The episode is a direct reference to the 1994 Winter Olympics controversy:
" The Understudy ," the Season 6 finale of Seinfeld (originally aired May 18, 1995), is best known for its star guest appearance by and its heavy satire of the then-recent Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal. Plot Overview "Seinfeld" The Understudy(1995)
: After being kicked out of the nail salon, a despondent Elaine wanders the streets in the rain and encounters J. Peterman , who hires her on the spot for his catalog. The Tonya Harding Parody The episode is a direct reference to the
: An ardent fan, Kramer becomes Midler’s personal assistant during her recovery, catering to her demands for pineapple Italian ice and black-and-white cookies. Rochelle: The Musical .
: Plays herself as the star of Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical .