Thursday, March 31, 2016

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Groucho Marx Meets Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez


Today we're starting a new Thursday weekly series on Jewish Humor Central. We've been posting a joke every Monday to start the week on a funny note. Now we're also adopting Thursday as a special day as we join the many blogs, Facebook, and Twitter posts that designate Thursday as Throwback Thursday.

Throwback Thursday has become a weekly social media posting trend to let readers and viewers look back fondly on some of their favorite memories -- hence the "throwback" theme. At Jewish Humor Central, we'll be posting a nostalgic video clip from a very old TV show or movie that brings back happy memories.

Today we're sharing an old episode of Groucho Marx's TV show You Bet Your Life. It's the classic episode in which Groucho meets Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, a Mexican character actor who made his first appearance as a contestant on the quiz show. The segment was so funny that Gonzalez Gonzalez was offered roles in movies and became best known for his appearances in a number of John Wayne movies and earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)


(A tip of the kippah to Irving Gerber for bringing this video to our attention and to Esther Kustanowitz who introduced us to Throwback Thursday.)
 
#TBT #ThrowbackThursday

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Jewish Humor from Australia - Jim Brewsky at the Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival


Yes, there is Jewish humor down under. Last year Melbourne, Australia started a Jewish Comedy Festival to celebrate Jewish culture through comedy and they're planning another one for 2016.

Today we're bringing you one of the highlights of the festival, a stand-up comedy routine by Jim Brewsky, who starts the routine by teasing his audience as to whether they think he is, or isn't, a member of the tribe.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)


Tuesday, March 29, 2016

YidLife Crisis Searches for Yiddish Culture (and Kishka) in Tel Aviv


We've been following the Canadian comedy duo of Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion as they travel the world in search of funny situtations involving Yiddish culture, language, and food.

Their web series, YidLife Crisis, was recently nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for best original digital media series. 

They have taken their act on the road, performing a live version of their show in Krakow, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles and Birmingham, England. 

The pair has also received a prestigious grant from the Natan Fund and have created a series of five travelogues featuring their impressions of Tel Aviv. Last month we posted their funny Valentine’s Day episode guest staring Mayim Bialik.

There's a lot of Yiddish in some of the episodes and some of the English includes coarse language that we avoid in our family-friendly posts, so we pick the episodes that we share with you very carefully.

Today we're posting one of their Tel Aviv episodes, Canadians in Cabs Getting Kishkas. In it, they try to order from a menu in a Tel Aviv restaurant, where some of the selections are misspelled, as frequently happens in Israeli restaurants. 

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)

Monday, March 28, 2016

A Joke to Start the Week - "The Golden Years"



It's another Bob Hertzendorf Monday. Today we're posting the last in a series of clips from Bob's standup comedy routine before an audience in Lakewood, New Jersey.

We've been lucky to have received a collection of these from Bob, an accomplished actor and comedian, and we're happy to share them with you. 

Bob is very prolific -- he just sent us some more jokes, and you can expect to see them in the weeks to come.

In today's clip Bob reflects on the new challenges that come with reaching the golden years.
Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)


Sunday, March 27, 2016

The Great Jewish Comedians: Remembering Garry Shandling


Garry Shandling, the American comedian, actor, writer, producer and director who died on Thursday, was born November 29, 1949 in Chicago, to a Jewish family. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona, one of three sons of Muriel Estelle (née Singer), a pet store proprietor, and Irving Shandling, a print shop owner.

His persona was an anxiety-ridden, grimacing, guarded, confused man on the verge of losing control. After a couple of years on the road, a talent scout from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson booked him to appear as a guest in 1981. Shandling substituted for Carson on a regular basis until 1987, when he left to focus on his cable show leaving Jay Leno as permanent guest host and Carson's eventual successor.

Shandling began his career writing for sitcoms such as Sanford and Son and Welcome Back, Kotter. He made a successful stand-up performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and became a frequent guest-host on the show. Shandling was for a time considered the leading contender to replace Carson (other hopefuls were Joan Rivers, David Letterman and David Brenner). 

In 1986 he created It's Garry Shandling's Show for the pay cable channel Showtime. It was nominated for four Emmy Awards (including one for Shandling) and lasted until 1990. His second show, The Larry Sanders Show, which began airing on HBO in 1992, was even more successful. 

During his three-decade career, Shandling was nominated for 19 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, along with many other awards and nominations. He served as host of the Grammy Awards four times and as host of the Emmy Awards three times.

Here's a video clip of one of his many performances doing stand-up comedy on Comic Relief.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.) 


Friday, March 25, 2016

"A Jewish Lip Reading" Will Leave You Laughing


It's still Purim today, that is if you're in Jerusalem or another walled city. So that's an excuse for us to post one more Purim spoof video on Shushan Purim.

Many thanks to the Jew Twins, a creative pair who specialize in funny videos. This one is in the spirit of the Bad Lip Reading series, which spoofed the Republican and Democratic debates.

We think this is the only video that puts funny Jewish topical sentences into the mouth of a presidential candidate. For the record, Jewish Humor Central avoids political humor, but this one was just too funny to resist as a Purim post.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)  



(A tip of the kippah to Esther Kustanowitz for bringing this video to our attention.)

Thursday, March 24, 2016

What Tel Aviv University Students (Don't) Know About Purim


Purim is a national holiday in Israel, so wouldn't you expect everyone on the campus of Tel Aviv University to be a walking encyclopedia about Purim? Well, not exactly.

Students walking on campus were asked about the meaning of the holiday, the meaning of its name, what we celebrate, why we dress up in costumes, and what hamantashen are. The answers? Well, see for yourself.

Enjoy, and have a happy Purim!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Oscars, Shmoscars! Here Are Our Purim Picks Of The Best Movies Of 2015

 
Happy Purim to all of our Jewish Humor Central readers.  We hope you enjoy this special Purim spoof from the Purim 2016 issue of The Kustanowitz Kronikle.  You can download the PDF by clicking HERE.  Print it and share it at your Purim Seudah.


There are the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards (Oscars).  But who needs them when the best awards of all are the Silver Graggers.  Jewish Humor Central is proud to present the movie awards from our sister publication, The Kustanowitz Kronikle.

The Silver Graggers are different from the Golden Globes and the Oscars in that there are multiple winners for Best Picture, the only award we give.

This year the Kustanowitz kids have been hard at work, deliberating which films released in 2015 merited consideration for this prestigious award.  Today we are announcing the winners of the annual competition.  Here are the best films of 2015, with a brief description of each one.

THE BIG SHORT:  A non-Jewish man has second thoughts about conversion once he learns the part about circumcision.

SPOTLIGHT: The local Jewish paper investigates synagogue shondas, including the rising cost of High Holiday tickets and having kiddush without chulent. 


THE DANISH GIRL: A conniving baker deceitfully convinces an entire community that her pastries are actually kosher.


THE HATEFUL EIGHT: Chaos erupts when clueless parents accidentally go all eight nights of Hanukkah without purchasing a single gift for their kids.


ROOM:  After eating too much over a three-day Yom Tov, a man is forced to bring all of his pants back to the tailor.


THE COVENANT: A secular man is attacked and nearly killed by a beard. But after a while, he embraces both the facial hair and the religious devotion that it indicates.


INSIDE OUT: When a man can’t find the bread he hid for Bedikat Chametz, he loses his mind and nearly destroys the house trying to figure out where it went.


TERMINATOR: GENESIS: A cyborg travels back in time to the Garden of Eden to find the and kill the snake that started the human race on its path to destruction.


BROOKLYN: All of the presidential candidates make a pilgrimage to Boro Park to seek the blessing and endorsement of the Bobover, Gerer, Satmar, Vizhnitz, Munkacz, Spinka, Klausenburger, Skverer, and Puppa rebbes.


FANTASTIC FOUR: From laughing at infertility to sitting on idols, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah had stories to tell. Don't miss this new biblical epic exploring the world of the Four Matriarchs.


BRIDGE OF SPIES: When vicious rumors spread, a local rabbi sends two of his trusted congregants to see if the townspeople are indeed using non-kosher bread for the Tashlich ceremony on Rosh Hashanah.


THE WEDDING RINGER:  When a local couple gets engaged, members of the community battle over which of their cousins is the best diamond dealer on 47th Street.


FURIOUS 7: An Israeli is beside himself when he learns that a springtime trip to America will mean one extra day of eating matzah.


THE PEANUTS MOVIE: An animated film about legumes desperately trying to be accepted on Passover.
ANT-MAN:  A romantic comedy featuring JDate’s tallest subscriber. 


THE NIGHT BEFORE:  Erev Passover, three lifelong friends pursue invitations to the ultimate chametz party. 


Wishing you a happy and joyous Purim. May the laughter of Purim resound throughout your home on Purim and all year long.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

New Talmud Volume "Votin" Found in Iraq - Our Special Annual Purim Issue

This year Purim starts with the reading of Megillat Esther tomorrow night, March 23. It is read again on Wednesday morning, March 24. We wish a Happy Purim to all of our Jewish Humor Central readers. We hope you enjoy this special Purim spoof from the Purim 2016 issue of The Kustanowitz Kronikle. You can download the PDF by clicking HERE. Print it and share it at your Purim Seudah. And coming tomorrow - Part 2 of our Purim spoof: THE KUSTANOWITZ KIDS' PICKS FOR THE 2014 SILVER GRAGGER MOVIE AWARDS.

NEW TALMUD VOLUME "VOTIN" FOUND IN IRAQ; JOINS FRESSIN, NAPPIN, MEETIN, TANTZEN, PATCHEN
Unearthed Tractate Clarifies How to Vote for Bad Candidates, Polling Place Hours, and How Long to Wait in Line
Special to The Kustanowitz Kronikle

FAIR LAWN, March 23 – In the midst of the continuing struggle of the free world to defeat the armies of ISIS and Al Qaeda, a startling discovery was made last week in an Iraqi cave.
    A team of archaeologists digging alongside Kurdish Peshmerga near the Turkish border discovered a cache of scrolls that included the long-lost Talmudic tractate VOTIN, which details extensive discussions of the laws of planning and running elections.
        Talmudic scholars are fascinated with the implications of the find, as the reasoning of the sages clarifies current issues relevant to the highly contested and greatly anticipated elections in the United States in November.
    The academic world has long believed that this tractate existed but were stymied in the search until now. This new volume joins its companion volumes, all parts of the Talmud Baghdadi, which were discovered in the 1991 bombing of Iraq and in the subsequent search for weapons of mass destruction.
    The Talmudic volumes originally discovered include:
FRESSIN - The laws of preparing and partaking of a shul kiddush
NAPPIN -  The laws of taking Shabbat afternoon naps
MEETIN - The laws of conduct during shul meetings
TANTZEN - The laws of mixed dancing
PATCHEN - The laws of child discipline
    Another volume, SHTUPPIN, is still being deciphered, with experts uncertain whether it is about the laws of pushing  an allegorical work alluding to more intimate behavior THE TALMUD BAGHDADI: A Sample Page From Tractate VotinMISHNA: How does one choose a candidate when all of the choices are bad?  One holds one’s nose and casts the ballot. From what time is it permitted to cast a ballot?  From the time that the final poll numbers are posted by CNN and FOX. How long is it permitted to wait in line to vote? Not too long, because idle chatter while waiting could lead to mixed dancing.GEMARA: The Etzba B’Af asks: How long should you hold your nose? Only as long as it takes to pull the lever. The Punkt Farkert disagrees and says as long as you are in the voting booth. The Grobber Yung says that it depends on the size of your hand and the length of your fingers. And you know what they say about  a man with a big hand. A man with a big hand is likely to have a big nose. And a long nose may have to be held longer to complete the voting process.The Ohf Hagadol asks: How long should the voting booths be open? The Groisser Fresser gives his opinion that it should be at least as long as it takes for an elephant to cross the Euphrates River. The Regel BaPeh asks:  How long is that? The Rodef Kesssef replies: About twice as long as it takes a tiger to cross the Tigris River.  MEET THE SAGES OF THE TALMUD BAGHDADI   We have learned much from the pages of the Talmud Baghdadi, but few of us know the sages behind the pages. Here are some brief profiles of the sages quoted in the excerpts from Tractate Votin and the other volumes:The Groisser Fresser was one of the biggest of the sages, literally. His positions were strict, but he tended to be more lenient in is opinions whenever they served to permit the consumption of more food.The Punkt Farkert was a regular opponent of the Groisser Fresser, and took great pleasure in refuting every one of his arguments.The Etzba B’Af was widely known for his penetrating analysis, but did not have many friends because of a lack of personal hygiene.The Regel BaPeh had an uncanny ability to offer soundly reasoned arguments, but somehow tended to use them to undermine his own position.The Ohf Hagadol, always one to seek compromises and find peaceful solutions, was the tallest of the sages but his skin had a yellowish cast, with an almost feather-like texture.The Grobber Yung, as wide across as the Ohf Hagadol was tall, made his mark by barging in to discussions among the more revered sages, punctuating his remarks with obscure references.The Rodef Kessef had a sharp mind for business, and always managed to voice opinions that maximized his financial opportunities.Wishing you a happy and joyous Purim. May the laughter of Purim resound throughout your home on Purim and all year long.                 


 

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