Julia Louis-Dreyfus Claps Back Jerry Seinfeld’s Comments About ‘Politically Correct’ TV Comedy

Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus clapped back at her former co-star Jerry Seinfeld on his comments about “politically correct” television. On an April New Yorker’s Radio Hour episode, Seinfeld criticized the “extreme left” for ruining comedy.

Seinfeld stated that audiences are veering toward live stand-up shows because of the lack of censored content. He added that comedy series on television is different from the past, citing how jokes are now heavily reviewed and often cut before they air.

In an interview with the New York Times published Sunday, Louis-Dreyfus called her former co-stars comments a “red flag.” 

“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 sometimes it means something else,” Louis-Dreyfus stated. “I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing.”

One day later, Louis-Dreyfus appeared on the Today show and discussed the lack of representation for older women in media with hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. 

“We don’t really hear from older women and the experiences that they have,” Louis-Dreyfus said. “We certainly hear a lot from older men.”

The comment is a potential jab at Seinfeld, who has been vocal about his criticism of comedy. In May, Seinfeld said modern society lacks the structure of traditional gender roles, such as how masculinity is perceived. The comedian said his directorial debut film Unfrosted, set in the 1960s, piqued his interest.

“I miss a dominant masculinity,” Seinfeld said. “Yeah, I get the [toxic masculinity], but still, I like a real man.”