Jerry Seinfeld has built a career out of anexasperation and incredulity with the minutiae of the world, but on Late Night with Seth Meyers Tuesday, it took an existential turn when the comedian was forced to reckon with the trivial trappings of appearing on yet another late night talk show.
Of course, Seinfeld wasnt belligerent, but he did reveal his inner curmudgeon/Larry David as he discussed the ridiculousness of doing a pre-interview with a producer a regular part of the talk show process to prep the guest at this point in his career.
Ive done a few things, you know, Seinfeld cracked, before addressing Meyers: And I feel like you want this job, you want to be talk show guy, so I think you should do the work. Because lets be completely candid, I did not call you to say, Id love to be on your show.'
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Seinfeld further peeled back the layers of talk show and entertainment politics as he explained the back-and-forth between himself and the Late Night producers: I dont have time for this, I dont really need it, I dont want it, but they keep calling, Seinfeld said. So eventually I say, OK, fine, I will go on. So then what do you think his producer says? So what do you want to do? I dont want to do anything! I dont want to be on these shows!
After jokingly demanding Meyers engage him for the rest of the show, he gamely stuck around and spoke with the hostand New YorkereditorDavid Remnick, about political correctness in comedy. Seinfeld said he felt like hisroom to maneuver and skewer was getting smaller, and recalleda lukewarm response he received to a joke in which he compared people swiping through their phones to the flourishes of a gay French king. Though it wasnt intended to offend, Seinfeld said he could see a future where hed have to apologize profusely for such a joke, adding, Theres a creepy PC thing out there that really bothers me.
Elsewhere, Seinfeld sporting a massive grin copped to being elated when he found out how much money he would be making after Hulu purchased the rights to Seinfeld. With the show now potentially reaching a younger audience, Seinfeld also rememberedthepeculiar moment when he realized Seinfeld would be syndicated and he began the impossible task of trying to wear clothes that wouldnt look awful in the future.
The way we look right now, theres nothing we can do that in 10years we wont look ridiculous, Seinfeld said, before turning his attention to Meyers and his expertly maintained coif. Your hair, this thing youre doing right here its going to be so hilarious, so embarrassing!