Politics Watch: Schlepping with Sarah Silverman, Rachel Maddow Interviews Barack Obama

Six degrees of Diabloland on the political media scene

I’m a political rubbernecker in a big way, and I find the media’s role in covering the Presidential campaign to be particularly interesting. I time my trips to the gym specifically so I can watch Anderson Cooper 360, Olbermann, H&C, and the Daily Show each evening while grinding out a few miles on the treadmill. So any time I can get some behind-the-scenes of the media scoop, it’s sweeter than a mini-Snickers on Halloween.

So this week, I came across a couple good ones that have Diabloland ties. First of all, there’s a web video called “The Great Schlep” that has become a massive viral sensation. The clip stars comedian Sarah Silverman, whose video “I’m $%^&ing Matt Damon” a few months back was similarly huge. In “Schlep”, Silverman encourages young Jewish voters to visit their grandparents in Florida, and encourages them to vote for Barack Obama. It’s much funnier than I make it sound. You can watch it here. (Warning: There's some %$$*-words, not safe for work w/o headphones).

So what’s the Diabloland connection? “The Great Schlep” was produced by former East Bay resident Ari Wallach, seen pictured with Silverman. Wallach grew up in Walnut Creek and went to college at Cal. “I technically left Walnut Creek when I left for college,” Wallach said, via e-mail. “But I went to UC Berkeley, so you can imagine I was home for dinner and laundry weekly! (These days) I visit 3 or 4 times a year and always get a coffee at the outdoor café at Nordstrom with pals who live in the area and grab a Mount Diablo hike as well. (Castle Rock trail, behind my old high school Northgate).”

Wallach, 33, is the co-founder of www.jewsvote.com, as well as its parent organization, the Jewish Council for Education and Reference. He and co-founder Mik Moore were able to land Silverman—easily one of the hottest comics in the country—to film the spot. Wallach writes, “We reached out to Sarah via our ad firm and mutual friends. Her role, which she handled brilliantly, was only to shoot the video."

Thanks to Ari for sending us the photo attached and for responding to my out-of-nowhere e-mail so expediently.

Also, Castro Valley native Rachel Maddow scored a pretty sweet interview for her new show on MSNBC last night. Maddow sat down with Barack Obama for a friendly, informative interview. I’ve been constantly impressed by Maddow as a pundit and radio show host, and interviewed her in Diablo’s Best of the East Bay issue in July. (Scroll down past the Vince Neil of Motley Crue interview!) She’s incredibly smart and well-prepared. She's decidedly progressive in her politics, but books uber-conservatives like Pat Buchanan on her show. NBC recently gave her a nightly show on MSNBC and she’s been cleaning up in the ratings. Links to her interview with Obama and more information about her show can be found here.


 

Posted at 10:43 AM in Pete's Popcorn Picks | Permalink