This is a guest post by Gila Drazen.
So initially I was going to write about Jon Gosselin’s announcement that he was now half Jewish, and why I was . . . underwhelmed by that idea. But then I thought about it, and I realized that the railing that I do against the constant coverage that keeps him and his family in the news would be ridiculous if I spent my first column on that topic.
Then I was going to write about how I was stunned this morning during the fourth hour of the TodayShow when Hulk Hogan started talking about forgiveness and Jesus. Part of me was stunned because – well, it’s Hulk, and it still sort of surprises me when he speaks in a non-ring voice. The other thing that stunned me, though, is how frequently and loudly so many people in the public eye talk about their beliefs (but how well-known Jews tend not to). This is something I wonder about quite a bit, actually; and hope to explore here as time goes on. (Please feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments section!)
Would I write about Glee, and last week’s Jews-dating-Jews subplot? The implication that Jews only date other Jews to please their parents was something I’ve thought about (the presentation in popular culture, more often than not, posits Jews dating Jews as merely a parental-appeasement tactic) – this may also be something to explore in the future. However, the reference to Neil Diamond was enough to make me stop ruminating and just laugh.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF1SJPMkY4w
Am I incredibly crabby that the World Series means no Glee for two weeks? Yes.
A question to chew on this week – who are the most visible Jews on television right now? The question isn’t who we like the most, or who the best role models are – just who’s the most visible. My answer is some of the Real Housewives of New York. In the comments on yesterday’s piece, someone asked about a contestant on Project Runway. I have to admit that I don’t know as much about her – which I think demarcates one of the most significant differences between a competition reality program and an existence (for lack of a better term) reality program, namely that people on competition programs don’t have to consistently be out there. The Real Housewives, on the other hand, share their entire lives, for better or for worse. Are there other examples that I’m missing? Let me know!
So ultimately it’s a bit of a grab bag this week, lots of little pops. If you have topics you’d like to see covered, a tip for me, or just want to tell me about winter in Minnesota, drop me a note at [email protected].
Have a great week!
Gila! I love the first column! So glad you’re sharing your Pop wisdom with the rest of us 🙂 I, too, laughed out loud at the Neil Diamond serenade on “Glee.” Too funny. This is what comes of snarky Gen-Xers like us (and millenials) writing in Hollywood. Seriously, it’s a Jewish biz through and through. My take on Jewish characters: I still LOVE “Gray’s Anatomy” (I can’t help it – I love depressing hospital dramas). And I love the fact that hard-core character Christina is Jewish!
I’m not a glee fan but if I close my eyes and listen, it feels like the 7th inning stretch at Fenway.
Most visible Jew on TV today??? Larry David. Haven’t you heard about his “controversial” curb your enthusiasm episode where he accidently urinates on a picture of Jesus????
The entire Eppes family (Numb3rs) is Jewish and lately Don,the oldest brother has been going to synagogue, talking to a rabbi, and exploring the place of religion and spiritualiy in his life.
It’s nice to see a popular drama treat Judaism as an identity to respect and explore rather than a source of humor or worse, derision.
Charlie Epps may be a genius, but he’s now engaged to an shiksa who parents are from India. She is wicked smart, has a good heart, and is totally hot. They’ve already discussed the algorithm to determine how many kids they will have. I can hardly wait for the pareto efficiency analysis of what religion they should raise the kids.
BTW, the Don & religion storyline is so last year.
Yes, I know it’s not real and only a TV show. It airs on Friday night at 10pmEST/9pmCST. Fortunately for the religious types among us seasons 1-5 are available on DVD.
Bad news. . . on November 4, 2009, it was announced that the Numb3rs episode order had been cut from 22 to 16 episodes, hinting that the show may be in its final season.