Seinfeld: 10 Worst Things George Costanza Has Ever Done
8. Attempted Adultery
In the brilliant two-parter “The Cadillac”, George learns that one of Elaine’s friends is good pals with actress Marisa Tomei. He hits the roof when he discovers that he possesses all the attributes (bald, quirky, funny, stocky) she looks for in a partner. In spite of his ongoing engagement to Susan, he conspires to meet with Tomei, feeling he can’t let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
It’s never entirely clear how far he intends on going, but he certainly takes measures to ensure that Susan is left in the dark as he sneaks around town. He concocts a needlessly detailed alibi with Elaine, which of course is his ultimate undoing. He comes clean to Marisa, earning him a punch in the face, and he gets the same from Susan as his lie finally unravels.
It’s a real What Could Have Been for George, as Tomei seems genuinely interested in him, and he in her (amusingly he seems primarily interested in dating an Oscar winner, rather than Marisa Tomei in particular). He stops short of genuine adultery, but gets what’s coming to him all the same.