•  
  •  
 

Abstract

This article examines the images of White, non-Jewish (Gentile) men on two popular Jewish situation comedies: Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I critically examine the portrayals of the shows’ male Gentile characters and quantitatively analyze the differences between the Gentile and Jewish male guest characters. I posit the existence of a Jewish-Gentile duality on both shows—Jewish men frequently exhibit excessive sociability, whereas Gentile men are habitually depicted as asocial, antisocial, and “oddball” types that engage in off-putting, hostile, or bizarre behaviors. I conclude by considering the cultural implications of the shows’ representations of Gentile masculinity.

Share

COinS