[image from FanPop.com]
When I was growing up, there weren’t a lot of Jewish characters on television. Usually, around Christmas-time, some TV character would note that they celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas, but for the most part, Jewish identity didn’t play an active role in that character’s onscreen life. If there were Jewish characters, they played accountants, nebbishes, nerds, and there was a definite corollary between being smart, and being undesirable.
Last night’s “Glee” seemed like another one for the books. Rachel – herself an outcast for being in glee club (and for being remarkably convinced of her own greatness) – is hounded by her regular stalker Jacob Ben-Israel (played by Josh Sussman), the creepy, nerdy blogger kid with the Jewfro (who also seems remarkably self-possessed from within his bespectacled nerdness – maybe that’s the power of having a blog). He utters a well-crafted, funny, creepy line to the woman he desires: “The independent polling company in my Dockers has determined that you’re the hottest girl in this school,” notes the nerd/blogger/cliché; then he follows up by referring to a piece on his blog about Rachel’s “rumored lust for Jewfros.”
The minority students don’t feel they’re being represented, the cheerleaders report to sinister (and hilarious) coach Sue Sylvester (the amazing Jane Lynch). So Sue isolates some of the minority students to be on her team (“Santana! Wheels! Gay kid! Asian! Other Asian! Aretha! And Shaft!”). Quinn delivers a Sue-scripted line to Brittany and Puck – “I think Sue is right, by the way – he clearly doesn’t like minorities” – and the next scene sees those two students with Sue, who clarifies – “So your last name is Puckerman?” she asks. “Shalom,” the mohawked, MILF-loving, somewhat dense football player/father-to-be says, raising his fist in Semitic solidarity. “Who knew?” Sue shrugs.
Puck is short for Puckerman? Who knew, indeed…
So, to sum up, on one end of the spectrum, we’ve got smart, but nerdy, unappealing and creepy; on the other end, we’ve got someone who’s hot and rocks musically, but who is also an irresponsible, chauvinistic, unlikable meathead. Not to judge a character by his or her name, but perhaps lurking in the Jewish character wings is Artie Abrams (you know him as “the kid in the wheelchair”), who has yet to have a real storyline. Or maybe we’ll learn more about Tina Cohen-Chang‘s background. In any case, one gets a sense that perhaps there are more Jewish tales to be told Gleefully – maybe even before we get to the next “December Dilemma.” And if I may plead with Ryan Murphy and the other producers, when it’s time for the Jewish musical number, please don’t pick “Hava Nagila” or something from “Fiddler on the Roof.” And if you need me to be a Jewish musical consultant, just call.
Did you miss the episode? See it for yourself on Hulu.
posted October 15, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Rachel’s Jewish as well, there’s been a few references
posted October 15, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Wow, “Artie Abrams” is going to be Jewish, is that right? A hideously disgusting nerd in a wheelchair, Jewish. What original ideas will American television come up with next! (at least I can take some small satisfaction in that he’s played by a kid name McHale from Texas).
As for Rachel, she isn’t very good looking. Dianna Agron (Quinn) is hot, and she’s Jewish in real life. Outside of the Puck character, the Jewish characters on Glee could have easily been designed by Joseph Goebbels. It’s getting harded to tell the difference.
posted October 19, 2009 at 7:34 am
What exactly makes Artie “hideously disgusting”? I think it’s your attitude that’s disgusting! Artie may be on the “nerd” spectrum like a lot of the glee club, but he’s a talented singer and musician as well as an attractive young man. I would be proud to have him as a member of the tribe, or have him on a date. Your superficiality and judgmental comments are more evocative of Goebbels than anything on Glee.
posted October 21, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I described him as “hideously disgusting” to make a point. I am so tired of these uber-nerd Jewish characters that I frankly don’t care to mince words about them anymore.
posted November 18, 2009 at 9:21 pm
This show is tripe, jew propaganda. The jews are made out to be the most perfect and morally sound characters while the rest of the characters are the complete opposite. How is it that the jews are the voice of reason on this show. Kiss my ass
posted December 23, 2009 at 10:55 pm
There are many rich Jews here in South Florida
posted January 25, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I agree US TV is full fo Jews onscreen and offscreen. In fact to make it in US TV or Hollywood you have to be Jewish or have a Jewish connection. It makes me sad. Nothing wrong with Jewish people on TV though it’s just that if they were all asian you’d notice and kick up a fuss and how many Muslims make it to US TV or Hollywood? 0!! Is that cos the Jews don’t like Muslims? Why cant they represent everyone?
posted February 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm
thats the stupidest thing ive ever heard the Jewish characters are clearly not any more morally higher than the other characters …. if you actually are watching the show … so it can hardly be labeled ”Jewish propaganda”…
posted March 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Yes, we Jews DO control Hollywood, but get over it.
posted April 14, 2010 at 7:29 pm
“This show is tripe, jew propaganda. The jews are made out to be the most perfect and morally sound characters while the rest of the characters are the complete opposite. How is it that the jews are the voice of reason on this show. Kiss my ass”
Puck sleeps with his best friend’s girlfriend. how is that ‘morally sound’? he also gets a “message from god” to “bone rachel berry” obviously you’ve NEVER watched the show.
posted May 26, 2010 at 11:39 am
Yes, there is an inordinate number of Jewish prodicers/writers of tv and movies and yes, there is a certain level of self-aggrandizement in the Jewish community. If you don’t like it don’t watch – I don’t
posted September 22, 2010 at 6:50 am
Is it just me or were all the Jewish characters in the opening episode either obnoxious (they made comments about his Jew Fro) or Selfish ( Rachel tries to eliminate her competition by sending her to a crack house instead of the audition) or the “villian” Puck who gets the head cheerleader pregnant?
next they’ll be making Sue Jewish..
I’m offended.
posted October 7, 2010 at 8:20 pm
This show is tripe, jew propaganda. The jews are made out to be the most perfect and morally sound characters while the rest of the characters are the complete opposite.
I’m with you on that it’s a jew propaganda, come on Jesus were eatin in the end of the 3rd episode S02…!!
posted October 8, 2010 at 8:17 am
I am growing watching up Glee and till now i would rate it as one of the top favorite musical show. I am so happy with the moment that christian character is now the part of Glee cast.
My Favorite current tv show
Glee Episodes
posted December 5, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I really enjoy watching Glee. However, I don’t like the fact that all of the Jewish characters are made to be obnoxious and irritating. None of them are sympathetic characters. I watch the show, hoping that at least one of them will be cast in a more noble and likeable role.
posted January 2, 2011 at 8:19 pm
stop crying the jewish characters are ment to be funny not obnoxious! The show is run by jews and also has many jew characters and actors/actresses. Their are tons of jewish characters and actors on tv so stop complaining if not all of them are perfect! The jewish characters on glee are morally good not corrupt or anything so stop complaining! I mean the main one is a poor very nice kid in a wheel chair so again stop crying!
posted January 5, 2011 at 3:00 am
I’m a certified GLEEK! I always watch the show. The directors and writers are all excellent! They’ve handled the story very well. The actors and actresses are awesome! It’s good that this show put a twist on the casts such as their difference in nationalities, religions, and attitudes. They are all different but singing put them together!
posted January 19, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I always enjoy watching Glee. The Glee casts are awesome! They have done a really nice job. Although the Jewish characters are irritating in the series, I know this is really a part of the story. However, I wish they will still make some twists for Season 2.