Monday, March 5, 2018

“new Jewish humor” embraces rather than stigmatizes Judaism

This statement from Rabbi Waldoks, who was quoted below, is interesting and I think not unrelated to what I said about the use of Jewish terms in comedy routines in earlier decades.

“Jews no longer have hegemony on Jewish humor,” he said, pointing out that “Jewish humor became American humor.” But, he added, “there’s a new Jewish humor emerging that is much more Jewish.”

He compares this new Jewish humor to kosher food, while old Jewish humor is merely “kosher style.” From the Marx Brothers to Mel Brooks to Jerry Seinfeld, “kosher-style” humor “was fast, urban, and had the sound of Judaism. But there was no Jewish content, except to distance the comedian from it and reject it.”

By contrast, “new Jewish humor” embraces rather than stigmatizes Judaism, said Waldoks. Mainstream figures like Sarah Silverman and Jon Stewart are part of this phenomena, as is the proudly Catholic Stephen Colbert. Some of Colbert’s sketches, like his “Atone-a-phone” bit aired during the High Holy Days, ask of his audience a greater familiarity with Judaism than the typical Borscht Belt gag. “This is what the season is about” — that is, calling people to ask forgiveness for wrongs. “But we’re such a small percentage of the U.S. audience for this stuff to be on TV. It’s bizarre.” 

I don't see that it isn't compatible with what I said on the topic. 

Update:  When I'm told that the Eschatots are in a tizzy about what I said I figure it's a sign that I must be on the right track.   The adults fled from that site years ago.   They're a self-reinforcing clique that just keeps telling each other how smart they are.  It produces nothing more than a common emesis.  Which isn't worth any more than that.

Update 2:  Now he's claiming he knows more about the topic than the co-author of The Big Book of Jewish Humor.  A guy he cited as an authority earlier today.  I might post the stuff after Lent is over, he's got the integrity of wet TP.

No comments:

Post a Comment