Noted comedian Jerry Seinfeld has retracted his previous statements about the influence of political correctness and the “extreme left” on the comedy industry. His original comments were made during an April 2024 interview, but he recently clarified on “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa” that he no longer subscribes to those views.
“I did an interview with The New Yorker, and I said that the extreme left has suppressed the art of comedy,” Seinfeld clarified. “I did say that. That’s not true. It’s not true.”
In his discussion with The New Yorker, Seinfeld expressed his concerns about political correctness, focusing on how he believed the “extreme left” was affecting comedy. He suggested that these societal changes were making it difficult for comedians to experiment and push the envelope.
Seinfeld criticized the practice of having jokes reviewed by multiple individuals or committees, arguing that it hampers creativity and dilutes the impact of comedy. He suggested that such an environment has deterred comedians from exploring edgier material for fear of causing offense.
While he initially believed that these cultural changes were stifling for comedians, Seinfeld has since changed his stance. He now asserts that performers can adjust and still resonate with their audience. “The game is, where is the gate?” said Seinfeld. “How do I make the gate and get down the hill the way I want to?”
Seinfeld also addressed the erroneous belief that he avoids performing at college campuses due to fears about political correctness. “First of all, I never said it, but if you think I said it, it’s not true. I play colleges all the time,” he stated. He recently performed at universities in Indiana and Kentucky without any problems.
Seinfeld noted that comedy, like cultural sensibilities, evolves naturally. He observed that although some topics may now be off-limits, this does not restrict comedians but rather pushes them to find new, creative ways to engage with their audience. He emphasized that comedians risk becoming irrelevant if they fail to adapt to societal changes. He reiterated his belief that comedy continues to be about authentic expression and sharp observation, regardless of societal norms.
