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In a candid discussion on the “Honestly with Bari Weiss” podcast, comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld opened up about his thoughts on masculinity and societal changes since his youth, PageSix reports. The “Seinfeld” co-creator, who has spent decades making America laugh, reflected on the concept of “dominant masculinity” and how it shaped his aspirations and the world he grew up in.
Nostalgia for a Bygone Era
Seinfeld, now 70, expressed a sense of nostalgia for the 1960s, the setting of his latest film “Unfrosted,” which is now streaming on Netflix. When asked if he misses that time period, Seinfeld admitted he does. “There’s another element there that I think is the key element, and that is an agreed upon hierarchy, which I think has absolutely vaporized in today’s moment,” he said. According to Seinfeld, the lack of a clear societal structure has contributed to modern frustrations and erratic behaviors, such as aggressive driving.
Seinfeld emphasized that a key part of this hierarchical structure was a strong sense of masculinity. “I really thought, when I was in that era, again it was JFK, it was Muhammad Ali, it was Sean Connery, Howard Cosell, you can go all the way down there. That’s a real man. I want to be like that some day,” he explained. The comedian jokingly acknowledged that his profession has kept him in a state of perpetual childhood, calling comedy “a childish pursuit.”
The Essence of Masculinity
Seinfeld’s comments also touched on the modern interpretation of masculinity. “But I miss dominant masculinity. Yeah, I get the toxic [masculinity], but still, I like a real man,” he stated. Despite the complexities of today's discourse on gender roles, Seinfeld expressed a longing for the kind of straightforward, confident masculinity he admired in figures from his youth.
Jerry Seinfeld praised Hugh Grant, who stars in “Unfrosted,” as a prime example of this ideal. “That’s why I love Hugh Grant,” he said. “Because he felt like one of those guys I wanted to be. He knows how to dress, he knows how to talk, he’s charming, he has stories, he’s comfortable at dinner parties, he knows how to get a drink … I love those movements of style.”
“Unfrosted” features a star-studded cast including Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, and Jim Gaffigan. Seinfeld revealed that the film was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic as a lighthearted escape from the prevailing gloom. “We started during COVID because I couldn’t take the sad faces,” he said. “In comedy, we hate that. We can’t fix the world, but we just want to make a face happy, even just for a few minutes.”
The film, now available on Netflix, delves into the historical rivalry between cereal giants Kellogg’s and Post, chronicling their race to create the Pop-Tarts toaster pastries that revolutionized breakfast. Seinfeld’s exploration of this quirky piece of history aims to offer audiences a much-needed respite from the wearying political climate.
In his conversation with Weiss, Jerry Seinfeld humorously reflected on his own journey and the figures who inspired him, underscoring a complex but affectionate view of the past and its influence on his present outlook. Through his comedy and storytelling, Seinfeld continues to navigate and comment on the evolving social landscape, always with a touch of humor and a nod to the icons who shaped his dreams.
