Shemesh (TV series)

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Shemesh is an Israeli sitcom aired by Channel 2 Keshet and produced by from 1997 to 2004.

Premise[]

The series follows Nahum Shemesh, a young provincial man from the southern Israeli city of Beersheba who moves to central Tel Aviv, where he opens a small restaurant, "The Empire of the Sun" (a play on the character's name, as Shemesh means sun in Hebrew). Over the course of the series Shemesh, along with his friends and neighbors, attempt to navigate through their professional, as well as personal, lives, as they try to find success in the big city. The series sets out to portray a cultural clash between two sides of Israeli society, as the provincial Shemesh is met with the urbanites of Tel Aviv and their "northern" sensibilities.

As well as drawing inspiration from various American sitcoms of the era, such as Married... With Children and Seinfeld, The series is largely inspired by the life story of its leading actor Zvika Hadar, a rising star at the time, having found success in the big city after growing up in Beersheba and moving to Tel Aviv, and the main character is portrayed as an exaggerated version of Hadar's real life character, sharing many characteristics with the actor such as his love of Israeli football team Hapoel Be'er Sheva.^[1]

Characters[]

Main Characters[]

• Nachum Shemesh (Zvika Hadar): A miser of Romanian descent from Beersheba who moved to Tel Aviv to open a restaurant. An avid fan of football team Hapoel Be'er Sheva, as well as the secret son of Hollywood actor Paul Newman, Shemesh goes through various misadventures throughout the series as he tries to bring success to his restaurant and his love life.
• Esther 'Etti' Hillel (): A waitress at the "Empire of the sun". Originally from Lod, Etti moved to Tel Aviv looking to become a famous actress, an ambition she pursues throughout the show's run, only finding a modest success near the end of the show. She is the main love interest of Shemesh.
• Sasson "Sassi" Feldman-Shvilly/Siton (): "The Empire's" cook, as well as Shemesh' personal assistant. Is often the subject of ridicule, mainly from Shemesh, for his short stature and low intelligence, as well as his Georgian background. Despite his naïve and dimwitted nature he is portrayed as a loyal friend and a gifted chef. Is often seen with Ogen, and later Hemmi.
• Ogen Siton (Orly Weinerman): A dumb blonde stereotype, Ogen is a close friend and love interest of Sassi, with whom she is often seen.
• Yshayahu Tenzer (Gadi Rabinovich): The upstairs neighbor of Shemesh' restaurant. A lawyer with an affection for causing chaos and harm to others, as well as a deep love for pastrami sandwiches, Tenzer is often referred to as a "maniac" (מניאק), an Israeli slang word referring to an immoral and mean individual. Is often portrayed as having a friendly relationship with Shemesh, though it is often strained and sometimes borders on rivalry.
• Bar Sela (Eliad Nachum): A child who is best friends with Shemesh. He often hangs around at the Empire with Shemesh, as his mother is implied to be neglectful. Having both grown up without their fathers, Shemesh and Bar share a connection in which Shemesh serves as a sort of father figure in Bar's life, watches over him and teaches him his street wisdom throughout the series.

Secondary Characters[]

Every season introduces at least one new character to the main cast. Said characters will typically have a story arc revolving around them before leaving the cast before the end of the season, though some have stuck around for longer.

• Rakefet Sela (): Bar's often neglectful mother, a spiritual guru of French origin. During the first season she is portrayed as having a sort of friendly-rivalry with Shemesh, as well as a close friendship with Etti. After season 1 she is only seen in a few episodes, disappearing from the show completely outside of brief mentions after season 3 until the show's finale.
• Mano Bari (): A handsom, charming student of philosophy who moves to Israel from Italy. During season 2 he develops a relationship with Etti. He is revealed to be Bar's biological father, having had a brief affair with Rakefet in Italy.
• Sivan (Dorit Bar Or): A former class mate and rival of Etti who begins dating and later becomes engaged to Shemesh in season 3. She is characterized as mean, bossy and with overly materialistic tendencies. Has little regard for Shemesh and his Beershebite sensbilities.
• Hemmi Alze/Siton (Yehezkel Lazarov): Copywriter and director of television commercials. He is portrayed as a Yuppie, seeking success in the Tel Avivi "scene". He is introduced in season 4 as a romantic rival for Sassi over Ogen. The love triangle is eventually resolved when Hemmi, Sassi and Ogen enter a threeway marriage at the end of season 4.
• Marcus Emek (): Initially introduced as a wimpy career consultant for Tel Aviv University in season 2, Marcus is reintroduced in season 4 as a cunning business man, who is contacted by Shemesh to help save his failing restaurant. During the season he serves as the representative of the unknown Lessees of the Empire, only referred to as "the Koreans". He is overly touchy and lacks social awareness, but is shown to be shrewd and intelligent throughout the season.
• Zoe (): A hip, young club goer, Zoe moves into the building the show is set in at the beginning of season 5. Often represents the younger generation of the Tel Aviv community, partying, drinking and taking drugs, in contrast with the older main cast.
• Ravit Hillel (): Etti's younger sister. Temporarily moves in with Etti and Shemesh in season 6. She is portrayed as irresponsible and promiscuous. Having recently returned from a long trip to India, she often indulges in hedonistic pleasures, prioritizing having fun over planning ahead in life.

References[]