Actor Dan Aykroyd says he sees California’s social problems as grimly backward, describing conditions during a drive through Santa Monica. He says he is surrounded by beauty while also seeing what he characterizes as large numbers of homeless people, and he adds that “we’re living in frankly medieval times.”
Several reports present his remarks as a contrast with his view of Canada. In the accounts provided, Aykroyd praises life in Canada and frames it as more peaceful than what he associates with California and its current challenges. Fox and the other outlet both attribute the “medieval times” wording to Aykroyd and tie it to his observations in Santa Monica, including discussion of homelessness. The reporting emphasizes the personal viewpoint and rhetorical comparison rather than citing specific policy details or data beyond the homelessness figure mentioned.
No outlet in the provided excerpts details Aykroyd’s full context, the setting of the comments, or any direct response from California officials.
