Comparing the two versions of Seinfeld's "Handicap Spot"

I finally saw the original version of the Seinfeld episode where John Randolph plays George's father Frank, instead of Jerry Stiller. I wanted to post a comparison for those who haven't seen the original version.

There are three scenes with Frank in each version.

Scene #1: Frank has just found out his car's been wrecked.

• "Eight years I had that car, not a scratch on it!" Randolph says this line in a tone like he's whining. Stiller delivers it very stern. Also as Randolph says it, he's putting something away in the cupboard. Still doesn't do this.
• Randolph pops Jason Alexander on the head, allegedly this was an ad-lib, and Jason expresses some surprise to this. He nearly falls backward into the kitchen door. In the Stiller version, when popped on the head, Jason hardly reacts to it. Thus, giving the (comedic) impression that he gets bopped on the head by his father quite frequently.
• One of Estelle's friends tells Frank, "The important thing is he wasn't killed!" Randolph yells the line, "No it isn't!" Stiller, amazingly enough says the line in a more deadpan tone.
• "Frank! Maybe you should make him your butler!" Randolph reacts to this with a look as though he's considering it. In the Stiller version we don't see this.

Scene #2: Frank is getting his award.

• Randolph is sitting down on the couch with Estelle. Stiller however is standing up.
• When the cops arrest Frank, Randolph goes willingly, but mutters to himself, "George! George!" Stiller struggles with the cops a bit, and yells back at Estelle, "George! George!"

Scene #3:

• "I don't think you did a good job on these shoes. You're supposed to see your face in there. Do you see your face in there?" Randolph says that whole line sitting down, very calmly, and he holds the shoes up to Jason. Stiller, gets up and, "DO YOU SEE YOUR FACE IN THERE?!!" Complete with shoving one of the shoes in Jason's face.
• When on the phone, Randolph just sort of goes through the lines, while Stiller expresses some concern over the woman who had an accident with the wheelchair with defective brakes. Stiller even makes a cringed expression while on the phone.
• "AND DE-LI-VER IT TO HER!!!!!" Obviously this is something Stiller does, but not Randolph. Again, Randolph just sort of goes through the dialogue.
• "You think you can handle that?" Randolph says this in a very fatherly tone. Stiller of course doesn't. Jason's reaction to the line is different in both versions too. In the randolph one Jason does a shrug as if having George say, 'oh, suuuuure'. In the Stiller one, he just sort of stands there.

Which version is funnier? Well, Jerry Stiller is obviously more fit for the role. But, I think some of the yelling parts he does in this particular episode don't really fit. They sound forced. Most likely because Frank's dialogue was originally written for someone more laid-back. The only part that sounds natural is the "DE-LI-VER IT TO HER" part.

Also Stiller looks like he could be Jason's father. Randolph looked a little too old for the part, like maybe he was George's grandfather.

I'd say the Stiller version is better. Not so much because it gels more with continuity, just because Stiller is funnier. Still it's nice to have a copy of the Randolph version for completists sake.

Which version do you guys prefer?

edited 29th Apr '11 1:16:31 PM by Brandon

I'm not sure which one I like better. The way this episode was originally written and portrayed, I think they intended for Frank Costanza to be a more noble character. As they developed him, his getting an award (and running something for a charity) seems a little out of character. So inserting the Stiller mannerisms takes away from the plot of this episode while making it more consistent with the series.