Julia Louis-Dreyfus on doing death, truth-telling in comedy and getting wiser (from On with Kara Swisher)
Dec 24, 2024
auto_awesome
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the award-winning actress known for her iconic roles in Seinfeld and Veep, dives deep into the intersection of comedy and truth. She discusses her recent film, Tuesday, navigating themes of grief and death while sharing insights from her podcast Wiser Than Me where she connects with women over 70. Julia touches on the risks and rewards of modern comedy, the importance of authenticity, and her views on the commercialization of art. Her reflections reveal how personal stories can foster connection and illuminate life's complexities.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus highlights the transformative conversations with older women that challenge societal norms and foster authentic self-expression.
Her film 'Tuesday' explores the complexities of grief and mortality, using humor to address profound existential themes in life.
Deep dives
Celebrating Women Over 70
The podcast features discussions with notable women over 70, focusing on their experiences and insights. Julie Louis-Dreyfus expresses a desire to highlight the wisdom and stories of older women, stemming from a realization that their voices are often overlooked. The conversations cover topics such as loss, ambition, and coping with life's challenges, offering profound reflections on aging. Guests like Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem provide valuable life lessons that challenge societal norms about aging and femininity.
The Importance of Intimate Conversations
Louis-Dreyfus shares her belief that podcasts offer a unique platform for deep and relaxed conversations, allowing for genuine connections. The informal format enables guests to open up without the pressures associated with traditional media appearances. This setting promotes vulnerability and authenticity, as older women explore complex topics such as grief and personal identity. Louis-Dreyfus notes that her experiences interviewing these women have not only been enlightening but also have shifted her perspectives on life.
Reimagining Aging and Radicalism
The podcast emphasizes a recurring theme of radical empowerment as women age, shedding societal expectations and embracing their true selves. Julie Louis-Dreyfus discusses how older women often feel liberated from the need to conform, which encourages a more authentic expression of their individuality. Through conversations with guests, the concept of being 'more oneself' as one ages is celebrated. This notion highlights a collective wisdom that can inspire younger generations to challenge norms and foster a sense of community.
Exploring Grief Through Art
In addition to her podcasting endeavors, Louis-Dreyfus discusses her film, 'Tuesday', which delves into themes of existentialism and the parent-child bond in the face of grief. The narrative features a surreal depiction of death through a talking macaw, serving as a metaphor for the complexities of loss. Her character's journey illustrates the struggle of accepting mortality while navigating the relationships that define us. The film's exploration of grief invites viewers to confront their own experiences with loss in a poignant yet humorous manner.
Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus is most famous for her comedic TV characters Elaine Benes in Seinfeld and Selina Meyer in Veep. But in recent years, she's been showing her dramatic chops, including in her latest film, Tuesday, in which she takes on grief, denial and death. She's also been winning awards as the host of her podcast Wiser Than Me. In this episode from On with Kara Swisher, Kara and Julia discuss how in-depth conversations with iconic older women have radicalized her, her concerns about the commercialization of art films and why she thinks comedy is risky — but still very much possible.
We hope you enjoy this episode of On with Kara Swisher. Find more wherever you get your podcasts.