Julia Louis-Dreyfus calls Jerry Seinfeld’s comments about comedy turning too politically correct due to extreme left ‘a red flag’ warning: ‘It sometimes means something else’
Julia Louis-Dreyfus takes issue with Jerry Seinfeld’s recent complaint about how politically correct comedy has become in recent years, compliments of the far left.
During an interview with the New York Times, the actress pushed back against her former Seinfeld co-star’s belief that “far left and PC c**p” are ruining television comedy, adding that political correctness can actually be “fantastic.”
“When I hear people start complaining about political correctness — and I understand why people push back on it — but to me that’s a red flag because sometimes it means something different,” Louis-Dreyfus, 63, told the publication. ‘I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be aware of certain sensitivities. I don’t know how else to say it.’
Louis-Dreyfus knows a thing or two about comedy TV, as she has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series seven times: once for The New Adventures Of Old Christine (2006-2010) and six more times as Selina Meyer in Veep (2012-2019).
Additionally, she won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for Seinfeld (1989-1998) during her nine-season run on the legendary sitcom starring Jerry Seinfeld.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus disagrees with Jerry Seinfeld’s comments about comedy becoming too politically correct on television, which he blamed on “the far left and PC nonsense” during an interview with The New Yorker in late April
Seinfeld spoke out in an interview about the lack of comedies on television because people worry so much about offending other people. The New Yorker end of April.
“It used to be that you would go home at the end of the day and most people would say, ‘Oh, Cheers is on. Oh, M*A*S*H is on. Oh, Mary Tyler Moore is on. in the Family is on.” You just expected that there would be funny things that we could see on TV tonight,” he told the publication. “Well, guess what: where is it? This is the result of the far left and PC c**p, and from people who worry so much about offending other people.’
Although the comedian’s stance on this touchy subject has now earned him a certain number of supporters among far-right influencers, according MSN.comLouis-Dreyfus disagrees with his position.
“My feeling about all this is that political correctness, as far as tolerance goes, is obviously fantastic,” the acclaimed actress said. “And of course, I reserve the right to call out anyone who says something that offends me, while also respecting their right to free speech, right?”
The New York City native admits that certain comedies and dramas of yesteryear simply don’t work anymore under modern scrutiny, but his awareness of changing cultural norms should be acknowledged.
When Louis-Dreyfus was asked directly about Seinfeld’s comments on political correctness, he emphasized how comedy has evolved over the decades.
“If you look back at both comedy and drama, let’s say 30 years ago, through the lens of today, you might find bits and pieces that don’t age well,” said the TV veteran of more than 40 years of experience. “And I think having an antenna for sensitivities isn’t a bad thing.”
The former Saturday Night Live cast member added, “It doesn’t mean that all comedy goes out the window.”
“When I hear people start complaining about political correctness — and I understand why people push back on it — but to me that’s a red flag because sometimes it means something different,” Louis-Dreyfus, 63, told The New York Times . ‘I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be aware of certain sensitivities. I don’t know how else to say it’
“It used to be that you would go home at the end of the day and most people would say, ‘Oh, Cheers is on. Oh, M*A*S*H is on. Oh, Mary Tyler Moore is on. in the Family is on.” You just expected there to be funny things that we could see on TV tonight,” Seinfeld told The New Yorker. “Well, guess what: Where is it? This is the result of the extreme -left-wing and PC nonsense, and people who worry so much about offending other people’
During his interview with The New Yorker, Seinfeld revealed that he thought the cast of Seinfeld would not have been able to make the same jokes now as they did in the 1980s and 1990s due to political correctness.
While Louis-Dreyfus agreed with the premise of the iconic stand-up comedian’s statement, she cited her reasoning for being more focused on the sitcom being “too unique,” rather than it not being PC would be enough for that time.
She further admitted that it is “good to be vigilant” and keep up with the changing times and culture, citing that even some great films and television shows from the past may contain beliefs and attitudes that “wouldn’t be acceptable today are’.
“Probably not,” were her exact words when she initially asked if Seinfeld could be made today. “I mean, what the hell else is happening on network television?”
Louis-Dreyfus won the Primetime Emmy Award six times for her role as Selina Meyer in Veep (2012-2019) and once for The New Adventures Of Old Christine (2006-2010); while she also won once for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for Seinfeld (1989-1998)
When it comes to Seinfeld’s comment about creativity being stunted due to PC culture, Louis-Dreyfus thinks the problem stems from those with the real power and money choosing which shows get the green light; the duo is pictured in September 2013
A fictionalized version of himself, the wildly popular sitcom focused on Jerry’s personal life with his three best friends: Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander.
“When Seinfeld was made, it was very different from anything on the market at the time,” she continued. “It was just a bunch of losers hanging out. So I would say one of the main reasons why it wouldn’t get made now is because it’s hard to get anything else recognized. Especially nowadays, everyone is a bit scared.’
When it comes to Seinfeld’s comment about creativity being stunted due to PC culture, Louis-Dreyfus thinks the problem stems from those with the real power and money choosing which shows get the green light.
“But the bigger problem – and I think the real threat to art and the creation of art – is the consolidation of money and power,” she said. “All this locking down of studios, outlets, streamers and distributors – I don’t think it’s good for the creative voice,” the mother of two said. “So that’s what I’m saying in terms of the threat to art.”
