. I had the great pleasure of having Amie Kelbing, host of The Spinster Life Podcast, join me in discussing all things Elaine, The Sponge and many tangential conversations that ensued. Enjoy! The Spinster Life Links:
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The Pool Guy - Season 7 Episode 8
10/27/2023
The Pool Guy - Season 7 Episode 8
George melts down at the thought of Elaine and Susan becoming friends, but it turns out Susan gets the F out after getting a taste of what this world is like. Instead of worlds colliding, it was more like George's worlds side-swiping. I yearn for more Susan and Elaine together in this episode since it the one and only real interaction between the two characters. JLD has very fun moments sticking it to Jerry and George in this brilliantly written episode.
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The Secret Code - Season 7 Episode 7
10/20/2023
The Secret Code - Season 7 Episode 7
HOW COULD YOU FORGET ELAINE BENES?? Well, that's what Elaine deals with in this episode when a totally boring dude can't seem to recall meeting her at a party. It's a strong plot that had a lot of potential, but apparently seeing bad green-screen of Kramer driving a fire engine needed to take up a lot of time. Guest star Fred Stoller is an absolute treat and I share some fun tidbits from his book, "My Seinfeld Year," in the episode! Enjoy!
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The Soup Nazi - Season 7 Episode 6
10/13/2023
The Soup Nazi - Season 7 Episode 6
Elaine falls in love with an antique armoire on the way to get some soup, but unfortunately it gets stolen by street toughs despite Kramer trying to guard it. Luckily she scores another beautiful armoire which was accidentally gifted to her by a jerkface soup chef who banned her from his shop. Karma takes over as the armoire contains the secret soup recipes and unleashes Vengeful Elaine! This is easily one of the strongest episodes of the series and definitley one of the strongest JLD episodes. I'm totally satisfied with the amount of Elaine!
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The Hot Tub - Season 7 Episode 5
10/07/2023
The Hot Tub - Season 7 Episode 5
Elaine doesn't have time for Jerry's lack of confidence in her ability to set an alarm clock since she has to come up with a load of crap for the Himalayan Walking Shoe. JLD gets a lot to play with in this episode and dare I say... I'm pretty satisified with the quantity and quality of Elaine content!
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The Wink - Season 7 Episode 4
10/04/2023
The Wink - Season 7 Episode 4
Elaine is not above dating her wake-up service guy, James, but his dogs sniff her out as a dog hater/napper. I have issues with a lot of the plots in this episode (#HollySUCKS), but there are some enjoyable moments. No surprise, but I needed more Elaine and waaaayyyy less mutton.
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The Maestro - Season 7 Episode 3
09/22/2023
The Maestro - Season 7 Episode 3
Elaine charms a friend of Kramer's who prefers to be called Maestro. We get to see JLD show off her singing chops in some fun moments with Bob Cobb. The comedy is dominated by the guest actors in this episode and it is one of my faves and not a LOOSER!
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The Postponement - Season 7 Episode 2
09/14/2023
The Postponement - Season 7 Episode 2
Elaine confides in a rabbi in her building about her true feelings about George's engagement. True to form for many of the men in this series, the rabbi screws Elaine over by blabbing her feelings to Jerry, everyone in her building and then the entire New York cable access viewing audience. JLD has some masterful moments in this fun episode, but I still needed more! Follow Hot & Heavy: The Elaine Benes Podcast on social media! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected]
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The Engagement - Season 7 Episode 1
09/08/2023
The Engagement - Season 7 Episode 1
Elaine teams up with Kramer and Newman to deal with a barking dog that's disturbing her. JLD gets really fun moments in this episode with a plot that is all her own. Oh, and we enter a new Elaine hair era and I'm just a little excited about it.
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The Understudy - Season 6 Episode 23
08/25/2023
The Understudy - Season 6 Episode 23
Season 6 finale time!!! Elaine can't help but find out if the Korean ladies at her nail shop are talking about her, so she enlists Frank Costanza to be her secret translator. A Frank and Elaine storyline is a rare treat and one that we won't get again, so I cherish the scenes in this episode. We also meet J. Peterman, whose hiring of Elaine marks the next chapter in her career and the next chapter in hilarity. Enjoy!
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The Face Painter - Season 6 Episode 22
08/18/2023
The Face Painter - Season 6 Episode 22
Elaine discovers her boyfriend is a face painter and it's definitely a problem. JLD plays more the straight person to Puddy in this episode, but she tees him up for some really funny moments. This is a very solid episode overall, but with some wasted opportunities for Elaine to be involved in some of the other plots... and why the hell does she care about a random priest?
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The Diplomat's Club - Season 6 Episode 21
08/11/2023
The Diplomat's Club - Season 6 Episode 21
We see a determined, marching Elaine attempt to quit her assistant job under Mr. Pitt only to have a change of heart when he reveals his intentions to include her in his will. However, due to a series of Three's Company level misunderstandings, she ends up getting fired. This episode has very little comedy for JLD despite such a juicy plot, but at least we get Debra Jo Rupp as Katie! Enjoy!
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The Fusilli Jerry - Season 6 Episode 20
08/04/2023
The Fusilli Jerry - Season 6 Episode 20
Probably the raunchiest episode yet! We get to enjoy talk of cunnilingus and butt stuff! What's better than that? Oh, I know.... we meet David Puddy for the first time! JLD gets a good range of comedy here while showing Elaine's unapologetic sexual freedom. Great episode overall!
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The Doodle - Season 6 Episode 19
07/28/2023
The Doodle - Season 6 Episode 19
JLD gets to show off many of her comedic chops thanks to having TWO storylines! I get a little nit-picky with Elaine in this one and I'm not proud of it, but I also cannot help it. That doesn't stop me from appreciating her gum-chewing teenager vibe and hilarious physical comedy while holding her breath. Enjoy! Follow H&H on social media! TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Insta - @hotheavyelaine
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BONUS EPISODE - The Jimmy with Nancy Hayden
07/26/2023
BONUS EPISODE - The Jimmy with Nancy Hayden
It was an honor to have Nancy Hayden as a guest on H&H. She has served as the producer and artistic director at The Second City theaters all over the country, she is an accomplished television and comedy writer, she is the executive director of an incredible nonprofit that helps the youth of Detroit learn improv and beyond all of that, she's just the most generous and kind person you could ever imagine. I feel lucky to have been taught by her and to know her. Enjoy! If you can, please donate to The Detroit Creativity Project at the link below:
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The Jimmy - Season 6 Episode 18
07/20/2023
The Jimmy - Season 6 Episode 18
100TH EPISODE OF H&H!!!! I'm so excited to reach this podcast milestone! HUNDO BABY! Elaine gets confused about which guy at the health club asks her out, and even though the lucky guy is a weirdo who refers to himself in the 3rd person, she gives him a chance anyway. Turns out Jimmy sells dumb shoes and has rage issues, so it does not work out. This episode is complicated for me, some really funny plots mixed in with one of the cringiest scenes in the series.
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The Doorman - Season 6 Episode 16
06/29/2023
The Doorman - Season 6 Episode 16
Elaine has to clean up Jerry's mess with the doorman at Mr. Pitt's building. Unfortunately, Elaine's plot cannot compete with Frank's hooters in terms of comedy, but at least we get one of the best choked-up Elaine moments.
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The Kiss Hello - Season 6 Episode 16
06/23/2023
The Kiss Hello - Season 6 Episode 16
Elaine's physical therapist friend, Wendy, has a terrible hair style and a terrible attitude about dropping friends off at their doors. This episode is very fun and we see JLD show off bitchy Elaine. We also get blessed with a new term for the BEST duo on the show. (Thanks Greg!) Follow on social: Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected]
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The Beard - Season 6 Episode 15
06/16/2023
The Beard - Season 6 Episode 15
Elaine tries to convert a gay friend over to her team because she's that desperate. While that is a very questionable choice for her, she totally succeeds in getting George to abandon his toupee that makes him act like an idiot. I love so much about this episode! I address the cringiness of Elaine's storyline and defend the brilliance of physical comedy. Enjoy! FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected]
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The Scofflaw - Season 6 Episode 13
06/09/2023
The Scofflaw - Season 6 Episode 13
Elaine cannot let go of her upper-hand status with her ex, Jake Jarmel, after Kramer incorrectly tells him she said hello. Her revenge is executed through a pair of eyeglass frames from Malaysia. While she succeeds in upsetting him, her actions end up costing her a potential job at Lippman's new publishing house. This is a fun story for Elaine and JLD gets a lot of fun moments!
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The Label Maker - Season 6 Episode 12
06/01/2023
The Label Maker - Season 6 Episode 12
Elaine is very insulted when her nice gesture is re-gifted to Jerry by Tim Whatley. JLD and Bryan Cranston are a dream together, but Elaine's flip-flopping wants kind of frustrate me in this otherwise fun episode. Follow Hot & Heavy on Social Media! Insta @hotheavyelaine TikTok @elainebenespodcast Email [email protected]
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The Switch - Season 6 Episode 11
05/19/2023
The Switch - Season 6 Episode 11
Elaine loans Mr. Pitt's tennis racket to a Double Day executive in hopes that her generosity will land her a job at the publishing house. This plot is really weak for JLD and doesn't really track with the smart and capable Elaine we know and love! I have a lot of ideas about how they could have incorporated Elaine into the other VERY funny storylines. Follow H&H on Social Media: Email: How Have You Not Seen That Podcast:
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The Race - Season 6 Episode 10
05/11/2023
The Race - Season 6 Episode 10
Elaine dates a communist who has more loyalty to a Chinese restaurant than to her, so her implosion of the relationship is EXACTLY what needed to happen. One of JLD's finest physical comedy bits is in this episode during the classic race scene and it makes me laugh every time. Follow H&H on social media!
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The Secretary - Season 6 Episode 9
05/05/2023
The Secretary - Season 6 Episode 9
Elaine is sure that skinny mirrors are to blame for her regretful purchase of a dress from Barney's. This is a strong plot for Elaine, but JLD is still underutilized in the episode.
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The Mom and Pop Store - Season 6 Episode 8
04/28/2023
The Mom and Pop Store - Season 6 Episode 8
Elaine isn't too quick about picking the salt off pretzels for Mr. Pitt, but she makes up for it by winning him a spot under the Woody Woodpecker balloon at the Thanksgiving Day parade. JLD gets some fun moments in this episode, plus we are introduced to Tim Whatley, played by Bryan Cranston at his peak hotness.
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The Soup - Season 6 Episode 7
04/21/2023
The Soup - Season 6 Episode 7
Elaine's boyfriend from England turns out to be a total freeloading bounder. JLD does as much as she can with a storyline that, to me, feels like an afterthought.
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BONUS EPISODE - The Couch with Lucy Rivers
04/20/2023
BONUS EPISODE - The Couch with Lucy Rivers
I had the pleasure of discussing The Couch (S6E5) with the brilliant Lucy Rivers, a scholar who has studied female characters in sitcoms throughout television history. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics and I loved exploring her thoughts on so many things I totally nerd out on when watching scripted television. Be sure to follow Lucy on Instagram - @lucy_rivers_pgr. References to facts mentioned by Lucy: Rustad, G. C. and Schwind, K. H. (2017) 'The Joke That Wasn't Funny Anymore: Reflections on the Metamodern Sitcom', in van den Akker, R., Gibbons, A., & Vermeulen, T. (eds.) Metamodernism: Historicity, Affect and Depth After Postmodernism, London: Rowman & Littlefield International Ltd. Sánchez Saura, R. (2019) 'BoJack Horseman, or the Exhaustion of Postmodernism and the Envisioning of a Creative Way Out', in Creativity Studies, Vol. 12, Issue 2: pp.291-300. DOI:
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The Gymnast - Season 6 Episode 6
04/14/2023
The Gymnast - Season 6 Episode 6
Elaine ruins a merger deal for Mr. Pitt due to the terrible name he came up with, while also dealing with his trancelike obsession with a 3D art poster. JLD gets a few fun moments ripping on Jerry and womanhandling Mr. Pitt, but overall, her plot is blahhhhh.
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