Page 46 T THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS cjnews.com | February 10, 2011 And now for something completely different: Jake and Amir – ‘easily digestible, hopefully funny’ Laura Stricker very funny and very attractive.” Special to The CJN “Before Rick Fox came, Amir was asking me which celebrity I’d be the most nervous to do ne says he’s the “king of Canada,” something for, and I think it’d be anybody in a world traveller and finds former comedy,” Jake said. Los Angeles Lakers player Rick Fox “That’s not true,” Amir interrupted. “You said attractive. The other enjoys Annie’s Leonardo DiCaprio.” OMacaroni and Cheese, takes his water very se- “Leonardo DiCaprio’s better looking than Rick riously and prefers actor Leonardo DiCaprio to Fox,” Jake replied. Rick Fox. As for working on Harold and Kumar, Amir said The self-proclaimed king of Canada is it was “fun, but also boring during stretches. 28-year-old Amir Blumenfeld, who, along with “Acting is very boring. I don’t even know if 25-year-old Jake Hurwitz, is best known for I like it. It was fun to be there and see every- the popular Jake and Amir web series on the thing happen… but for like 12 hours a day, I’d website CollegeHumor.com. In the series, Jake be in my trailer. Which sounds luxurious, but typically plays the role of the strait-laced guy it’s actually like an abandoned trailer park, and annoyed by Amir’s antics, while Amir just wants that was before I even got to the set.” to be Jake’s friend. “That was before you got the movie,” Jake The two were in Toronto recently for a sold- Comedy duo Amir Blumenfeld, left, and joked. “It’s just where you live.” out show at the Isabel Bader Theatre, their first Jake Hurwitz. As for their relationship, Amir calls it “dif- time touring in Canada. ficult” – partially because of Jake’s hydration “[It’s] Jake’s first time [in Canada],” Amir displayed much of the humour and back and forth needs. said. “I’ve been plenty of times. I’m sort of like banter that has made their videos famous. “Like 20 minutes ago, Jake was berating me a world traveller. I’ve been to various states, “It’s because they’re funny, short, you feel – like screaming at me at the top of his lungs like Texas. Have I been to Toronto [before like you can watch one, then watch another,” in the car – because I forgot… water for him or now]? No. Jake said, discussing why he thinks Jake and something small like that.” “We flew by it,” he continued, when asked Amir is so popular. “See, I could describe the same story and it’s if he and Jake went sightseeing. “Went to our “They’re easily digestible,” Amir added. “And tough because everywhere we go, Amir forgets hotel, showered and now we’re here. But it’s hopefully relatable. And hopefully funny. But water. How are you supposed to live without been beautiful.” not everyone thinks they’re funny.” water?” Jake asked. “The nicest Holiday Inn Express you’ve ever “Some people don’t think they’re relatable, “To answer your question truthfully,” Amir seen,” Jake added. either,” Jake said. added, “we’re buddies.” Zach Liknaitzky, 20, a third-year York Uni- “Some people are like ‘This is not funny. As for how he defines success, it comes down versity student and Hillel social chair, organized This is stupid.’” Amir said. “But like, I’d say 99 to doing what you like and hopefully being good the event, “What the Hillel?” He wanted to bring per cent of people on Earth have never seen at it. Jake and Amir, who are New Yorkers, to Toronto our videos.” “I can want to be a model and I can try to be because of their popularity, and also to bring As for how they produce Jake and Amir, a model, but I would never be a model,” Amir the Jewish community together. Jake said it’s a combination of improvisation said. “I have very Semitic features, and like “I realized… that Jake and Amir had a really and script. that wouldn’t play well in photographs.” strong, Jewish presence because they both are “The way we write is sort of like improv. We’ll To check out Amir and Jake in all their non- Jewish. So I thought to myself, ‘Why don’t we come up with an idea, sit in a room and we’ll modelling glory, visit www.collegehumor.com. try to bring them in?’ go through a whole scene without writing any- “I thought this would be good for Hillel thing down. Then we’ll realize, ‘Oh, that’s the because I want to be publicizing to both young episode right there. Write down everything we Jews and the entire Jewish community,” he con- just said!’ When we’re shooting, the script is… tinued. “I feel like there aren’t enough times kind of the bones of our idea.” where Jews come together for good things, “We have a phrase around the office, ‘script and I thought this would be a good example is king.’” Amir interjected. “You just made that of that.” up,” Jake said, laughing. “That is the first time Liknaitzky got in touch with Jessica Agi, a I’ve heard anyone say that.” producer and tour manager from CollegeHumor, Amir, who was born in Israel, said that to work on bringing Jake and Amir to Toronto. Judaism is “a part of my life. We practise it. We “[Jessica] said they had been looking for a good celebrate Jewish holidays.” reason to come to Canada,” Liknaitzky said. “Less so for me,” Jake said. “I’m interfaith. When asked why it took them so long to do My dad is Jewish and my mom’s Christian. I a show in Canada, Amir said, “The real ques- was raised Jewish and [had a bar mitzvah], but tion is, why did it take so long to get invited I’m not really practising anymore. Not like this to Canada? Did you do anything about us not guy,” he added, pointing to Amir. coming to Canada? “Practice makes perfect,” Amir said. “Practice “The whole country’s filled with people who is king,” Jake responded. “That’s like a phrase just didn’t invite us, until this guy right here,” in our office,” Amir shot back. he continued, pointing to Liknaitzky. “First They also talked about some of their recent invite, [we] snatched it up.” projects, including a not-yet-released video The show, which Jake and Amir hosted, fea- with Rick Fox and Amir’s role in the movie A tured appearances by comedy troupes Statutory Very Harold and Kumar Christmas. Jake, left, and Amir entertained a sold-out Jape, PB&J and Smells Like The 80s. “It was great,” Amir said of working with Fox. crowd in Toronto recently. In an interview before the show, Jake and Amir “I’m a huge Laker fan, so it was awesome. He’s CHECK OUT OUR BLOG @ HEEBONICS.CA.