Julia Louis-Dreyfus recently countered Jerry Seinfeld’s assertion that political correctness, driven by the extreme left, is harming comedy. In an interview, Louis-Dreyfus argued that political correctness can be beneficial, expressing concern that complaints about it often signal deeper issues.
The Emmy-winning actress, known for her roles in “The New Adventures Of Old Christine” and “Veep,” emphasized the value of being sensitive to contemporary norms. She acknowledged understanding why some might push back against political correctness but viewed it as a positive force.
Seinfeld had lamented the decline of comedies on television, attributing it to excessive concern over offending audiences. He reminisced about a time when shows like “Cheers,” “MAS*H,” and “Mary Tyler Moore” were staples of nightly TV. Seinfeld believes that fear of offending people, driven by political correctness, has stifled comedy.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Not-So-Subtly Takes Aim At Jerry Seinfeld’s “PC Crap” Comments: “Being Aware… Is Not A Bad Thing”: Seinfeld recently complained about the state of comedy television, saying it’s “the result of the extreme left.” https://t.co/TePk9Sv7gz pic.twitter.com/IMIuhteEPi
— Binturong (@NWMNBint) June 10, 2024
In contrast, Louis-Dreyfus champions political correctness when it promotes tolerance. She asserts her right to critique offensive speech while respecting free speech. The actress recognizes that certain past comedies and dramas don’t hold up under modern scrutiny, but she sees this awareness as necessary for evolving cultural norms.
When directly addressing Seinfeld’s comments, Louis-Dreyfus highlighted the evolution of comedy. She noted that material from 30 years ago might not resonate today due to shifting sensitivities. She believes this awareness doesn’t negate the essence of comedy but rather ensures its relevance.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Jerry Seinfeld Saying Political Correctness Is Killing Comedy Is a ‘Red Flag’. Screw her. https://t.co/UMDOMa68dy
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Seinfeld had suggested that the jokes from their iconic show, “Seinfeld,” wouldn’t be acceptable today due to political correctness. Louis-Dreyfus agreed to some extent but attributed it more to the show’s uniqueness rather than its content. She pointed out that “Seinfeld” stood out in its time for its unconventional focus on a group of friends seen as “losers.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus explained on TODAY that she started her podcast, "Wiser Than Me," because "we don't really hear from older women" but their experiences and wisdom are a "huge resource that is left untapped."
📸: Nathan Congleton/TODAY pic.twitter.com/s7mRowvHDP
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 10, 2024
Louis-Dreyfus emphasized the importance of adapting to changing cultural norms, citing how even acclaimed films and shows from the past might contain outdated beliefs and attitudes. She acknowledged that “Seinfeld” might not be produced today, not just due to political correctness but also because of the challenges in getting unique content recognized.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus disagrees with her former costar Jerry Seinfeld on comedy turning too politically correct — saying that stance usually set off alarm bells for her.
Read more https://t.co/yqNHMy13CE pic.twitter.com/vCmTPkvoZA
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 10, 2024
Addressing Seinfeld’s concern about creativity being stifled, Louis-Dreyfus pointed to the consolidation of money and power in the entertainment industry as the real threat. She criticized the concentration of studios, streamers, and distributors, arguing that it limits creative voices.
While Seinfeld sees political correctness as a barrier to comedy, Louis-Dreyfus views it as a tool for promoting tolerance and adapting to societal changes. She believes that the true threat to artistic creativity lies in the industry’s financial and power structures. I’m siding with Seinfeld of course, as we know the evils of the PC crowd and their move toward dictatorship. In my opinion, it is a shame she cannot see the truth before her eyes.
Key Points:
i. Julia Louis-Dreyfus disagrees with Jerry Seinfeld’s view that political correctness is harming comedy, seeing it as a force for promoting tolerance and evolving cultural norms.
ii. Seinfeld believes that excessive concern over offending audiences, driven by political correctness, has led to fewer comedies on television.
iii. Louis-Dreyfus acknowledges that some past comedies and dramas may not resonate today due to changing sensitivities but argues this awareness is beneficial.
iv. She believes “Seinfeld” might not be produced today due to its unique nature and challenges in getting unique content recognized, rather than just political correctness.
v. Louis-Dreyfus identifies the consolidation of money and power in the entertainment industry as the real threat to artistic creativity, limiting diverse creative voices.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
