Jerry Seinfeld on Making a Life in Comedy (and Also, Pop-Tarts)
Apr 26, 2024
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Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld discusses his new movie 'Unfrosted' based on inventing the Pop-Tart. He emphasizes the importance of writing in comedy success and shares insights on aging in the industry. Seinfeld's witty anecdotes and thoughts on crafting humor keep the conversation engaging and entertaining.
Success in comedy hinges on quality writing over performance, highlighting the importance of refining jokes to align with one's persona.
Comedy writing is compared to sculpting, emphasizing the significance of removing elements that don't fit the desired outcome.
Deep dives
Jerry Seinfeld's Unfrosted Movie Project
Jerry Seinfeld discusses his directorial debut with the movie Unfrosted, taking on the epic tale of the invention of the Pop-Tart. Seinfeld shares the process of how a joke between friends about the Pop-Tart escalated into a full-fledged movie project. The film delves into the historical race between Kellogg's and Post to create the iconic breakfast treat with a comedic twist, showcasing Seinfeld's unique comedic approach.
Comedy Writing Process
Seinfeld reveals insights into the comedy writing process, highlighting the importance of writing and rewriting jokes until they connect with the comedian's personality. He emphasizes that success in comedy hinges on the quality of the writing, rather than just the performance. Seinfeld compares comedy writing to sculpting, where the removal of elements that don't fit the desired outcome is crucial.
Navigating Comedy in the PC Era
Seinfeld discusses the impact of political correctness on comedy, noting a slight shift where audiences are enjoying comedians testing boundaries. He reflects on the freedom stand-up comedians possess in adjusting and fine-tuning their material based on instant audience feedback, contrasting it with the restrictions posed by scripted content development processes. Seinfeld touches on the challenges that comedians face in creating fresh and relevant material while respecting changing societal sensitivities.
Jerry Seinfeld's Lifelong Pursuit of Mastery in Comedy
Jerry Seinfeld shares his philosophy on comedy as a pursuit of mastery, inspired by an Esquire magazine issue he read in the '60s. He emphasizes the value of good skill and the fulfillment it brings, contrasting it with the material possessions money can buy. Seinfeld's enduring commitment to honing his comedic craft stems from a deep belief in the power of skill and mastery in life.
Jerry Seinfeld used to have a comedy bit about the invention of the Pop-Tart, but when his friend Spike Feresten—who wrote the famous “Soup Nazi” episode of “Seinfeld”—suggested it as a topic for a movie, even Seinfeld said “There’s no movie here.” But they workshopped the story, turning the invention of the Pop-Tart into a nutty postwar epic. Seinfeld has written films before, including “Bee Movie,” but this time he’s making his début as a director with “Unfrosted.” (The production did not, he says, have permission from Kellogg’s.) The comic talks with David Remnick about making a life in comedy, and why he continued to work so hard on his craft after retiring his massively successful sitcom. “This is a writer’s game. If you can write, you succeed. If you can't, you will not make it. . . . Any comedian can be funny onstage, but the bullets are the writing.” And he offers thoughts on old age, as he turns seventy. “God is like, ‘I'm with you up to about thirty-eight,’ ” Seinfeld posits. After that, God says, “ ‘if you want to stay, you can stay. But I’m moving on.’ ”
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