So are the "positive" Jews "stealth" Jews? Cause I watch House, and I didn't catch that he's Jewish.

In the first episode, Wilson says that he's Jewish, but only keeps Kosher when eating at his grandmother's house. It's part of the plot-line for the patient of the week. (Specifically, Wilson claims she's his cousin, Foreman says she can't be, because she has ham in her fridge so she's not Jewish, Wilson says that just means she doesn't keep Kosher and for that matter neither does he. Eventually they diagnose trichinosis.)

In the first episode, Wilson says that he's Jewish

Right. I remember that now.

adds House S1 to Amazon cart

Wasn't there an episode where she wouldn't eat lobster, because she was observant?

I think you're thinking of a Seinfeld episode. With lobster poaching and shrinkage.

Woody Allen movies, maybe? Meet the Parents?

Woody Allen movies, maybe? Meet the Parents?

It was supposed to be only Jewish men who weren't protrayed as nerdy and neurotic so I think Meet the Parents is out.

I don't know that I'd call this "stealthy" though -- I wouldn't know any of my co-workers' religions if it weren't for holidays (and only then if they make a point of taking time off for Good Friday, or Yom Kippur, etc).

Right. That was my point, I just didn't bother to actually type it out, since that would have required thought and effort.

since that would have required thought and effort

On a Monday? Nah, not worth it.

I stayed home from work today, ostensibly because I have a doctor's appointment, but mainly to get some stuff done. What am I doing? Hanging out here, reading Buffistas. I'm such a slacker.

Any film titles with American Jewish Leads come to mind?

Can I sing a couple bars of the Hanukah song??

I would suggest that, with the general cultural trends toward integration, Reform intermarriage, and blow-em-up movies not giving a shit about what the characters do when they're at home, Jewishness in film characters tends to become invisible. Once it's invisible, everybody just casts a tall himbo goy and doesn't even think about it. I can think of recent Jewish Issue movies -- Munich, The Believer -- but the former is a period piece (as is School Ties ) and the latter's protagonist is ultra-Orthodox. But I can't think of many major movies I've seen lately that have Jewish characters in a way that isn't, like, an Issue.

I suspect that it's like a lot of things that give texture to a story: in bad storytelling, all but the extremes disappear.

Grrrr.

Dear Cow-orker -

If you have someone in your office, PICK UP THE GODDAMNED PHONE. You know it's me, you know how I talk, and you KNOW my propensity for being .... colorful .... with my language.

Thanks for embarassing me, asswipe.

Me.