Jerry Seinfeld laments the current state of TV comedy, yearning for the good old days.
Jerry Seinfeld expressed his inner thoughts to The New Yorker during his media tour to support the movie on the Pop-Tart's origin in the 1960s. However, his comments on the decline of comedy carry an "old man complaining about the cloud" feeling, not due to inaccuracies in his assessments but because of the oversimplification and idealization of the past.
Seinfeld reminisced about his days, saying, "You'd go home at the end of the day, and most people would say, 'Oh, 'Cheers' is on. Oh, 'MAS*H' is on. Oh, 'Mary Tyler Moore' is on. 'All in the Family' is on.' You'd expect to find something amusing to watch on TV. Gee, where is it now? This is the outcome of left-wing extremism and people overthinking to avoid offending others. Now, people will watch stand-up comics because we are not restrained by any rules."
This comment contains several shocking claims. First, Seinfeld selects four top-tier sitcoms, ignoring the numerous mediocre ones that were part of the landscape during those years. For example, he overlooks the scarcity of options, with just three broadcast networks and a limited number of cable channels, not counting innovative internet content.
While it's true that heightened sensitivity towards certain groups could deter comedians, it's also important to acknowledge how much the industry has evolved. For example, multi-camera sitcoms have taken a back seat to single-camera shows, which have flooded the market with diverse options across various networks. Additionally, stand-up comedians have grown in popularity, thanks in part to outlets like Netflix.
Seinfeld's claim that we're short on laughs overlooks a dramatic shift in television production: the multitude of options available for viewers. If we consider Seinfeld's perspective solely, only "All in the Family" among his cited shows might have faced scrutiny from those criticizing "PC crap." But even stand-up comedy has experienced a boom with platforms like Netflix.
Though it's understandable for someone of a certain age to feel challenged by the ever-changing nature of television, it would be more productive to consider the benefits. We now have a more diverse range of comedy options, encompassing different forms and addressing different demographics. The key to finding comedic content lies in knowing where to look and maintaining an open mind. Seinfeld's critique of the current state of affairs overlooks the abundant choices that make it a more entertaining era.
In a nutshell, Jerry Seinfeld exemplifies the tendency of established artists expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of their craft, praising the "good old days" while disregarding the recent advancements in the industry. While it's clear that the TV landscape has undergone some significant changes, the aspects he bemoans detract from his points and could stifle creativity. Despite his mixed views, the current environment provides far more opportunities for comedians and viewers alike, including those of us who find "Unfrosted" amusing. That's what he's not realizing.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
