"The Sponge" is the 119th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. It not only introduced us to four of the zaniest characters ever written (hello Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer!) Seinfeld: Sponge Worthy (Clip) | TBS I did a practice run to see if I could do it properly. It aired on December 7, 1995. Now that Allendale owns the equipment and rights, the company hopes to make the sponge widely available once again. sponge worthy – (related terms: The Today Sponge) 1.Elaine’s description to determine if a man is worth using a contraceptive sponge for intimate relations 2. due to her birth control method, The Today Sponge, being taken off the market.3. (WebMD) -- After a four-year lapse, that little, round, pink piece of foam that gained national attention on the sitcom "Seinfeld" is scheduled for a comeback. For starters, women who are sensitive to nonoxynol-9 can't use it. A 1995 Seinfeld episode, "The Sponge", revolved around Elaine's attempts to procure her favorite form of birth control, the discontinued Today sponge, and her rationing them based on whether a potential partner was "sponge-worthy". Sponge-worthy Sure, Elaine might like a guy enough to jump in the hay without thinking twice, but when the Today Sponge went off the market and … According to Dr. David Archer, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, the sponge's effectiveness is due primarily to the nonoxynol-9. Just in case, Armstrong asked him, and lets us know. In this episode, George and Elaine face sexual crises when the Today sponge is taken off the market, while Kramer participates in an AIDS walk and Jerry dates a tireless do-gooder whose phone number he got from the list of Kramer's sponsors. Kramer also mentions the female contraceptive sponge is being taken off the market. NBC. Roughly 250 million of the sponges were sold from 1983 to 1995, and women favored it … A ribbon-like loop aids in removing the device -- this might be trying to some users. In this episode, George and Elaine face sexual crises when the Today brand of contraceptive sponges is taken off the market, while Kramer participates in an AIDS walk and Jerry dates a tireless do-gooder whose phone number he got from the list of Kramer's sponsors. George then tells Susan against Jerry's wishes, resolving their argument. The Today sponge. Measuring 1.75 inches in diameter and .50 inches in thickness, the sponge is coated with sperm-killing nonoxynol-9 and has a dimple in the middle that fits over the cervix. In these cases, nonoxynol-9 can irritate the tissue, which leads to an increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The launch is at least the fifth in the history of … When she finally does find a store that has some left, she decides to buy the whole case that they still have in stock. However, it needs to be moistened with water before it is used. Despite Jerry's warnings, Kramer stays up all the night before playing poker. He still manages to stumble across the finishing line before collapsing; Jerry, however, assumes this was because of his staying up all night and walks away in scorn. sponge-worthy In 1995, pharmaceutical company Wyeth ceased production of the Today Sponge, and later that year Elaine bemoans the loss in the episode "The Sponge." Though their first sexual encounter leaves her with no regrets, she denies him morning-after sex, unwilling to spare two sponges. [4][5], "The Writers: Peter Mehlman: The Genesis of a Seinfeld Episode", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Sponge&oldid=989554879, Short description is different from Wikidata, Television episode articles with short description for single episodes, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 November 2020, at 17:42. It aired on December 7, 1995. This was the ninth episode for the seventh season. The Today sponge contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9, which may contain certain risks for those using the sponge multiple times a day, or for those at risk for HIV. Jerry boasts that he has been wearing size 31 pants since college. A show about something: That time Yankees great Joe DiMaggio almost went on ‘Seinfeld’ Updated Jan 08, 2021; Posted Jan 08, 2021 Joe DiMaggio won nine World Series titles in … June 6, 1999 Hi, it's Jerry Seinfeld. but it’s also responsible for some of the most notable quotes that we still use today, like “sponge-worthy,” “yada yada yada” or “no soup for you!” Aside from spermicides and the female condom, the sponge is the only nonprescription alternative for women. Your vaginal muscles hold it in place. It was discontinued when the original manufacturers, American Home Products, decided not to spend the hefty amount needed to bring its factory equipment up to Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standards. So when I saw the Seinfeld episode I wondered if they ever brought back the sponge and I could start using it. The new sponge will be exactly the same as the original with a few utilitarian improvements, such as clearer instructions and a toll-free number to call for answers to questions. While some believe that the device also functions as a barrier, keeping the sperm from entering the cervix, Archer says studies to support that assumption have not been performed. Kramer finds participating in an AIDS walk to be quite a rough experience. "I knew it was going to be well-received because of focus groups we did, but this has surpassed my greatest expectations," he observes. [1] His initial plan was to dovetail Elaine's hoarding of the Today sponge with Kramer and Newman trying to run a stock market scam, George and a girl agreeing to date for a week and then break up by mutual consent, and Jerry trying to conceal from Lena the fact that he got her number from an AIDS walk list. As with most contraceptives, there are drawbacks to the sponge. Mayer Laboratories announced it will relaunch the Today Sponge, the contraceptive made famous by a Seinfeld episode. Today's grievance is all about sponge-worthiness. No, no...no way. It is a proven contraceptive with over 250 million sponges sold and is available over-the-counter at major retailers and online Available over the counter at Elaine, excited by how things are going with her boyfriend, Billy, says she is going shopping for contraceptive sponges. Anyway, I found the Today sponge at CVS and bought a box. This was the ninth episode for the seventh season. The sponge was not pulled from the marketplace because of lack of safety or efficacy, as some rumors had suggested. Determined that her 60 sponges must last the rest of her life, Elaine refuses to give one to George so that he can have makeup sex with Susan and puts Billy through a rigorous examination to make sure he is "sponge-worthy". her screening process consists of thorough and specific questions to determine if she should use one of her limited supply (one case) of sponges. KRAMER: But wasn't that taken off the market? Does anyone really care what color car the longtime “Seinfeld” writer Peter Mehlman happened to be driving in 1995, on the day he heard on the radio that the Today Sponge was being discontinued, inspiring a beloved episode? In addition, the device's insertion can be tricky, and proper insertion is key to its effectiveness. My decision to seek out the sponge as my new preferred contraceptive was entirely based on pop culture references. The discontinuation of the Today Sponge is also a factor for George and Jerry. The contraceptive sponge is a type of birth control (contraceptive) that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. So when I saw the Seinfeld episode I wondered if they ever brought back the sponge and I could start using it. I did a practice run to see if I could do it properly. In fact, the FDA never revoked its approval. The sponge gained pop culture status when the TV … Jerry takes down the numbe… At the AIDS walk, he refuses to wear an AIDS ribbon. And this time it is repackaged for a younger generation who may not remember the Today Sponge or the 1995 episode of “Seinfeld… Mehlman had in fact once obtained a woman's unlisted number from an AIDS walk list. Failure rate for the male condom is 12 percent, while that for spermicides is about 21 percent. Unless a woman is sure her partner is disease-free, condoms should be used in combination with the sponge. After visiting multiple stores which are out of stock, she purchases 60 sponges at Pasteur Pharmacy. Peter Mehlman was inspired to write this episode when he heard that the extremely popular Today sponge was being taken off the market. The sponge is particularly helpful for women who can't take hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, or those who are sensitive to latex. "The Sponge" is the 119th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Their trials and tribulations of life on New York City's Upper West Side can center on lost parking spots, forgotten names, re … When Kramer is exhausted just from walking up the stairs to his apartment, Jerry fears he is too out-of-shape to do the AIDS walk. "Ribbon bullies", led by Bob and Cedric, beat Kramer nearly senseless. Sure, the interaction between the main characters is foremost, but the periphery details are just as important to the central storylines. “Sponge-worthy” The fact that Luke from Gilmore Girls is the one trying to prove himself to be “sponge-worthy” makes this clip even better. When the apparatus became scarce and, ultimately unavailable, many sponge devotees were outraged. The contraceptive sponge contains spermicide, which blocks or kills sperm.Before having sex, you insert the sponge deep inside the vagina so that it covers the cervix. It aired on December 7, 1995. "Seinfeld" The Sponge (TV Episode 1995) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Legend has it that they were driven to hoard the devices as Jerry Seinfeld's pal Elaine did on the TV show. This was later revisited in the series finale when the pharmacist testifies against Elaine for buying a case of sponges. He's received an outpouring of e-mail messages from women who can't wait to get their hands on the sponges. The soft, concave Today Sponge prevents pregnancy by covering the cervix and releasing spermicide. Options, particularly over-the-counter ones, are few. Everybody loves the sponge. "When it comes to sexual health, options are a good thing," says Sandor Gardos, Ph.D., a San Francisco-based sexologist. Firmly unwilling to change birth control methods, Elaine goes on a hunt for the sponges. At Monk's Café, Kramer asks Jerry and Elaine to sponsor him for an AIDS walk. The contraceptive sponge has a strap on one side for easier re… New scene - Jerry on the phone in his apartment. The contraceptive sponge has bounced back yet again. George tells his fiancée Susan that Jerry actually wears size 32 and modifies the tag to a 31; this initiates a fight about sharing other people's secrets. The Today Sponge. When Lena tells him she doesn't mind him taking her number from the AIDS walk list, he gets turned off from her being "too good". "I've been astounded by the reception," says Gene Detroyer, Allendale's chief executive officer, concerning women's reactions to the possible reintroduction. The Today sponge, discontinued in 1995, may be back on shelves this fall, thanks to Allendale Pharmaceuticals of Allendale, New Jersey. The Today Sponge is a safe, hormone-free birth control alternative for couples that provides 24hr protection. Today Sponge provides effective birth control without "pill" side effects. Kramer informs her the sponge was taken off the market. "The Sponge" is the 119th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. When the … In fact, Elaine weighed the "sponge-worthiness" of potential lovers to determine whether sleeping with them was worth giving up one of her coveted sponges. When the apparatus became scarce … Commercial break. The sponge, unlike the pill, the most popular prescription method, it has few side effects and can be used at a moment's notice. Jerry takes down the number and calls Lena. Web posted at: 4:31 p.m. EDT (2031 GMT). Because a doctor's visit is not required to procure the sponge, women do not have the opportunity to be shown proper use by a medical professional. After Elaine hears that her preferred form of birth control, The Today Sponge, is going off the market, Elaine conducts a hard target search of the city, within a 25 block radius, to find as many sponges as she can. [3], A paper by Avinash Dixit used this episode to explore an option value problem in determining the "spongeworthiness" of potential partners. "I think the sponge will also have a utilization for women who wish to use a barrier and prefer one that is disposable and discreet," says Archer. This passes along the phone tree until it reaches Lena. The product had several setbacks while marketed, including a link to toxic shock syndrome. The sponge? JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS (ELAINE BENES) It’s a shame about Julia Louis-Dreyfus, isn’t it? In 1998 Allendale Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to the Today sponge, and it was once again available. – The Today Sponge contraceptive is back on the market, eight years after it disappeared from U.S. drugstore shelves in an alarming turn famously depicted on a Seinfeld episode. JERRY: Hello, Lena? Once the most popular female-controlled, over-the-counter form of birth control, the sponge was used by 6.4 million women between 1983 and 1995. Seinfeld is one of the most definitive sitcoms of all-time. Kramer passes both of them an AIDS Walk sheet for them to sign. In this episode, George and Elaine face sexual crises when the Today brand of contraceptive sponges is taken off the market, while Kramer participates in an AIDS walk and Jerry dates a tireless do-gooder whose phone number he got from the list of Kramer's sponsors. The Today sponge "was manufactured until 1995, when FDA imposed new manufacturing standards." Anyway, I found the Today sponge at CVS and bought a box. Another drawback is that the sponge offers little or no protection from sexually transmitted diseases. It is soft and disk-shaped, and made of polyurethane foam. My decision to seek out the sponge as my new preferred contraceptive was entirely based on pop culture references. Just give me the case. [2] The idea of Jerry modifying the waist size on the tag of his pants was contributed by Jerry Seinfeld himself. With George and Susan suffering increasing sexual frustration for lack of the sponge, she convinces him to use a condom, but by the time they get the wrapper open his erection has passed. Jerry tells George he is "out of the loop" because he told Susan. This was the ninth episode for the seventh season. At Lena's, Jerry finds half her closet space is occupied by contraceptive sponges and realizes that "she is depraved." ", Journal of the American Medical Association Contraception Information Center, Fewer infections for back-sleeping babies. However, he is compelled to tell her his secret about his pant size and she dumps him. #12DaysOfFestivus #Festivus ELAINE: Off the market? The Today Sponge contraceptive, memorialized in an episode of the "Seinfeld" sitcom when it was pulled from the market in 1995, could return … What makes Seinfeld such a classic series is the sheer number of hilarious things found in each episode. Go figure. Jerry and his pals George, Elaine and Kramer can find trouble anywhere. [2] The AIDS walk scene was filmed on the Central Park set of the CBS Radford lot. Go figure. Tune in tonight to see the episode! According to Susan Tew, spokeswoman for the Alan Guttmacher Institute, which tracks the effectiveness of birth control methods, the sponge's failure rate hovers around 20 percent largely because of incorrect use. [1] These additional plot threads were either drastically reworked or completely replaced. KRAMER: I read it in Wall Street Week...Louis, uh, Rukeyser. Jerry, Elaine, and Kramer are at Monk's Cafe and they mention that Jerry still wears a size 31 pair of jeans. "In combination with a condom, it's a great sort of one-two punch," says Gardos, "and a great back-up method if a condom breaks. After an absence of more than 10 years, the Today Sponge contraceptive has been cleared for return to the U.S. market. The Today sponge, discontinued in 1995, may be back on shelves this fall, thanks to Allendale Pharmaceuticals of Allendale, New Jersey. The sponge provides women with another choice in birth control. While reading the list of signatures Jerry sees a girl's name (Lena, played by Jennifer Guthrie) whom he once met, but doesn't know her unlisted number. The way she … On the list of sponsors Jerry sees Lena Small, whom he wanted to call for a date, but her number is unlisted. The Today sponge, discontinued in 1995, may be back on shelves this fall, thanks to Allendale Pharmaceuticals of Allendale, New Jersey. 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