Posted on 07/24/2021 6:54:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Me, too. Michael had great guest hosts. As a group, I enjoyed Michael’s guest hosts over Rush’s. (Mark Steyn is ultimate guest host, IMO.)
Of course I’ve heard of Jackie Mason, but have never read or heard the term “Borscht Belt” before. What does it mean?
Godspeed Jackie...you saw things for what they were. Tanchumin.
May he rest in peace. I enjoyed his humor.
Borscht Belt was in the Catskills Mountains in New York State. There were over 500 resorts there that catered mostly to Jewish families. Comedians like Henny Youngman, Milton Berle, Freddie Roman, Shecky Greene, Rodney Dangerfield were considered Borscht Belt comedians.
Resorts in the Catskills.
By the way, there were some gentile comedians like Phyllis Diller and Betty Garrett who came from the circuit.
I read the headline to my wife and her reply was, “ I bet he died laughing. “
RIP, Mr Mason.
.
Ok, thank you for the explanation!
The "Borscht Belt" was a cultural phenomenon of the mid-20th century. Physically, it consisted of a set of large hotels in the Catskill mountains, north- and north-west of New York City.
Grossinger's, The Concord, and Kutcher's are the ones I remember, but there were more.
They catered to mostly Jewish families from New York City. Often the kids would come up to stay at one of the resorts during the week, and Dad would try to join them on the weekends. The more wealthy would spend maybe two or three weeks there. Lots of things for the kids to do, like a summer camp. Lots of things for mom and dad to do too. At night they had what might be called "variety shows," like you'd see on Ed Sullivan or the Jackie Gleason Show, but live.
They also had terrific food. Very high quality, typically all-you-can-eat, but served at your table by waiters who were also from NYC.
I was lucky enough to stay at the Concord for several days during the off-season when I was in high school. It was a wonderful experience I'll never forget. I think the Concord was razed some years ago.
Many famous comedians got their start working the "Borscht Belt." I believe Billy Crystal's movie Mr. Saturday Night is about one such comedian.
The movie Dirty Dancing is a pretty good representation of what a vacation at a Borscht Belt resort was like.
God bless, Jackie--and thanks!
A very sincere person who worked hard for some wonderful public causes. Active right up to the end, too.. here’s his column for this week:
http://jewishworldreview.com/0721/mason072321.php3
Hard humor and still hilariously funny. Hard to do but he did it.
NOOOOO!
He was awesome. I even forgave him for Caddyshack 2.
Thanks for the additional info. Now I am better informed.
I LOVED THIS GUY. He was the Master of telling funny Ethnic jokes! I was lucky enough to volunter at a venue to usher, and I got a Front row seat! I was rolling in the isles, he was hysterical! A life well lived Jackie! Thanks for the laughs! Rest In Peace my friend!
Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner wrote for Sid Caesar's show early in their career. All four were from the Borscht Belt.
RIP
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