10 Aug
Culture, Humor Zoominars, Latest, Zoominars

Growing Up Funny with Jewish Comedian Rachel Creeger and Author Michael Krasny

London-based comedian Rachel Creeger, cohost of the podcast, “Jew Talkin’ To Me?”, talks about growing up in a traditional home and listening to the men in the family tell jokes on Shabbat and how it feels to now be the only Orthodox Jewish woman on the British comedy circuit. Rachel is in conversation with Michael Krasny, retired public radio host of KQED Forum and the author of Let There Be Laughter: A Treasury of Great Jewish Humor and What It All Means.

Both Rachel and Michael are part of the Moment Symposium “What is Your Favorite Jewish Joke – And Why?”

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15 Mar
Uncategorized

Marc Maron: Recovering Messiah

In 2009, Marc Maron was a down-on-his-luck comedian, a man who'd survived alcohol and drug addiction, two divorces and resentment over his friends' successes in the comedy world. Then, his career was resurrected with a little help from iTunes. For the past two and a half years, Maron has hosted the wildly popular twice-weekly WTF, podcasts in which he interviews comedians like Chris Rock and Robin Williams, television stars including Amy Poehler and Jon Hamm, and even the occasional highbrow public radio personality (Ira Glass, in case it wasn't clear). Moment editor Nadine Epstein sat down with Maron at his Los Angeles home to talk about Israel, his days as a Hebrew school provocateur and the time he thought he was the Messiah.

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07 Jun
Arts & Culture

Andy Samberg's Semitic Appeal

by Amanda Walgrove Andy Samberg is one of three geeky brains behind the comedy troupe, The Lonely Island, whose sophomore album, Turtleneck and Chain, was released last month. Along with Akiva Shaffer and Jorma Taccone, the trio is responsible for the hilarious Digital Shorts that interrupt the live performances of SNL. Some have even argued that the videos are the only remaining aspect of the thirty-six year old sketch comedy show still worthy of watching. Since Samberg emerged on the scene in 2005, his curly hair and prominent nose have made him a Semitic sex symbol for tweens, twentysomethings, and possibly Cougars (Cameron Diaz's SNL skit said it, not me.) Born David Andrew Samberg, the 32-year-old grew up in a Jewish household and his maternal grandfather, Alfred J. Marrow, served as the executive chair of the American Jewish...

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07 Jun
Arts & Culture

Andy Samberg’s Semitic Appeal

by Amanda Walgrove Andy Samberg is one of three geeky brains behind the comedy troupe, The Lonely Island, whose sophomore album, Turtleneck and Chain, was released last month. Along with Akiva Shaffer and Jorma Taccone, the trio is responsible for the hilarious Digital Shorts that interrupt the live performances of SNL. Some have even argued that the videos are the only remaining aspect of the thirty-six year old sketch comedy show still worthy of watching. Since Samberg emerged on the scene in 2005, his curly hair and prominent nose have made him a Semitic sex symbol for tweens, twentysomethings, and possibly Cougars (Cameron Diaz's SNL skit said it, not me.) Born David Andrew Samberg, the 32-year-old grew up in a Jewish household and his maternal grandfather, Alfred J. Marrow, served as the executive chair of the American Jewish...

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04 Feb
Arts & Culture, Culture, Latest

Yoo-hoo, Ms. Rivers!

by Amanda Walgrove As she’d be the first to joke about, Joan Rivers has tough skin. While her 2010 documentary, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, received mostly shining reviews, the film was snubbed during award season because it wasn’t “significantly relevant.” Rivers told the New York Times, “I thought it was about age, I thought it was about perseverance, I thought it was about courage, about getting up again, about women’s place in the world, and I think they’re wrong. I’m angry. Next time I’ll carry around a baby.” Since the ‘50’s when Rivers emerged in show business, she has found numerous ways to reapply herself and remain relevant. Even though the 77 year-old broad will not be added to this year’s list of Jewish Oscar nominees, retirement has never been a discussion. The powerhouse comedienne...

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