Eretz Nehederet Stars: Politicians Obsessed With Our Show
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Stars of the Israeli satire show "Eretz Nehederet" are gearing up for their tenth election broadcast, preparing multiple scripts for various outcomes. Comedians discussed politicians' obsession with the show and shared anecdotes, including a humorous encounter with Gabi Izankot. They reflected on the show's limited influence on public opinion and the challenges of satirizing the current political climate. The team expressed concern over the country's political instability and the lack of prominent female figures for impersonation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eretz Nehederet comedians are preparing three scripts for their tenth election broadcast.
- Comedians say politicians are "very obsessed" with the satire show.
- Stars reflect on the show's limited ability to influence public opinion.
- The team feels concerned about the current political climate and instability.
- Comedians lament the lack of prominent female politicians for impersonation.
Stars of the long-running Israeli satire show "Eretz Nehederet" (A Wonderful Country) are preparing for their tenth election broadcast, set to air on Tuesday. Host Eyal Kitsis and comedians Shani Cohen, Yaniv Biton, and Eran Zarchowicz shared insights into their intensive preparation process, which involves creating three different scripts to cover all potential election outcomes. They described the tense atmosphere on election night as the team awaits the first exit poll results, followed by a frantic rush to rehearse the chosen script.
Cohen spoke about her personal investment in the show's content, admitting that in the past, she cared about the success of the politicians she impersonated. However, she now prioritizes the quality of the show, stating she's willing to sacrifice her characters if it means better material. Yaniv Biton recounted a humorous encounter with politician Gabi Izankot, who showed him a video of his granddaughter laughing at Biton's impersonation, only to then point out perceived flaws in the portrayal. Biton also noted that politicians are "very obsessed with the show."
The comedians discussed the show's impact and their perception of its influence. Zarchowicz expressed skepticism about the show's ability to sway public opinion, suggesting that "nothing affects anything" and people hold onto their own truths. Kitsis recalled a specific instance in 2021 where he felt the show might have had an impact when Bennet did not pass the electoral threshold, but generally believes direct influence is no longer possible. He also mentioned the show's controversial 2021 monologue by the character Shauli about civil war, which he described as a "very extreme gamble" that ultimately resonated.
Cohen lamented the lack of prominent female politicians to impersonate, expressing frustration at not having a significant female character for election broadcasts in recent years due to a perceived scarcity of women in Israeli politics who achieve lasting success. Kitsis acknowledged that the current charged political climate, while difficult to satirize, provides ample material for the show, though the team feels concerned about the state of affairs. Zarchowicz voiced anxiety about the possibility of more elections, deeming it detrimental to the country and the program.
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