Jerry Seinfeld: I may be on the autism spectrum

The comedian admits he only feels truly comfortable around other comedians in an eye-opening new interview

Published November 7, 2014 3:43PM (EST)

 Jerry Seinfeld          (NBC)
Jerry Seinfeld (NBC)

Last night NBC Nightly News featured a segment on "the most restless man in comedy": Jerry Seinfeld.

Brian Williams spoke with Seinfeld about the newest season of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," which begins with an episode featuring Kevin Hart. In "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," which debuted on the Web in 2012, Seinfeld gets to surround himself with the people he feels most comfortable around: comedians.

"Every other social interaction that I have is somewhat of a management," Seinfeld told Williams.

Seinfeld also believes he might be on the autism spectrum.

"You know, never paying attention to the right things. Basic social engagement is really a struggle," he explained. "I’m very literal, when people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I don’t know what they’re saying."

"But I don’t see it as dysfunctional," he continued. "I just think of it as an alternate mind-set."

 


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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Brian Williams Coffee Cars Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Comedy Jerry Seinfeld Seinfeld Video