Jerry Seinfeld's show in Norfolk, Va., was interrupted eight times by pro-Palestinian protesters, one of whom was wrestled to the ground by other audience members.
Jerry Seinfeld’s week of difficult appearances continues, this time in Virginia.
As soon as Seinfeld took the stage for a stand-up comedy set at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk on Saturday night, a man in the audience jumped up and yelled, “Free Gaza,” TMZ reported. The audience immediately began booing the heckler and chanting “Jerry! Jerry!” as another bystander wrestled the protester into a headlock.
Security escorted the man out of the building, but the show was interrupted by other protesters eight times throughout its 90-minute run.
The controversy around Seinfeld’s views stems from his vocal support of Israel — which he visited following the Oct. 7 attacks — and his wife’s $5,000 donation to a GoFundMe for pro-Israel counterprotesters at UCLA after a late April protest turned violent.
Seinfeld didn’t seem bothered by the interruptions, telling the crowd not to boo the man because he had a right to protest.
“This is exciting. I like this,” the comic said as the original protester was escorted out of the venue. “I like a little Jew hate to spice up the show.”
I don't know enough to say either way, but the quality definitely changed. Regardless, by that point, the cadence of the show, characters, etc. had already long been established so (as NBC execs figured out) they could just do it without Larry.
But obviously Larry David was the soul of that show. The show was about him, he is just too introverted and malcontent to play himself so he let his far more outgoing friend take the lead role.