Summary
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus was a game-changer for Seinfeld, bringing in a women's perspective and changing the dynamic.
- Seinfeld's speech at The Mark Twain Prize for Dreyfus had an awkward moment, but fans loved it as one of his best.
- Dreyfus and Seinfeld have different views on political correctness, but still share admiration for each other's work on Seinfeld.
Sure, Jerry Seinfeld was a pivotal part of Seinfeld's success, along with Larry David. However, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was a major game-changer in the end. NBC was worried about Seinfeld's premise, and how it lacked a women's point of view. Bringing in Dreyfus completely changed the dynamic, and made the show complete.
Five years ago, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored at the Kennedy Center, presented with the Mark Twain Prize. It was a fantastic ceremony, which also featured a speech from Jerry Seinfeld. The Seinfeld actor put on quite the performance, and one that received excellent reviews. On the flip side, there was an awkward moment during the speech, one that Dreyfus still managed to laugh off nervously.
Let's recap the moment and more.
The Banned Seinfeld Episode Julia Louis-Dreyfus Refused To Shoot, And We Don't Blame Her
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was terrified of a Seinfeld script that was banned, despite the sets getting built.
Jerry Seinfeld Was Praised For His Julia Louis-Dreyfus Speech At The Mark Twain Prize, But There Was One Awkward Moment
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is well aware that her career would be very different without Seinfeld. On the flip side, while honoring Dreyfus at The Kennedy Center five years ago for The Mark Twain Prize, Jerry Seinfeld realized the same held true for his career and the success of Seinfeld with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the cast.
Jerry gave an excellent speech giving fans a backstory on how Dreyfus was cast to the show. The initial premise was supposed to be about three guys discussing absolutely nothing. However, NBC stepped in, telling Jerry this just wouldn't work long-term. A female character was suggested and, clearly, Louis-Dreyfus changed the entire dynamic of the show.
Jerry being Jerry had an interesting way of putting it, which may have been borderline offensive. It seemed like even Julia Louis-Dreyfus had an awkward laugh during this particular joke.
Seinfeld says, "One of the most brilliant, spectacular, showbusiness careers of all-time, this person is a network note. That's what you're looking at. That is a humble beginning, which is also not nothing."
The moment takes place below at the 2:40 mark.
Michael Richards Struggled When Asked About Jerry Seinfeld's 'PC In Comedy' Scandal
Michael Richards seemed very uncomfortable when asked to talk about Jerry Seinfeld's comments on PC comedy.
A questionable moment for fans but at the end of the day, it was called one of Jerry's best speeches ever.
How did the fans react?
- "What a classy and kind way to show respect to Julia. I like how he made it about her, as he should have on her special night."
- "This may be the best performance by Jerry that I have ever seen. He has honoured Julia with a speech that was fluid, warm and clearly demonstrates the depth of his fondness for her. He is genuinely full of joy and pride at Julia's success. This is in Stark contrast to the cynical, jaded, (still very funny) character Jerry - and the other three - presented in the show. Perhaps he can act, just a little, after all."
- "One of his best speeches, if not the best. It was short, funny and well crafted."
- "This is the best honorary speech I've ever heard. Jerry Seinfeld is truly a comedic genius."
Fans had spoken, and there was a positive reaction.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Took A Shot Back At Jerry Seinfeld During Her Mark Twain Prize Speech
Then it was time for Julia Louis-Dreyfus' speech. As expected, the actress did not disappoint, and took the time to acknowledge Seinfeld and its impact on her career.
"I'm happy that I didn't get that part because if I had I would have never have played Elaine on Seinfeld and without Seinfeld I would not be here today. So it worked out great, totally fabulous no regrets here, none at all. None whatsoever."
Dreyfus was referring to Sir Peter Hall's Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice.
Although she had praise for Seinfeld, she did take an entertaining shot at Jerry, one the audience absolutely had a blast with. Dreyfus used Lisa Kudrow to set up the joke.
"It is so great to see Lisa Kudrow here, setting me up just like in the old days when Friends would set up Seinfeld and just like in the old days Jerry's got all the money."
Fans Noticed Both Jerry Seinfeld And Bill Maher Nervously Switching Subjects When Discussing Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert And Jimmy Fallon
It seemed like both Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Maher weren't impressed by the work of late night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.
In the end, however, it was nothing but love from Dreyfus, who appreciated all the lessons she learned thanks to Jerry and Larry David throughout the years.
"To my wonderful friend Jerry Seinfeld. I learned a lot from Jer over the years, principally the importance of hard work. Jerry killed himself to make Seinfeld good. He and Larry David worked so hard it is actually it is impossible to describe and they didn't just do it to make the show successful because once it was successful they worked even harder. And I hope a little of that rubbed off on me."
The two are clearly on the same page looking back at the show, but it was a different story most recently when it comes to their current political views.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Recently Disagreed With Jerry Sienfeld's Thoughts On Political Correctness
Just a month ago, it seemed like Julia's relationship with Jerry took a slight turn after the actress called Seinfeld's political correctness a 'red flag'.
What triggered Julia-Louis Dreyfus response?
- Jerry Seinfeld: “This is the result of the extreme left and PC crap and people worrying so much about offending other people."
Dreyfus wasn't in complete agreement. She said, “When I hear people starting to complain about political correctness — and I understand why people might push back on it — but to me that’s a red flag, because it sometimes means something else,” she said.
“I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don’t know how else to say it.”
Dreyfus believes that since times are changing, others should adapt as well.
“I think to have an antenna about sensitivities is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean that all comedy goes out the window as a result,” she said.
Two completely different outlooks.
Seinfeld
- Release Date
- 1989 - 1998
- Network
- NBC
- Showrunner
- Larry David
Cast
-
Jerry Seinfeld -
Jason AlexanderGeorge Costanza -
Michael RichardsCosmo Kramer -
Elaine Benes
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- David Steinberg, David Owen Trainor, Art Wolff, Jason Alexander
- Writers
- Darin Henry, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Bill Masters, Bruce Kirschbaum, Steve O'Donnell, Tom Leopold, Don McEnery, Greg Daniels, Jon Hayman, Kit Boss, Lawrence H. Levy, Matt Goldman, Matt Selman, Billy Kimball, Fred Stoller, Charlie Rubin, Steve Lookner, Steve Skrovan
- Seasons
- 9
- Franchise
- Seinfeld
- Story By
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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