Episode list

In this week's episode, Daniel and Harry are joined by writer and agent Yuli Masinovsky as they discuss Seth Rogen's - perhaps most personal but certainly most Jewish - film, 2020's An American Pickle. Join them as they discuss the film's choice to delve in Jewish themes of remembrance, consider the authenticity Rogen's accent as Herschel, and debate the movie's adherence to and diversion from typical Hollywood fare. As always, they end the episode by ranking the film's Jewishness in its production, content, and themes. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

Daniel and Harry welcome actor Simon Feil (The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, Billions, Ocean's Eight) to discuss "The Frisco Kid" starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. They touch on the accurate depiction of Judaism, Yiddish, and other customs depicted by Wilder's Avram character. In addition, they discuss the representation of Native Americans in the film and how Harrison Ford makes for a pretty good bank robber with a heart of gold. Simon also shares some stories from his time on various sets throughout his career. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

In this week's episode, Daniel and Harry are joined by Producer Gil Baron to discuss 1987's "Broadcast News," starring Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks, and William Hurt, and directed by James L. Brooks. Tune in as they take on the film's themes of style versus substance, identify what makes Albert Brooks' Aaron a "coded Jew," and conjure up some of the biggest stretches this Podcast has ever seen. As always, they end the episode by ranking the film's Jewishness with a bonus category suggested by Gil.

Daniel and Harry welcome Noah Segan, actor/director/writer of the film "Blood Relatives," to the pod to discuss the 1974 Mel Brooks classic "Young Frankenstein." They discuss themes of fate and repeating the sins of your ancestors, their love of genre films, and the way Mel Brooks embeds Jewishness into his homage of the classic monster film. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

Daniel and Harry are joined by actor, comedian, and writer Julie Klausner to discuss the 1960 classic, "The Apartment" directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. They attempt to read the film's protagonists as emblematic of the Jewish immigrant, marvel at the strong Jewish representation in the Dreyfuss characters and their promotion of "being a mensch," and make the case that this may be one of the best movies "for the Jews." As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

Daniel and Harry are joined by Elan Golod, director of "Nathan-ism," to discuss the 2008 film "Waltz with Bashir" directed by Ari Folman. They cover the film's exploration of memory and its malleability, dive deep into the distinction between historical truth vs story truth (and its relation to Jewish Midrash and the Seder), and make the case for why this film might be more Israeli than strictly Jewish. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

For their 50ish Episode Spectacular, Daniel and Harry are joined by Leah Gottfried, creator of the acclaimed comedic web series "Soon by You," to (finally) discuss the much requested "Fiddler on The Roof." The film came out in 1971, was directed by Norman Jewish and stars Topol and Norma Crane. They explore the legacy of the film and how it has inspired the way the world at large thinks of Jews for over 50 years. They consider how the film's themes of the tension between tradition and progress are as relevant as ever. And of course, they take the time to shout out some of their favorite songs from the beloved musical. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in term of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

Daniel and Harry welcome writer, comedian, and performer Gil Ozeri to discuss "Defending You Life" written and directed by Albert Brooks. First, they discuss Albert Brooks and his groundbreaking work as a comedian and film maker leading up to this stage in his career. Then they dive into the film and discuss what the Jewish perspective on heaven and hell, biblical references in the bottomless sushi, how intellectual improvement is depicted in the film, and finally they each consider what the afterlife may look like. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

Daniel and Harry are joined by Adam Mansbach, author of Golem of Brooklyn, to talk about the 1991 Bruce Willis film, Hudson Hawk. They explore themes of moral relativism, as it relates to sin and crime in the film, argue for Hawk's role as a Jewish stand-in left behind by an ever changing world, and make the case for the film's irreverent tone, arguing its intention and merit (and possible Jewishness) against the outsize criticism it has received. As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.

This week, Daniel and Harry are joined by Temim Fruchter, author of "City of Laughter" out now. They discuss the classic 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..." starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan directed by Rob Reiner. First, they touch on why the film has sustained as one of the best Rom-Coms, pointing to the improvisation and natural conversations that drive the film's narrative. Then they discuss coincidence and synchronicity related to Harry and Sally's run ins throughout the film. They also answer one of the most controversial questions in food lore: What is your bagel order? As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast and crew, content, and themes.