PC pushback a 'red flag', Julia Louis-Dreyfus says

Julia Louis-Dreyfus
"I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing," Julia Louis-Dreyfus says. -AP

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has branded pushback on political correctness a "red flag".

The Seinfeld actress, 63, who played Elaine Benes on the sitcom from 1990 to 1998, hit out at PC critics after her former co-star on the show Jerry Seinfeld, 70, said in a new interview it was "something of a worry for people that can't think" - and added in a separate chat he misses the days of "dominant masculinity".

Louis-Dreyfus told the newspaper in an article published on Monday: "If you look back on comedy and drama both, let's say 30 years ago, through the lens of today, you might find bits and pieces that don't age well.

"And 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."

Louis-Dreyfus - who has appeared in a famous so-called 'woke' sketch on Amy Schumer's skit show in 2015 about ageing women no longer being "f**kable" – admitted she understands why people "might push back" on political correctness.

However, she stressed: "But to me, that's a red flag because it sometimes means something else. 

"I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I don't know how else to say it."

The Times piece said Louis-Dreyfus called back 11 days after her initial chat with the publication to clarify her position on the issue.

She added to the paper: "I wanted to make sure that I answered this whole idea of political correctness correctly, and I can't really remember what I said. So I wanted to go back to that and be very clear about where I stand. 

"My feeling about all of it is that political correctness, insofar as it equates to tolerance, is obviously fantastic. 

"And of course I reserve the right to boo anyone who says anything that offends me, while also respecting their right to free speech, right?"

Louis-Dreyfus said the "bigger problem" in the world is the "consolidation of money and power".

She believes the "siloing of studios and outlets" as well as "streamers and distributors" is a threat to the "creative voice".

She added: "So that's what I want to say in terms of the threat to art."

Louis-Dreyfus also said the shift towards more diversity in the arts is "very much for the good".