Summary
Julia Louis-Dreyfusoffers up her response toJerry Seinfeld’s recent comments on the state of modern comedy. Louis-Dreyfus is one of the most renowned comedians of her generation, getting her start onSaturday Night Livein the ‘80s. Seinfeld is also a venerated comic, known for hisshowSeinfeldamong other roles.Louis-Dreyfus played the character of Elaine Benes onSeinfeld, further rising to fame through the series.
Seinfeld Cast & Character Guide
Seinfeld’s cast is full of talented actors, like Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who give life to some of the most hilarious ’90s characters.
Speaking withThe New York Times, Louis-Dreyfus responds to recent comments that Seinfeld made about political correctness in comedy. Contrasting with Seinfeld’s recent statement,the actor argued that having “an antenna about sensitivities” does not “mean that all comedy goes out the window as a result.”She says that it is a “red flag” when some people “complain about political correctness.” Check out the full quote from Louis-Dreyfus below:
If you look back on comedy and drama both, let’s say 30 years ago, through the lens of today, you might find bits and pieces that don’t age well. And I think to have an antenna about sensitivities is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean that all comedy goes out the window as a result. When I hear people starting to complain about political correctness — and I understand why people might push back on it — but to me that’s a red flag, because it sometimes means something else. I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don’t know how else to say it.
[…]
My feeling about all of it is that political correctness, insofar as it equates to tolerance, is obviously fantastic. And of course I reserve the right to boo anyone who says anything that offends me, while also respecting their right to free speech, right? But the bigger problem — and I think the true threat to art and the creation of art — is the consolidation of money and power. All this siloing of studios and outlets and streamers and distributors — I don’t think it’s good for the creative voice. So that’s what I want to say in terms of the threat to art.
Jerry Seinfeld’s Comments Explained (And Why They’re Problematic)
Comedy Seems To Be Changing For The Better
Louis-Dreyfus’ statement comes after recent commentary from Seinfeld condemning political correctness in comedy. He said that there are no longer as many comedies airing on TV due to “the extreme left and PC crap, and people worrying so much about offending other people,” thus citing political correctness as the downfall of comedy.He argued that much of the content that he put onSeinfeldwould not fly today, and would make it such that he could not air what are regarded as some of the show’s best episodes.
In response to Seinfeld’s comments, numerous people fired back with counter-examples of programs that make potentially offensive jokes, includingLouis-Dreyfus’ showVeep. TheNew York Timesinterviewer pointed this out to Louis-Dreyfus, noting thatVeepis a political satire produced in the modern era. Louis-Dreyfus comes down firmly on the sidethat “political correctness” as a form of “tolerance” is something that should be widely acceptedand celebrated. Even though her show contains political themes, the actor firmly believes that political correctness is not a societal detriment.
Seinfeld’s comments, asLouis-Dreyfusgracefully implies, are short-sighted and ignore the fact that part of being so-called politically correct is disrupting the power structures that have been relied upon to shut down certain voices.For years, the male-dominated field of comedy has been allowed to make jokes that are highly racist, sexist,or otherwise bigoted in nature. With more accountability for such comments now, this bigotry is no longer normalized in the way it used to be.
Seinfeld
Cast
Seinfeld is a television sitcom that follows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends, George, Elaine, and Kramer, as they navigate everyday life in New York City during the 1990s. Premiering in 1989, the series humorously explores the mundane and often trivial aspects of social interactions.
