‘Red flag’: Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t share Jerry Seinfeld’s political correctness view
Global News
'I reserve the right to boo anyone who says anything that offends me, while also respecting their right to free speech,' Julia Louis-Dreyfus said of creating comedy today.
Unlike her Seinfeld co-star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with political correctness.
In a new profile by The New York Times, the 63-year-old actor was asked about Jerry Seinfeld’s outspoken opinions on the pitfalls of creating comedy in today’s culture.
In April, Seinfeld told The New Yorker Radio Hour that TV has grown unfunny because of “PC crap” and the “extreme left.” He said sitcoms today fail to tickle funny bones because comedy writers and creators are too worried that they will offend their audiences.
Louis-Dreyfus, however, said she often sees complaints about political correctness in comedy as a “red flag.”
“If you look back on comedy and drama both, let’s say 30 years ago, through the lens of today, you might find bits and pieces that don’t age well,” she explained. “And I think to have an antenna about sensitivities is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean that all comedy goes out the window as a result.”
“When I hear people starting to complain about political correctness — and I understand why people might push back on it — but to me that’s a red flag, because it sometimes means something else,” she continued. “I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don’t know how else to say it.”
When Louis-Dreyfus and the New York Times interviewer spoke again days later, the Veep actor clarified her comments about political correctness.
