Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t accept the idea that political correctness is a threat to comedy.
of Seinfeld The alumni weighed in on the controversial topic, claiming that this particular evolution in comedy is not just good, but “great.”
“If you look at a comedy or a drama from, say, 30 years ago through the lens of today, you might find that some parts of it haven’t aged,” Dreyfuss said in an interview. The New York Times In her latest work, Tuesday“And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be sensitive about sensitivities. But it doesn’t mean that comedy is all ruined as a result.”
She added: “When I hear people start complaining about political correctness, I understand people rebel against it, but to me it’s a red flag because sometimes it means something else. I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don’t know how else to say it.”
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Dreyfuss is not the first comedian to speak out on this issue. Many of his generation of comedians have been vocal critics of political correctness and the impact “cancel culture” has on creative people. A few weeks ago, Dreyfuss’ former co-star Jerry Seinfeld made headlines when he voiced his belief that political correctness culture is harming television comedy.
“In the past, most people would come home at the end of the day and say, ‘Oh. cheers It’s on. mash It’s on. Mary Tyler Moore It’s on. All in the Family “It’s on,” he said during the appearance. The New Yorker Radio Hour Podcasts. “You’re just hoping, ‘I’m going to see something interesting on TV tonight,’ and guess what? Where do you think it is? This is the result of the far left, political correctness, and people who care too much about offending others.”
She did not directly address Seinfeld’s comments, but Times In an interview, Dreyfus made it clear that he thinks differently.
“My feeling about all of this is that political correctness is obviously fine as long as it equates to tolerance,” the actress, 63, said. “And of course, I reserve the right to boo anyone whose words make me uncomfortable, but at the same time, I respect their right to free speech.”
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She further argued that the “real threat to art and artistic creation” is not a backlash against PC (political correctness) but “the consolidation of money and power”.
“I don’t think this siloization of studios, retailers, streamers and distributors is good for creative voices,” she said. “That’s what I mean in terms of threat to the arts.”
Dreyfuss couldn’t say whether comedy is better or worse now that comedians are fully aware of the potential backlash.
“I can’t judge whether that’s a good thing,” she says, “but I do know that the lens through which we create art today — not just comedy but drama as well — is a different lens. It really is. Even classically great, inarguably great films of the past are riddled with attitudes that would be unacceptable today. So I think it’s good to be vigilant.”
