Israeli Social Media Phenomenon 'HaPshtoa' Becomes TV Series on Kan 11
For nearly eight years, the character known as 'HaPshtoa' (The Simpleton) existed solely online, created by Bar Elmalich-Donzov as a satirical persona of a 22-year-old perpetual single woman who is irresponsible, lazy, and always late. The parody, which mocks Israeli pop culture and embraces trashy humor, amassed over a million followers across platforms and became a cultural phenomenon with its unique language and humor. Now, this online sensation has been adapted into a nine-episode television series premiering on Kan 11.
In the TV adaptation, the character takes on a new identity as Bat-El (played by Oshrit Sarusi), who is unexpectedly dumped on her wedding day and experiences being single for the first time since high school. The storyline follows Bat-El as she anonymously follows her ex on Instagram, moves from the periphery to Tel Aviv, enrolls in a fictional communications college, and shares an apartment with two best friends and a quirky fourth roommate. The series features numerous surprise guest appearances, including Israeli celebrities like Eran Zarhovich and Zvika Hadar.
Directed and co-written by Dan Messer, known for his work on "My Nephew Benetz" and "Eretz Nehederet," the show blends Israeli and American cultural elements, described by Messer as "a bit of Arab salad with American cheese, or more accurately Arab salad with American fries." The series is fast-paced, breaks the fourth wall, and is rich with cultural references and Easter eggs, inviting viewers to engage actively with the content.
Bar Elmalich-Donzov, who originally launched the HaPshtoa Facebook page at age 22 as a hobby, never anticipated its massive growth. The page's humor, rooted in pop culture and gossip, resonated widely, especially among women who identified with its cynical and authentic voice. The transition from social media posts to a scripted series was a collaborative effort involving Elmalich-Donzov, Sarusi, writer Chen Rotman, and producers from Teddy Productions and Uri Gross. The creators aimed to capture the essence and spirit of the original posts rather than simply adapting them.
Today, Elmalich-Donzov lives in Modiin with his husband Uri Donzov and their children born via surrogacy. The series' soundtrack features a song by Noa Kirel, and the show includes nods to iconic Israeli TV, enhancing its nostalgic and cultural appeal. The premiere on Kan 11 marks the official expansion of HaPshtoa from a digital meme to mainstream Israeli television.
