Jerry Seinfeld Faces Criticism After Comments About Missing ‘Dominant Masculinity’ in Society
Written by Rtradio on May 30, 2024
Jerry Seinfeld is stirring up controversy over publicly made comments about masculinity.
During a recent podcast appearance on The Free Press’ Honestly With Bari Weiss, the 70-year-old Seinfeld creator discussed his new Netflix film, Unfrosted, and how setting the movie in the 1960s triggered a healthy bit of nostalgia for him — specifically for the “dominant masculinity” and social “hierarchy” of the time.
Seinfeld — who also stars in the film — was born in 1954 and said that for him, the movie brought out a serious longing for his childhood and what he considered the structure of the world at the time. His comments came after Weiss, 40, said she believes today’s world lacks a “common culture” and a “conversation.”
“But there’s another element there that I think is the key element, and that is an agreed-upon hierarchy, which I think is absolutely vaporized in today’s moment. We have no sense of hierarchy. And as humans, we don’t really feel comfortable like that. So, that is part of what makes that moment attractive, looking back,” Seinfeld replied.
The Bee Movie voice actor continued, explaining that another big part of making Unfrosted that resonated with him was exploring a return to the concept of what he refers to as a “real man,” providing examples including former President John F. Kennedy Jr., Muhammad Ali and Sean Connery as examples.
“Well, I always wanted to be a real man. I never made it,” the comedian shared. “But I never really grew up. I mean, you don’t want to grow up, as a comedian, because it’s a childish pursuit. But I miss a dominant masculinity. Yeah, I get the toxic thing, I get it. But still, I like a real man.”
As for an example of what a “real man” looks like in today’s society, Seinfeld pointed to Hugh Grant, his co-star in Unfrosted.
“That’s why I love Hugh Grant,” Seinfeld 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.”
Back in April, Seinfeld spoke with ET while promoting the film and joked with his other co-star, comedian Jim Gaffigan, and the pair even referenced Grant’s role in the movie — the British-born actor plays Tony the Tiger of Frosted Flakes fame.
“Hugh Grant is Tony the Tiger,” said Gaffigan, 57, when asked what made him want to board the movie.
“That’s the reason I made the film, just to hear someone say that,” Seinfeld quipped in response.
According to a synopsis, the highly fictionalized origin story of the Pop Tart — set in March of 1963 — follows the race between Kellogg’s and Post, “sworn cereal rivals” to “create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever.” It also stars Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, James Marsden, Jack McBrayer, Thomas Lennon, Bobby Moynihan, Maria Bakalova, Max Greenfield, Bill Burr, Dan Levy, Christian Slater and more.
Watch the trailer for Unfrosted in the player below:
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