Jerry Seinfeld, the mastermind behind the eponymous ’90s sitcom that defined a generation, isn’t one to hold back his thoughts, even when they stir up some controversy.
Lately, Seinfeld has taken aim at the concept of modern masculinity, a topic he delved into during an engaging session on the Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast.
Currently on a media tour to promote his latest Netflix comedy special, Unfrosted, Seinfeld, 70, has also addressed some raised eyebrows over the film’s suggestive themes, set against a 1960s backdrop.
Reflecting on his views on masculinity, Seinfeld shared, “That’s a real man. I want to be like that someday. No, look at how I dress — like an eight-year-old. I always wanted to be a real man, but I never made it. I never really grew up. You don’t want to as a comedian. It’s a childish pursuit, but I miss dominant masculinity.”
When the conversation turned to the dangers of toxic masculinity, Seinfeld acknowledged the issue but reiterated his nostalgic yearning, saying, “Yeah, I get the toxic thing. Thank you, thank you. But still, I like a real man.”
“He felt like one of those guys I wanted to be. He knows how to dress. He knows how to talk,” Seinfeld continued, elaborating on his idea of ‘a real man.’ “He’s charming. He has stories. He’s comfortable at dinner parties, knows how to get a drink. That stuff.”
Not one to mince words, Seinfeld has also recently reignited old rivalries by critiquing the iconic sitcom Friends for allegedly borrowing elements from Seinfeld.
During a promotional event, after facing allegations of copyright infringement related to his film, Seinfeld cheekily retorted, questioning if it was akin to what he perceived as character borrowing by Friends, “You mean like Friends?”
The comparison isn’t far-fetched as both Seinfeld and Friends are seminal works set in New York, focusing on groups of friends navigating life’s absurdities. Seinfeld, known as the ‘show about nothing,’ concluded its nine-season run with the main characters in jail—a stark contrast to Friends, which opted for more conventional story arcs and did not, notably, end with its characters behind bars.
While the two shows share similarities, that climactic twist in Seinfeld certainly sets it apart. And Jerry isn’t afraid to point it out!