Guri Alfi sings and hosts his way to stardom
The comedian launches his new late night show, and sings a cappella for his wife’s birthday
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
It’s been a mostly banner week for comedian Guri Alfi.
In addition to launching his new, 28-minute late night show, “HaYom BaLaila” (The Day at Night) last night on Keshet, loosely based on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” his Elton John medley — a la another late night host, “The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon — is racking up YouTube views.
Sung with the six members of a cappella group Quinta and a Half, the video was put together for Alfi’s wife’s 40th birthday, maybe paired with a pair of tickets for Elton John’s May 26 performance in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.
And yes, confirmed soprano Yarden Cohen, Alfi “did actually sing” on the video, and rather well, much to the surprise of listeners commenting on the YouTube link and on Facebook.
Unfortunately, not all the reviews for his new show have been as positive, with some complaints about his monologue — too long — and the topics — too serious.
But it’s only been the first week, and Alfi, known for his long list of comedic credits, from nine years on “Eretz Nehederet,” three years as a writer on “Matzav Ha’Uma” and the latest season of “Gav HaUma,” as well as a bunch of movies, TV shows and series, probably knows better than to judge his results based on the first week.
The show, according to Keshet, is meant to be a satirical look at the day’s news, and will be shown on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Keshet reported that Wednesday night’s first episode drew 740,000 viewers, a high launch rate for a late night show.
“HaYom BaLaila,” 11:10 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Keshet, Channel 2.
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