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Tag: Entertainment
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Jackie Mason says Silverman’s a ‘sick yenta’ for telling Jews to vote Obama
Hollywood assistant confuses Rosh Hashanah for industry broker
Paul Newman dies at 83
Sarah Silverman says Obama is ‘circum-supersized’
Video game promotes exterminating Muslims
After 10 months, ‘Heroes’ returns in a few hours
That born-again ‘Basic Instinct’ for Joe Eszterhaus
Iranian scholar says ‘Tom and Jerry’ part of Jewish conspiracy
‘Family Guy’ attacked by Holocaust denier
Saudi judge says it’s cool to kill ‘immoral’ cable owners
Jerusalem’s movie movers and shakers flying to Los Angeles
Robert De Niro is Jewish?
Bill Maher, space gods and schizophrenics
Jewish jokes and anti-dentites
Annals of Bob Saget: Posehn and the Ark of the Covenant
The dark side of TV’s Danny Tanner
What to make of Maher’s ‘Religulous’
Creator of ‘24’ talks terrorism and Hollywood
Brad Pitt is Jewish
Christianity enters the virtual world of reality TV
Britney, Ivanka, Naomi—News Shticker hot celebrity edition
‘Why do people think Jews run Hollywood?’
Jewcy: ‘Hell hath no fury like a pissed off Jewish mother’
The Dark Knight and post-modernism
The comedic return
‘Epic bugged-out Jewsploitation film’
Kabbalah ruined A-Rod, former trainer says
The ‘good guy’ from hell
Post-Zionism: giving up on the Jewish dream or Judaism?
Yes, Virginia, there is a Jewish media conspiracy
‘Hulk’: Jewish peacenik transforms into raging right-winger
The tyranny of Tyrannosaurus Reich
Federation’s Entertainment Division debuts first YouTube video
The Jewish Federation's Entertainment Division -- a brand new YouTube member -- posts three-minute promo video.
The genius of ‘Arrested Development’—R.I.P.
Jerusalem bans ‘Sex and the City’ ads
Festival-goers this year can party under the moonlight
For Yoram Gutman, the Israel Independence Day Festival is a yearlong effort.
Israeli rapper Subliminal has built a music empire
The first song Ya'akov Shimoni ever wrote was called, "Genesis." The lyrics -- in English, Hebrew and French -- were about pollution, global warming, Mother Earth and the destruction of Israel's natural resources. It was 1997 -- long before "An Inconvenient Truth" became a blockbuster and the green movement reached an unprecedented level of hipness.
GodTube likes big bucks
Inside the wacky world of Christian pop culture
‘Is there a God?’
Balancing the seen and unseen is a juggling act
In the defining moment of Sara Felder's performance piece, "Out of Sight" -- about a mother and daughter who clash over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- she juggles machetes while precariously balancing on a rola bola.
Islam’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’—sort of
Local students go to lobby in D.C., seniors party at ‘senior prom’
Local Students Lobby at the Capitol
A group of University Synagogue religious school students paid a springtime visit to Washington, D.C., where they
Drug abuse debate: Legalization, medication or therapy?
On a wall at Beit T'Shuvah's sanctuary there are plaques with the names of those connected with Beit T'Shuvah who have passed away. One of those names is that of Josh Lowenthal, a former resident who died on June 11, 1995
‘Expelled’: Ben Stein promoting Intelligent Design
Teen angst bring laughs film director won’t ‘Forget’
Nicholas Stoller remembers the day he joined the "Jew-Tang Clan," the creative posse led by comedy wunderkind Judd Apatow ("The 40-year-old Virgin," "Knocked Up").
Apatow was interviewing the then-24-year-old writer for a job on his 2000 college sitcom, "Undeclared."
‘Family Guy’ finds ‘Jewish’ doc
Calming those wedding-day jitters, virtually
The situation couldn't be more stressful: convince your ex-boyfriend to sing at your sister's wedding after the band quits; keep the groom's sister from making it "her" day; assure the groom's mother that it is OK to have a store-bought wedding cake; make sure the bride's divorced parents don't kill each other; don't let the bride know the groom had a stripper at his bachelor party; and above all, keep the bride calm.
Charlton Heston denied entry to heaven
Charlton Heston dead at 83
Woody Allen sues American Apparel for rabbi ad
Saban: ‘You made it big, you jerk!’
‘Jewno’
Mel Gibson still Hollywood’s star Christian
Stop me if you’ve heard this one
Huckabee campaigns on SNL
Natalie Portman’s Israel
‘Dictator’s cut’
More on ‘Fargo’ in Sitka
Coen Brothers to adapt Chabon’s “Yiddish Policemen”
The Calendar Girls: Picks, kicks and plugs
Summary of upcoming cultural events of note. Theatre, photography, films and lectures!
CleanFlicks founder accused of sex with minor
The Calendar Girls: Picks, kicks and plugs
Calendar of events, January 26 to February 1: Kids, film, lecture, theater, maccabi games, singles, tu b'shevat, volunteer, concert, comedy, adventure, drama, photography, book signing, music, youth art show, mardi gras.
KCRW gives us ‘The Business’
In an underground office on the campus of Santa Monica College, Claude Brodesser-Akner is working with his producer, Matt Holzman, and associate producer, Darby Maloney, to describe the current status of the Oscar broadcast -- and work in a pun.
Jewish themes on tap at Sundance festival
"I never sold weed after high school -- I swear," said 31-year-old filmmaker Jonathan Levine.
Instead, he said, "The Wackness," which revolves around a dealer who trades pot for therapy sessions (and premieres in competition at the Sundance Film Festival this week), was inspired by his teen angst back in 1994, as he bemoaned his social status, bickered with his Jewish parents and obsessed about what he calls life's "wackness, the awful stuff, rather than living in the moment."
The Fresh Prince of the Third Reich?
Anti-Semitism on rise in Europe
Cheryl Hines, ‘the accidental shiksa’
Hollywood goes to the Holy Land
Hollywood’s visit to the Holy Land proves curtain raiser
Davis Guggenheim wasn't raised Jewish, and he has long had trouble understanding what Israel means to him. But when he traveled there last month with a delegation of fellow entertainment decision makers, the director-producer realized instantly the centrality of Israel not just to his own life but to all humanity.
The young reporter and a really old dinosaur
Orthodox ‘YMCA’ video
Don’t step on Jelvis’ ‘Blue Suede Yarmulke’
‘Chanukah is not a celebration of multiculturalism or tolerance’
‘Stalking celebrities in LA’s churches’
Christians who haven’t seen the movies or read the books they profess to be evil
Borat does Poland
My chance at stardom
‘Seinfeld’ auditions
Silverman on Silverman on blacks and Jews
Israeli commandos stalk Hollywood paparazzi
‘How Hollywood saved God’
JJ editor: ‘Writers Strike is a Jewish issue’
Borats Anonymous
Priest arrested for stalking Conan O’Brien
On the picket line with Jewish screenwriters
Jerry loses the funny
‘Reaper’ is spawn of sitcom satan
American soldier goes Harry Caray at Iraqi checkpoint
Sony Pictures CEO’s Jewish journey
Hollywood’s Arab typecast: terrorist
‘Aliens in America’ and ‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’
‘The Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia’
A love song for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
YeLAdim yaks with Disney’s Adam Bonnett
How cool would it be to pick what everyone else gets to watch on television?
Kathy Griffin: persona non venia
Psalms of Larry David
‘Mideast peace through porn’
Entertainment Weekly goes Church Lady
Michael Vick loves the Lord
Matisyahu no longer Lubavitch
Armageddon, Simpsons style
Actress Lindsay Lohan Needs Jesus
Hollywood gives Jewish
Does Hollywood give Jewish?
The Wiesenthal Center may only be 30 years old, but Jewish entertainment leaders have been deeply involved in Jewish nonprofits since before Hollywood became synonymous with the motion-picture business.
Israeli cable wants to yank Christian station
Selling Harry Potter on Shabbat against the law
Is Harry Potter a Christian?
Porn star to priest
Matisyahu talks to Christians about Messiah
If it’s racist, it ain’t anti-Semitic
Paris Hilton finds God?
‘Secret life of a porn-addicted minister’
Born-again porn star
Has Britney found religion?
frdy nt efis
Rabbi Effie's specialty is dealing with teenagers. On this night, a happy group of teens is buzzing throughout his modest but welcoming home, and they are filling its many "play areas."
No Rat King, no fairies—just one ‘MeshugaNutcracker’
"The MeshugaNutcracker!" tells the tale of eight citizens of Chelm, the mythical shtetl of fools, who gather every year to perform at their Chanukah festival. Through the course of the two-act musical, each tells a story of Chanukah heroes from the time of the Maccabees through today.
The King of Hearts; Celebrating diversity
Circuit
Michael Richards: Still not a Jew
Richards is the former "Seinfeld" star who was videotaped at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood lashing out at hecklers using the N-word.
Too cute: The Moscow Cats Theater
They climb a rope upside down. They scale a pole 15 feet high. They leap through an obstacle course.It's not boot camp at Camp Pendleton. It's the Moscow Cats Theater, whose lead performers, 30 or so felines, are not deprived of sleep and not subjected to verbal abuse like Marines in basic training.
Q & A With Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy became one of the staunchest advocates of the landmark's mammoth renovation and expansion project, along with his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, donating $1 million toward its new Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater.
Very fulfilled; Levin on board
The nonprofit The Fulfillment Fund's STARS 2006 gala honoring Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman and CEO Tom Rothman, raised $2.3 million to help underserved students graduate high school and attend college.
Will kill for laughs
"I Killed" features headliners like Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Jonathan Winters and Shelley Berman for the first time telling tales away from the "comedy caravans" and "yuk-yuks" and even yuckier joints they endured while perfecting their craft.
New Queen Esther flick is whole ‘nother megillah entirely
"One Night With the King," which, despite its somewhat titillating title, contains nary a hint of sexual abandon or even suggestive cleavage, opens Oct. 13 at close to 1,000 theaters across the United States.
Mendelsohn—Better Than Beethoven!
This week: Syzygy Theatre Group stages Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer-winning "Talley's Folly"; celebrated composer Felix Mendelsohn receives the ultimate compliment in the new play, "Better Than Beethoven," as well as center stage; a special screening of the new documentary, "Out of Faith," takes place today only at Laemmle Sunset 5; big name comedians donate stage time to raise money for The Federation's children's literacy program, KOREH L.A.; fine art and contemporary crafts can be found all weekend long at the inaugural Santa Monica Arts Festival.
Producer Turns to Web For Faith-Based Edutainment
A young man drives up to his garage and tries to open the door via remote, but it won't open. In the driveway next door, a Chasidic man blows a shofar, the long curly ram's horn, and -- presto! -- his garage door opens. "These High Holy Days, stick with what works," scrolls on the computer screen of the Internet film "Shofar, So Good." The short film closes with the young man blowing his own shofar to open his car's trunk.
Thirty Years of Carlebach Rock
Moshav Band, which was founded as a direct result of Carlebach's influence, just released its first English only album -- "Misplaced."
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor
Deeds Not Words Will Reveal Real Gibson
If the day ever comes when someone makes anti-Semitic attacks in the United States and the attacks enhance the person's reputation, we Jews will know we are in danger. In the 1980s, Jesse Jackson started attacking Jews and Zionism, which he called a "poisonous weed." When an African American journalist reported some of Jackson's anti-Jewish comments, Jackson felt constrained to issue an extended apology to the Jewish community and has avoided such comments since.
Edgy 80’s Director Takes A Walk on the Mild Side
"Boynton Beach Club," opening Friday, seems an unexpected turn for filmmaker Susan Seidelman, best known as a chronicler of hip 1980s youth culture.
Hush Falls Over Jewish Hollywood Post-’Mad Mel’
Bernie Brillstein, a veteran talent agent, manager and resident iconoclast, said, "Hollywood is a small company town and you figure everyone is entitled to his position. Anyway, everybody takes it for granted that Gibson is an anti-Semite, so people say, 'Well, he did it again.'"
‘Restless’ Hunk Reveals Family Secret: He’s Jewish
Diamont -- a 21-year "Restless" veteran -- has been sworn to secrecy about future episodes. He says he only learned of his character's true name upon reading a script a couple months ago. He was so startled that he telephoned head writer Lynn Latham, who confirmed that Kaplan was Jewish.
Spectator - Teens Band Together in Music Battle
Similar citywide musical battles have met with much success in the Jewish communities of Vancouver and Miami, among others. Such an event, though, seems tailor-made for Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
What Will Life Be Like in 2026?
Kids
The Circuit 06-30-2006
Circuit
Shocking Discovery
I was cross when I arrived at The Jewish Journal on Oct. 9, 1986. I had earned a master's degree in journalism at Northwestern University and had fantasized about becoming an arts writer (at least eventually) for, say, The New Yorker. Also, I was a bad Jew, having been turned off by lackluster synagogue services. So after I settled down at my Journal IBM Selectric, I was shocked to discover I liked -- no, loved -- working at a Jewish newspaper.
7 Days in the Arts
This week in Los Angeles: REDCAT's International Children's Film Festival; Iris Chang Memorial Essay Contest; "Elements" exhibit at the Finegood Gallery; "Enrico Donati: One of Each" at galerie yoramgil; Summer Sunset Services from Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue.
7Days in the Arts
This week in Los Angeles: Jeffrey Sweet's play "The Value of Names"; "Death of a Salesman" at Pacific Resident Theater; Toby Caplan-Stonefield's new CD, "The Spiritual Flute"; Dan Thorne's new art exhibit, "Tzva'im Mavrikim -- Bright Colors"; Los Angeles Premiere of Sam Shepard's "The God of Hell"; Mitch Albom's comedic play "And The Winner Is..."; Rock musical "Prime."
Go Go G-dzilla
For fans craving city-stomping action, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" will rear his scaly head this summer in a rare big-screen appearance, incinerating steel and citizens alike with his nuclear halitosis.
Playing Those ‘Mind Games’
Marc Salem can "read" the serial numbers on a bill in your wallet, stop his own pulse and guess a word you've picked from a book. Just don't call the performer, who is an observant Jew, a "mind-reader."
A Celestial Tour
If "American Idol" runner-up Katherine McPhee can enjoy even half the success achieved by Shiri Maimon, runner-up of the first season of Israel's version of the show -- dubbed "A Star Is Born" -- then she will be lucky. With a powerful voice and Britney-esque looks and videos, Maimon, 25, has become one of Israel's most sought-after and popular pop stars since winning fourth place in the Eurovision singing competition last year, representing Israel with the moving ballad, "Sheket She'nishar."
Israelis Do the Riviera
Amid the celebrities and paparazzi crowding the Cannes Film Festival last week, Katriel Schory roamed the bustling boulevard Croisette like a proud parent. "Israeli cinema has never had such a presence here," Schory, director of the Israel Film Fund, said via the cell phone that seems attached to his ear.
Happy Independence Day
A Deux Ex ‘Mashina’ You Wouldn’t Believe
The Rolling Stones have done it. Cher has done it. The comeback -- that big farewell concert tour followed by a reunion and a new album -- is about as American as apple pie. It's not unheard of in Israel, either.
Cultural Mix Inspires Revenge’s Warfield
Justin Warfield, the monotone-voiced, seductive lead singer and co-songwriter of the local nouveau and dark-wave group, She Wants Revenge, has roots that stretch across the city, and truth be told, he really doesn't feel any tinge of revenge these days, because his band's moody, dance-club-beat debut self-titled album has not only conquered the radio waves nationally, but is about to take on the avid audience at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival this weekend, too.
Spoof Rockers Pen ‘UnOrthodox’ Tunes
What I Like About Jew is more irreverent than unorthodox, which is typical of artists immersed in what critics call the bourgeoning "hipster Heeb" movement. Like Jewcy T-shirts and the "Jewsploitation" flick, "The Hebrew Hammer," their work sets out to replace images of the neurotic nebbish with an new persona: the cocky, hard-ass Jew.
When Faiths Jam
The evening had three acts. First came ritual. Taubman and Rabbi Naomi Levy of Nashuva, another co-sponsor, lit the traditional Havdalah candle, woven together from three wicks.
Passover Fest Offers Many Paths to Fun
It is not only illegal immigrants for whom the Passover tale holds appeal. The story of the Exodus can be easily updated for any of the numerous people in the Third World seeking freedom from oppression.
Video Bares Artist’s Obsession, Views
"I have a warped idea about my worth, my abilities as an artist, my intelligence," Jessica Shokrian says in her video installation at the Skirball Cultural Center. "For much of my life, I've been extremely concerned with how I look and how I think I look to other people. It's definitely been a sad obsession."
L’Chaim to Kitsch!
In a dark spotlight-lit stage, a man in a long, black suit; yarmulke; and tallit slung over one shoulder fervently sings into a microphone, while a dance troupe in similar -- but sexier -- garb twirls behind him.
He's not a cantor. He's not a rabbi. He's not even religious. He is Evgeni Valevich, a performer whose repertoire includes a program of Russian Jewish music in the genre called Estrada. Estrada may be a genre unknown to Westerners, but to Russians, the term is immediately recognizable.
Tommywood - Sayings of Chairman Levine
When is a dirty bathroom a broken window?" This is the question that opens Michael Levine's recently published business tome, "Broken Windows, Broken Business" (Warner Business Books).
Wandering Jew - A Relief to Laugh
Inside this cavernous barn with Persian rugs draped like curtains over the back walls of the elevated stage, there are no mobsters or secret cells from what we can tell. There are just ordinary citizens, but that doesn't stop the host, Jordan Elgrably, a svelte man in a black shirt, from saying, "All those who are working here for Homeland Security, please raise your hand."
7 Days in The Arts
Saturday, February 4
It’s the year of the gay cowboy, so why not the privileged lesbian? Head to the Geffen Playhouse for the Los Angeles premiere of David Mamet’s, “Boston Marriage,” titled after the Victorian euphemism used to describe a long-term, intimate relationship between two unmarried women. The play about two upper-class women involved thusly is also directed by Mamet and stars Rebecca Pidgeon, Alicia Silverstone and Mary Steenburgen.
Through March 12. $35-$69. 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. (310) 208-5454.
Sunday, February 5
Israeli musician Ehud Banai comes to the Avalon Hollywood. Hear songs from the folk/rock/traditional songwriter’s album, “Answer Me,” which won Best Album of the Year at the 2004 Israeli Music Awards, and other favorites tonight only.
9 p.m. $45. 1735 Vine St., Hollywood. (323) 462-8900. www.groovetickets.com.
A Blizzard of Flicks for Jewish Eyes
At the Sundance wintertime festival, which began Jan. 19 and runs through Jan. 29, Jewish viewers can check out a blizzard of flicks.
My Jewish King Kong
It's not surprising that my husband is the first in line at one of the earliest "Kong" press screenings. He's loved the giant simian since he first watched the 1933 classic film on TV when he was 7.
Navel Gazing With Eve Ensler
Some years ago, playwright-performer Eve Ensler became mortified by her not-so-flat, post-40s belly. She starved herself, hired a trainer and watched late-night Ab-Roller infomercials. She compulsively worked the treadmill and even fantasized about contracting a parasite.
The Circuit
The Circuit, information on events around los angeles.
The Circuit
Circuit
Oy Veygas
Fast-growing Jewish Community in Desert Shores, Las Vegas.
Looking for a Shining Star
As every political and charitable organization knows, there is nothing like access to Hollywood stars and influential players to collect crowds and hefty donations.
The Circuit
The Circuit
Filmfest Seeing Red
Conservative filmmakers will invade West Hollywood this weekend for the second annual, Bush-loving Liberty Film Festival, with WeHo's Pacific Design Center becoming a haven to some Jewish entertainment names who vote red while living among the blue.
Change of Command on ‘Commander in Chief’
News reports and sources cite conflicting reasons why Israeli-born Rod Lurie was booted or departed as show-runner of the successful new ABC drama, "Commander in Chief," about the first female president of the United States
Writer Stepping Out With ‘In Her Shoes’
As she wrote "In Her Shoes," Jennifer Weiner wanted to work through an obvious, but puzzling, conundrum: How can people who grew up in the same house wind up radically different individuals?
‘Call Waiting’ Rings Emotional Bell
Coming to terms with someone else's anguish is one subject of "Call Waiting," a new film about the bedridden daughter of Holocaust survivors. The film stars Caroline Aaron, who recreates her successful turn from the stage version. Aaron can relate to the material, both because she is Jewish and because her family has its own significant pain.
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VideoJew’s VideoGuide to L.A. #2—Driving from here to there
VideoJew Jay Firestone is back with the second 'volume' in his VideoGuide to L.A. This week -- driving around town
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Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks Oct. 11-17: Mr. Maus in the haus, Yiddishkayt, Sita Sings the Blues
Torah Portion
Restoring Moses
Parshat Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52) It isn't nice to say, but if I were hanging out in the desert with my friends -- all excited about moving in to a land of milk, honey and great falafel -- and an old man with a stutter insisted on "speaking into our ears" a weird doom
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