Jerry Seinfeld to Brian Williams: ‘I Think I’m on the [Autism] Spectrum’

Jerry Seinfeld said in a recent interview he believes he has traits that align with those who have autism spectrum disorder.

“I think–and on a very drawn out scale–I think I’m on the spectrum,” Seinfeld told NBC Nightly News’ Brian Williams. “You’re never paying attention to the right things. Basic social engagement is really a struggle. I’m very literal. People talk to me and they use expressions and sometimes I don’t know what they’re saying.”

He added, “but I don’t see it as dysfunctional. I just see it as an alternate mindset.”

The comedian spoke to Williams in preparation for the start of the fifth season of the his web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. In the interview, which aired Thursday, Seinfeld said comedians are the only people he feels comfortable around

“They’re the only kind of people I feel completely relaxed around,” Seinfeld said. “Every other social interaction I have is somewhat of a management.”

Seinfeld has been riding around in fancy, vintage cars and grabbing cups of joe with comedians for the past couple of years, but he says he never expected the web hit to make waves. “It was an experiment,” he said. “I didn’t know that this could be anything.”

The fifth season started Thursday with Seinfeld taking a ride with Kevin Hart.

[NBC News]