Why do Jewish comedians always let you know

Many Jews see being Jewish as an ethnic and cultural identification, not just a religion. Lots of people feel their Jewish identity very strongly even if they are not religious at all.

So instead of comparing them to comedians of other religions, think of other cultural groups. Joking about the experience of being Jewish in America is akin to joking about the experience of being Black in America, for example.

And frankly, if you don't realize this about Jews, a lot of their jokes are probably going over your head! I know a woman who married a Jewish guy, and he would often point out Jewish humor in movies that she had been oblivious to!

The Marx Bros. never mentioned it. Harpo didn't even talk. When he died, he donated his harp to the state of Israel. Chico pretended to be Italian. I can't recall Mel Brooks or Rodney Dangerfield talking about it, either.

Jewish culture has a characteristic sense or style of humor. It’s less so today but the in the old days Jews were often restricted to Jewish venues, notably in the Catskills mountain hotels and clubs.

Jewish humor is often, subtle, self-deprecating and also often silly. For an especially silly example;

Q. Do you know the Jewish law requires Jewish women to keep their eyes closed during sex?

A. Yes, God forbid they should see their husbands having a good time.

Ever see a black comedian not tell jokes relevant to his/her “black” experiences?

Our individual “hang ups” and experiences are the fodder for our jokes.

I’m more confused by/in real life when someone feels compelled to tell me they’re gay and the topic of sexual proclivity hasn’t arisen. Maybe I’m supposed to care? 🤔

Then you're not watching/listening closely. Most comedians draw on their personal life for material.

Really? Always? Well, maybe you'd need to point to comedians like Seinfeld, Dangerfield, Saget, Rosanne Barr, Andy Kaufman and a whole lot of others who I HIGHLY doubt you could find anything in their sets about 'pointing out' their Judaism.
You know what you could find though? A ton of athletes in post-game interviews who just HAVE to give "glory to god" for winning a game.

They all do it. Ever hear an Italian comedian?

Why does anyone tell anything about themselves followed by a joke ?

Most comedians uses their race, gender and ethnicity as part of their act. It provides contecxt for their comedy. It's like the writer's maximum - write what you know.

Jews aren't a religious group, they're an ethnic group. Comedians usually talk about growing up with their ethnic background.

I dunno, why do black comedians talk about being black? Why do female comedians talks about being female?

Just the ones who make it part of their act. It’s what comedians do.

I've heard Catholic and Muslim comedians bringing religion into their comedy routines. Also Scottish comedians using experiences of the Free Church as part of their routines.

The europeans start barking about their race when they find that their country is getting mixed by other races .

One woman of your age even called the people of other races as Terrorists .

I've heard many comedians make fun of their own ethnicity.
Btw , I'm Jewish 🤣

Jewish comedians, others just don’t make the cut.

its usuall they their last name that gives it away.... 😏

Promoting the ones who Got them into the business

It's significant to them.. hence the mention

gets rid of hecklers and their ilk

It's cool and they're bragging.

I believe it is because they have significant cultural tropes and stereotypes that they lean into. For some bits they use that identity explicitly. For some it's more of a wink and a nudge to those who know how that cultural identity might add additional but not strictly necessary context to a take.

Hispanic comedians, Italian ones, black ones, all reference their ethnicity.

Given how antisemitism is so popular these days perhaps they will need to hide it again.

ive seen comedians use their ethnicity as a platform for entertainment. nothing wrong with informing an audience and building a bridge to other cultures, but sometimes the material it's so secular and specific it doesn't do anything for me - it's just not relatable to outsiders in general. that's not comedy, that's a lecture - and the audience is free to leave...

there's some notable exceptions - jim gaffigan for instance is intensely christian but he never creates a comedy routine that rotates around the bible and jesus.

actor chris pratt is also very very VERY christian, but doesn't use his celebrity to push a christian agenda (privately outside of hollywood he's an active evangelist for his church)

Numerous reasons that would take forever to get into the history of.. However long story short is in the US there is a distinct form of comedy that grew out of the Jewish experience and Jewish entertainers that is called Jewish Comedy and a big part of it is intentionally self depricating. Much of it evolving from vaudville. What's interesting to note is much of the comedic formula known as Jewish Comedy has often used by many Catholic comedians in stand-up. Which I think stems from both groups having a culture of personal guilt, cultural unacceptance, and being both predominant around the east coast together.


Jimmie Durante being a prime example of a non-jew who often entertained using the Jewish comedy formula.