Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 July 1997 — Page 10

July 2.1997 NATS

Low quality of writing, plot, logic Was it something I said?

By RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL It has recently been my misfortune to have seen a few episodes of ABC's police hour. High Incident, which purports to combine elements of Mod

Sqmd, Adam Twelve, Dragnet, and N.Y.P.D. Blue, and succeeds only at being a lamebrained parody of all of them. Quite by chance, I caught an episode which dealt, of all things, with a rabbi. Actually, it had a potentially interesting premise of the mayor ordering a city-wide police sweep of 300 active warrants, for political reasons, at a time that a sniper was after police officers. An intelligent script would have focused on issues of political expediency versus danger to the city's finest. But a High Incident pattern emerged here of using serious issues as a teaser curtain for limited sarcasm or extended bathos, and focusing mow on silly vignettes. It seems that one of the outstanding warrants that a couple of officers must serve brings them to what one of them describes as "some kind of synagogue. It can't be right." But sure enough, a Mr. Adam Bennett, who must be served a dead-beat dad warrant, happens to be the rabbi, and is right in the middle of teaching prayers to the Hebrew School children in the sanctuary. One of the writers must have a bit of background in the liturgy, for the rabbi is imparting the words and translation of the Gomel Blessing, the prayer recited after being delivered from danger. (Actually, the writers make it sound like a prayer "for" deliverance from danger, perhaps not understanding its true significance, and trampling on traditional sensibilities by having the rabbi pronounce the Divine Name reserved for prayer services.) The rabbi greets the police visitors with a warm, "Shalom." An officer tells the rabbi that they have a warrant for

failure to pay child support. His partner apologizes that this is "probably a mistake, though. Father, because you guys don't even get married." The first officer reminds his colleague that, "He's a rabbi, not a priest." The rabbi explains to both policemen, "We don't take a vow of celibacy in the rabbinical tradition. We're prone to the same mistakes as anyone. Maybe my wife was one of mine. Look, she had an affair with one of the congregants, a surgeon. Guy has more money than God. I make just enough to get by on. He has plenty for my kids. Let her suck him dry for it." It is the police officers who have the presence of mind to

But the rabbi responds, "I think He'll let it go this once." Did the writers mean to concoct a rabbi without standards, ethics, or conscience? Then why does it seem that the rabbi is made a pitiable or even sympathetic character who brings out some (justified?) heart or compassion in the officers? There are three writers for this particular episode — Fred Ellis and Monte Williams did the teleplay, and Tracey Stern came up with the "story." Does it require three people to create such gratuitous and mindless nonsense, which cannot even decide what is wo-thy of sympathy and what isn't? The rest of the script, with its interludes on gang-banging and a disturbed

Quite by chance, I caught an episode which dealt, of all things, with a rabbi. Actually, it had a potentially interesting premise of the mayor ordering a citywide police sweep of300 active warrants, for political reasons, at a time that a sniper was after police officers. An intelligent script would have focused on issues of political expediency versus danger to the city's finest. But a High Incident pattern emerged here of using serious issues as a teaser curtain for limited sarcasm or extended bathos, and focusing more on silly vignettes.

direct the rabbi to answer their questions outside the ken of the children. The rabbi doesn't even seem to have an inkling that the police visit could be due to his lack of parental responsibility. Nor does he have any awareness of how bad the expression, "more money than God," sounds in this context, or of how contemptible his attitude toward his own children sounds. His only response is a selfserving one, "The congregation, the board, the children — this looks bad. Look, you [officers] make something up to tell the children [like] I'm needed to solve a crime." The police question the wisdom of lying in front of the children.

sniper, etc., etc., wallows similarly in gratuitous histrionics. But our writers do not leave the skewed commentary on rabbis to that vulgar synagogue scene. They make sure that the rabbi clashes in jail with the famous plastic surgeon who stole his wife, the "congregant," who has been arrested for prescription drug violations. The officers throw them in the same cell and can't wait to see the "matinee," when the rabbi's adulterous wife comes in to bail out both men. Here is television's version of Jews being put in a cage so that WASP, African American, and Hispanic officers can be entertained by Continued on page 7

By MORTON GOLD I received a birthday "present" yesterday; it is one, however, that I would have been happier not receiving. Since 1984, if my memory

is correct, I have had several works of mine in the rental catalogue of a firm that specializes in the publishing and rental of music by Jewish composers. What I received was a "Dear John" letter and the return of all of my music in their catalogue. Only a few months ago, the editor wrote to me that they hadn't promoted my music as they might and hoped to correct this in the fall. It seems that my music, the stuff of my soul, hadn't been selling, so "arois fun dannent" (outta here.) Not "We are sorry to inform you" or "It is with regret that we must" or anything like that. Just the equivalent of "Hit the Road, Jack and Don't Come Back... "

Now to be sure there is little money (if any) to be made in the sale of art music in general and instrumental music in particular, especially if it is not recorded. Anyone with a computer and the right program can become a publisher these days. That is why there are so many private labels. For a modest investment one can also become a producer of CD's. While I was offended in the manner of being given my freedom to "find a new publisher" I was not exactly disappointed. Since I have only received one royalty check in the last 13 years, the idea of receiving nothing more in the future when I have already been accustomed to receiving nothing was not exactly traumatizing. I felt that it was just as much an honor for them to have my works in their catalogue as it was for me to be represented in theirs. What I did find unsettling was the timing.

Could it be that I have stepped on the toes of one person (or the friends of one person) too many times and that some party or parties were trying to get back at me? Did one and one really make two, or am I simply seeing an association where none exists? One advantage I do have in reviewing CD's (primarily) is that I do not personally know the artists and composers involved. It is not my function as a reviewer to pat everyone on the back, particularly those in positions of power. I have never intended to write a mean spirited review and have always tried to find something good to mention along with what I find to be otherwise. This quality I will describe as integrity. 1 "call 'em as I see 'em" or in my case as I hear 'em. While some people do produce CD's to acquaint the public with their works or their talents, many others do so to make money. A sale of 10,000 for a commercial client, a Disney for example, would be viewed as a disaster. A comparable sale of a CD for some performer or group in the Jewish world, however, might be viewed as a success. While I have no way of knowing if the "Dear John" letter I received was in any way connected with the columns I write, and there very well may be no connection, I cannot help but wonder if there was. It would be ironic if someone from the group of people whose music I believe in and even champion, and the same people whose right to perform that music were the very ones who may have been responsible. Sometimes one and one do NOT add up to two, however. I could be terribly mistaken and if I am, I am truly sorry. On the other hand, being pushed off the Titanic is no disgrace either. Come what may, I intend to continue as before, calling them as I hear them, musical warts and all and let the chips fall where they may. Dear reader, stay tuned. Morton Gold may be reached at 12 Avenue B, Rutland, VT 05701.