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Julia Louis-Dreyfus attends the 2024 Webby Awards in New York City.
CNN
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Jerry, step aside. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has joined the chat.
Last month, comedian Jerry Seinfeld sparked an online debate when he complained in an interview with The New Yorker that he felt there was no “funny stuff” to watch on TV anymore, blaming it on “the far left, the rubbish of political correctness, and people who care too much about offending others.”
When asked to comment on her former “Seinfeld” co-star’s controversial comments in a recent interview with The New York Times, Louis-Dreyfus thoughtfully responded, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being aware of certain sensitivities.”
“If you look back at comedies and dramas from, say, 30 years ago through today’s lens, you might find some aspects that are outdated,” she said.
Without naming her former co-star, Louis-Dreyfus added, “When you hear people start complaining about political correctness, I understand some people might rebel against it, but to me that’s a red flag, because sometimes it means something else.”
According to The New York Times, the “Veep” star expanded on his original thoughts in a second call with a reporter.
She later said, “Political correctness is obviously fine as long as it equates to tolerance,” adding that, “When it comes to people whose comments I find offensive, I respect their right to free speech, but I still reserve the right to boo them.”
“I think it’s good to be vigilant,” she added.
She said she believes the bigger issue is the “concentration of money and power” that comes with the “silos” of Hollywood studios, streamers and distributors, which she says is the real “threat to the arts.”
