Seinfeld Declassified Episode 32: Was Bob really faking it?

What’s up, guys? Welcome back. So I was all ready to move onto the next episode when I realized we still have another mystery on our hands. So let’s delve right in here, shall we? While the k man was trying to live the equivalent of 100 years, Elaine was dealing with a coworker who she suspected was faking his hearing impairment. Unfortunately, the episode ends before we get a definitive answer but that’s why the world’s greatest detective is on the case. So was he really faking it the whole time?

Well, I scoured the footage & here’s what I found. At the very beginning of this subplot, Mr. Peterman issues a hearty hail and well met fellow to the newest member of their staff (whatever that’s supposed to mean) & he actually responds to this statement. & then when she asks bob to help with the boxes, if you look closely, you’ll notice he actually does react to what she said if not for more than a brief second.

All this is to say that, yes, the evidence seems to indicate he was in fact faking it. To clarify, I don’t think he was lying about having a hearing impairment but he definitely made it appear more severe than it actually was just to get out of doing things he didn’t want to. & according to the historians, it is based on a true story. It seems one of the writers knew a kid in high school who wore a hearing aid & used it to get out of answering questions he didn’t want to. How he knew he was faking it, I’m not sure but you could ask him. Incidentally enough, they originally tried to cast Rob as Ramon the pool guy just ten episodes prior. So naturally when the part of Bob came along, Schneider was his first choice for the role.

But there was actually an ending scene cut out wherein Bob kvetches about the date, causing Mr. Peterman to send him on a business trip to Italy originally intended for Elaine. However, it seems they had no intention of revealing to the audience whether he was faking it or not but that’s why you have me. So that’s about all I have for you guys today but thank you so much for reading. Have a great week, & I will see you back here soon for a brand new episode of SD. Until then, then is the x factor signing off.