Jerry Seinfeld's Longing for the Past Reveals a Disturbing Trend
During a recent conversation with Bari Weiss, editor of The Free Press, Seinfeld expressed desires from the early 1960s. As they went on to discuss Black civil rights and toxic masculinity, he instead focused on the appeal of dominant men and hierarchy.
This idea may not be deliberately tied to the current climate where women are denied healthcare, professors are fired for teaching Black history, and Supreme Court justices debate the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, but Seinfeld has no interest in politics.
However, his perspective on gender and masculinity (shared by numerous male comedians and, interestingly, some conservative politicians) is inherently political, and it has significantly influenced the entertainment industry. This outlook reinforces regressive views that are now widespread in certain regions of the United States.
Female-related jokes have always been prevalent in stand-up comedy; biting comedy about the emasculation of men and placing blame on women has even become more common. Seinfeld hints at this, connecting the erosion of hierarchy with the departure of dominant masculinity. Other comedians have been more forthright. Adam Carolla, for instance, stated plainly in his 2010 "manosphere" manifesto, "In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks," that "masculinity, by any definition, is disappearing." By masculinity, he refers to both toughness and male superiority. He claims that he's not a misogynist but merely acknowledging that women are not as intelligent, emotionally stable, or humorous as men.
Similar to Seinfeld, Carolla reminisces about past eras. The 1950s, as he sees it, were a period in which "women cooked, cleaned, took care of the kids, and mended torn dungarees. Men provided, fixed the car, patched the roof, and defended the home with a baseball bat." He deplores changes brought on by the feminist movement, such as women obtaining more work opportunities. Although he claims women are better at taking care of children at home than in the workplace, he bemoans the rise of metrosexuals.
Even comedians who acknowledge the progress made by women in recent years still argue that feminism is to blame for modern men's inability to embody the "real man." In his latest book, "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You," Bill Maher shares similar sentiments, steeped in nostalgia. He explains the decline in American sexual activity as a result of feminism's "destruction" of men and sex, saying, "It’s the result of having it drilled into us in recent years that masculinity is itself toxic and scary and unevolved, and women don't like it." He believes that women are uninterested in "girly-men." Maher's suggestion of wishing for more sex and less gender is a subtle call to return to the 1950s.
Although women bear the brunt of this blame, these comedians' critiques are also connected to rising anti-gay and anti-trans hysteria in the political world. The masculinity they support is decisively heterosexual and fears not just women but also gay men and gender-nonconforming individuals. Carolla's hornet's nest is visible: "No dad wants his son to go gay," he declared in an early chapter. Although he claims to be pro-gay rights, he expresses his concern: "I'm open-minded but closed-behinded." His objections to metrosexuals hint at the link between the desire for a return to 1950s-style masculinity and anti-feminist, anti-gay politics.
In recent years, various high-profile politicians have rallied to the cause of a return to 1950s-style masculinity. Foremost among them is US Senator Josh Hawley. In his 2023 book, "Manhood: The Masculine Virtue America Needs," he asserts that "no menace to this nation is greater than the collapse of American manhood." He accuses modern liberalism of causing this collapse and positions his adherence to traditional gender norms as a brave action. "Masculinity is a taboo subject," he writes.
In an interview with Weiss, Seinfeld discusses the power of comedy - its ability to pierce through society's facade and reveal the truth. Similar to Maher and Carolla, Seinfeld sees himself as a truth-teller, immune to the necessity of "consensus and agreement" that many others follow. There's no need for fact-checkers or research; comedians can gauge their accuracy through audience laughter, indicating they've tapped into a universally acknowledged truth that remains unsaid.
However, the "universally acknowledged truths" we possess might just be "learned knowledge," and these can often be misguided, hurtful, and biased against the less privileged. Comedy can be transformative and emancipating, but it can also be destructive and close-minded. Famous comedians, even iconic ones like Seinfeld, aren't always able to differentiate between these two extremes.
Moreover, these comedians sometimes underestimate the political ramifications of their jokes. Seinfeld rose to fame for his comedy about the trivial aspects of everyday life. His acclaimed sitcom, known for its lack of politics, messages, or stakes, also contained a hidden nostalgia, albeit not as obvious as a traditionalist social media profile or a MAGA cap. His longing for the past mirrors the same problematic values, making his comedy just as toxic as overtly conservative content.
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Seinfeld's focus on the appeal of dominant men and hierarchy, despite current societal issues, highlights the persistence of certain opinions about gender dynamics. These perspectives, shared by some male comedians and conservative politicians, have influenced the entertainment industry and have the potential to reinforce regressive views.
Furthermore, the reminiscence of past eras by comedians like Seinfeld and Carolla often includes idealized views of traditional gender roles, which can contribute to the perpetuation of certain opinions and misunderstandings regarding gender equality.
