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comedy

Mel Brooks arrives at the premiere of "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" in Los Angeles on January 20, 2026. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
June 28, 2026, 1:14 am
Comedy legend and Jewish icon Mel Brooks turns 100
Groundbreaking writer and director behind ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘Young Frankenstein’ has joked his gravestone should read: ‘I was Mel Brooks, one of the funniest little Jews to walk the Earth’
By AP and ToI Staff
Marc Shaiman is the author of a new memoir, 'Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner.' (Robert Trachtenberg via JTA)
February 21, 2026, 2:28 am
In new memoir, acclaimed ‘Hairspray’ composer tells a showbiz story shaped by Jewish humor
In ‘Never Mind the Happy,’ Tony winner and 7-time Oscar nominee Marc Shaiman recounts collaborations with Bette Midler and Rob Reiner, and the musical liberties he took at his bar mitzvah
By Stephen Silver
Sid Caesar, flanked by Imogene Coca and Carl Reiner, in a skit from the TV variety series, 'Your Show of Shows,' 1952. (NBC Television via JTA)
January 2, 2026, 4:53 pm
How Sid Caesar and a roomful of forgotten Jewish writers transformed television forever
In his new book, ‘When Caesar Was King,’ author David Margolick chronicles the rise, and fall into obscurity, of the sketch comedian who set the stage for the TV sitcom
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Comedian and actor Dave Chappelle looks on during Netflix's Canelo v Crawford Fight Night at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP)
October 4, 2025, 10:47 am
In Riyadh, Dave Chappelle jokes ‘I stand with Israel’ would signal he is being muzzled
Comedian decries censorship in US after Charlie Kirk killing, says he fears returning to America because ‘they’re going to do something to me so that I can’t say what I want to say’
By Grace Gilson
Ma Kashur, the comic trio who star in 'Saving Shuli San,' the box office-breaking sequel to 'Saving Shuli' now in theaters in September 2025 (Courtesy)
September 26, 2025, 9:52 am
Slapstick Israeli comedy flick offers respite in troubled times
‘Saving Shuli San,’ sequel to ‘Saving Shuli,’ starring comedy trio Ma Kashur, becomes 5th most-viewed Israeli film of all time
By Jessica Steinberg
From left, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest in a still from 'Spinal Tap II.' (Courtesy Bleecker Street Films)
September 12, 2025, 4:49 pm
It doesn’t go to 11, but die-hard fans of UK’s loudest band may still enjoy ‘Spinal Tap II’
Now in US theaters, the cult comedy’s sequel lacks momentum and relies on cameos to make up for paucity of jokes. Those who love the 40-year-old original will likely see it anyway
By Jordan Hoffman
Actor and comedian Larry David leaves Madison Square Garden after an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, February 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
July 11, 2025, 4:16 pm
Larry David teams up with the Obamas on US history comedy series
The 78-year-old creator of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ co-writes, executive produces and stars in the new sketch show produced by the former president and first lady’s Higher Ground
By Grace Gilson
John Cleese in a May 2023 interview about King Charles' coronation (Screenshot: GBNews/YouTube)
March 11, 2025, 1:32 pm
Still upright at 85, John Cleese to bring sit-down comedy to Israel
Co-creator of Monty Python, ‘Fawlty Towers’ and other comic hits — who touted his 2019 appearance as the last chance to see him alive — to play Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in June
By Jessica Steinberg
Director Jim Abrahams speaks onstage at the screening of "Top Secret!" during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Charley Gallay / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
November 28, 2024, 7:54 pm
Jim Abrahams, co-creator of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun,’ dies at 80
Filmmaker was known for a string of comedy movies made alongside childhood friends David and Jerry Zucker, who he met at synagogue
By ToI Staff
At left: Jean Carroll circa 1955. (via Photofest); Cover of 'First Lady of Laughs' by Grace Kessler Overbeke. (Courtesy: NYU Press)
November 18, 2024, 4:25 am
Before Midge Maisel, there was Jean Carroll, a real-life trailblazing Jewish comedienne
In her new book, ‘First Lady of Laughs,’ scholar Grace Kessler Overbeke shines light on the oft-overlooked performer who created ‘a totally different model of funny Jewish women’
By Rich Tenorio
Zack Weiner’s 2021 campaign to represent the Upper West Side was fodder for his new film, 'Citizen Weiner.' (Courtesy Zack Weiner via JTA)
November 6, 2024, 8:53 pm
This Jewish actor made a ‘reality film’ about his not-quite real campaign for NYC Council
In mockumentary ‘Citizen Weiner,’ young filmmaker Zack Weiner actually runs for office, campaigning on issues close to his heart – and experiencing the consequences of public life
By Joseph Strauss
In Beirut's southern suburbs, the remains of exploded pagers used by Hezbollah on display at an undisclosed location, on September 18, 2024, in a stealth attack blamed on Israel. (AFP)
September 20, 2024, 1:43 am
No laughing matter? Hezbollah pager explosions become fodder for online jokes
Some Jewish social media users taunt Lebanese terror group after alleged Israeli attacks while others argue that Judaism discourages rejoicing in enemy’s downfall
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
'What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine,' an exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum, features Norman Mingo's 1973 cover illustration for MAD Magazine #156 depicting Alfred E. Neuman as a character in 'Fiddler on the Roof.' (JTA Photo; MAD and all related elements © & ™ E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.)
August 31, 2024, 5:57 am
Americana meets meshuggeneh at a museum exhibit about MAD magazine
‘What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine’ runs at the Norman Rockwell Museum through October 27, showcasing the periodical’s American satire with Jewish bite
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Zach Zucker as "Jack Tucker" (Photo by Dylan Woodley, via Hey Alma)
August 10, 2024, 12:32 pm
The Jewish clown of a generation? Watch Zach Zucker aka ‘Jack Tucker’ and decide
On paper, Zucker performing as a cartoonishly dim-witted stand-up comedian should not be funny. But his shows are a comedic assault on the senses, and the buzz is growing
By EVELYN FRICK
Comic Michael Rapaport announced two shows in Israel in October 2024, following multiple visits to Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack (Courtesy)
July 23, 2024, 6:08 pm
Comic Michael Rapaport announces first two Israel performances
Comedian and actor to return to Israel following multiple missions; will perform in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
By Jessica Steinberg
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