Aaron Lansky visits with Mark Cohen, author of the recently released "Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman." We learn about Sherman - whose songs are legendary to a generation - and the representation of Jews in popular culture in the early 1960s. Cohen helps us understand who Sherman was and where he fits into the landscape of twentieth century Jewish comedians. Sherman influenced many great contemporary comics including Larry David, Jason Alexander, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Episode 0069

August 6, 2013

Yiddish Book Center

Amherst Massachusetts