6 degrees (no bacon)/Jewish celebrity roundup

Princesses’ gig a teacher’s nightmare

NEW YORK (6NoBacon.com)—When Stefan Serie appeared as an extra on Bravo’s “Princesses: Long Island,” he did what the female stars on the show do practically every episode—prance around a party wearing minimal clothing. The difference between Serie and the ladies (one of the differences, anyway) is he actually had something to lose: a job.

The 30-year-old health teacher in Merrick showed up shirtless on the series premiere at Erica’s bash in the Hamptons, his abs glistening in the sun. While he wasn’t doing anything he “would tell his students not to do,” Serie told the New York Daily News, the whole thing didn’t go over too well with the school officials in Merrick.

About a week after the episode aired, Serie received a letter asking him to report to the school district office. Upon his arrival, he said, administrators told him his tenure offer would be rescinded and pressed him to resign.

“It was a coerced resignation,” said Serie, a teacher for eight years. “I want my job and tenure back. I think I deserve it.”

So do his students’ parents: Supporters at a rally called for his reinstatement. 

We’ll keep you posted on the drama, which is slightly more exciting than what’s happening on the show.

Drake cutting lyrics, apologizes

Like many rappers, Drake’s songs feature lyrics that can be deemed offensive. In “Jodeci Freestyle,” a collaboration with J. Cole, Drake decided to take action: The Canadian Jewish rapper will remove a controversial lyric by J. Cole, USA Today reported.

“I’m artistic” while others are “autistic, retarded,” Cole rapped in “Jodeci Freestyle.” Many found the lyric offensive, including the powerhouse organization Autism Speaks.

Cole was the first to apologize in a blog that was picked up by the Autism Speaks website.

“I realized right away that what I said was wrong,” he wrote. “I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough [to] say something so hurtful. What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better.

Cole did begin the post by saying he “resents” that when rappers say offensive things, they are “attacked for it in the media and pressured to apologize,” but added later, “This apology IS necessary.”

In his blog, Drake wrote, “I share responsibility and offer my sincerest apologies for the pain this has caused. “Individuals with autism have brilliant and creative minds, and their gifts should not be disparaged or discounted. This was a learning lesson for both of us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to try to right this wrong. J. Cole and I believe that it is the right, responsible, and respectful decision to remove the lyric from the song.”

Tom Jones playing Tel Aviv

The latest big-name musician to commit to a concert in Israel is Tom Jones, according to The Times of Israel. The Welsh pop legend, 73, is slated to hit Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena on Oct. 26.

Audiences can look forward to hearing classics like “It’s Not Unusual,” “Love Me Tonight” and “Kiss.”

Jones is joining an impressive list of artists who have played the Holy Land recently, including Barbra Streisand, Cliff Richard, the Pet Shop Boys, Alicia Keys and Rihanna.

More ‘Maron’

IFC has just ordered another season of the Marc Maron comedy “Maron,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show will return in 2014 with 13 half-hour episodes.

The series is based on the comedian’s life, which involves running a popular podcast out of his garage, dealing with his kooky dad (Judd Hirsch) and dating a much younger woman (Nora Zehetner).

Avid “WTF” listeners who tuned in for the first season of “Maron” likely noticed that many of the stars he has interviewed on the podcast appeared on screen as well, including Mark Duplass, Dave Foley, Gina Gershon, Jeff Garlin and Ken Jeong. (Although he did refrain from getting “Jewey” with any of them, as he tends to do in real life.)

“In many ways, Marc is a perfect representation of IFC and our approach to comedy,” said Jennifer Caserta, president and general manager of IFC, in a statement announcing the news Tuesday. “He also seems to be in need of a less dysfunctional family, so we’re happy he’s returning to ours for an expanded second season.”

New roles for Paltrow, Garfield?

Another week, another small but worthy batch of talented semites (possibly) attaching themselves to new projects.

Gwyneth Paltrow is in talks to join the cast of “Mortdecai,” a thriller based on Kyril Bonfiglioli’s book “The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery,” Variety reports. The Jewish actress would join Johnny Depp, who is set to star as Charles Mortdecai, an art dealer hunting for a Nazi treasure. Also rumored to be signing on is Ewan McGregor.

On the indie front we’ve got Andrew Garfield. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he will play a man who loses his house to foreclosure in the film “99 homes.” The twist: Garfield’s character ends up working for the broker who took his house, helping the guy evict other homeowners and embezzle government funds. 

Not exactly the kind of behavior Spidey would approve of, now is it.

For the latest Jewish celebrity news, visit JTA’s 6 Degrees (No Bacon) blog.