In a recent chat with Bari Weiss on her show Honestly, Jerry Seinfeld dove into his nostalgia for the ‘60s, the era of his childhood, and the backdrop for his directorial debut, Unfrosted. He reminisced about the vibe of that time, highlighting the agreed-upon hierarchy that seems to have vaporized in today’s world. According to him, this lack of hierarchy might explain the erratic driving habits we witness daily. Reflecting on masculinity, Seinfeld confessed to a desire to embody the archetype of a "real man" epitomized by figures like JFK, Muhammad Ali, and Sean Connery, although he admitted to never quite achieving it himself.
Seinfeld also shared his thoughts on the comedy scene, appreciating its competitive nature and self-correcting mechanisms. Drawing parallels with the NFL, he emphasized how both fields quickly weed out those who don't measure up. In comedy, he noted, the rules are simple: you're either funny or you're not worth the audience's time.
Throughout the conversation, Seinfeld's wistful tone hinted at a longing for the dominant masculinity he admired from afar but never fully embodied himself. Despite acknowledging the criticisms of toxic masculinity, he expressed a genuine fondness for the idea of a "real man" and the competitive spirit that drives both comedy and sports.
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