Jerry Seinfeld refuses to play colleges because of how Politically Correct they are

Lagraso · 08-06-2015 11:25PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Wha?

I find our Irish humour can be very dark and unPC. We seem to generally take the piss out of everything, when were serious, when were having a laugh, when were upset.

We're fantastic aren't we.

jimgoose · 08-06-2015 11:26PM

I think Mr. George Carlin had the right of it when he explained, "You da fcukin' Hon-kaaayy!".

Lagraso · 08-06-2015 11:27PM

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Colleges are businesses. Any sniff of anything that might be construed as offensive by the special snowflake (love that phrase) represents a potential loss of profits which is a big no-no. It's not just the US by any stretch. I work for the University of Sussex which is probably the last left-wing university in the UK and it's here as well. I'm holed up in a lab most of the day so it doesn't affect me personally but if I were working in politics, economics or philosophy I'd be feeling gagged. Universities are meant to be the ultimate bastions of free speech and ideas but this idea of running education solely for profit is anathema to that.

It's interesting how so many people who identify with being left wing often tend to be quite authoritarian in their behaviours.

NachoBusiness · 08-06-2015 11:32PM

Chris Rock stopped a few years back also, for similar reasons.

I think the last one he played he called them all drunk white rich kids and told them that he hoped when the terrorists came back, they'd hit them first.

Something like that.

Not a NSA agent · 08-06-2015 11:33PM

Im not sure if its completely different in the US but in my experience of here what tends to happen is the 10 people who care about this kind of crap make some noise while the other 90%+ of students couldnt give a flying **** whats PC or not.

Cold War Kid · 08-06-2015 11:35PM

Not a NSA agent wrote: »

Im not sure if its completely different in the US but in my experience of here what tends to happen is the 10 people who care about this kind of crap make some noise while the other 90%+ of students couldnt give a flying **** whats PC or not.

Me too. Huge over-blowing of this "PC" phenomenon IMO.

Massimo Cassagrande · 08-06-2015 11:53PM

I understand where he's coming from - I refuse to play colleges too.

Yeah, they don't want me either..:(

NI24 · 09-06-2015 12:33AM

The cynic in me thinks that Jerry is using this as an excuse because he knows he wouldn't be able to sell enough tickets on a college campus. The man is a has-been. I've seen plenty of more offensive comics on college campuses and they are welcome back time and time again, because they sell. Like what was said before, colleges are businesses--if he's funny enough, they don't care how offensive because it makes money. There aren't enough students who will be so offended by a rich white man and his observations that they'll drop out, therefore leading to financial losses, so any money-makers are welcome.

Did anyone see his attempts at re-entering the standup circuit by appearing on late-night shows? Truly pathetic.

KungPao · 09-06-2015 01:08AM

A Jew complaining about PC in the USA.

Oy vey.

OneOfThem · 09-06-2015 01:49AM

NI24 wrote: »

The cynic in me thinks that Jerry is using this as an excuse because he knows he wouldn't be able to sell enough tickets on a college campus. The man is a has-been. I've seen plenty of more offensive comics on college campuses and they are welcome back time and time again, because they sell. Like what was said before, colleges are businesses--if he's funny enough, they don't care how offensive because it makes money. There aren't enough students who will be so offended by a rich white man and his observations that they'll drop out, therefore leading to financial losses, so any money-makers are welcome.

Did anyone see his attempts at re-entering the standup circuit by appearing on late-night shows? Truly pathetic.

He sells out everything he is booked in. And has done since the nineties. And every stand up comedian there is recognises him as a master of the craft. He's never not sold out a venue since the TV show. But please tell us more about how he's afraid to bomb the college circuit.

Richard Hillman · 09-06-2015 02:31AM

Faux-Outrage is a scourge within the media and internet. I wouldn't call it political correctness. It's just people stirring it up to hound somebody they do not like.

jank · 09-06-2015 05:04AM

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Faux-Outrage is a scourge within the media and internet. I wouldn't call it political correctness. It's just people stirring it up to hound somebody they do not like.

So, who in particular is Jerry Seinfeld hounding in this instance.

Who is Chris Rock and George Carlin hounding in this article?

You recently hosted Saturday Night Live, and in the monologue, where you were talking about the opening of One World Trade, my wife and I both felt just like you: No way are we going into that building. But you look online the next morning, and some people were offended2and accused you of disparaging the 9/11 victims. The political correctness that was thought to be dead is now—

Oh, it’s back stronger than ever. I don’t pay that much attention to it. I mean, you don’t want to piss off the people that are paying you, obviously, but otherwise I’ve just been really good at ignoring it. Honestly, it’s not that people were offended by what I said. They get offended by how much fun I appear to be having while saying it. You could literally take everything I said on Saturday night and say it on Meet the Press, and it would be a general debate, and it would go away. But half of it’s because they think they can hurt comedians.

That they can hurt your career?

Yeah. They think you’re more accessible than Tom Brokaw saying the exact same thing.

What do you make of the attempt to bar Bill Maher from speaking at Berkeley for his riff on Muslims?3

Well, I love Bill, but I stopped playing colleges, and the reason is because they’re way too conservative.

In their political views?

Not in their political views — not like they’re voting Republican — but in their social views and their willingness not to offend anybody. Kids raised on a culture of “We’re not going to keep score in the game because we don’t want anybody to lose.” Or just ignoring race to a fault. You can’t say “the black kid over there.” No, it’s “the guy with the red shoes.” You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.

When did you start to notice this?

About eight years ago. Probably a couple of tours ago. It was just like, This is not as much fun as it used to be. I remember talking to George Carlin before he died and him saying the exact same thing.

Lagraso · 09-06-2015 06:49AM

NI24 wrote: »

The cynic in me thinks that Jerry is using this as an excuse because he knows he wouldn't be able to sell enough tickets on a college campus. The man is a has-been. I've seen plenty of more offensive comics on college campuses and they are welcome back time and time again, because they sell. Like what was said before, colleges are businesses--if he's funny enough, they don't care how offensive because it makes money. There aren't enough students who will be so offended by a rich white man and his observations that they'll drop out, therefore leading to financial losses, so any money-makers are welcome.

Did anyone see his attempts at re-entering the standup circuit by appearing on late-night shows? Truly pathetic.

This Is one seriously bitter post.

Wibbs · 09-06-2015 10:35AM

Not a NSA agent wrote: »

Im not sure if its completely different in the US but in my experience of here what tends to happen is the 10 people who care about this kind of crap make some noise while the other 90%+ of students couldnt give a flying **** whats PC or not.

Sure here is a different kettle of fish, but US colleges can be another world. And its not just say a small percentage of the students, it's the faculty. It's much more top down, with "speech codes" and kangaroo courts making judgements that would be ripped apart, even illegal beyond the college gates.

jimgoose · 09-06-2015 10:42AM

Wibbs wrote: »

..."speech codes"....

A brother-in-law of mine is married to an American, and they live in Boston. Their youngfella is twelve or thirteen. One time when they were over I heard, from the next room, "Mo-oom! Dad called me a "Knob-Jockey"! What does that mean?!?"

Obviously I had to leave the house in convulsions! :pac:

jonnypacket · 09-06-2015 07:19PM

Is there anything more boring than the modern liberal-fascist? They seem incapable of cracking a smile and exist in a perpetual state of outrage, seeking out offense in the most innocuous of situations. Straight white males are the scapegoat for everything wrong in their joyless lives. It must be a miserable existence.

NI24 · 10-06-2015 05:46AM

OneOfThem wrote: »

He sells out everything he is booked in. And has done since the nineties. And every stand up comedian there is recognises him as a master of the craft. He's never not sold out a venue since the TV show. But please tell us more about how he's afraid to bomb the college circuit.

If he played my alma mater he would be laughed out of the state. Jewish Manhattanites in their 60s telling outdated jokes in an outdated style don't do well among young people. Just because he can sell out Radio City Music Hall does not mean he'll do well in the college circuit. And it doesn't matter what every comedian says about him--the general public is a different group. I'm not saying he wasn't a master of the craft, I'm saying he isn't any longer. He's lost his touch and he knows it. His late night appearances were embarrassing. Many newer comedians are copying his style well by updating it and doing updated material, but at this point he needs to bow out gracefully. I'm sorry if this offends so many men who think that every old guy is some sort of a legend, but he is the definition of a has-been.

Oh, and the college circuit doesn't pay as well, so I'm sure that's a factor too.

Jerry Seinfeld refuses to play colleges because of how Politically Correct they are

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