You know, I think a lot of us can relate to the comfort of sinking into a half-hour of “Seinfeld” reruns. It’s like revisiting old friends, watching Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer stumble through their lives. And there’s something magical about quoting those iconic lines in public and instantly connecting with someone who shares that love for the show.
But as much as I adore “Seinfeld” the show, my feelings about Jerry Seinfeld the comedian are a bit more complicated these days. Sure, his stand-up routines have made me laugh, but sometimes I find myself wondering why I’m laughing at all.
This mixed bag of emotions spills over into his latest venture, “Unfrosted,” his Netflix comedy about the invention of the Pop Tart. Critics seem divided, some calling it an overextended skit, others questioning its depth. But for me, it’s a light-hearted romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy a spoof featuring Tony the Tiger and the Quaker Oats parson?
One reviewer summed it up perfectly, calling it “the quintessential comedian’s movie: it thumbs its nose at everything without necessarily believing in anything.” And that pretty much captures my thoughts on both the movie and Seinfeld’s comedy in general.
Unlike his partner-in-crime Larry David, Seinfeld’s comedy doesn’t leave a lasting impact or challenge our perceptions. And while that’s perfectly fine for some, I’ve always been drawn to comedians who push the boundaries a bit more.
Lately, Seinfeld’s insistence on avoiding controversy has raised a few eyebrows, especially with his comments about political correctness and his vocal support for certain causes. It makes me wonder if we’ll miss having an apolitical Seinfeld slipping through controversy the way his sitcom alter-ego often did.
His recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live” seemed to capture this feeling of exhaustion from all the publicity surrounding “Unfrosted.” Yet, even in that moment, he couldn’t resist slipping in another promo for his movie. It’s a reminder that, no matter what, Seinfeld is always all business.
If you want to call it that.
