Current:Home > ScamsJulia Louis-Dreyfus rejects claims it's 'impossible' for comedians to be funny today -Momentum Wealth Path
Julia Louis-Dreyfus rejects claims it's 'impossible' for comedians to be funny today
View
Date:2025-04-19 10:02:18
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is continuing to reject complaints about the modern comedy landscape.
The "Seinfeld" star, 63, pushed back against the idea that comedians can't be funny today during an interview on Monday's episode of the "On with Kara Swisher" podcast.
"I personally don't buy the conceit that this is an impossible time to be funny," she said. "Maybe some people aren't laughing at your jokes, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be made."
In fact, Louis-Dreyfus argued it's a "ripe time" for comedy, adding, "Comedy is risky, and it can be offensive, but that's what makes it so enjoyable — not that it's offensive, but that it's risky. It can be very truth-telling."
Louis-Dreyfus' comments come after she recently told The New York Times that it's a red flag when comedians complain about political correctness ruining comedy.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"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 said. "I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don't know how else to say it."
Julia Louis-Dreyfuscalls PC comedy complaints a 'red flag' after Jerry Seinfeld comments
That stance stood in contrast to that of her former "Seinfeld" co-star Jerry Seinfeld, who in April told The New Yorker that there is barely any comedy on television anymore because of "the extreme left and PC crap, and people worrying so much about offending other people."
Seinfeld also suggested some of the storylines from "Seinfeld" would not be allowed today.
Julia Louis-Dreyfusis having her movie-star moment: 'I'm down for the ride and I'm digging it'
"We did an episode of the series in the '90s where Kramer decides to start a business of having homeless pull rickshaws because, as he says, they're outside anyway," the comedian said. "Do you think I could get that episode on the air today?"
Louis-Dreyfus, though, told the NYT that "political correctness, insofar as it equates to tolerance, is obviously fantastic," and the bigger threat to comedy is the "consolidation of money and power" and "all this siloing of studios and outlets and streamers and distributors."
She expanded on this on the "On with Kara Swisher" podcast, saying she is "worried about the corporatization of arts" and concerned that A24 is "one of the very few, if not the last," remaining independent studios making "unusual" films like her dramatic new movie "Tuesday."
Louis-Dreyfus starred as Elaine Benes on "Seinfeld" and later played Selina Meyer in the HBO political satire "Veep," which aired from 2012 to 2019 and frequently shocked viewers with its edgy jokes.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has turned down hosting the Oscars 'a few times'
Meanwhile, Louis-Dreyfus also appeared on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast Monday and revealed she has turned down hosting the Oscars "a few times," noting doing so would "scare" her.
"You have to really want to do it, and I don't really want to do it," the Emmy winner said. "You have to go out there and be really just delighted to be hosting the Academy Awards, and I cannot say that I would have that feeling."
She added, "No offense to everyone."
veryGood! (7128)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- RHOA's Kandi Burruss Teases Season 16 Cast Shakeup—Including the Return of One Former Costar
- Meg Ryan Defends Her and Dennis Quaid's Son Jack Quaid From Nepo Baby Label
- Trump will hold a fundraiser instead of appearing at next week’s Republican presidential debate
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Florida Supreme Court: Law enforcement isn’t required to withhold victims’ names
- The successor to North Carolina auditor Beth Wood is ex-county commission head Jessica Holmes
- 9 hilarious Christmas tree ornaments made for parents who barely survived 2023
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Why hold UN climate talks 28 times? Do they even matter?
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- The 'Hannibal Lecter facial' has people sending electricity into their faces. Is it safe?
- Federal judge blocks Montana's TikTok ban before it takes effect
- Haslam family refutes allegation from Warren Buffett’s company that it bribed truck stop chain execs
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele requests leave to campaign for reelection
- How Charlie Sheen leveraged sports-gambling habit to reunite with Chuck Lorre on 'Bookie'
- Georgia county seeking to dismiss lawsuit by slave descendants over rezoning of their island homes
Recommendation
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Academy Sports is paying $2.5 million to families of a serial killer’s victims for illegal gun sales
RHOA's Kandi Burruss Teases Season 16 Cast Shakeup—Including the Return of One Former Costar
Six West Virginia jail employees indicted in connection with death of incarcerated man
Travis Hunter, the 2
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene backs off forcing vote on second Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment resolution
Sebastian the husky reunited with owner after getting stuck in Kentucky sewer drain
Rep. George Santos is facing a vote on his expulsion from Congress as lawmakers weigh accusations