The Schmooze lies at the intersection of high and low culture. Here, the latest developments and trends in Jewish art, books, dance, film, music, media, television and theater are all assimilated into one handy pop culture blog.
The Schmooze
-
A Queer, Butch Woman Rabbi On Television? Meet Jen Kober, Of ‘Dead To Me.’
A non-exhaustive history of rabbis on television shows: The rabbi on “Seinfeld”? A man. The rabbi on “The West Wing”? A man. The rabbi on “Seventh Heaven”? A man. The rabbi on “Gossip Girl”? A man. The rabbi on “Grey’s Anatomy”? A man. The rabbi on “The Mindy Project”? A man. The rabbi on “Curb…
-
After Shaming By Jon Stewart, House Judiciary Votes To Renew 9/11 Funding Through 2090
An abashed House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that will renew a fund for 9/11 survivors, which was set to expire in 2020. The vote came just hours after comedian Jon Stewart publicly reamed members for not showing up to a hearing where ailing first responders and survivors who make use of…
-
‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Stars: “Your Criticism Of Midge’s Parenting Is Sexist”
Rachel Brosnahan is aware of her character’s faults on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Now she wants to know — are you aware what your response to those flaws says about you? Brosnahan and her on-screen ex-husband, Jewish actor Michael Zegen, chatted about the harsh criticism of Midge Maisel’s parenting skills on BuzzFeed’s AM/FM show this…
The Latest
-
Inside The Adam Sandler-Lookalike Facebook Group
Facebook: It’s a chance to keep up with friends and family members scattered across the globe. An opportunity to keep tabs on that person your friend insists is their bashert. And most importantly, a Facebook group dedicated to people who are doppelgängers of Jewish comedian — Adam Sandler. The growing Facebook group is called “People…
-
Here’s How ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Ended Up Showcasing The Prayer ‘Shalom Rav’
“Grey’s Anatomy,” which recently concluded its 15th season, is a hospital drama on ABC. Cantor Jeff Klepper is a legendary Jewish songwriter, who came up in the 1970s and 80s, remaking Jewish music and liturgy to fit the times. This month, the two intertwined. Major “Grey’s Anatomy” and Jeff Klepper fan, Forward writer Jenny Singer…
-
‘You Should Be Ashamed: Jon Stewart Rebukes Congress For Half-Empty 9/11 Survivor Hearing
“Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress,” comedian and commentator Jon Stewart berated a small, furtive group of congress members at a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning Stewart, who has mostly stepped away from public life since his departure from…
-
Dead On: 10 Times Movies Got Jewish Funerals And Shivas Right
From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. And in between, a little popcorn maybe? Jewish death traditions are their own kind of immersive theater — a powerful group performance that calls for a set, props, costumes, special effects, and a grueling schedule. That high drama is no doubt why filmmakers and TV…
-
Jake Tapper And Wolf Blitzer Charmingly Reenact The ‘Big’ Piano Scene
What is it about seeing adult men play a giant plastic piano with their feet? We may never know, but it’s just delightful. Promoting the upcoming CNN mini-series “The Movies,” anchors Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer stoically performed “Chopsticks” by dancing on a giant keyboard, channeling Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia in an iconic scene…
-
Director Rachel Chavkin Brings Down House At The Tony’s With Call For Diversity
It’s time you learned the name Rachel Chavkin. She’s promising to have your back as you walk through hell. On Sunday night, Chavkin nabbed the Tony Award for Best Director in a Musical for her work on Broadway’s “Hadestown.” The director, who previously received a nod for “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,”…
-
Neil Patrick Harris Will Lead The Tel Aviv Pride Parade
Tel Aviv pride just got a little gayer, a little cooler, a little more Neil Patrick Harris. Actor Neil Patrick Harris will be this year’s international ambassador for this year’s Tel Aviv Pride Parade, the Jerusalem Post reported. The 45-year-old actor, who is not Jewish, is beloved for his comedy, panache, and good hair. He…
-
Come One, Come All: Katz’s Deli To Hold (Fake) Orgasm Contest For ‘When Harry Met Sally’ 30th
It could have been called “When Sex Met Deli Food”. Thirty years ago this July, a nearly perfect romantic comedy was released. “When Harry Met Sally” hit theaters July 12, 1989, and it combined all good things in the world — writer Nora Ephron’s wit, Central Park in the fall, Billy Crystal in a sweater,…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
News Dutch Jews grapple with ‘weaponization’ of their fear following attack on Israelis
- 2
News What a Secretary of State Marco Rubio would mean for American Jews and Israel
- 3
Fast Forward Trump AG nominee Matt Gaetz has left a trail of antisemitic comments
- 4
News Your complete guide to Trump’s Jewish advisers and pro-Israel cabinet
In Case You Missed It
-
Opinion Will Trump’s efforts to fight antisemitism help degrade democracy?
-
Culture A Jewish snowman movie would have made a lot more sense than Netflix’s ‘Hot Frosty’
-
Fast Forward Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish Democrat, launches bid for New Jersey governor
-
Fast Forward Pete Hegseth, Trump’s defense secretary nominee, has multiple Christian and Crusades-inspired tattoos
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
