‘Panel on Jewish Humor’ returns to Vegas

Kirk Baird

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.

Oy vey!

From the Marx Brothers and Mel Brooks to Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen, many of comedy's biggest stars have been Jewish.

But is that merely a coincidence, or is there something about the Jewish experience that provides a comedic edge?

It's actually little of both, Russ Merlin says.

"I think Jewish people are really able to laugh at themselves or their culture a lot more than some other people," said Merlin, a Jewish comedian who can be seen nightly on the Strip in the productions "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show" and "Showgirls of Magic."

"(But) I don't think being Jewish makes you funnier. I think they were one of the pioneers, like back in the '50s when TV was really happening, who made the experience more common for the public, so people say, 'Yeah, that happens in our family.' "

Merlin is one of four scheduled panelists scheduled to speak at the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas' "Celebrity Panel on Jewish Humor: II." The nearly two-hour event begins at 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Four Seasons Ballroom at the Four Seasons adjacent to Mandalay Bay on the Strip. Admission is $36, along with a required $180 donation to the Jewish Federation sometime this year. Call 732-0556 for more information.

A 40-year-old native of Long Island, New York, Merlin spent a decade playing the Catskills, famed as where many Jewish comedians honed their skills, including Shecky Greene, Jerry Lewis and Buddy Hackett.

He said being both a New Yorker and Jewish run hand-in-hand when it comes to comedy.

"I think the New York thing and the Jewish thing have a lot in common," Merlin said. "The New York thing, especially with stand-ups is the Jewish thing. It's the sarcastic-roll-your-eyes kind of humor where you're not afraid to laugh at yourself."

A perfect example of that delivery style can be found on "Seinfeld," he said.

"Everybody on (that show), whether they're Jewish or not, is Jewish to me when I watch it," Merlin said.

On the show, though, there's very little mention of Jerry Seinfeld's Jewish heritage. And for most Jewish comics, there is more to their humor than cracking-wise about Judaism.

"It's not just Jewish humor, it's cultural humor. I think people from the outside think of it as just religion, but it's really a whole culture," he said. "There's so much to draw from, like any other (nationality) -- Italian, Irish, Polish ... "

With the fear of being politically insensitive still high, Merlin said many comedians shy away from poking fun at other races, cultures or religions.

"(But) I only care when it's not funny," he said. "For example, making a joke about Jewish people being cheap. Even if it's offensive, I won't care if it's funny."