Political correctness is hurting comedy, actor John O'Hurley told Newsmax on Monday.
Known for playing J. Peterman on "Seinfeld," O'Hurley agreed with Jerry Seinfeld, who recently said the far left is too worried about offending people instead of being funny.
"I think he's spot on," O'Hurley told "National Report." "The first casualty of any attempt of social reform is always the collective sense of humor and the ability to make fun of yourself. That is what keeps us mentally healthy."
Performing on stage, O'Hurley said audience members make sure something is socially correct before they are willing to laugh. He said a lot of comedians are afraid of saying something that would get them backlash on the internet.
"Careers come and go like that," O'Hurley said. "Just the notion that you've been inappropriate is enough to scare the pencil out of any writer's hand."
O'Hurley noted this has happened throughout history and he hopes we are at the end of this cycle.
"I do know that this is a different time because these ideologies are political and religious and that is a tougher route to shake free," O'Hurley said. "We need humor right now. It's part of our mental health."
If "Seinfeld" was on today, O'Hurley said the readthrough would go a lot differently.
"They would be going through the jokes and saying, Hmmm, 'I don't know about that," O'Hurley said.
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Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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