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    Photos and Video: Jonah Hill Directs Vampire Weekend Music Video at Zabar’s as Shoppers Keep Shopping (and Griping)

    February 6, 2019 | 8:36 PM - Updated on February 7, 2019 | 12:05 PM
    in ABSURDITY, FOOD, NEWS
    18


    Jonah Hill directing the video at Zabar’s on Thursday. Photo by Jessica Winchell.

    Zabar’s shoppers got a surprising show early Wednesday evening when some rockstars and a celebrity actor showed up at the fish counter. Jonah Hill was at the iconic store on Broadway between 80th and 81st to shoot a video for the band Vampire Weekend, according to Jackie Leitzes.

    “People were shopping the whole time!” Jackie told us. “Many folks were totally oblivious and one lady got mad because the PAs were blocking access to ‘her dinner’ in one of the cases! So Upper West Side.”

    Jessica Winchell told us that some customers were even picked to be at the counter, along with employees. A crew member told her it would show “a day on the Upper West Side.”

    Check out some more photos and a brief video below.


    Photo by Jessica Winchell.


    Photo by Jackie Leitzes.


    That’s lead singer Ezra Koenig in the blue cap. Photo by Jackie Leitzes.

    (But let’s be real: leave the lox-slicing to the real Zabar’s pros, like this guy.)

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    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

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    18 Comments
    Rodger Lodger
    Rodger Lodger
    7 years ago

    I like Jonah. A good man, very decent from all accounts. Also a fine slicer.

    0
    Reply
    UWSHebrew
    UWSHebrew
    7 years ago

    A rare non-phony in Hollywood (I’ve got stories you would not believe about how actors behave towards the common folk). Glad he lost the weight, lookin good.

    0
    Reply
    BeBest
    BeBest
    7 years ago
    Reply to  UWSHebrew

    UWSHebrew, I actually don’t believe you have any stories

    0
    Reply
    UWSHebrew2
    UWSHebrew2
    7 years ago
    Reply to  UWSHebrew

    please go on…

    0
    Reply
    Guy
    Guy
    7 years ago

    Of course Vampire Weekend is recording a video at Zabar’s, of course.

    Side note: their new single “Harmony Hall” is awesome. Looking forward to the new album and seeing them at MSG.

    0
    Reply
    Fish Lover
    Fish Lover
    7 years ago

    My answer to the question the Last Jewish Lox Slicer asks at 2:18 on the video is, yes, I have kissed a whitefish. But I wouldn’t try it with a narwhal.

    0
    Reply
    Jo Ann
    Jo Ann
    7 years ago

    Why am I not surprised someone was complaining in Zabar’s?

    0
    Reply
    David S
    David S
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Jo Ann

    Why wouldn’t they be complaining? If I went into a store to buy my dinner (or anything else for that matter) and found that I couldn’t because of something that could have been done pretty much anywhere else in the world, I’d be complaining, too.

    0
    Reply
    Westender
    Westender
    7 years ago

    Fab 5 Freddy was there, too. I walked in as they were all assembling and watched Hill introduce the musicians to each other.

    Oh, and I got bagels before the staff dispersed from behind the bakery counter, which was cool of the film crew and the Zabar’s staff. Thanks, guys!

    0
    Reply
    Chip Chapiin
    Chip Chapiin
    7 years ago

    and then there was NYS Governor-hopeful Cynthia Nixon ordering a cinnamon raisin bagel with (shudder) lox ..
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7NxeiF5e3c&t=86s

    0
    Reply
    Tim
    Tim
    7 years ago

    “Rockstars and a celebrity actor”

    Dial back the PR slant, UWS Rag. I like these guys but this seems like a ‘sponsor’ kinda thing. UWS-iders see these kinda guys all the time.

    0
    Reply
    Sean
    Sean
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Tim

    Yes, we are a mecca for sightings of people in show business of a certain age. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve seen Lee Grant.

    0
    Reply
    Alina
    Alina
    7 years ago

    Can’t wait for new VW!! Also, hoping this video comes out done well b/c (admittedly, I’m judging Jonah’s mv directorial skills off 1 song) the video he did for Danny Brown was so awful. I love Danny Brown, but that mv was 🥴🤮🥴

    0
    Reply
    Fielding Mellish
    Fielding Mellish
    7 years ago

    Nifty idea, but Vampire Weekend is a truly awful band.
    Bereft of talent, musicianship, ability, professionalism, and basic people skills.

    Trust me. I know.

    0
    Reply
    Jan
    Jan
    7 years ago

    Vampire who? These are not rock stars in my
    book. Prob another one of those “terrible”
    music groups we are subjected to these days
    We like Jonah however he’s cool.

    0
    Reply
    Mark Moore
    Mark Moore
    7 years ago

    For $50 a pound for nova he should wear a hairnet behind the counter.

    0
    Reply
    DS
    DS
    7 years ago

    I guess we’re in a culture where you’re a goon or presumptively a moron if you get annoyed that you can’t get groceries at a market because celebrity gophers are blocking your access.
    Also, the idea that one would put the phrase ‘her dinner’ in scare quotes to emphasize her imbecility when the customer was quite literally talking about her actual dinner only increases the humour content.
    So Upper West Side!

    0
    Reply
    jerry
    jerry
    7 years ago
    Reply to  DS

    I think we’ve reached the crock O —- level

    0
    Reply

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