By Nate Bloom
Contributing Columnist
Dino Again; So Bad They Are Good TV Specials; Ice Cream, Redux
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” opened in theaters on July 2. This is the fourth film in “Jurassic World” franchise and the seventh film in the “Jurassic Park” series.
The plot is complex. Suffice it to say that the good guy scientists are trying to get DNA from dinosaurs living on a remote tropical island. These scientists believe dinosaur DNA can be a key to the kind of drugs that could save human lives. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, 40, stars as Zora Bennett, a scientist who leads a drug company team that is trying to get DNA from the dinosaurs.
ED SKREIN, 42, has a supporting role as Bobby Atwater, a member of Bennett’s team. Skrein’s most seen roles to date are Francis Freeman/Ajax (the bad guy) in “Deadpool” (2016), a huge hit Marvel film and Darrio Naharis, a memorable mercenary in “Game of Thrones” (2013), the hit HBO series.
Skrein’s paternal grandparents were Austrian Jews who fled Vienna after the Nazi takeover in 1938. They settled separately in the U.K. and met at a club for Jewish refugees. Skrein has talked about the odyssey of his Jewish paternal grandparents. It’s unclear if his mother is Jewish or even English.
BRUCE VILANCH, 77, a veteran, comedy writer who has won two Emmys, appeared on CBS Morning News on June 14 to promote his new book: “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote.” (The segment is posted on social media. The CBS story is entitled: “Comedy writer Bruce Vilanch recounts his greatest flops”).
Some bio on Vilanch: he went to Hebrew school and had a bar mitzvah ceremony. He has a very “unique” kooky look, and older readers will probably remember him from the Hollywood Squares game show. He was a funny guy in a “square” in many episodes.
The CBS segment focused on two TV special flops that Vilanch co-wrote, and both TV specials can be viewed, entirely, on social media.
Four years after the hit sitcom, “The Brady Bunch,” was cancelled, somebody decided to put on a 1978 musical variety TV program entitled “Brady Bunch Variety Hour.” All but one of the ten “Bunch” actors appeared on the special, and Vilanch says only three actors could sing at all. TONY RANDALL showed up in the special, putting on his snooty, but funny guy shtick.
The existence of The Star Wars Holiday Special” (1978) was a surprise to me. “The Star Wars” original cast was all there, including HARRISON FORD and CARRIE FISHER (she sings in the special and has a good voice). BEA ARTHUR (“Golden Girls”) plays a bartender and she sings, too. HARVEY KORMAN (“Carol Burnett Show”) plays a guy sweet on Bea. He also plays, in drag, a female TV cooking show host.
The special was so bad that George Lucas tried to never let it be seen again. But it was leaked out a long time ago.
Back in 2021, I wrote the following item around July 4th. It was inspired by a reader’s question. More than the usual number of readers contacted me and said that they liked this item. It’s about well-known ice cream brands created by Jews. I almost never repeat an item. But it is hot, and it’s ice cream season. July 4 is also almost here. So, here’s a rare replay.
The question: what national ice cream companies were founded by Jews? Here’s my list. I don’t think anyone else has ever compiled one: Baskin and Robbins was founded by BURT BASKIN (1913-1967) and IRV ROBBINS (1917-2008). Burt was married to Irv’s sister; Ben and Jerry’s was founded by BEN COHEN, (now) 74, and JERRY GREENFIELD, also (now) 74. They met in grade school.; Haagen-Dazs was founded by REUBEN MATTUS (1912-1994) and his wife, ROSE MATTUS (1916-2006). The map of Denmark that used to appear on the Haagen-Dazs lid was in honor of Denmark saving most of its Jews during WWII; and Talenti Gelato, co-founded by DEAN PHILLIPS, (now) 56, a Minnesota Democratic congressman. His grandmother was PAULINE PHILLIPS (1918-2013), AKA “Dear Abby.” Sadly, none of these companies are now owned by their founder(s) or their founders’ descendants.
Post-script: Phillips launched a campaign for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. He said that President Biden (who he supported 100% in Congress votes) should give way to a younger candidate. Almost all leading Democrats lined up for Biden. Many media commentators castigated Phillips and his challenge. As everyone knows, Biden withdrew after a terrible debate performance and Kamala Harris became the Democratic candidate. In the past year, many Democratic leaders and columnists have praised Phillips for his foresight and some actually apologized to Phillips. In 2024, Phillips easily held his House seat.