Adam Sandler is White Ladies Man in Judd Apatow’s ‘You Don’t Mess With the Zohan’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:01:00 -0700

CHICAGO – In the relatively anemic anthology of recent Adam Sandler flops, “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” hangs above with comedic charm and a nonsensically amusing plotline. The story is divisively intermingled with racial and ethnic sensitivities between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

At first, it even feels like a scribe sat down for a few weeks, slammed back a few brewskies and toked daily on the good ganja while attempting to ink a forcefully novel plot.

Surprisingly, its idiosyncratic nature tends to work as you build esteem for the libidinous man Adam Sandler has transformed into. While Sandler has played the full gamut of roles in recent memory, this time he’s actually a Thor who beckons women to his sexual mercy.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” in our reviews section.

View our huge, high-resolution “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” image gallery.

Sandler as Zohan is the white version of the legendary Tim Meadows character The Ladies Man from “Saturday Night Live” but with a thick Israeli accent. Zohan is an Israeli counter-terrorist commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his unlikely and embarrassing dream of becoming a hairstylist in New York.

To make matters more outlandishly canned, Zohan’s arch nemesis, Phantom (played by John Turturro), has a similarly humiliating reverie: selling shoes.

Lainie Kazan is welcome motherly relief – except when she’s revealed utterly nude from the rear and causes an eruptive audience gasp – and Rob Schneider, of course, can’t let an Adam Sandler flick make it to the big screen without joining him on it. As well, you might notice Dave Matthews in the film, but I didn’t.

In “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” Emmanuelle Chriqui stars as Dalia: a Palestinian immigrant to New York and owner of a hair salon who gives Zohan his big break in his dream to become a hairstylist.
Photo credit: Columbia Pictures

In “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” Adam Sandler stars as Zohan: an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream of becoming a hairstylist in New York.
Photo credit: Columbia Pictures

Read Adam Fendelman’s full “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” review.

Hookup: 10 Passes to VIP Chicago Party, Screening For ‘The Bill Engvall Show’ on TBS to Meet Tim Meadows

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:09:41 -0700

CHICAGO – In the inaugural edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, 10 admit-two VIP passes will be given away to the exclusive Chicago opportunity to meet Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Semi-Pro”) for the return of “The Bill Engvall Show” on TBS.

“The Bill Engvall Show” on TBS is back this summer with all-new episodes.
Image credit: “The Bill Engvall Show”

This giveaway is for an invitation-only, VIP party and screening of two episodes of “The Bill Engvall Show”. The event will take place at the Hollywood Blvd. Cinema in the Chicago suburb of Woodridge on May 29, 2008 beginning at 7 p.m. Winners are strongly advised to arrive early as the event will be overbooked and seating is not guaranteed. This is a description of the TV series:

Tim Meadows is featured in the second season of “The Bill Engvall Show” on TBS.
Image credit: IMDb

The TBS hit family comedy “The Bill Engvall Show” (No. 1 among households and people 25 to 54) is back this summer with all-new episodes. Comedian Bill Engvall (who has won over audiences with his hilarious stand-up show) brings his unique take on family and parenting to TBS for a sitcom the whole family will love.

Engvall stars as Bill Pearson: a family counselor, loving husband and father of three kids whose own family could use a little dose of counseling. Bill’s wife, Susan (played by Nancy Travis from “Becker” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”), tries to keep the clan in line.

Their three children (Lauren, Trent and Bryan) definitely know how to manipulate them. With a humorous perspective on family life, this comedy series shows the authentic yet playful side of parenting and portrays a father who’s the heart of the family.

To secure your VIP tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Next, click “Add new comment” below. In your comment, you must include an answer to this simple question:

What makes you burst into laughter?

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV is simple: The first 10 people to comment below win! We will be in touch with the 10 winners with digital passes.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com