Jewish comics no longer safe in Hollywood – Latest News
There’s nothing humorous about what Jewish comics have confronted in the post-Oct. 7 world.
One of the primary targets was Jerry Seinfeld, arguably the least offensive comedian of his era. Seinfeld has endured repeated interruptions whereas on tour and in public from pro-Palestinian disruptors.
Roughly two years in the past, he attended a Bari Weiss-led occasion dubbed “State of World Jewry” in Manhattan when protesters jeered at him, calling him a “genocide supporter.”
The legendary comedian later confronted on-stage harassment. He was capable of take the heckling in stride, as he did when mocking protesters in a June 2024 look on the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
One of the primary targets was Jerry Seinfeld, arguably the least offensive comedian of his era. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East,” he taunted one agitator. Then, in a critical apart, he added: “It’s the Jewish comedians; that’s what we have to get.”
The persevering with assaults haven’t silenced him. Last September, he spoke at a Duke University occasion the place he in contrast these screaming “free Palestine” to the KKK.
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At least these exhibits went on as scheduled, and the star wasn’t in bodily hazard. Jewish actor/comic Michael Rapaport can not say the identical after a number of nerve-wracking appearances.
The “Atypical” star’s comedy tour was derailed in each Birmingham, Ala. and Chicago. Both venues cited “safety” issues for the cancellations, together with death threats.
Last September, he spoke at a Duke University occasion the place he in contrast these screaming “free Palestine” to the KKK. Getty Images
When Rapaport performed Comedy Works South in Denver in October, the venue wanded patrons earlier than they entered the membership, an atypical expertise at that venue.
(I attended the October show in query: I had been to that membership roughly 10 instances in latest years with out ever being screened by security.)
The media appear completely uninterested in the apparent antisemitism. When a black superstar receives death threats for, say, a race-neutral casting choice, the information spreads like digital wildfire.
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Consider the destructive response to black actor Paapa Essiedu, slated to play Professor Snape in the HBO Max “Harry Potter” collection.
Why didn’t the press recoil over death threats to Rapaport? What about an Antifa-led effort to cancel the comedian’s exhibits in Portland, Ore., two years in the past? That effort failed, however native police scrambled to guard patrons after protesters antagonized patrons and set off fireworks close to the venue, based on impartial journalist Andy Ngo.
And, as soon as again, Rapaport isn’t alone.
Jewish actor/comic Michael Rapaport can not say the identical after a number of nerve-wracking appearances. Dorian Geiger / NY Post
In July, two Jewish comedians had their appearances on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival canceled below doubtful circumstances. Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon misplaced their gigs as a consequence of staffers reportedly feeling “unsafe.”
Simon reported being informed that his “views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine are in significant conflict with our venue’s stance against the current Israeli government’s policy and actions,” based on his Instagram account.
Simon referred to as the difficulty “emblematic of the problem facing Jewish artists and performers in the UK today.”
Creeger shared, through Jewish News, that many Jewish performers have confronted antisemitism in the leisure industry.
“I’ve seen threads on social media targeting Jewish performers and warning them that Zionists are not welcome, that they should beware of setting foot in Edinburgh.”
Israeli comic Guy Hochman noticed his January gig on the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills canceled by the venue. The house owners allegedly requested him to denounce Israeli actions in Gaza, based on Screening Services Group President Michael Hall. Hochman refused. That, plus a number of threats, sparked the cancellation.
When Rapaport performed Comedy Works South in Denver in October, the venue wanded patrons earlier than they entered the membership, an atypical expertise at that venue. Charles Wenzelberg
Stand-up veteran Judy Gold, writer of “Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians We Are All in Trouble,” skilled one thing comparable earlier this month. Getty Images for CNN
The venue later backpedaled, apologized and invited him back to carry out.
Stand-up veteran Judy Gold, writer of “Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians We Are All in Trouble,” skilled one thing comparable earlier this month. Gold shared on social media a stage snippet the place a patron at New York Comedy Club shouted back to her, “You’re a Jew,” earlier than he was escorted from the building.
She says that sort of outburst hadn’t occurred to her on stage earlier than. Something comparable occurred days later at a second New York venue.
The most up-to-date instance comes from NBC’s venerable “Saturday Night Live,” a mainstream comedy showcase. Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Che, commenting on the Iran struggle, unleashed one of the oldest and ugliest Jewish tropes.
“There is growing confusion [over] whether Israel being allowed to continue bombing Lebanon was part of the ceasefire with Iran,” he mentioned. “Ultimately, that decision comes down to the man controlling our military — Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Where is the outrage, both from the comedy group or the leisure press? If we haven’t heard it but, it’s seemingly not taking place quickly.
First, they got here for the Jewish comedians, and everyone knows what follows. It’s not a punch line.
Christian Toto is the founder of HollywoodInToto.com and the host of The Hollywood in Toto Podcast.
