Seinfeld Slams Extreme Left and PC Culture as Comedy Crisis Looms

Jerry Seinfeld criticized the extreme left and political correctness for ruining comedy on television during an episode of The New Yorker’s Radio Hour. He recalled how viewers could expect a lineup of funny shows in the past, but now there is a lack of comedic content due to these factors. “Well, guess what? Where is it? Where is it?” Seinfeld said. At 70 years old, he believes that audiences need comedy more than ever right now but are not getting enough because they don’t understand how to make jokes without offending others. Stand-up comedians have the freedom to do this independently since their audience instantly gives feedback and polices them if necessary. However, when scripts go through multiple hands in committee, it kills the comedy due to excessive criticism of every joke. Seinfeld clarified a 2015 story that was widely reported as dismissive of performing on college campuses because of political correctness by stating he had only repeated what another comedian told him about losing interest in playing at colleges but still welcomed any opportunity for stand-up comedy anywhere.