A nice laugh in these harowing time (esp. for us Jewish members)

[theblitz]

This will generally be understood by us Jewish members.

I am reading Imzadi (yeah - years behind. But that's what happens when you have over 550 books).

The "bad guys" are called Baytzah, Zroah, Charoset, Chazeret, Karpass and the boss is Maror.
Perfect for this time of year.

I'm sure Peter David was smiling the same way I am.

For those less knowledgeable in this area:
This are the six items placed on the "Seder Plate" which is the central object (plus the matzoh) on seder night (first night of Passover).

Baytzah = A boiled egg still in it's shell which has then been slightly roasted on an open flame
Zroah = Shankbone, Generally the roasted wing or "leg" of a chicken
Charoset = A sweet concoction generally made up of apple, wine/grape juice, dates.
Chazeret = Usually horseradish
Karpass = A root vegetable
Maror (bitter herbs) = Usually lettuce (something that starts out sweet but becomes bitter as you chew it)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_Seder_plate

So, finally something to smile about in these difficult times.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Hmm. Generally, when I see something asserting that I'm too Goyish to get the joke without an explanation, I take it as a challenge, but given that my Hebrew is limited to a handful of greetings for my Jewish friends and colleagues, I would say that in this case, it is literally true. (At the Printing Museum, if we're doing Ludlow demonstrations, and somebody wants something cast in our Hebrew font, I generally have to find a Jewish docent or staff member to assist me.)

So thank you very much for the explanation. It would seem (and it's been too many years for me to remember the plot of Imzadi) that Riker and Troi were attacked by a rogue Seder plate.

Oh, and in case I forget to say so a week from now, chag Pesach sameach.

 

[Bryan Levy]

For Passover this year, I’m recommending Portnoy’s Complaint to all my quarantined friends.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

Interestingly, Peter David got some blowback from some readers who thought the gag was anti-Semitic. He tells the story here.

Glad that you took it in the spirit that it was intended.

 

[DEWLine]

Little did a lot of people know back then...in 1993.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Seems to me that with Riker and Troi being attacked by a rogue seder plate, somebody should have called in Captain Gold. And his wife, the rabbi.

 

[Indysolo]

I only read Imzadi for the first time last year and laughed out loud when I realized what all the villain names were.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Interestingly, Peter David got some blowback from some readers who thought the gag was anti-Semitic.

I'm suddenly reminded of a gag out of one of David Gerrold's nonfiction books, I think it was the one on how "The Trouble with Tribbles" made it from spec script to screen. In an early draft, he had Cyrano Jones insult the Trader with a reference to Shylock. Somebody (I think it was Gene Coon) responded by calling Gerrold a Goy; Gerrold said he offered to prove otherwise by showing him his circumcision.

 

[theblitz]

Interestingly, Peter David got some blowback from some readers who thought the gag was anti-Semitic. He tells the story here.

Glad that you took it in the spirit that it was intended.

That's hilarious and dumb at the same time.

Peter David is Jewish.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

That's hilarious and dumb at the same time.

Peter David is Jewish.

Yeah, but these people likely didn't know that. It's not like his name is a big tipoff.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

For Passover this year, I’m recommending Portnoy’s Complaint to all my quarantined friends.

Not, on the other hand, a particularly good idea for Lenten reading.

 

[Bryan Levy]

Eh, Jewish mothers and Catholic mothers are basically the same.

 

[theblitz]

Yeah, but these people likely didn't know that. It's not like his name is a big tipoff.