Jerry Seinfeld, the iconic comedian known for his self-titled sitcom “Seinfeld,” has voiced strong opinions about the current state of television comedy in an interview with The New Yorker. He attributes the decline in TV comedy to the “extreme left” and pervasive “P.C. crap” that, according to him, stifles comedic expression and prevents shows from engaging in the kind of humor that was commonplace during the peak of his show in the ’90s.
In a recent interview while promoting his directorial debut “Unfrosted,” Jerry Seinfeld discussed the challenges that television comedy faces today. Seinfeld, whose comedy series was a staple on NBC from 1989 to 1998, lamented the loss of what he described as a golden era of TV comedy where shows like “Cheers,” “MASH,” and “All in the Family” dominated viewers’ evening routines.
Seinfeld expressed concern over the intense scrutiny and the fear of offending that he believes are killing the comedic genre in television. “Nothing really affects comedy. People always need it. They need it so badly and they don’t get it,” Seinfeld explained, suggesting that while comedy remains a fundamental need, the platforms delivering it are changing due to external pressures.
The comedian pointed out that unlike the past, when scripts could push boundaries more freely, today’s comedy is often subjected to extensive vetting by multiple layers of production and oversight, diluting the comedic impact. “When you write a script and it goes into four or five different hands, committees, groups—’Here’s our thought about this joke.’ Well, that’s the end of your comedy,” he stated.
Illustrating his point, Seinfeld referenced an episode from “Seinfeld” where a character, Kramer, starts a business using homeless people to pull rickshaws. He questioned whether such an episode could survive today’s stringent standards. According to him, comedy needs to be agile, adapting to cultural shifts without losing its essence.
He also highlighted that stand-up comedy remains one of the last bastions where comedians can still push boundaries without immediate censorship. This freedom, he argues, comes from being directly accountable to the audience rather than network executives or advertisers.
Jerry Seinfeld’s comments come amidst a broader conversation in Hollywood about the impact of political correctness on creative expression. This debate is particularly poignant in the realm of comedy, a genre historically known for its edge and ability to challenge societal norms.
Seinfeld has been vocal about his views on the entertainment industry, even declaring “the movie business is over” in a separate interview with GQ magazine. He pointed out the diminished cultural impact of films compared to past decades, attributing it to an oversaturation of content and a shift in audience engagement.
As “Unfrosted” prepares to debut on Netflix on May 3, Seinfeld continues to engage with media, sharing his insights and perhaps, stirring the pot in the ongoing debate about the evolution of humor and its place in society today.
This reflection on the state of television comedy by one of its most celebrated figures underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, where the balance between creative freedom and social responsibility continues to be a hotly debated topic.
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