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Stephen Silver

Walter Yetnikoff, president of CBS records (right), and Michael Jackson celebrate at the Guinness Book of World Records party honoring Michael Jackson for the top selling solo album in history at the Museum of Natural History on Feb 8, 1984. (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images, via JTA)
May 9, 2026, 6:53 pm
Michael Jackson biopic revives legend of Jewish music mogul Walter Yetnikoff
Film touts CBS Records chief’s purported role in pressuring MTV to air ‘Billie Jean,’ which Jackson’s estate credits for ‘opening the floodgates for his extraordinary success and a whole generation of black artists’
By Stephen Silver
Director Sam Firstenberg and the poster for his 1989 'Riverbend.' (Courtesy of Firstenberg)
April 24, 2026, 7:29 pm
A popular US theater is reviving a lost film by Israeli B-movie director Sam Firstenberg
Alamo Drafthouse theaters in five cities will screen the 1989 action drama ‘Riverbend’ on April 29, signaling renewed interest in a filmmaker critics praised as a master of ‘earnest schlock’
By Stephen Silver
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
Mel Brooks, left, sat for roughly 10 hours of interviews over five sessions with filmmaker Judd Apatow for the HBO documentary 'Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!' (Mathieu Bitton/HBO via JTA)
January 22, 2026, 7:19 pm
Ahead of new HBO documentary, Judd Apatow talks about ‘stalking’ his idol Mel Brooks
The acclaimed director reflects on the iconic comedian’s Jewish identity, his influence on modern comedy and the newly-released film, ‘Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!’
By Stephen Silver
Sean Penn, John Ira Palmer, John Wildermuth, Tim Fehlbaum, and Jake Kasdan speak onstage during a CAA Screening and Filmmaker Q&A of "September 5" in Los Angeles at Creative Artists Agency on December 08, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Phillip Faraone / Getty Images via AFP)
December 14, 2024, 2:27 pm
‘September 5’ focuses on news, not Jews, in dramatizing 1972 Munich attack
New film about massacre of Israeli athletes at Olympic Games offers different perspective than Spielberg’s ‘Munich,’ concentrates on media coverage of globally live-streamed attack
By Stephen Silver
Moses Michael Levi Barrow, who rapped under the stage name 'Shyne,' prays at the Western Wall in a Jerusalem in a scene from the new documentary, 'The Honorable Shyne.' (Andscape via JTA)
November 22, 2024, 4:44 pm
‘Honorable Shyne’ documents Jewish rapper’s beef with Diddy, new life in Belize politics
New Hulu documentary sheds light on Moses Michael Levi Barrow’s jail time, sojourn in Israel, and his rebirth as the opposition leader in his native country
By Stephen Silver
Gilda Radner and Gene Wilder are shown in New York City in June 1982. (AP Photo)
March 26, 2024, 3:48 pm
‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ documentary salutes a Jewish comedy legend
Recently opened in NY and LA with a further rollout in the coming weeks, the film examines the comedic actor’s relationship with Mel Brooks – and what set their two styles apart
By Stephen Silver
In 'God and Country,' a documentary produced by Rob Reiner, footage from real events showcases the signs and symbols of growing Christian nationalism in the United States. (Screenshot)
February 17, 2024, 2:15 pm
In documentary ‘God and Country,’ Rob Reiner shines a light on Christian nationalism
Released on Feb. 16, the film exposes a movement that, says Reiner, believes God ordained it to make the US a white Christian nation – and will use violence to achieve that goal
By Stephen Silver
Cleavon Little, left, and Gene Wilder in a still from 'Blazing Saddles,' directed by Mel Brooks in 1974. (Warner Bros./Getty Images/ via JTA)
February 10, 2024, 1:35 am
‘Blazing Saddles’ marks a half-century of hilarity — and controversy
Released 50 years ago this week, the film juggles bawdiness, genre satire and political critique, and is still revered even as most admit today’s Hollywood would never let it fly
By Stephen Silver
Actor Roberto Benigni in a scene from the Miramax movie 'Life Is Beautiful' circa 1997. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
December 16, 2023, 3:19 pm
‘Life is Beautiful’ hit US theaters 25 years ago, raising issues that linger today
Roberto Benigni’s 1997 film rocked Hollywood and beyond by attempting to infuse humor into the setting of a concentration camp, to critical acclaim — and criticism by many Jews
By Stephen Silver and Gabe Friedman
The cleats worn by Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings)
December 12, 2023, 12:59 pm
Jewish NFL player kicks field goal after wearing blue and white cleats
Vikings kicker Greg Joseph joins ‘My Cause, My Cleats’; Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair uses shoes to raise money for Gaza kids
By Stephen Silver and jacob gurvis
Ryan Turell playing for the Motor City Cruise. (Courtesy Motor City Cruise via JTA)
August 14, 2023, 5:09 am
Former YU phenom Ryan Turell features in new Amazon documentary on the G League
Segments of ‘Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey’ focus on the Jewish identity of the Orthodox player who was the top scorer in college ball before joining the minors last year
By Stephen Silver
Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Richie in 'The Bear.' (FX/Hulu via JTA)
July 1, 2023, 10:55 am
Why did Hulu’s ‘The Bear’ refer to arson caused by ‘Jewish lightning’?
While the term itself is an offensive Jewish stereotype, the show uses it as part of a story arc on restaurant’s staff no longer using pejorative language
By Stephen Silver
Guttenberg plays himself in 'Tales From the Guttenberg Bible.' (Adam Wingman via JTA)
May 4, 2023, 5:35 am
​​Steve Guttenberg and his Judaism take center stage in the adaptation of his memoir
Playing through May 21 at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey, ‘Tales From the Guttenberg Bible’ explores the actor’s career, Jewish identity and much more
By Stephen Silver
Jeremy Jordan as Neil Bogart in 'Spinning Gold.' (Hero Entertainment Group/via JTA)
April 10, 2023, 6:54 am
How ‘Spinning Gold’ departs from Hollywood stereotypes about Jewish music producers
Director Timothy Scott Bogart’s take on the real-life story of his music mogul father Neil Bogart depicts a relatable and very human story of slow-burn success
By Stephen Silver
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