The secret Jewish history of Dick Van Dyke
The veteran comic actor's eponymous TV show was the brainchild of Carl Reiner and bears a passing resemblance to 'Seinfeld'
Carl Reiner
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Culture Norman Lear changed my life — and he changed America too
TV can be divided into two testaments — Before Norman and After Norman
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Culture 5 questions for Mel Brooks about ‘The History of the World Part II’
The legendary comedian and filmmaker discusses his latest project and how Zoom has transformed comedy writing
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Culture Why Carl Reiner was the dreamiest boss I ever had
“My secretaries stay a long time,” Carl Reiner said as he greeted me at the start of the job interview, “so I don’t know what I’m supposed to ask.” Okay, I was plotzing to get the job. Though at 26 I’d worked in show business long enough to know that celebrities were often nothing like…
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The Schmooze WATCH: Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and Iris Apfel Are Living Ferociously At 90+
Is there a secret to living well into your 90’s? Iris Apfel, 95, Mel Brooks, 90, and Carl Reiner, 95, don’t quite have the answer for you — but they’re sure having a hell of a time doing it. The three stars join on-screen legends Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, Kirk Douglas and Norman Lear,…
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Culture Why Carl Reiner Was The Dreamiest Boss I Ever Had
At 26, after taking dictation and guff from assorted people in show business with egos ranging from inflated to absurdly inflated, I met Carl Reiner. On talk shows he’d seemed like an incredible mensch, so when I heard from a friend that his secretary was leaving, I desperately wanted her job. Reiner would be respectful…
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The Schmooze How 100 Years of Jewish Jokes Shaped Modern Humor
Not that it should come as any surprise, but Vulture’s recent list of merely affirms the widespread assumption that much if not most of what passes for contemporary humor was and remains directly or indirectly forged out of the tragicomedy of Jewish culture. With roots going back to the Old World badkhns through Yiddish vaudeville…
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The Schmooze Can ‘2000 Year Old Man’ Live Without Mel Brooks?
Photo: Blake Ezra Comedy history was made in 1961 with the creation of Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner’s classic routine, “The 2000 Year Old Man.” Brooks played the oldest Jewish man in the world, interviewed by Carl Reiner in a series of skits that appeared on television and five award winning albums. Topics ranged from…
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