Graduates carrying Palestinian flags left the stadium as the comic was being introduced. Duke University’s commencement saw a minor disruption when students protesting the war in Gaza walked out before Jerry Seinfeld spoke.
Video from Sunday’s event in Durham, North Carolina, showed about 30 students in cap and gown get up and leave their graduation ceremony as Seinfeld was introduced by Duke President Vincent Price.
Chants of “Free, free Palestine” could be heard as students carried the state’s green, red and black flag out of the football stadium.
In footage shared on social media, the audience could be heard booing, though it was unclear if the shouts were directed at Seinfeld or the protestors, which appeared to be a sliver of the 7,000 graduates in attendance.
Also audible were chants and jeers of “Jerry,” a reaction which sounded split between support and mockery of the sitcom star.
Seinfeld, who also received an honorary doctorate degree from the school on Sunday, has been a staunch supporter of Israel amid its response to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.
He’s posted on social media in solidarity with Israel several times since last fall’s incursion, and in December, the “Bee Movie” voice traveled to Tel Aviv to meet with the families of hostages captured by Hamas.
He’s not wrong. It’s OK to laugh at caricatures and stereotypes.
Could you be more specific?
I think if he wants us to laugh he needs to come up with something funny.
There’s no shortage of funny comedy out there including caricatures etc.
I’d be curious as to what you find funny.
Hundreds of things. Why, are you wondering about anything in particular?
With your opinions I’d find it interesting as to what makes you belly laugh. Like if it’s more on a witty punch line level or Bert Kreischer fart joke level. Or if you need the budge to laugh like on a Big Bang Theory level.
I have a weakness for farce but I like a fairly wide range of stuff, e.g. Stewart Lee, Key and Peele, Wellington Paranormal, Search Party, Toast of London, Afterparty, Tuca and Bertie, Silicon Valley, Minx, Creamerie, What We Do In The Shadows, Everyone Else Burns, Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, Bottoms, Detectorists, AP Bio.
I will belly laugh at, say, an Oscar Wilde play or a 1940s screwball comedy but also stuff like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and It’s Always Sunny.
I think Seinfield is raging against being out of the zeitgeist. But very few comedians get to ride that wave forever.