12.04 | Wanted: Israeli Actors for Typecast Bit Parts
"Israel is crazy about the show '24', which is broadcast here on Channel 10. The show garners the highest ratings of anything on the channel, and it recently won a local emmy for "Best Imported Drama." Kiefer Sutherland himself recorded a message for the awards ceremony in which he thanked Israeli viewers for their support. (I didn't actually see the ceremony, but I can just imagine him saying toda raba Israel in that patented Kiefer-voice of his).
It turns out that '24' likes Israel as well. Or at least it likes Israeli actors for bit roles as terrorist henchmen. Our own Aki Avni appeared in two episodes in the second season. Avni is a fair-sized celebity of moderate-size talents. His fame here rests more on the fact that he married local supermodel Sandi Bar and his gig as the host of the local version of "The Bachelorete" than on his thespianic skills."
One blogger makes a point about '24's use of foreign talent. Neglects to remember that white American and black American actors form the vast majority of '24's bad guys. And the show has far more baddies than goodies, so it's no wonder that a jobbing actor of any creed, colour or race gets cast as a bad guy rather than a goodie. Still, I see what Shaister is getting at.
It turns out that '24' likes Israel as well. Or at least it likes Israeli actors for bit roles as terrorist henchmen. Our own Aki Avni appeared in two episodes in the second season. Avni is a fair-sized celebity of moderate-size talents. His fame here rests more on the fact that he married local supermodel Sandi Bar and his gig as the host of the local version of "The Bachelorete" than on his thespianic skills."
