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Then there's "Seinfeld." Everybody knows Jerry Seinfeld is Jewish - on the tube and off. But what about the rest of the gang - Kramer, Elaine and George?
No, no and no - and no to George's parents, as well.
Publicists for the show hemmed and hawed when asked about the characters' religious identities, but a not-so-scientific survey of old episodes revealed that Cosmo Kramer, Elaine Benes and George Costanza are definitely not Jewish.
In one episode, Michael Richards as Kramer (the real Kramer upon whom the character is based is Jewish and an old neighbor of "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David) plans a Jewish singles function with authentic ethnic foods. He wants Jerry and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to attend, and Elaine says, "Well, I'm not Jewish!" To which Kramer replies, "Neither am I."
In the same show, Kramer holds the function at the Knights of Columbus Hall, courtesy of George's dad's membership. Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization.
The spokeswoman for Jason Alexander, who plays George, says the Jewish actor "does not know the religious background of George Costanza, (and) has no comment about it."
But Estelle Harris, who is Jewish in real life and plays Mrs. Costanza to the Jewish Jerry Stiller's Mr. Costanza, told the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, "When I first came on board, I wondered the same thing. I asked Larry David, 'Well, is she Jewish or not?' "
David, the real-life role model for the character of George, answered the question with a question "What do you care?"
"I said that I needed to know for motivation," said Harris, who never got a definitive answer. "I saw where Larry was right," she said. "This way, without identifying, everyone can relate to the woman."
Meanwhile, Judaism, like most ethnicities and religions that "Seinfeld" has touched upon, has been the focus of what some might deem insensitive poking. Several episodes have inspired phone calls to the Anti-Defamation League, including one about a rabbi, another dealing with keeping kosher and another about a bris.
Viewers differ on whether TV offers balanced picture
In the rabbi episode, a black-hatted, black-suited rabbi, who speaks in a nasal pitch, divulges confidential information on public TV. The kosher episode features Kramer sneaking lobster into an omelette for Jerry's girlfriend, who keeps kosher.
In the bris episode, Kramer tries to "save" the baby from the mohel's knife, saying the practice is inhuman. In the end, the baby's parents name Kramer as the child's god-parent - because of his concern for the baby's welfare.
At the time of the rabbi episode, Lori Jonas, a publicity agent for the show, said it was all in good fun. Besides, Jerry Seinfeld is Jewish (so the show can't be anti-Semitic).
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