Julia Louis-Dreyfus Agrees With, Criticizes Jerry Seinfeld For Recent Comments About PC Crap

Last month, comedic legend Jerry Seinfeld railed against the "extreme left and PC crap" in an interview with The New Yorker about TV comedy lacking in recent years. Now his "Seinfeld" co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus is performing mental gymnastics of a sort in discussing the same topic with the New York Times. 

Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine Benes in what was one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms in TV history, addressed political correctness and whether it's hurting comedy, saying that having "an antenna about sensitivities is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean that all comedy goes out the window as a result."

"Even classically wonderful, indisputably great films from the past are riddled with attitudes that today would not be acceptable," the 63-year-old actress continued. "So I think it’s just good to be vigilant."

The cast of "Seinfeld", Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander, at the 1993 Emmy Awards. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

Louis-Dreyfus though also seemed to agree with one of Seinfeld’s examples regarding PC culture and comedy. 

During his discussion with The New Yorker, Seinfeld cited an episode of his sitcom in which the Kramer character joked about the homeless being rickshaw drivers, since they spend all day outside anyway. He said that such a joke wouldn't be possible today.

Louis-Dreyfus admitted that the joke would be left on the cutting room floor nowadays since "everyone’s sort of running scared." 

Per Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld is both right and wrong about PC culture making TV unfunny 

So, which one is it? Does comedy have a PC problem or should we sterilize comedy from microaggressions (writing this made me puke in my mouth) and make sure no one’s feelings are hurt? As a former lifelong Saturday Night Live fan, my answer is "Comedy has a PC problem".

After becoming the DNC’s variety show and rescinding stand-up comedian Shane Gillis’s job offer based on previous controversial podcast race-based jokes, SNL went from a show I grew up loving to boring, sanctimonious drivel.

I’m not even a "Seinfeld" fan. Not the show, nor the comedian himself. I tried to rewatch the GOAT sitcom recently to see what I was missing because almost everyone I know says "Seinfeld" kicks a**. Yet, aside from the George Costanza character, I don’t see the appeal. Seinfeld can’t act, Kramer is cheesy and Elaine seems out of place. 

That said, whenever Seinfeld discusses comedy, I listen. In 2011, HBO aired an hour-long special I’d highly recommend to any comedy fan called "Talking Funny" featuring Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis C.K., and Ricky Gervais.  

The roundtable riffs on several subjects, including vulgarity, race-based humor, comedic inspirations, the landscape of the comedy business, etc. As a non-Seinfeld fan, it was surprising to see how comfortable Jerry was discussing controversial topics he never had comedy bits about. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus arrives at the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Dan MacMedan-USA TODAY)

Rock, C.K., and Gervais never shy away from touchy subjects. However, Seinfeld’s commentary about non-PC comedy and the funny business overall was my favorite part of HBO’s special. You’ll be shocked at how much comedy has changed since "Talking Funny" aired. Despite his stand-up being meh, I’d listen to anything Seinfeld says about comedy. 

Louis-Dreyfus, not so much.