“Seinfeld” stands the test of time … so far.
Culture is constantly in flux, and sitcoms that once represented the pinnacle of humor can seem antiquated over time. Much of “The Honeymooners” still works as intended, but not every classic crack lands like it once did.
So it’s possible “Seinfeld’s” signature shtick may strike the next generation as far less funny than it was to audiences who grew up with the show.
And then there’s the Social Justice Warrior crowd. They often see today’s humor as unacceptable, let alone jokes a mere decade old. These scolds are ready to engage in hashtag wars with any comedian who tells a joke that isn’t as polite as they want it to be.
That means SJWs would find plenty of “Seinfeld’s best bits offensive. Let’s count the reasons SJWs would freak if “Seinfeld” hit NBC today and not during the 1990s.
1. One Woman … No People of Color
The four-person ensemble isn’t gender balanced. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Elaine is the only woman in the quartet. That alone could spark trouble. Much worse? The show features a predominantly white cast, and that includes the guest stars. Once more, progressives would actively pressure the show to be more inclusive, particularly in a series set in New York City.
The fact that some of the progressives caterwauling about the ethnic disparity may belong to similarly monochromatic social circles won’t stop them.
2. Too Many ‘White People’ Problems
What many adored about “Seinfeld” is how the characters lost their minds over the slightest social faux pas. Remember the dreaded “drop ins”? What about how Elaine only likes the top of a muffin, not the rest?
First-world problems? Sure. SJWs would dig deeper and dub them “white people” problems. And that cannot stand.
3. George’s Domineering Side
Remember when George wanted to break up with his girlfriend as a display of relationship power? Funny, right? Patriarchy 101, the SJW crowd would cry. They might cheer the fact that his plan backfires at the end of the episode. They still wouldn’t take kindly to a male flexing his privilege in such an uncompromising way.
4. No Handicapped-Related Humor, Please
One of the more outlandish episodes had Kramer mistaken for a mentally challenged person courtesy of a Novocaine blast. Later, an altercation leaves Kramer with a fat lip that also impedes his normal speech patterns.
It’s all played for broad comic strokes, but any use of the mentally disabled in a comedy setting would surely set off SJWs.
They’d also howl over George feigning a handicap in order to use a higher-quality restroom in the classic “Butter Shave” episode.
5. Forget Body Shaming, What About Hand Shaming?
Another classic “Seinfeld” episode found Jerry aghast at the hands of his new squeeze. Seems they’re a bit more … manly … than he expected.
And thus the “man hands” nickname was born. Only making fun of a woman for being too manly could anger both the trans community and the SJW crowd. Twin backlashes could ensue. It wouldn’t be pretty.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member