Comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jerry-seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a> said he believes the movie industry no longer has the cultural sway it once did.
The 69-year-old shared his thoughts during a newly published interview with <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/jerry-seinfeld-gq-hype">GQ</a>. Despite his feelings about the industry, Seinfeld is currently promoting his new Netflix <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/movies">film,</a> “Unfrosted,” about the rivalry between cereal brands Kellogg&#8217;s and Post. Seinfeld wrote and directed the comedy film and has a starring role.
“It was totally new to me. I thought I had done some cool stuff, but it was nothing like the way these people work,” Seinfeld said of getting into the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hollywood">movie industry</a> after so many years of focusing on other entertainment endeavors. “They’re so dead serious! They don’t have any idea that the movie business is over. They have no idea.”
“Film doesn’t occupy the pinnacle in the social, cultural hierarchy that it did for most of our lives,” he continued. “When a movie came out, if it was good, we all went to see it. We all discussed it. We quoted lines and scenes we liked. Now we’re walking through a fire hose of water, just trying to see.”
The interviewer followed up by asking what has replaced movies in the culture. “Depression? Malaise? I would say confusion. Disorientation replaced the movie business,” he answered. “Everyone I know in show business, every day, is going, ‘What’s going on? How do you do this? What are we supposed to do now?&#8217;”
Seinfeld next compared the film industry to comedy.
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“I’ve done enough stuff that I have my own thing, which is more valuable than it’s ever been,” the comedian went on. “Stand-up is like you’re a cabinetmaker, and everybody needs a guy who’s good with wood. … There’s trees everywhere, but to make a nice table, it’s not so easy. So, the metaphor is that if you have good craft and craftsmanship, you’re kind of impervious to the whims of the industry.”
“Audiences are now flocking to stand-up because it’s something you can’t fake,” he added. “It’s like platform diving. You could say you’re a platform diver, but in two seconds we can see if you are or you aren’t. That’s what people like about stand-up. They can trust it. Everything else is fake.”
&#8220;Unfrosted&#8221; debuts on Netflix May 3.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Unfrosted | Official Trailer | Netflix" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2lqRPUhPfho?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld Says ‘The Movie Business Is Over,’ Claims It’s Been Replaced By ‘Confusion’

Jerry Seinfeld Says 'The Movie Business Is Over,' Claims It's Been Replaced By 'Confusion'

Celebrities

Entertainment

Hollywood

Netflix

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jerry-seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a> said working with British actor Hugh Grant in his new <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/movies">movie</a>, “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story,” was not pleasant.
“We had lots of fights. He’s a pain in the a** to work with. He’s horrible,” the 69-year-old <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedian">comedian</a> said of the star during a Wednesday interview on the &#8220;Tonight Show.&#8221; “He tells you before you work with him, ‘You’re gonna hate this.’ And he’s so right.”
Seinfeld said he harbors no negative feelings for his co-star, however, after the pair shared a meal together at the conclusion of filming. 
“We shot for 10 weeks, and that night that he and I had dinner — and we got drunk having dinner — that was the greatest night,” Seinfeld said. “Because he’s so cool and he’s that English thing, you know, that witty. He looks good in a jacket &#8230; he’s one of those guys. I love those guys,” he continued, per <a href="https://ew.com/jerry-seinfeld-hugh-grant-pain-ass-unfrosted-8621553">Entertainment Weekly</a>.
In the film, Grant plays Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger. Seinfeld also said he never pictured casting Grant in the part, but did so because Grant asked for it.
“[Grant] called us and he said, ‘I want to be in the Pop-Tart movie,’” Seinfeld told Fallon. “So he did an audition on his phone — with a glass of wine in the other hand, by the way.”
The comedian went on, joking, “Like I care what the audition was. I go, ‘Yeah, sure, you’re Tony the Tiger, sure.’”
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Unfrosted | Official Trailer | Netflix" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2lqRPUhPfho?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
“Unfrosted” is scheduled for a May 3 release on Netflix. The logline says, “Michigan, 1963. Kellogg’s and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever. A tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen, ‘Unfrosted’ stars writer-director Jerry Seinfeld.”
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The cast includes plenty of other celebrities, including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Max Greenfield, Christian Slater, Bill Burr, Daniel Levy, James Marsden, Jack McBrayer, Thomas Lennon, Bobby Moynihan, Adrian Martinez, Sarah Cooper, and Fred Armisen.
Seinfeld has been contemplating doing a Pop-Tart origin story film for years. In 2018, he <a href="https://twitter.com/JerrySeinfeld/status/1031969212359757826">shared</a> on X, “At one point I was thinking about an invention of the Pop-Tart movie. Imagine the drunk on sugar-power Kellogg’s cereal culture of the mid-60’s in Battle Creek, MI. That’s a vibe I could work with.”

Grant and Seinfeld

‘He’s Horrible’: Jerry Seinfeld Reflects On Working With Hugh Grant For Pop-Tart Movie

'He's Horrible': Jerry Seinfeld Reflects On Working With Hugh Grant For Pop-Tart Movie

comedian

Movies

Howie Mandel first grabbed our attention by inflating a rubber glove over his head. Now, he’s making headlines for defending <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comedy</a> from the woke mob.
The comedian’s physical shtick led to a breakout role in “St. Elsewhere” as the medical drama’s cutup. He’s been gainfully employed ever since.
Mandel isn’t edgy by current standards. His brand of humor is perfectly suited for broadcast TV, witness gigs like “Deal or No Deal” and “America’s Got Talent.”
He hasn’t been “canceled” in any way, shape or form.
<div id="attachment_713047" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-713047" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-713047" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1479885893-864x576.jpg" alt="PASADENA, CA - APRIL 04: Howie Mandel is seen filming &quot;America's Got Talent&quot; on April 04, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by thecelebrityfinder/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1479885893-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1479885893-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1479885893-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1479885893.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />thecelebrityfinder/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images</div>
So why did he attack woke comedy handcuffs on the “Stand-up World” podcast, hosted by Mike Binder? Mandel knows comedy better than many, and he sees what happens when a stand-up isn’t allowed to broach certain topics for fear of serious repercussions.
He compared the woke bylaws to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD6YBbLmyNw&amp;t=1306s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">being a painter with a limited palette</a>.
<blockquote>If you think of comedy as an art, they started telling us there are certain colors you can’t use. If you’re a painter you shouldn’t say, ‘you can paint anything you want, but don’t use black, don’t use any yellows and it’s really not right to use blue.’ Art suffers, and there isn’t anything we shouldn’t talk about.</blockquote>
Mandel also discussed an obvious problem with the woke agenda. Comedy can be cruel. It’s inherent to the art form.
<blockquote>All humor comes out of darkness. That’s why the Tragedy and Comedy masks are so close together &#8230; if you’re a little kid and you go to the circus you’re laughing at a clown falling down. You’re laughing at the misfortune of somebody you don’t know.</blockquote>
He’s exaggerating, but not by much. Think pies in the face, stepping on rakes and slipping on a well-placed banana peel.
Humor writer Andy Borowitz <a href="https://www.salon.com/2012/03/24/does_comedy_have_to_be_cruel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared something similar</a> in 2012, years before what Elon Musk dubbed the “woke mind virus” captured the culture.
<blockquote>There’s a strong vein of cruelty running through a lot of comedy.</blockquote>
Why would Mandel’s comments cut through the media noise? He still does stand-up comedy, but he’s better known for being a clean, TV-based entertainer.
His inoffensive style matters in this debate. It’s one thing for a professional firebrand like Ricky Gervais to attack woke critics. His brand is directly threatened by those easily offended (and willing to raise a stink on social media).
When a genial comic like Mandel takes a stand on the subject, it hits home. 
Remember how many headlines Jerry Seinfeld inspired in 2015 when he said college students of the era <a href="https://ew.com/article/2015/06/08/jerry-seinfeld-politically-correct-college-campuses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are too easily offended</a>. It’s why some of Seinfeld’s peers stopped playing university gigs. He felt their professional pain.
Seinfeld’s shtick was, and remains, squeaky clean. For a G-rated comic to grasp the larger issue of triggered college crowds means the problem is larger than anyone thought.
<div id="attachment_713043" style="width: 831px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-713043" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-713043" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-470827816-821x576.jpg" alt="NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld did a surprise set making an unannounced appearance at Gotham Comedy Club on April 23, 2015 in New York, New York. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)" width="821" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-470827816-821x576.jpg 821w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-470827816-300x210.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-470827816-768x539.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-470827816.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" />Bobby Bank/WireImage</div>
The creative community has been too silent for too long on the subject of woke restrictions. That is starting to change. 
Slowly.
Tom Hanks lashed out <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/tom-hanks-rewritting-modern-sensitivities-woke-b1080697.html">at so-called “sensitivity readers”</a> last year following the release of his first book, “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece: A Novel.”
In the past few weeks other stars have taken a stand against woke bylaws, putting their brands on the line in the process.
Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett blasted trigger warnings tied to art. The red flags have been attached to older animated films like “Dumbo” as well as comedy classics such as 1974’s “Blazing Saddles.’
She told The Sunday Times why they’re <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cate-blanchett-interview-the-new-boy-oscars-religion-husband-2lrc0rvpm">a terrible way to digest art</a>.
<blockquote>We are terrified of tough conversations &#8230; but we need the &#8230; We talk about radical candor, but when there’s a trigger warning in front of something you are implying that there is a lack of mutual respect or that the subject hasn’t been properly interrogated &#8230; It may offend you. It may challenge you. You may laugh uproariously. You just don’t know, but you are going to surrender to what is coming.</blockquote>
Her 2022 film “Tar” embodied that sentiment. The film features a Cancel Culture-style attack on Blanchett’s character, a musical superstar facing a professional crisis. A critical scene in the film finds her character, Lydia Tar, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/scene-cate-blanchetts-film-tar-praised-being-anti-woke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">berating a woke music student.</a>
&#8220;Don&#8217;t be so eager to be offended. The narcissism of small differences leads to the most boring conformity.&#8221;
“Will &amp; Grace” alum Eric McCormack spoke to a similar woke constraint – straight actors being questioned for playing gay characters.
“There’s no part I’ve ever played where I wasn’t playing something I’m not. It’s part of the gig. And I’ve always said, if gay actors weren’t allowed to play straight actors, Broadway would be over.&#8221;
Would he land that part today given the current cultural climate? He’s hopeful.
&#8220;I would like to think in general that the best person for the role, the one that comes in and knocks it out of the park, is the one that gets the part.”
Meritocracy matters. So do prominent artists standing up for free expression and casting a withering eye on the woke movement.
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of <a href="http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@HollywoodInToto</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Standup Comedy at The Ice House Comedy Club

Howie Mandel Leads Mini Anti-Woke Comedy Revolt: ‘There Isn’t Anything We Shouldn’t Talk About’

Howie Mandel Leads Mini Anti-Woke Comedy Revolt: 'There Isn’t Anything We Shouldn’t Talk About'

Comedy

Readers Pass

Woke Culture

The stats are in, and classic TV shows like &#8220;Seinfeld,&#8221; &#8220;Friends,&#8221; and &#8220;Suits,&#8221; crushed the new, more expensive shows in 2023 that were driven by Hollywood’s desire to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) rather than storytelling.
Audiences love a good story. Thus, success in movies and television has always been the result of great storytellers writing great stories — regardless of whether the writers were male or female, white or black or any other minority. But according to <a href="https://www.thefp.com/p/hollywoods-new-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Free Press</a>, those times appear to be changing.
<div id="attachment_704435" style="width: 386px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-704435" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-704435" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138360746-376x576.jpg" alt="SEINFELD -- &quot;The Frogger&quot; Episode 18 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld (Photo by Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)" width="376" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138360746-376x576.jpg 376w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138360746-196x300.jpg 196w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138360746.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 376px) 100vw, 376px" />Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images</div>
<h3>Streaming Platforms</h3>
Streaming companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney+ have been shelling out millions of dollars to create shows that will please the DEI gods, but those are losing out to old shows, also known as acquired shows, <a href="https://www.frontpagemag.com/why-old-tv-shows-are-beating-hollywoods-billion-dollar-dei-machine/?fbclid=IwAR3ZJCvGZkDZm429rlKqlZmuv-JTr8HkPjOdmVfrqzd1dNVjNsVYuIZsKYY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Front Page magazine</a> noted.
According to <a href="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2024/streaming-unwrapped-streaming-viewership-goes-to-the-library-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nielsen&#8217;s</a> Streaming Viewership from 2023, which tracks what people listen to and watch, more than 57 billion minutes were spent last year watching “Suits,” a legal drama that premiered in 2011. That was more than any other show last year.
<div id="attachment_704439" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-704439" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-704439" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1088051728-864x576.jpg" alt="SUITS -- &quot;Whale Hunt&quot; Episode 812 -- Pictured: Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter -- (Photo by: Ian Watson/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1088051728-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1088051728-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1088051728-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-1088051728.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Ian Watson/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images</div>
In fact, of the top 10 streamed shows of 2023, more than a handful are all shows that were made more than a decade ago.
Shows like “Gilmore Girls,” and “Friends,” which have been off the air for years, were watched in 2023 billions of minutes more than the new ones like “Ted Lasso” or “Ginny and Georgia.”
<div id="attachment_704433" style="width: 865px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-704433" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-704433" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-140631535-855x576.jpg" alt="FRIENDS -- &quot;The One With The Rumor&quot;-- Episode 9 -- Aired 11/22/2001 -- Pictured: (l-r) Brad Pitt as Will Colbert, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller-Bing, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller -- Photo by : Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank" width="855" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-140631535-855x576.jpg 855w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-140631535-300x202.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-140631535-768x518.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-140631535.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px" />Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank</div>
Netflix spent $168 million on shows like “Bridgerton” for the first three seasons and lost to shows like “Suits” which it paid a reported estimate of $200,000 per episode, <a href="https://deadline.com/2023/09/streaming-residuals-explained-suits-netflix-1235552804/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadline</a> noted.
In addition, Disney spent $25 million an episode for its woke “Star Wars” series “Ahsoka” in 2023 but ended up losing in the ratings war to shows like “Suits” with a budget of $3 million, Front Page magazine noted.
<h3>TV Shows By The Minutes</h3>
In an article titled, “How Comfort Shows Conquered Streaming TV,” the <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/top-streaming-shows-most-watched-1235816555/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hollywood Reporter</a> noted that the top 10 overall titles in Nielsen’s year-end rankings for 2023 are all acquired shows.” It’s also reported that it’s “the first time that’s happened in the four years streaming rankings have been publicly available.”
Acquired shows had a massive showing in 2023, with the top 10 accounting for 339.5 billion minutes of viewing, that’s up almost 41% from 2022 when 241.4 billion minutes were viewed, THR noted.
“We definitely had a lesser number of originals [in 2023],” Brian Fuhrer, Nielsen’s senior vp product strategy and thought leadership, told the outlet. “As a result, the introduction of huge new blockbuster originals that we’re used to, that really wasn’t the case this year.”
Speaking of originals, looks like the &#8216;show about nothing&#8217; still has what it takes. According to <a href="https://tv.parrotanalytics.com/US/seinfeld-nbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parrot Analytics</a>, &#8220;&#8221;Seinfeld&#8221; has 32.9 times the audience demand of the average TV show in the United States … This exceptional level of demand puts &#8220;Seinfeld&#8221; in the top 0.2% of all TV shows.”
<div id="attachment_704407" style="width: 933px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-704407" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-704407" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138359792-923x576.jpg" alt="SEINFELD -- &quot;The Frogger&quot; Episode 18 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jason Alexander as George Costanza,áJerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld (Photo by Joey Delvalle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)" width="923" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138359792-923x576.jpg 923w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138359792-300x187.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138359792-768x479.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/GettyImages-138359792.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 923px) 100vw, 923px" />Joey Delvalle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images</div>
<h3>How We Got There</h3>
Following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter riots in 2020, which destroyed towns and divided the country, the pressure was on to make changes in our society. Those included the characters we saw on the small screen and those working behind the scenes, the outlet noted.
In response, there’s been a huge drive for &#8220;inclusivity&#8221; in Hollywood, regardless of whether those hired are the best to get the job done, something that seems to be happening in every aspect of our society.
And the problem isn&#8217;t just woke issues woven into a story for the sake of DEI. Hollywood has always been eager to tackle those kinds of things. Take the example of the 1967 classic movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” with Sidney Poitier and Katherine Hepburn, which tackled interracial marriage or on the small screen with shows like “All in the Family” (1971-1979) which dealt with race issues head-on.
The DEI push, on the other hand, seeks to influence every aspect of show business, but audiences are making it clear, they are only interested in great stories, regardless of how old.
<h3>Writers&#8217; Room</h3>
In an effort to be seen as “inclusive,&#8221; legendary networks made massive changes to who was telling the stories and writing the shows. At CBS, the company <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-07-13/cbs-racial-diversity-effort-writers-development-bipoc#:~:text=CBS%20wants%20at%20least%2040,producers%2C%20the%20network%20announced%20Monday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandated</a> that writers’ rooms have at least 40% minority representation for the 2021-2022 broadcast season with 25% of its script development budget to fund projects from creators, writers and producers who meet their diversity qualifications, the Free Press noted.
ABC Entertainment issued a detailed series of “inclusion standards,” the outlet noted. <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/abc-unveils-ambitious-set-of-inclusion-standards-exclusive-4069409/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> also committed to making sure 50% of its showrunners, writers, producers, crew, performers check a BIPOC representation box by the 2022-23 season, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/abc-unveils-ambitious-set-of-inclusion-standards-exclusive-4069409/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THR</a> noted.
“I’m all for LGBT and Native Americans, blacks, females, whatever minorities that have not been served correctly in the making of content, whether it’s television or movies or whatever, but I think it’s gone too far,” Howard Koch, who has been involved in the production of more than 60 movies and is the former president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts &amp; Sciences, said, the Free Press noted.
“I know a lot of very talented people that can’t get work because they’re not black, Native American, female or LGBTQ,” he added.
The Writers Guild of America West <a href="https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/the-guild/inclusion-and-equity/Inclusion-Report-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inclusion and Equity Report</a> of 2022, found that in 2011 64% of staff writers had been men, but by 2020, only a third were. It also found in 2011 71% of staff writers were white, but by 2020 less than half were.
Diving into the report further, the number of “white producers by 2020 fell by 24%, the number of male producers by 25%&#8230;white executive story editors fell by 26% and male executive editors by 27%,” according to the report.
A <a href="https://x.com/Scientific_Bird/status/1759700304725971342?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chart</a> in the report showed that, ”between 2011 and 2020, staff writers moved from 35% to 63% women, and 72% to 44% white.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Large demographic shift in American TV series staff.
According to Writers Guild of America West data, between 2011 and 2020, staff writers moved from 35% to 63% women, and 72% to 44% white. <a href="https://t.co/FU2HuB00CW">pic.twitter.com/FU2HuB00CW</a>
&mdash; Inquisitive Bird (@Scientific_Bird) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scientific_Bird/status/1759700304725971342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h3>Acting Roles</h3>
Findings in the <a href="https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2022-Television-10-27-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UCLA</a> Hollywood Diversity 2022 Television report were similar with the “White share” of top broadcast scripted roles, top cable scripted roles and in the digital scripted arena decline in 2020-21 compared to those same areas in 2019-20.
While “Black (18.6%) and multiracial (14%) persons were actually overrepresented” across the board,” the report noted.
The report showed women made huge gains during the same time frame, with “women’s share of top digital scripted roles increased and actually surpassed that of their male counterparts.” In the report, women now accounted for 50.3% of these roles in 2020-21, compared to only 49% for males.
In 2020, the Emmy awards <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/06/18/emmy-nominations-rule-change-aims-more-diversity-and-inclusion/3213111001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> changes to its nomination process which it said were intended to &#8220;align the nominations selection process across all awards categories and to allow for more inclusiveness in the recognition of excellence,” <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/06/18/emmy-nominations-rule-change-aims-more-diversity-and-inclusion/3213111001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA Today</a> noted.
As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-hollywoods-new-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-executives-are-shaping-whats-on-your-screens" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted previously</a>, this DEI push in Hollywood means network, executives, and studios no longer care about making sure to pick the scripts, actors and directors and best people for a show. It’s now all about representation.
All the changes, however, have not translated into success for entertainment companies. So, the question remains: will Hollywood change course now that audiences have spoken?

Seinfeld

‘It’s Not You, It’s Me’: Why Old Shows Like ‘Seinfeld’ Are Crushing New, Expensive Shows

Amazon

Disney

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Friends

Comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jerry-seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a> was seen smiling and waving to a group of anti-Israel protestors who had gathered outside an event he was attending at the 92nd Street Y in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-york-city">Manhattan</a>.
“Genocide supporter, you support genocide,” protesters can be heard screaming at the 69-year-old celebrity, who is Jewish. Seinfeld, who was flanked by NYPD officers, responded to the hecklers by giving a quick wave and climbing into the back seat of a black SUV.
The protestors continued yelling and cursing at the comedian as the SUV drove away, per the video footage. 
WATCH (contains profanity):
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> &quot;F You! Genocide Supporter!&quot; &#8211; Jerry Seinfeld hassled by Pro-palestine protesters as he leaves Bari Weiss’ event at the 92Y in NYC
Desk@freedomnews.tv to license <a href="https://t.co/keXtROOuZt">pic.twitter.com/keXtROOuZt</a>
&mdash; Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1761941465251430497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Seinfeld had been at an event featuring former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, who is the founder of the Free Press. Weiss was there delivering the annual “State of the World Jewry” address, <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/26/us-news/anti-israel-protesters-berate-jerry-seinfeld-as-he-leaves-nyc-event-video/">per</a> The New York Post. Protestors gathered to show their condemnation of Weis criticizing a Palestinian writer, Refaat Alareer, who they claim was killed during Israeli airstrikes. Before his death, Alareer <a href="https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-788943">wrote on X</a> that if he died, the blame was on “Baris Weiss and her likes.”
Seinfeld has been a vocal supporter of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/israel">Israel</a>, arriving for a visit in December as a show of solidarity with the country following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.
“Seinfeld told the families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages,” a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum Headquarters said at the time, per <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/visiting-israel-jerry-seinfeld-meets-with-freed-hostages-families-of-abductees/">The Times of Israel</a>. They further stated that he and his family were “deeply affected” by the stories of “the experiences they heard from the family members and the released hostages.” The comedian was wearing a “Bring Them Home” dog tag around his neck when he visited.
Pro-Palestinian protests have become more frequent in New York, and other celebrities have been targeted as well. Actor Alec Baldwin was confronted last December.
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A protestor said to the “30 Rock” alum, “You work in Hollywood … so do you condemn Israel?”
“You’ve already got your mind made up,” Baldwin said in reply, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwin-blows-up-on-anti-israel-protestor">reported</a>.
“I’m in Hollywood’s pocket, is that what you say?” he added. “You ask stupid questions.”
“Is that your answer?” the protester pressed him.
“Ask me a smart question!” Baldwin yelled back.

Jerry Seinfeld Waves, Smiles As Anti-Israel Protesters Heckle Him In NYC

Israel

Jewish

New York

New York City

TV’s crankiest character is kvetching for the last time.
Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” kicks off its 12th and final season on Feb. 4, ending a remarkable run that changed TV comedy for the better.
Or, rather, the show’s lack of change gave us hope in the Age of Woke.
David’s ability to spoof his image remains a wonderful bit of performance art. He wasn’t a household name prior to the HBO series’ debut in 2000. It didn’t take long for him to go from “the guy who co-created ‘Seinfeld’” to “Curb’s” signature jerk.
He might be the least likable main character since “All in the Family’s” Archie Bunker. Each episode gave us a new reason to boo him and his selfish ways. Like actor Carroll O’Connor of “Family” fame, David made his Larry doppelgänger oddly lovable, flaws and all.
“Curb’s” improv-heavy style delivered a different brand of sitcom, stripped of canned laughter and stale setups. Like “Seinfeld,” “Curb” often introduced several plotlines that came together in the show’s waning moments.
And we never saw it coming.
Of course, “Curb” was and remains hilarious, thanks to a deep cast including Richard Lewis, Ted Danson, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, and, most of all, J.B. Smoove. The latter’s introduction in season six gave Larry the ultimate on-screen partner.
<div id="attachment_690129" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-690129" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-690129" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1974493864-864x576.jpg" alt="LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: (L-R) Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Larry David, Susie Essman, and J.B. Smoove attend the Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 premiere at DGA Theater Complex on January 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1974493864-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1974493864-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1974493864-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1974493864.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO</div>
The show’s protracted run could have been “problematic” for David and fans alike. The show started at a time when “safe spaces,” “trigger warnings” and Cancel Culture weren’t part of the vernacular.
David and co. had nearly free reign in the early years. No one could “cancel” a “Curb” installment for bruising their feelings.
Would David’s “Curb” bow down to the woke mob? Could his on-screen character be less monstrous and more of an “ally?” The show would crumble as a result, of course, but we’ve seen more than a few comedy institutions decay under the weight of our woke age.
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
Not “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Even the Left-leaning Guardian applauded David’s showcase for not bowing to modern sensibilities – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/oct/03/curb-your-enthusiasm-review-if-it-aint-woke-dont-fix-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“If It Ain’t Woke, Don’t Fix It,”</a> read one headline.
<div id="attachment_690207" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-690207" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-690207" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-102599274-650x576.jpg" alt="NEW YORK - JULY 02: Larry David and Cheyenne Jackson (R) on location for &quot;Curb Your Enthusiasm&quot; on the streets of Manhattan on July 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)" width="650" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-102599274-650x576.jpg 650w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-102599274-300x266.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-102599274-768x680.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-102599274.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Bobby Bank/WireImage</div>
Signature episodes showed David’s fearless approach to comedy. A 2011 episode dubbed “Palestinian Chicken” found Larry torn between his fellow Jews and a delicious new restaurant. Larry ends up siding with a beguiling Palestinian woman named Shara (Anne Bedian) who ran a restaurant teeming with anti-Semites.
She even called him an “occupier” as they make love. David recently dubbed it his <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1752523735842566307" target="_blank" rel="noopener">favorite “Curb” episode</a>.
The show’s complicated politics shouldn’t be over-examined. David’s approach is nuanced and absurd, his willingness to be true to the character triumphs in the end.
David’s character came of age when other antiheroes ruled the small screen. Think Tony Soprano and Walter White, to name just two. The on-screen Larry wasn’t whacking mobsters or cooking meth. He went through life being offended by everyone crossing his path.
And, more often than not, he selfishly used his money and fame to keep the world at arm’s length.
<div id="attachment_690223" style="width: 773px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-690223" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-690223" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-103126001-763x576.jpg" alt="NEW YORK - JULY 27: Larry David on location for &quot;Curb Your Enthusiasm&quot; on the streets of Manhattan on July 27, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)" width="763" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-103126001-763x576.jpg 763w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-103126001-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-103126001-768x580.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-103126001.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px" />Bobby Bank/WireImage</div>
“Curb” rarely dabbles in modern politics, but when it does Larry and co. aren’t crashing any Libertarian dinners. And it wouldn’t be authentic if the on-screen Larry, a product of the Hollywood ecosystem, rocked a MAGA hat sans irony.
“Curb’s” antihero was liberal to the core, but the show dedicated an episode to Larry using that red Trump hat to his advantage. He realized strangers would flee from the sight of any MAGA hat wearer, so he proudly wore it to fend off strangers.
Pure “Curb.”
How did David keep “Curb” honest? Like his on-screen persona, he doesn&#8217;t dwell on <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/curb-your-enthusiasm-boss-larry-davids-willingness-offend-1276219/">what other people think of him</a>, according to the show’s executive producer Jeff Schaffer.
“Here’s the thing for us: Nothing is really off limits. I think it’s just how you do it. Any subject is totally fair game; it’s how you execute it. Larry is willing to address issues other people just might not want to touch at all, and I think there’s a very good reason for that, and that’s that he doesn’t care if you watch.”
Some media outlets decried a <a href="https://observer.com/2020/02/larry-david-hbo-curb-your-enthusiasm-metoo-happy-new-year/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Curb” MeToo plotline as “clumsy,”</a> a commentary that didn’t impact David or the show. Wokesters sensed David and co. didn’t have time for such complaints, so they rarely rose up to attack him or the series.
Even when Garlin, a fixture on “Curb” as Larry’s best bud, got booted from his other gig at ABC’s “The Goldbergs” for <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/03/jeff-garlins-exit-from-the-goldbergs-was-a-long-time-coming-says-wendy-mclendon-covey#:~:text=The%20Goldbergs%20have%20been%20through,was%20a%20long%20time%20coming.%E2%80%9D">allegedly coarse comments and “unwanted hugs”</a> David professionally stood by him.
“Curb” delivered a quasi-“Seinfeld” reunion in season seven, one served up on the show’s unique terms. The sitcom’s main characters joined Larry David for a “new” episode, but we saw it all go down behind the scenes.
<div id="attachment_690213" style="width: 904px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-690213" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-690213" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-91286063-894x576.jpg" alt="NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Actors Larry David, Susie Essman and Jerry Seinfeld attend the &quot;Curb Your Enthusiasm&quot; Season 7 New York screening at the Time Warner Screening Room on September 30, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)" width="894" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-91286063-894x576.jpg 894w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-91286063-300x193.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-91286063-768x495.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-91286063.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px" />Jamie McCarthy/WireImage</div>
Plus, Larry used the plot to reunite with his ex-wife, played by Hines, lowering expectations for “Seinfeld” fans demanding a perfect reunion moment.
Like “Seinfeld,” “Curb” is leaving at the top of its game with no regrets or talk of “jumping the shark,” the phrase used for shows that outlast their welcome.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of <a href="http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@HollywoodInToto</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 Premiere

The Final Season Of ‘Curb’ Has Arrived. Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That.

actors

Cancel Culture

Larry David

Television

Jason Alexander admitted he doesn&#8217;t &#8220;know anything about&#8221; a reboot of the hit NBC show &#8220;Seinfeld&#8221; and suggested that they must not need his character George Costanza.
The 64-year-old actor was asked about the reports after his co-star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-blasts-oscars-they-wont-find-paul-bois" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerry Seinfeld</a> seemed to hint in October that he was in talks with the show&#8217;s co-creator Larry David about a new possible ending to the hit series during Seinfeld&#8217;s stand-up comedy show, <a href="https://extratv.com/2023/11/13/jason-alexander-reacts-to-seinfeld-reboot-rumors-exclusive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Extra</a> reported.
&#8220;There is only one reason for that rumor,&#8221; Alexander told the outlet. &#8220;Apparently, at the end of some stand-up thing, [Jerry] went, &#8216;Larry [David] and I are thinking of something.&#8217; Good for you. I don&#8217;t know anything about it… No one called me.&#8221;
&#8220;Apparently, they don&#8217;t need George, and they may not need Elaine &#8217;cause Julia [Louis-Dreyfus] and I went, &#8216;Do you know anything about this? I don&#8217;t know anything about this,&#8217; and I just talked to Michael [Richards] the other day and I don&#8217;t think he knew anything about it,&#8221; he added of his conversation with fellow co-stars on the show.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jason Alexander on possible ‘Seinfeld’ reunion: &#8216;No one called me&#8217; <a href="https://t.co/C557dQ8RjT">https://t.co/C557dQ8RjT</a> <a href="https://t.co/hEde5bGJVm">pic.twitter.com/hEde5bGJVm</a>
— New York Post (@nypost) <a href="https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1724263370260410403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine Benes during the series&#8217; nine seasons on the network, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/13/julia-louis-dreyfus-seinfeld-reunion-tuesday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">admitted</a> she too is confused about the rumor.
&#8220;Yeah, I just saw [that news] last night,&#8221; the actress told the Guardian. &#8220;And I don&#8217;t know what the hell he&#8217;s talking about.&#8221;
In October, the &#8220;Comedian In Cars Getting Coffee&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-seinfelds-love-of-pop-tarts-leads-to-movie-millions-in-tax-credits-from-california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">star</a> was asked by a fan if he liked the ending to the popular show, and the comedian seemed to suggest he and David were already working on some kind of &#8220;Seinfeld&#8221; reboot, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-star-jason-alexander-reboot-rumors&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700070486147000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0RXRu8OEgxZHIEOWsqDoTl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a> noted.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/black-friday-gift-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE</a>
&#8220;Well, I have a little secret for you about the ending,&#8221; Seinfeld said. &#8220;But I can&#8217;t really tell it because it is a secret. Here&#8217;s what I&#8217;ll tell you. OK? But you can&#8217;t tell anybody.&#8221;
&#8220;Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Hasn&#8217;t happened yet. And just what you are thinking about, Larry and I have also been thinking about it. So, you&#8217;ll see.&#8221;
&#8220;Seinfeld&#8221; ran on NBC from 1989 to 1998 and was a huge hit for the network. During its nine-season run, the comedy series, people dubbed the &#8220;show about nothing,&#8221; won 10 Emmy Awards, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-teases-possible-reunion-during-stand-up-show-something-is-going-to-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-teases-possible-reunion-during-stand-up-show-something-is-going-to-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerry Seinfeld Teases Possible Reunion During Stand-Up Show: &#8216;Something Is Going To Happen&#8217;</a>

The cast of the Emmy-winning “Seinfeld”

Jason Alexander Responds To ‘Seinfeld’ Reboot Rumors

“<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">Seinfeld</a>” actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine on the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">show</a>, made it clear that if there is a reboot or reunion in the works, she doesn’t know about it yet.
The 62-year-old said as much in a recent interview with The Guardian when asked about <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jerry-seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a> hinting that the old crew was getting back together soon. 
&#8220;Yeah, I just saw [that news] last night,&#8221; Louis-Dreyfus <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/13/julia-louis-dreyfus-seinfeld-reunion-tuesday">told</a> the outlet just days after Seinfeld mentioned that he would revisit the show&#8217;s ending. &#8220;And I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-teases-possible-reunion-during-stand-up-show-something-is-going-to-happen">Seinfeld made headlines</a> after telling fans at a Boston stand-up performance that he was working on something that fans of the iconic 90s sitcom would enjoy. The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedian">comedian</a> was responding to a fan who asked about the ending of the series, which has remained controversial since it first aired in 1998.
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&#8220;Well, I have a little secret for you about the ending. But I can’t really tell it, because it is a secret. Here’s what I’ll tell you. OK? But you can’t tell anybody. Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. Hasn’t happened yet. And just what you are thinking about, Larry and I have also been thinking about it. So, you’ll see.”Seinfeld replied.
The show ran for nine seasons, but many fans hated the way it ended. Ultimately, the four main characters wound up going to jail after violating The Good Samaritan Law. The last episode was set in a courtroom and featured many people from past seasons testifying against Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George, explaining that they were truly horrible people. 
Seinfeld defended the finale in a 2014 Reddit interview. “I was happy with the Seinfeld finale because we didn’t want to do another episode as much as we wanted to have everybody come back to the show we had so much fun with,” he said at the time.
“It was a way to thank all of the people who worked on the show over the years that we thought made the show work. I don’t believe in trying to change the past but I’m very happy with it.”

‘Seinfeld’ Star Julia Louis-Dreyfus Is In The Dark About Rumored Reunion, She Says

'Seinfeld' Star Julia Louis-Dreyfus Is In The Dark About Rumored Reunion, She Says

Comedian and actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jerry-seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a> hinted that there could be a reunion or reboot of his iconic <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">comedy</a>, “Seinfeld,” in the future.
The 69-year-old made the comments while he was performing a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedy">stand-up set</a> at the Wang Theatre in Boston on Saturday. During a Q&amp;A portion of the show, Seinfeld responded to a fan asking about the now-infamous ending of the series, wondering if the comedian “liked it.”
“Well, I have a little secret for you about the ending,&#8221; the “Seinfeld” star said in a video posted on Instagram. &#8220;But I can’t really tell it, because it is a secret. Here’s what I’ll tell you. OK? But you can’t tell anybody. Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. Hasn’t happened yet. And just what you are thinking about, Larry and I have also been thinking about it. So, you’ll see.&#8221;
&#8220;Seinfeld,&#8221; co-created by Larry David, ran on NBC from 1989 to 1998 and won ten Emmy Awards. David eventually left the show but returned to help with the final episode, which drew mixed reviews from fans. 
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The finale of the “show about nothing” depicted the main characters, Jerry, George (Jason Alexander), Kramer (Michael Richards), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), getting arrested for violating the Good Samaritan law that required them to help a carjacking victim rather than just mocking him. During the episode, various people from past episodes testify about how awful they truly are.
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The series ends with all four characters going to jail.
When asked about the show&#8217;s final episode during a Reddit AMA in 2014, Seinfeld <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/comment/ceivehi/">said</a>, &#8220;It was a way to thank all of the people who worked on the show over the years that we thought made the show work. I don&#8217;t believe in trying to change the past but I&#8217;m very happy with it.”
One year later, the comedian said he wished they’d ended the series differently. “I sometimes think we really shouldn’t have even done it,” he told the New Yorker Festival in 2017, according to <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/jerry-seinfeld-sometimes-regrets-seinfeld-finale.html">Vulture</a>. “There was a lot of pressure on us at that time to do one big last show, but big is always bad in comedy.”

Jerry Seinfeld Teases Possible Reunion During Stand-Up Show: ‘Something Is Going To Happen’

Jerry Seinfeld Teases Possible Reunion During Stand-Up Show

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the final episode of the TV comedy series Seinfeld. For those who may not have watched it, it was, as advertised, “a show about nothing.” By nothing, we mean four single apartment-dwelling New York misanthropes ricocheting their way from one series of chaotic events to the next. It’s not much of a premise to be sure, but with the brilliant comedic minds of co-creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David at the writing desks, and arguably the funniest comedic quartet since the Marx Brothers (don’t forget Zeppo!) acting out one steadily escalating problem after another throughout 180 episodes over eight seasons, Seinfeld would become the most popular sit-com in television history. 
So with that said, it pains me to ask a question we hear more and more these days when it comes to comedy – could this show about nothing ever be made today? 
It’s not a crazy thought. After all, Mel Brooks has claimed that his most popular film, Blazing Saddles, could never be made now. Brooks blames the culture: “Never Blazing Saddles, because we have become stupidly politically correct, which is the death of comedy. It’s okay not to hurt feelings of various tribes and groups. However, it’s not good for comedy. Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks. Comedy is the lecherous little elf whispering into the king’s ear, always telling the truth about human behavior.” 
It’s not hard to see what parts of Brooks’ classic parody western would give offense to the hyper-latted, blue-haired social justice warrior and serial uberfeeler of today – especially his comedic use of the “N” word. Of course, anyone who gets Brooks’ humor can see that he rigorously lampoons the ignorant and racist mindset that goes into feeling comfortable enough to say it. 
As with Nazism in another Brooks classic, The Producers, he attacks uncomfortable subjects through the oblique angle of humor to both deflate the topic and discredit the reactionary ideology behind it by portraying its adherents as fools to be ridiculed. Humor is a comedian’s way of confronting the painful.
But what of the much less cutting Seinfeld? There’s no use of the “N” word. They never get political (other than to call George Will “handsome”).  And the episodes present silly concepts like Jerry making fun of people with ponies in front of a pony lover, a delirious Elaine on painkillers, George pretending to be a marine biologist, and Kramer feeding a horse Beef-O-Rino (and the flatulence that results). And the butts of the jokes, which are often self-inflicted, are usually its four morally compromised ensemble characters. So how could anyone find this “show about nothing” offensive? 
Well, what if the subject matter is, say, Jerry and George trying desperately to convince a student reporter that they’re not gay lovers? George is so panicked at the very suggestion that he challenges the attractive NYU reporter about to “out” him with: “Come on! You wanna have sex right now? Let’s go, baby!” Even though the dialogue follows every impassioned denial of homosexuality with a disclaimer “not that there’s anything wrong with that,” it certainly wouldn’t be enough in the face of a cancel culture today that takes no prisoners. 
Why wouldn’t an LGBT watchdog group pounce on this episode for Jerry and George’s viscerally negative reaction to being misconstrued as gay? Why should there be any negative reaction to being gay at all? And why must there be a disclaimer to tell us something that everyone should believe already? How much alienation and homophobia can a show spew in 22 minutes!
There’s more, of course. How about an episode wherein Jerry buys Elaine a cigar store Indian statue and keeps using terms like “Indian giver” and “bury the hatchet” in front of Elaine’s Native-American friend whom Jerry wants to impress, but just insults instead? Cultural appropriation and racial/ethnic insensitivity all at once. Doesn’t Seinfeld know about the Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee? 
There is the episode where Jerry and George ply the former’s girlfriend with white wine and turkey so she’ll pass out and they can play with her verboten toy collection. Not to mention Kramer’s watching with binoculars from Jerry’s apartment a pretty woman undressing in the apartment across the street. Need I even discuss the blatant misogyny and date rape implications? #Believeallwomen would have a field day with this.
And then we see one show in which Jerry exploits the talents of a deaf lip reader girlfriend to eavesdrop on conversations at a party, showing terrible disrespect for the hearing impaired, let alone handicapped over all. Being handicapped isn’t funny, Mister. 
And how about Jerry manhandling an old woman on the street and stealing her marble rye bread while calling her an “old bag”? Ageism, anyone? 
Then there is the episode with Elaine unsure if the man she’s dating is black or white, and all the cultural and racial clues she tries to decipher to find her answer without coming out and asking him. Get Al Sharpton on the phone! 
It goes on and on. I’m not here to simply list the beloved comedy shows in my time that would give offense to the safe-space/microaggression crowd today – there are plenty of articles out there about all that. Rather, it is to highlight Dennis Prager’s observation when he speaks of leftism (not to be confused with liberalism). “The left ruins everything.” Certainly where comedy is concerned. And why shouldn’t it? Comedy requires certain shared characteristics in the audience in order to work. 
They must have a thick skin, be able to understand when something is said in jest and process the message accordingly, and, most of all, be able to laugh at and not take the person they see in the mirror every morning so seriously. Clearly, as anyone who has seen the backlash against even the mild ruminations of Dave Chappelle can tell you, the modern leftist has no such psychological armor. And so, comedy is a casualty. 
Seinfeld himself said that although he doesn’t play colleges, he’s been warned by other comedians to stay away as they are now p.c. minefields. Comic icons from Dennis Miller to Ricky Gervais have uttered similar dismay over the hypersensitivities of the p.c. crowd. 
John Cleese has said of politically correct comedy, “It starts off as a halfway decent idea and then goes completely wrong. It is taken ad absurdum.” 
Although I disagree that going out of one’s way to not give offense in comedy is a decent idea, Cleese is right about the absurdity of it. The late great Gilbert Gottfried offered: “Imagine the great comedians working today. They’d never stop apologizing. Charlie Chaplin would have to apologize to all the homeless people he belittled with his Little Tramp character.” Chris Rock also nails it: “You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.”
It is ironic that the deaths of certain art forms come from the same side of the political spectrum that has given us so much great content in the past. Hollywood and media has been run by the left for generations, and yet it is from this same once-irreverent and insightful left, from whom we were gifted All In The Family (another unlikely greenlight today), that the woke cancel culture arises.
So where does this hijacking of pop culture by the woke mob leave the comedic arts today? We’ll never know because one cannot miss the shows that are never aired or comedic routines never delivered. Had Seinfeld faced a hard pass, although some wonderful humor would have been denied us, it’s not like our worlds would be any different. And that’s the insidiousness of sensitivity censorship. What great projects that would have been greenlit thirty years ago have been sacrificed upon the altar of inoffensiveness? What have we missed? 
Don Henley once said, “The creative impulse comes from the dark side of the personality.” That goes for comedy as well as music. 
Perhaps the greatest casualty of the smothering blanket of p.c. extremism is potential. A world without the caustic and, in its own way, thought-provoking comedy of Mel Brooks or Jerry Seinfeld/Larry David just wouldn’t be as fun. It would still turn, sure, but it would be a little bleaker, more anodyne, less flavorful. This is a steeper cultural price to pay than we may realize.
A people who cannot laugh at themselves are an unhappy, and fragile, bunch indeed.

Seinfeld’s 25th Anniversary And Comedy In The Woke Age

Seinfeld's 25th Anniversary And Comedy In The Woke Age

Jerry Seinfeld is a very wealthy man, and he can thank a show about &#8216;nothing&#8217; for his millions.
The New York native’s rise to superstardom isn’t unique, but his current status as comedy’s beloved elder statesman is. And that deserves attention.
The now-68-year-old did it the old-fashioned way, without family ties, gimmicks or scandals. He might be the most universally adored comic at a time when everyone has a scalding hot take against the Hollywood elite.
Seinfeld’s story began, where else, in the greater New York area. The young Seinfeld honed his craft in clubs like Catch a Rising Star, although the raw comic needed a nip of liquid courage before his very first gig back in 1976.
He kept working, deepening his observations to the tiniest details, hearkening back to the comedy morsels he devoured as a child to guide his path. Think classic comedy albums from Alan King and Robert Klein, spiced by watching the pros crack wise on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
The comedian picked the right time to embrace stand-up. Comedy clubs flowered in the 1980s, and as the decade wore on network executives plucked the best of the best and gave them sitcoms all their own.
Right as that trend was taking root, Seinfeld landed a coveted spot on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” circa 1981, and his comedy career began to bloom. He spent the better part of the Reagan decade defining a style that differed from his stand-up peers.
Seinfeld didn’t get his hands dirty with political yuks like George Carlin or Bill Hicks. Nor did he ape the bawdy tactics of Sam Kinison or Andrew “Dice” Clay, the decade’s comedy giants. He kept his commentary clean, leaning on the signature crack in his voice for grand comic effect.
No props. No wacky voices or impressions. Just … funny observations everyone could understand.
By the late 1980s he was at the top of his craft, which explains why NBC began courting him for a sitcom all his own.
The show’s pilot, dubbed “The Seinfeld Chronicles,” didn’t become an instant smash. Far from it. Still, something clicked within the NBC inner chambers and the Peacock Network dubbed the show “Seinfeld” and gave it a four-episode commitment, giving him and co-creator Larry David the second chance they deserved.
That’s all the show needed. That, of course, and adding a fourth member of the troupe established in the pilot – <a href="https://consequence.net/2021/09/seinfeld-pilot-episode/2/">Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus</a>).
The rest is TV history. The show ran for nine seasons, ending not due to any creative or ratings decline but because Seinfeld felt it was time to move on. That, plus the show’s ability to eschew pop culture touchstones that might date the storylines, give the series a timeless quality.
We still use the show’s catch phrases, from “yada yada yada” to “not that there’s anything wrong with that…”
Who knew a show about nothing could become arguably TV’s best sitcom?
Seinfeld didn’t hang up his mic once the series ended, even though it made him fabulously wealthy. Celebrity Net Worth says he’s <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/jerry-seinfeld-networth/">worth a cool $950 million</a>.
He took his sweet time between projects, from the animated “Bee Movie” (2007) to multiple Netflix stand-up specials. His folksy “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” found him lounging with fellow comics for hilarious chats that didn’t follow any set formula. We were all flies on the wall, catching every last drop (and quip).
Seinfeld’s aggressively apolitical bent has served him well through the years. He avoids culture war battles and finds passionate fans across the ideological spectrum. That’s true both on, and off, the stage.
A wise movie character once said, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uki4lrLzRaU">A man’s gotta know his limitations.”</a> And for Seinfeld it’s <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/07/03/jerry-seinfeld-new-season-comedians-cars-netflix/746672002/">political yuks.</a> &#8220;I’m not good at it. And I don’t like “we agree” applause. As a comedian, I don’t think that’s fun to get. I like it when people just laugh.&#8221;
The only time he generated headlines for something that didn’t involve his comedy? An off-handed comment in 2015 about his decision to <a href="https://ew.com/article/2015/06/08/jerry-seinfeld-politically-correct-college-campuses/">stop playing college campuses</a>. 
“I don’t play colleges, but I hear a lot of people tell me, ‘Don’t go near colleges. They’re so PC. … They just want to use these words: ‘That’s racist;’ ‘That’s sexist;’ ‘That’s prejudice. They don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.”
Even more refreshing? Seinfeld isn’t apologizing for “Seinfeld” at a time when artists are being attacked for their past work. “Friends” is the perfect example. Woke critics have slammed the NBC sensation for not being diverse enough and dabbling in problematic comedy (like Fat Monica jokes).
“Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/friends-creator-embarrassed-diversity-donates-4-million-1235307727/">cut a $4 million check</a> to fund the Marta F. Kauffman ‘78 Professorship in African and African American Studies at Brandeis University to assuage her guilt.
“Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.&#8221;
Seinfeld doesn’t engage with such trifles. He understands the joy “Seinfeld” has given millions of fans, witnessing <a href="https://deadline.com/2021/09/seinfeld-netflix-streaming-debut-trailer-1234839091/">Netflix’s triumphant move to debut the show</a> in 2021.
A less confident artist might beg for the culture’s forgiveness. Not Seinfeld.
The usual suspects have tried to <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/seinfeld-cancel-culture-out-of-control/">gin up a Cancel Culture attack</a> on the series and, by extension, Seinfeld. He ignores each and every one. And, as a result, his fans applaud him even louder.
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of <a href="http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News&#8217; Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto?lang=en">@HollywoodInToto</a>. 
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Readers Pass – Toto – Jerry Seinfeld16x9

Apolitical Jerry Seinfeld Is Comedy’s Undisputed Elder Statesmen

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/golf">Golf</a> star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ok-she-might-be-beautiful-jordan-peterson-humorously-salutes-traditional-idea-of-beauty">Paige Spiranac</a> channeled “Seinfeld” after taking heat for her stance against the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/blood-money-what-to-make-of-the-new-saudi-funded-golf-series">Saudi-back golf tour</a> that threatens to undermine the PGA.
The bombshell linkster told the “<a href="https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/paige-spiranac-reveals-why-shed-turn-down-liv-golf">Bunkered</a>” podcast she would never join the LIV Golf tour, which has lured American superstars including <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/saudi-golf-tour-reaches-deal-with-mickelson-after-landing-dustin-johnson-for-125m">Phil Mickelson</a>, Bryson DeChambeau, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/another-major-pga-star-golfer-defects-to-saudi-tour-after-black-cloud-hint">Brooks Koepka</a>, and Dustin Johnson with huge signing bonuses and big prize money. That prompted Larry Klayman, a Washington attorney, to tweet that no one cares what she thinks.
“A Boob Job Does Not Make You a Wise Sage!” Klayman wrote.
To which Spiranac replied: “They’re real and they’re spectacular.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
They’re real and they’re spectacular <a href="https://t.co/Epr83O0jiM">https://t.co/Epr83O0jiM</a>
&mdash; Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaigeSpiranac/status/1539986337880838144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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That line was famously uttered by actress Teri Hatcher on an <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0697711/">episode of “Seinfeld”</a>in which Elaine insists Jerry’s girlfriend has breast implants.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ok-she-might-be-beautiful-jordan-peterson-humorously-salutes-traditional-idea-of-beauty">‘OK. SHE MIGHT BE BEAUTIFUL&#8217;: JORDAN PETERSON ON PAIGE SPIRANAC</a>
Spiranac, a fan favorite for her pinup looks as much as her swing, told the podcast no amount of money would persuade her to play for the Kingdom’s new venture.
&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t do it,&#8221; she said. &#8220;A lot of people like, &#8216;Bulls***, you would do it for a certain amount of money.&#8217; But I think about things and my career and, like, I wouldn&#8217;t sign up for OnlyFans because, morally, it just doesn&#8217;t align with what I&#8217;m doing.”
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US Open day 2! Who do you have winning? <a href="https://twitter.com/PointsBetUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PointsBetUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/n0KMXS0btT">pic.twitter.com/n0KMXS0btT</a>
&mdash; Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaigeSpiranac/status/1537799147813621761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The LIV Golf Invitational Series takes its name from the Roman numeral for 54, which is the number of holes golfers will pay in each three-round tournament. It is backed by Saudi Arabia and fronted by Australian golf legend Greg Norman.
The tour reportedly paid Johnson $120 million to join and Mickelson as much as $200 million. But others have refused, according to reports. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus turned down $100 million to be the face of the tour and Tiger Woods reportedly refused nearly $1 billion to play.
The PGA has effectively banned defectors from its tournaments.
“We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation,” the PGA said in a statement. “The players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup. This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.”

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