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seinfeld-letterman.jpg

Jerry Seinfeld is Such a Schmuck

By Dustin Rowles | Streaming | May 8, 2018 |

By Dustin Rowles | Streaming | May 8, 2018 |


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Did you know that, a few years ago, Michael Cohen approached Seth Meyers and tried to negotiate a deal to have Trump on Late Night? There was one sticking point, however, and for Trump, it was non-negotiable: He insisted that, during Trump’s appearance, Meyers apologize publicly to Trump for making fun of him at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Donald Trump never did appear on Late Night. Meyers refused to apologize. He had nothing for which to apologize. He went out there; he spoke truth to a clown; and that clown became a President, and 7 years later, Michelle Wolf spoke truth to that clown-turned-President.

One guy who really admired Michelle Wolf for her speech is David Letterman, who spoke about Wolf’s speech briefly with Jerry Seinfeld in an episode of Letterman’s Netflix show, which hasn’t yet aired.

“The more I get to think about it, the more I think, that was just great. Whatever the reaction … she had the guts to stand up there and didn’t apologize, whereas everybody is now apologizing for everything. So, whether you liked it or not, I really had great admiration for the fact that she was able to walk into that room and just decimate the place.”

In these times, it’s good to have someone who isn’t all “politically correct,” right, Jerry Seinfeld? Mr. “I don’t go near colleges because they’re too PC?” I assume, then, that Seinfeld has no problem making political jokes, right? I mean, has there been a time in recent memory when it has been so crucial?

“No, no. It doesn’t interest me. I do a lot of raisin stuff. Raisins. I have a lot of raisin material.”

Jesus, Jerry.

Chris Rock’s bit on Trump and bullies on his most recent Netflix special was so good that I made my 10-year-old watch it, in spite of the language. And John Mulaney delivered what was maybe the best political joke of the Trump era on his special. In Annihilation, Patton Oswalt performed some terrific Trump material in the midst of talking about his grieving process after his wife died. I like stand-up a lot, but I have seldom sought it out as much as I have in recent years, because of the way great comedians have been able to put this era into context.

But Jerry Seinfeld? He does a lot of raisin stuff.

I bet he plays really well in Branson, speaking truth to fruit.