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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Biggest Little Music Studio in Alabama
At first, Jerry Wexler (1917–2008) was bupkes. But eventually he became the king of the music biz and even coined the phrase, “rhythm and blues.” In the 1960s, he wanted in on the “Muscle Shoals Sound,” which was named for a small town in Alabama where hit records were coming out of Rick Hall’s FAME…
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‘Homeland,’ the Musical?
As of today, it’s T-minus three days until we finally reunite with Mandy Patinkin’s beard — let’s face it, it’s almost its own character at this point — as “Homeland” premieres its third season on September 29. Just to get you in the mood (as if you weren’t already), comedian Eliot Glazer has put together…
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First Look at London’s New JCC
On a grey autumn afternoon, a group of journalists congregate on a sheltered tree-lined piazza, waiting to tour a building whose presence might well alter London’s Jewish cultural and communal identity. Before entering JW3 — the city’s new Jewish community centre — there is an attempt to find the spot where, several months ago, a…
The Latest
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The Big Schnoz Returns to the Met
James Levine is not the only major return at the Metropolitan Opera this week. Coming back for just seven performances between September 28 and October 26 is one of the Met’s most artistically acclaimed productions in recent years, Shostakovich early, wildly inventive, over-the-top adaptation of Gogol’s classic story, “The Nose.” Picked by every critic as…
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Amanda Bynes Case Moved to Mental Health Court
LOS ANGELES – The drunk driving case against troubled actress and former teenage star Amanda Bynes has been moved to the mental health court at the request of her attorney, a Los Angeles judge ruled on Tuesday. Attorney Richard Hutton argued that the 27-year-old former Nickelodeon star was unable to stand trial in the case…
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Jason Segel ‘s Great Maple Syrup Caper
What’s better than maple syrup? As a Canadian, I can tell you, not much. Except maybe a movie about the theft of $18 million worth of maple syrup — based on a true story. Jason Segel will star in this sweet (get it?) comedy, which will be directed by Seth Gordon. “Family Guy” writer Chris…
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Will Israel Yank Satire Over ‘Murderers’ Promo?
How long does it take for Israelis to form opinions about a TV show that hasn’t aired yet? The answer, in the case of “Hayehudim Ba’im” (“The Jews Are Coming”) – a new satire slated for fall air on Israel’s Channel 1 – is 19 seconds. Last weekend, Channel 1 premiered a 19-second promo that…
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Lizzy Caplan Opens Up to GQ
Janis Ian from “Mean Girls” is all grown up. After a brief stint as Jason Stackhouse’s V-addicted, slightly psycho girlfriend on “True Blood,” and Nick Miller’s over-achieving, cupcake-despising other half on “New Girl,” Lizzy Caplan is taking the stage with a bigger and bolder role on Showtime’s “Masters of Sex,” which premieres on September 29….
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‘The Goldbergs’ Disappoints With ’80s Nostalgia
(JTA) — Some were psyched for the nostalgia of “The Goldbergs,” a new ABC sitcom about a boisterous, outspoken American family set in the 1980s. But the September 24 premiere was a little too loaded with references to that neon-colored, big-haired decade — think REO Speedwagon, Sam Goody, hair crimping and rabbit tail key chains….
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Is Amanda Bynes Fit To Stand Trial?
Amanda Bynes’ lawyer does not deem her mentally fit to stand trial. RadarOnline reports that documents filed Tuesday morning at the LAX Airport courthouse by attorney Rich Hutton indicate that the troubled starlet is in no condition to understand the nature of the legal proceedings currently pending against her. Bynes was supposed appear before a…
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Alec Baldwin Pays Tribute to Hitchcock and Kubrick
Lucky ticket holders of all ages and fashion persuasion streamed into Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall for the New York Philharmonic’s September 17 innovative “The Art of the Score” concert. Radio host of the Philharmonic and its Artistic Advisor Alec Baldwin elucidated on the genius of Alfred Hitchcock and his masterworks — “To Catch a…
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