January flew by with a ton of great (Jewish and Jew-ish) TV, and February promises to be even shorter — well, it literally is — and still full of great Jewish TV moments.
From thrillers with Israeli stars, to great Jewish winter Olympians, to a documentary about a Jewish chess legend and a series exploring Black and Jewish relations, here’s all the great Jewish TV you have to look forward to this month:
Feb 1: “Vanished” (MGM+)
There’s not much Jewish about this thriller TV show that stars Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory,” except for a high-profile Israeli star in its cast, Dar Zuzovsky, who plays Mira. She’s described as a Bond-like character who works with Tom (Sam Claflin, Zuzovsky’s real-life boyfriend), the longtime jet-setting boyfriend of Cuoco’s Alice, who disappears while the two are on a train to the south of France. “Vanished” seems like a truly enjoyable thriller and a chance to check out one of Israel’s best actresses, too.
Judaism rating: 0.25/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 1: “The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Big Game” (Roku Channel)
If you have always dreamed about seeing the nice Jewish boy and three-time Super Bowl winner Julian Edelman make football-shaped eclairs, this sporty special of “The Great American Baking Show” is for you!
Judaism rating: 0.25/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb. 3: “Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History” (PBS)
For Black History Month, Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. brings us a deep and learned examination of Black and Jewish relationships in America — and one that includes Black-Jewish representation. In “Finding Your Roots,” Gates talks about how the allyship has been both formative and powerful; he also shies away from romanticizing that alliance.
Tony Kushner and Billy Crystal are featured in the documentary, as is the Black Jewish cookbook author Michael Twitty. The show reflects on the 1991 Crown Heights riots and the more recent campus unrest, as well as the importance of allyship in art, culture and civil rights.
As Tony Kushner notes, talking about both the Black and Jewish communities can be dangerous and fraught to do at this time, but “anything that’s dangerous is also worthwhile.”
Judaism rating: 3/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 4: “The Muppet Show” (ABC/Disney+)
As someone who grew up on Jim Henson’s “The Muppet Show,” sharing the muppet universe, if you will, with my children has been a pure joy. Kermit’s affability, Ms. Piggy’s chutzpah, the psychedelic musical numbers and the “Rainbow Connection” — they’re all truly timeless. Still, it’s a great joy to have one more Muppet special to add to the pantheon. Jewish duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg produced this latest, delightfully quirky one, which features Rogen himself, of course, Sabrina Carpenter having a moment with Ms. Piggy (two absolute divas), and Jewish comedy legend Maya Rudolph visiting hell. I can’t wait to watch.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 6: The Winter Olympics (NBC)
I’ve always loved the Winter Olympics, but I’m sure this year they’ll get an even boost in popularity thanks to the phenomenon that is hockey romance “Heated Rivalry.” Something to kvell about? Two really cool Jewish female ice hockey players are competing this year: Kayle Osborne for Canada and goalie extraordinaire Aerin Frankel for Team USA. The USA men’s ice hockey team features three Jewish players making their debut: brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes and Jeremy Swayman. Along with accomplished Israeli athletes, AJ Edelman, the younger brother of Alex Edelman, will compete on Israel’s bobsled team. I’ll obviously be watching.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 6: “Queen of Chess” (Netflix)
Jewish chess legend Judit Polgár finally gets her Netflix spotlight. Six years after Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit” celebrated a fictional woman trailblazer in the male-dominated field, it’s now bringing us this documentary about Polgár, who remains the greatest female player alive. She broke Bobby Fischer’s record as the youngest chess grandmaster and has beaten some of the game’s greatest players of all time. Polgár grew up in post-WWII Hungary, and her Jewish father raised his three daughters on an inventive homeschooling regimen.
Judaism rating: 3/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 23: “The CEO Club” (Prime Video)
This new show about top female executives features Serena Williams, Thalía, and Winnie Harlow, as well as Jewish mom Hannah Bronfman, who says in the trailer, “I feel compelled to leave this world a better place for other people.” Loren Ridinger, whose daughter Amber’s lavish bat mitzvah once made headlines, fashion entrepreneur Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, wife of Jewish designer Tommy Hilfiger, and Isabela Rangel Grutman, who owns both a fashion and jewelry company, and is the wife of Jewish hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman, are also featured in the series.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 25: “Scrubs” (Hulu)
Our favorite hot and hilarious, canonically not-Jewish but played by a Jewish hottie, Zach Braff, is finally back. All 9 episodes of the “Scrubs” revival, featuring Braff’s Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, will be streaming this month on Hulu. Along with the beloved familiar faces from the OG cast, like Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes, the cast of this revival features newcomers like Joel Kim Booster and Jewish SNL star Vanessa Bayer.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 26: “Ghosts” season 5 return
Season 5 of this show, about an old manor haunted by the most quirky set of ghosts, returns, along with our favorite pantsless Jewish TV ghost, Asher Grodman’s Trevor Lefkovitz.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
Feb 27: “Paul McCartney: Man on the Run” (Prime Video)
This documentary film tells the story of the band Paul McCartney formed after leaving the Beatles, Wings. His first bandmate? His Jewish wife, Linda McCartney, née Eastman, whose aunt was pioneering scientist Rose Frisch. In the trailer, McCartney jokes that he learned that Linda knew how to sing on their wedding night. She was a successful photographer who later became a vegetarian cookbook author.
The movie about the band, which, to McCartney, symbolized freedom, is adorned by Linda’s photography. (The former Beatle recently shared a photo of hers as a Hanukkah greeting on his social media.) Linda died of cancer in 1998, and McCartney has worked hard to keep her legacy alive. This film, directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, immortalizes the couple’s musical collaboration.
Judaism rating: 1/4 couch potato latkes.
