JL;DR

Veteran comedian Robert Klein engages in an expansive dialogue with Joe Alterman, discussing his experiences growing up in a Jewish family in the Bronx and his illustrious career in comedy marked by a pioneering live concert on HBO. Klein shares insights into his Jewish heritage, including his views on antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Israel, highlighting these topics through the lens of his personal and professional life. The conversation also explores the interplay between music and comedy, particularly Klein's use of harmonica, in shaping his unique comedic style. This dialogue is part of The Pulse series, which aims to provide candid discussions on Jewish cultural influences with entertainment personalities.