The script's gun content was deemed too provocative and, in little time, Seinfeld and David wrote "The Phone Message" to fill the production void. Though the episode was met with positive critical responses, its initial broadcast on February 13, 1991, was watched by an underwhelming audience of 13 million viewers, causing NBC to put the show on a two-month hiatus.
Due to the script's provocative gun content, Seinfeld and David produced "The Phone Message" quickly. Despite positive critical responses, the episode was watched by only 13 million people on its initial broadcast date of February 13, 1991, leading NBC to put the show on a two-month hiatus.