In a surprising turnaround, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld is walking back his previous criticisms of political correctness and its impact on the comedy landscape. The iconic “Seinfeld” star is now officially retracting his claims that the “extreme left” is suppressing the art of comedy.
During a recent appearance on the “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa” podcast, Seinfeld shifted his perspective, addressing the controversial comments he made earlier this year in an interview with The New Yorker.
“I was interviewed by The New Yorker, and I said that the extreme left has suppressed the art of comedy,” Seinfeld admitted to host Tom Papa. “I did say that. That’s not true. It’s not true.”
The 70-year-old comedian went on to explicitly state that he no longer believes the extreme left has done anything to inhibit the art of comedy. “I’m taking that back now, officially. They have not,” he said.
Seinfeld’s about-face is a stark contrast to the stance he took just a few months ago, when he lamented the loss of “dominant masculinity” in comedy and blamed the “extreme left and PC crap” for the lack of television comedies like “Cheers” and “MAS*H.”
“This is the result of the extreme left, P.C. crap, and people worrying so much about offending other people,” Seinfeld told The New Yorker in April.
But in the latest podcast episode, the comedian acknowledged that his previous comments were misguided. “I don’t think the extreme left has done anything to inhibit the art of comedy. I’m taking that back now, officially. They have not,” he stated.
Seinfeld went on to explain his perspective, using a skiing analogy to describe the role of comedians in adapting to cultural shifts.
“If you’re Lindsey Vonn, if you’re a champion skier, you can put the gates anywhere you want on the mountain—she’s going to make the gate. That’s comedy,” Seinfeld said. “Whatever the culture is, we make the gate. You don’t make the gate; you’re out of the game. The game is, ‘Where is the gate? How do I make it and get down the hill the way I want to?'”
The comedian acknowledged that cultural changes can mean certain words or topics become off-limits, but he argued that the “accuracy of your observation” is more important than simply being able to say anything.
“Does culture change? Are there things I used to say that I can’t say now? Yeah. But that’s the biggest, easiest target, you know—you can’t say certain words, whatever they are, versus about groups, so what?” Seinfeld said.
In addition to retracting his claims about the “extreme left,” Seinfeld also sought to clear up another misconception—that he doesn’t perform on college campuses because students are too politically correct.
“Not true… I never said it… I regularly participate in college sports,” Seinfeld clarified. Seinfeld stated, “I have no problem with kids performing for them.”
The reversal in Seinfeld’s stance is a reminder that even seasoned comedians can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to cultural commentary. By acknowledging his mistakes and taking responsibility for his previous statements, Seinfeld has shown a willingness to evolve and adapt—qualities that he himself says are essential for any successful comedian.
“Comedy is hard. Big, giant period… You want to make a fabulous living making people giggle? That sure sounds great—it’s going to take a lot,” Seinfeld said.
As the entertainment industry continues to grapple with the complexities of navigating changing societal norms, Seinfeld’s humility and openness to re-evaluating his position may serve as a model for others in the comedy world. By focusing on the craft of making people laugh rather than lamenting the perceived constraints of political correctness, Seinfeld has demonstrated a more nuanced understanding of the role of the comedian in the modern era.