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
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SyFy’s ‘Magicians’ Suspend Disbelief (Maybe Too Much So)
An adaptation of Lev Grossman’s 2009 novel “The Magicians” — a darker-than-Harry-Potter tale of teenaged wizards learning the ways of magic in upstate New York — received its television premiere last night. In the first episode protagonist Quentin Coldwater, played by Jason Ralph, attempts to brood his way past his childhood love of fairy tales…
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3 Jewish Films Get Major Deals at Sundance
Sundance Film Festival, the film industry’s annual takeover of Park City, Utah, kicked off last Thursday, and already three films of particular note have been picked up for distribution. Weiner In May, Sundance Selects will release “Weiner,” filmed primarily during Anthony Weiner’s second bid to become mayor of New York City. The film was supposed…
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That Time Bernie Sanders Tried to Sing ‘This Land Is Your Land’
If you’ve got the Bern real bad and Bernie Sanders’s thick Brooklyn accent on your TV screen is just not enough to satiate you, we have good news for you. You can download Sanders’s 1987 folk album and listen to his non-singing version of “This Land is Your Land” wherever you go. That’s right. The…
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5 Killer Airbnb Spots — Only Drawback Is They’re in West Bank Settlements
Want to stay in a possibly dangerous and unauthorized Israeli settlement? Even if you don’t, you might accidentally. Airbnb was by opponents of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank for listing homes there and not properly labeling them. It turns out that those looking for a quiet neighborhood right outside either Tel Aviv or…
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Ben & Jerry’s Founder Creates Bernie Sanders Ice Cream Flavor
A co-founder of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company has created a new flavor inspired by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Ben Cohen, who founded the Vermont-based company with Jerry Greenfield in 1978, introduced “Bernie’s Yearning” Monday on his Facebook page. “Nothing is so unstoppable as a flavor whose time has finally come,” Cohen wrote….
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Daniel Radcliffe Talks of His Friendship With the Late Alan Rickman
The contentious relationship between Harry Potter and his often-terrifying potions teacher did not continue off-screen. Daniel Radcliffe, the Jewish actor who played your favorite boy wizard continues to speak openly about his sadness regarding the death of his former co-star Alan Rickman. Radcliffe spoke to at the world premiere of his new movie “Swiss Army…
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Simon & Garfunkel Lend ‘America’ to Bernie Sanders
Simon & Garfunkel have let the Bernie Sanders campaign use their song “America” in new political video. We double dare you not to feel something after watching the new Bernie Sanders campaign ad. He, and you, can thank famous Jewish folk singers Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, who are allowing Sanders to use the yearning…
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Who Were the First Jewish Settlers in the Oregon Frontier?
The Oregon Trail brings a range of images to mind. Depending on your age, the simple phrase could elicit the neon green pixilated images of the popular video game informing you that you have died of dysentery. For others, the Oregon Trail could also evoke the 2,200-mile route from Missouri to the Beaver State, with…
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Remembering Lord George Weidenfeld — Philanthropist and Friend of Israel
Barbara Walters and George Weidenfeld. The first time I was introduced to British publisher Lord George Weidenfeld — who died at 96 on January 21, 2016 in London — was at the November 22, 1998 American Friends of Ben Gurion University in the Negev Dinner at the Hotel Pierre at which BGU president Avishay Braverman…
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Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer Star in Bud Light Superbowl Campaign
Do you need another reason to tune into Superbowl 50? How about Seth Rogen in Spanx? Bud Light just released a teaser trailer for their upcoming Superbowl ad campaign starring our very own Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen. If the 30-second trailer of the two gearing up for the big game is any indication of…
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When a Starbucks Barista Really, Really Messes Up Your Jewish Name
Bet no one has gotten your name this wrong at a Starbucks. I admit, I’ve stopped using my actual name when buying coffee from the chain, because they have never, ever gotten it right. But this case we came across on the Starbucks Facebook page? It’s way crazier than a simple misheard name. Gitty and…
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