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.

The Strike - Season 9 Episode 10 11/24/2024

The Strike - Season 9 Episode 10 Elaine's obsession with getting a free sub sandwich leads her down a path of creepy guys and a frightening look. JLD gets to flex those comedy muscles and I'm here for all of it. I know I would be really mad if I lost a punch card! Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/34122626

The Apology - Season 9 Episode 9 11/17/2024

The Apology - Season 9 Episode 9 Elaine's co-worker Peggy suspects she sleeps with a lot of dudes, so she protects herself from Elaine's sexual cooties around the office. Offended, Elaine resorts to immersing Peggy in her germs and enlists the help of her boyfriend, Puddy, who is a recovering germaphobe. This is one of my favorite plots for Elaine and JLD performs the physical comedy with perfection. Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33961612

The Betrayal - Season 9 Episode 8 11/08/2024

The Betrayal - Season 9 Episode 8 Elaine's spite takes over as she travels to India for the wedding of her rival, Sue Ellen Mischke. This groundbreaking episode is known as the "Backwards Episode" since it takes on the structure of Harold Pinter's play of the same name. JLD has one of her best performances of the entire series in this one and I cannot get enough of Drunk Elaine. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33845087

The Slicer - Season 9 Episode 7 11/02/2024

The Slicer - Season 9 Episode 7 The alarm of Elaine's neighbor causes some grief in a couple of ways. Once again, Kramer swoops in to help Elaine and suffers for it from electrocution to a damaged slicer for which he has very strong feelings. This is a fun episode, although I think Elaine's plot is probably the weakest. Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33753802

The Merv Griffin Show - Season 9 Episode 6 10/26/2024

The Merv Griffin Show - Season 9 Episode 6 Elaine's latest co-worker drama is a dude who comes out of nowhere - a REAL SIDLER! This is easily one of my favorite episodes of Seinfeld, mostly because of the Merv Griffin Set storyline, but Elaine gets a really solid plot that is perfectly structured. JLD's physicality is on full display, from the twitch of an eye to chasing around the rattling Tic Tacs! Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33626307

The Junk Mail - Season 9 Episode 5 10/19/2024

The Junk Mail - Season 9 Episode 5 Elaine dumps Puddy when she instantly falls for another man thanks to a magical, fairytale moment! Unfortunately, what she thinks is attraction is just the memory of him in a cheesy commercial. This episode is full of plots that start out strong and then fall apart. JLD is cheated with the weakest plot, but still brings some great comedy! /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33521562

The Blood - Season 9 Episode 4 10/11/2024

The Blood - Season 9 Episode 4 Elaine puts a lot of effort into proving she is responsible enough to raise a kid. None of this makes sense for the charactrer, but JLD does her best with this forced storyline. At least I found some juicy drama on TikTok involving one of the guest stars! Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33415262

The Serenity Now - Season 9 Episode 3 10/04/2024

The Serenity Now - Season 9 Episode 3 Elaine's shiksappeal causes a couple assaults, a proposal from Jerry and a Myrtle Beach invite from a Rabbi. JLD gets a lot of fun moments in this episode and the return of Frank & Estelle Costanza is a huge bonus! Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33324307

The Voice - Season 9 Episode 2 09/27/2024

The Voice - Season 9 Episode 2 Elaine can't quit Puddy and it is costing her a lot of money! JLD gets some very fun moments in this one. Any Elaine and Puddy episode will keep me laughing! Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33235297

The Butter Shave - Season 9 Episode 1 09/20/2024

The Butter Shave - Season 9 Episode 1 Last first episode! Elaine and Puddy have spent a month together traveling through Europe and we get to see the explosion of rage that has caused on the flight home. Such a brilliant move bringing Puddy back this season and JLD as travel-weary Elaine is the perfect way to kick off the last season of Seinfeld. Follow the pod on social media: Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/33133282

The Summer of George - Season 8 Episode 22 08/30/2024

The Summer of George - Season 8 Episode 22 What better way to celebrate Hot & Heavy's 150th episode than with a season finale jam-packed with powerhouse female talent?? Elaine's attempt to help a coworker backfires into a violent situation, not only with the coworker but with the legendary Raquel Welch. /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32809437

The Muffin Tops - Season 8 Episode 21 08/23/2024

The Muffin Tops - Season 8 Episode 21 Elaine's business idea to only sell the tops of muffins is stolen by her old boss, Mr. Lippman. After cutting a deal for the profits, she helps him succeed but also incurs the issue of disposing the muffin stumps. A very fun plot for JLD, we get a lot of hilarious moments, the best of which is opposite the brilliant Sonya Eddy, who plays Rebecca De Mornay. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32712727

The Millennium - Season 8 Episode 20 08/09/2024

The Millennium - Season 8 Episode 20 Elaine goes to great lengths to get petty revenge on a Mayan shop owner. The story for JLD is pretty funny, but it needed better execution, which is the theme for all the storylines. At least we have Lorelai Gilmore herself, Lauren Graham, guest starring as Jerry's girlfriend! /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32509422

The Yada Yada - Season 8 Episode 19 08/02/2024

The Yada Yada - Season 8 Episode 19 Elaine turns out to be a terrible reference for friends who are looking to adopt a baby. Bottom line, yelling at Elaine is a mistake. JLD has many wonderful comedic moments in this very funny episode. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32395647

The Nap - Season 8 Episode 18 07/26/2024

The Nap - Season 8 Episode 18 Elaine has a dud boyfriend who is obsessed with his back issues which causes a bunch of funky issues for her. This episode is pretty blah overall with very few comedic moments for JLD. At least her hair looks really shiny! /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32299677

The English Patient - Season 8 Episode 17 07/18/2024

The English Patient - Season 8 Episode 17 Elaine's hatred of a film triggers some harsh consequences from getting dumped to losing her job. This is easily one of my favorite Elaine episodes of the series with JLD showing a wide range of why she's such a comedic genius. Who else can say the word "sucked" in such a way that you feel it in your soul? Enjoy! /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32206202

The Pothole - Season 8 Episode 16 07/12/2024

The Pothole - Season 8 Episode 16 Elaine pisses off yet another Chinese restaurant when she tries to dupe their delivery boundary. JLD gets some fun moments in this episode, which is pretty average overall. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/32116162

The Susie - Season 8 Episode 15 06/21/2024

The Susie - Season 8 Episode 15 Elaine is called the wrong name by her coworker, which is just awkward at first but then ultimately leads to a fake funeral. JLD gets so much fantastic comedy in this episode! We also meet Peggy, portrayed by the fabulous Megan Cole and the comedy combo with JLD is pure pleasure. /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31841277

The Van Buren Boys - Season 8 Episode 14 06/14/2024

The Van Buren Boys - Season 8 Episode 14 Peterman selects Elaine to ghostwrite his autobiography which leads to working closely with Kramer. Ironic that she struggles with uninteresting writing since her plot suffers the same fate. There was a lot of potential, but the story falls short. It is also a crime that guest star Christine Taylor and JLD didn't get a scene together. /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31750317

The Comeback - Season 8 Episode 13 06/07/2024

The Comeback - Season 8 Episode 13 Elaine is desperate enough to be interested in her video store employee stalker, but gets a bitter dose of reality when she finds out he's a 15-year-old with aahhhhcne! JLD gets some really quality comedy in this episode, one of the best of the season! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31657062

The Money - Season 8 Episode 12 05/31/2024

The Money - Season 8 Episode 12 Elaine's reign as president of J. Peterman comes to an end after J. Peterman himself returns from Burma. Elaine is teed up for a couple highly comedic storylines; George resenting her financially "stickin' it" to him and losing her job as president, but instead we get buried under too many scenes involving Florida and a Cadillac. I also discuss some behind-the-scenes tea from Sarah Silverman! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31548512

The Little Jerry - Season 8 Episode 11 05/24/2024

The Little Jerry - Season 8 Episode 11 Elaine's shallow nature forces her dashing boyfriend to discover he's going bald after years of shaving his head. We are treated to an incredibly funny performance by veteran actor John Michael Higgins, who plays Elaine's balding beau. There are so many entertaining moments in this one, but as usual, I feel more time allotted to the Elaine plot would have elevated the episode that much more. /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31455607

The Andrea Doria - Season 8 Episode 10 05/17/2024

The Andrea Doria - Season 8 Episode 10 Elaine dates a guy who keeps getting attacked by ex-girlfriends due to the way he breaks up with them. Unfortunately her curiousity about his "stab-worthiness" leads her to getting insulted herself and it affects her more than she thought it would. The plot for Elaine is solid with potential for more comedy, however we are forced to watch Kramer turn into a dog. JLD deserved better! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31346922

The Abstinence - Season 8 Episode 9 05/10/2024

The Abstinence - Season 8 Episode 9 Elaine and George are affected in opposite ways when they abstain from having sex with their partners. JLD gets to play Dumb Elaine and it is a performance that delights me to no end. This episode is chock full of quality guest appearances, classic moments (Kramer's smoke-goblin face!!) and easily ranks in my top 10. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31230387

The Chicken Roaster - Season 8 Episode 8 05/04/2024

The Chicken Roaster - Season 8 Episode 8 Elaine is held accountable for charging personal luxuries on her J Peterman expense account. We get so many Benestanza scenes that deliver all the entertainment we seek from Elaine and George plots. This episode has some of the most memorable moments from the series and is definitely a highlight for this season. Follow the pod on social media: Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31121458

The Checks - Season 8 Episode 7 04/26/2024

The Checks - Season 8 Episode 7 Elaine's dashing and intense boyfriend keeps choosing the song "Desperado" over her. We also learn that Elaine has terrible taste in music. JLD has some decent moments, but most of the comedy comes from James Patrick Stuart who plays Desperado-obsessed Brett. It also isn't clear if Jerry kills Brett since the end is different depending on if you watch the episode on Netflix vs. the DVD. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/31004408

The Fatigues - Season 8 Episode 6 04/19/2024

The Fatigues - Season 8 Episode 6 Elaine doesn't display the best judgement when she keeps promoting a very scary mailroom employee. JLD gets to act with the brilliant Ned Bellamy and their chemistry makes this plot work beautifully. Also I got on a tangent about My So-Called Life. Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/30903623

The Package - Season 8 Episode 5 04/12/2024

The Package - Season 8 Episode 5 A bunch of jerk-face doctors deny Elaine medical care for a rash. This episode is a let down following The Little Kicks, but JLD does have some fun moments and quite a bit of screen time. Enjoy! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/30793573

The Little Kicks - Season 8 Episode 4 04/06/2024

The Little Kicks - Season 8 Episode 4 Elaine dances, it is the worst and the BEST. Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/30707463

The Bizarro Jerry - Season 8 Episode 3 03/29/2024

The Bizarro Jerry - Season 8 Episode 3 This is such a fun episode all around and especially for Elaine, who sees an out from her friendships with Jerry, George and Kramer. She thinks the Bizarro World is the better choice, however, she turns out to be too corrupt to fit in. JLD gets a lot of fun situations to play in this episode and the concept of Bizarro World is a blast to watch. Plus, a special treat thanks to my 10-year-old son's school project. Hint: Jillian's favorite president is super problematic! Follow the pod on the socials! Insta - @hotheavyelaine TikTok - @elainebenespodcast Email - [email protected] /episode/index/show/hotandheavytheelainebenespodcast/id/30592068

Hot & Heavy: The Elaine Benes Podcast

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