Jerry Seinfeld addressed “sexual undertones” in his infamous 2007 film, Bee Movie.
During his commencement speech at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, Seinfeld apologized for any discomfort viewers may have felt watching the movie.
Seinfeld’s son Julian is a current student at the university, while his daughter Sascha is a Duke University graduate. The Seinfeld alum addressed the controversy surrounding the nearly two decades-old film.
“I made a cartoon movie about bees you may have watched as a child,” Seinfeld said during the speech. “If any of you felt slightly uncomfortable about the sexual undertones in the relationship between Barry B. Benson and Vanessa, the florist who saves his life, I would like to apologize for that now.”
The crowd immediately began laughing at Seinfeld’s reference to his character in the movie. The actor played Barry (a bee), of which many watchers joked had a thing for Renée Zellweger’s character, Vanessa (a human).
“I may not have calibrated that perfectly,” he continued during his speech.
Jerry Seinfeld Addresses Alleged ‘Sexual Undertones’ in ‘Bee Movie’
This isn’t the first time Seinfeld has addressed the alleged “sexual undertones” included in the Bee Movie. In fact, in 2021, he apologized during a segment of The Tonight Show.
“I apologize for what seems to be a certain uncomfortable subtle sexual aspect of the Bee Movie,” he stated at the time. “[It] really was not intentional, but after it came out, I realized this is really not appropriate for children. Because the bee seems to have a thing for the girl, and we don’t really want to pursue that as an idea in children’s entertainment.”
On the TikTok video of Seinfeld’s commencement speech, many pointed out that his character’s relationship in Bee Movie should be the least of his concerns.
“Bruh it’s sad that the relationship in the Bee Movie between Barry and Vanessa is more appropriate than most of Jerrys relationship IRL,” one person commented. Allegedly, Seinfeld has a murky past when it comes to dating younger women.
“I also dated a high school student in my late 30s, but I think I regret the sexual tension in the Bee Movie more,” another person wrote, mocking him.
Others simply reflected on their favorite childhood movie.
“I loved bee movie I watched it over 20 times,” someone wrote. Another added, “I travel alot as kid and the bee movie was always the first one I watch on a road trip.”