Jerry Seinfeld: ‘End of Comedy’ by the “extreme left”

WEB DESK: In an era marked by heightened sensitivity and widespread criticism of ‘wokeism’ or ‘political correctness,’ Jerry Seinfeld joined the chorus on Monday.

In a widely circulated speech, the stand-up comedian shared his perspective fervently on what he perceives as the “end of comedy.” According to Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Jerry Seinfeld attributed the “decline” of comedy to “political correctness” and the “fear of offending others.”

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In an interview with the New Yorker, Jerry Seinfeld lamented the “lack” of comedic content on television compared to the past, citing shows like “M*A*S*H,” “Mary Tyler Moore,” and “All in the Family” as examples of the “golden age of comedy” that seems to be missing today.

The US producer and comedian squarely places blame on the “extreme left,” perceiving its influence in shaping the content of comedy. He believes that the cultural shift has created an environment where comedians are hesitant to take risks or challenge boundaries for fear of facing backlash or offending specific groups.

Seinfeld declared this “political correctness” as inhibiting creativity and diminishing the quality of comedy.

A stand-up comedian himself, Seinfeld detailed the difference between stand-up comedy and scripted comedy, typically presented in television shows. Showing a preference for stand-up, Jerry argued that comedians have greater liberty to express their views without being censored compared to scripted comedy shows that undergo several rounds of inspection before being approved for airing.

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The United States political landscape, along with its media and other societal aspects, has become increasingly polarised in recent years. The US right has dubbed what it calls the “cultural wars” and “censorship” by the “woke crowd” or “extreme left,” as Seinfeld describes.

Similarly, those on the left advocate for greater representation and diversity of ethnic and other minorities in the media. The left argues about being mindful of language that may offend or harm the sentiments of different groups.