Pamela Anderson’s New Israeli Dancing Gig

By Nathan Burstein October 5, 2010

Pamela Anderson is set to become TV’s biggest prime-time star — in Israel.

The former “Baywatch” actress has signed on to serve as a guest judge and dancer on “Rokdim Im Kochavim,” Israel’s version of “Dancing With the Stars.” According to an October 4 report in the country’s Yediot Aharonot newspaper, the former model and Playboy cover girl will appear on the series’s judging panel for an undisclosed number of episodes, offering feedback to competitors and taking a spin of her own on the dance floor. The gig follows Anderson’s appearance earlier this year on the American edition of “Dancing With the Stars,” in which the 43-year-old took sixth place ahead of rivals including Buzz Aldrin and Shannen Doherty.

Anderson’s participation in “Rokdim Im Kochavim” comes after judging work by other foreigners on Israeli reality TV, with their remarks provided in English and subtitled in Hebrew.

Interestingly, Anderson’s slot on Israeli prime time is not her most unlikely guest role in the Middle East: The blond activist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals previously “hosted” a March 2009 house music concert in Beirut.

While Anderson has already generated more buzz in Israel than most of her “Rokdim” co-stars, the show’s producers have sought other ways to draw attention to the sixth season. Among the latest crop of competitors is Gili Shem-Tov, a lesbian TV personality who will likely be the show’s first star to perform with a same-sex dance partner.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO