Refaeli seduces Cowell, new Moses film, East Village vs. Schwimmer
By SIX DEGREES (No Bacon) STAFF
NEW YORK (6NoBacon Staff) — The Israeli version of “X Factor” won’t air until after the High Holidays, but one promo is sure to amp Israelis for their edition of the American hit show.
It features host Bar Refaeli racing through the desert to an American-style diner, where she meets up with a digitally manipulated Simon Cowell, the show’s founder and one of its judges.
The Israeli supermodel uses tarot cards to seductively introduce Cowell to the four judges, all popular Israeli singers. There’s Ivri Lider, “the clever one”; Shiri Maimon, “the diamond”;” Rami Fortis, “the crazy one”; and Moshe Peretz, “the prince.”
Just when you think Refaeli is going to kiss the British bad boy, she grabs his car keys and zooms off, “hence getting his approval to get behind the wheel of the car for his show’s debut in the Holy Land,” the Hollywood Reporter so insightfully noted.
It’s all very hot and heavy — except for the gum-smacking waitress.
New big-screen Moses
The man who brought us “Alien” is collecting an all-star cast to retell the story of Moses on the big screen.
Variety reports that director Ridley Scott is working on “Exodus,” a new film about the biblical hero, with former Batman Christian Bale playing Moses. John Turturro and “Alien” alumna Sigourney Weaver have signed on to join the cast as the parents of the pharaoh Ramses, who will be played by Joel Edgerton, according to Variety.
“Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul is in talks to play Joshua, Moses’ successor, who leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. And according to TheWrap, “Schindler’s List” star Ben Kingsley is in talks to play a Hebrew scholar.
The film is expected to begin filming this month in England, Spain and Morocco. Co-producer Steve Zaillian, who penned the screenplay for “Schindler’s List,” is writing the script.
‘Ross’ facing wrath over new digs
Someone spray-painted “Ross is not cool” on a construction site in Manhattan’s East Village, the New York Post reports. Next to the message was an arrow pointing straight at the new six-story mansion being built by former “Friends” star David Schwimmer.
East Village graffiti criticizing the mansion being built by "Friends" star David Schwimmer, right, relates to his character's name on the show. (evgrieve/Creative Commons)
Whoever is responsible for the graffiti is likely not a “Friends” enemy but instead a gentrification hater. It seems neighbors and preservationists are less than thrilled about Schwimmer’s 9,000-square-foot digs being built on the site of an 1852 townhouse purchased by the actor and subsequently tore down — shortly after the city declared the building was up for landmark status.
Other messages on nearby boards and signs include “The destruction of an irreplaceable historic building for what???” and “F–k you + your uglyness.” We’re guessing Schwimmer won’t be accidentally marrying or enjoying hilarious Thanksgiving feasts with his new neighbors.
Tales of Corey Feldman’s orgy
Today in Jews Gone Bad news, Corey Feldman hosted an orgy — an orgy attended by a writer who documented her experience there in great detail.
Those who have not kept up with Feldman’s perpetual downward spiral and remember him only as the adorably snarky child star of “The Goonies” and “Lost Boys,” please avert your eyes. Because what we have here is worse than his video for “Ascension Millennium.”
It’s even worse than his recent birthday party — you know, the one that per Vice was full of men who paid a lot of money to be there and women who didn’t have to pay as long as they wore nothing but lingerie. It was also being filmed for the pilot of an online reality show called “Corey’s Angels” — angels being Feldman’s term for his hot female entourage. (Shh! Nobody tell Charlie Sheen.)
Defamer’s graphic account of the sextravaganza, which took place two years ago, was from a writer using a pseudonym. Of questionable integrity, yes, but riveting nonetheless. And really sad, too.
First, there’s the setting: Feldman’s house, which is “filled with memorabilia from Corey’s childhood — movie posters, pinball machines. It’s like his inner child did all the decorating.”
The host and his guest are doing lots of drugs and having lots of sex (lest we forget, it’s an orgy). Suddenly Feldman disengages from a young woman and asks her to change the CD (making us wonder if this all happened even more than two years ago, but whatever).
“I start to listen to the music. It sounds vaguely familiar. I realize Corey has requested to hear his own CD. He’s having an orgy and listening to himself sing at the same time,” the guest writes.
On her way out the writer walks by what appears to be the bedroom of Feldman’s son. The kid isn’t there, but you can’t help but wonder what his visits might be like. We’re hoping they just involve lots of “Goonies” screenings.
Kudrow returning to TV
Here’s to the return of one of our favorite friends!
Lisa Kudrow will be joining the cast of “Scandal,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Jewish actress of “Friends” fame has scored a recurring role as a politician on season 3 of the popular ABC drama.
Playing a politician probably means there’s no room for any ditzy Phoebe action. Then again, we have seen a ditzy politician or two in our day.
No further details on Kudrow’s character have been revealed, so we’ll just have to wait and see. “Scandal” returns on Oct. 3.
Chicago honors Allan Sherman
As summer neared its unofficial end and children had recently returned from sleepaway camp — hopefully without contracting ptomaine poisoning or malaria — Chicago honored the 50th anniversary of the release of “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” by the famed song parodist Allan Sherman.
The city’s Jewish mayor, Rahm Emanuel, declared Aug. 31, 2013 as Allan Sherman Day in honor of the man behind the music.
“Allan Sherman’s unique childhood experiences in Chicago’s great immigrant neighborhoods inspired the Jewish song parodies on his three gold albums,” Emanuel said in his proclamation.
Sherman moved from his native Chicago to Los Angeles when he was 6. Five years later, following the divorce of his parents and the death of his mother’s second husband, Sherman was sent back to the Windy City to live with his maternal grandparents, who greatly shaped his future career.
“It was while Allan lived with his grandparents that he learned Yiddish, was surrounded by family (his mother came from a large family), and became attached to Jewish life,” says Mark Cohen, author of “Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman.”
“After one year, Allan was shipped back to L.A., but that year in Chicago was the perfect childhood world he always yearned for.”
Mazel tov roundup
Two reasons to celebrate this week:
‘NSYNC’s Lance Bass proposed to his Jewish boyfriend, Michael Turchin, and Jewish actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler gave birth to a baby boy.
It’s been a pretty good few days for Bass. First there was the ‘N Sync reunion at the MTV Video Music Awards, and then over the weekend came the proposal to Turchin.He said YES!! Love this man,” read Bass’ caption on an Instagram photo he posted Sunday that shows him pointing to Turchin’s engagement ring.
While Bass was raised Southern Baptist, Turchin, an artist and aspiring actor, is a self-described “nice Jewish boy.” The couple has been together since 2011.
gave birth to their first child, a son, last week. They have named him Beau.
“Both mommy and baby are great!” a rep of “The Sopranos” star told Us Weekly.
For the latest Jewish celebrity news, visit JTA’s 6 Degrees (No Bacon) blog.
