Borough Park, NY – He may be funny, but talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel is no mensch.
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Kimmel swiped a YouTube video of a ranting Hasidic man and spliced it into a skit to poke fun at hoops superstar LeBron James without permission, according to a suit filed yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
Dovid Sondik was featured in the YouTube video, titled the “Flying Rabbi,” which shows the Borough Park man raving in Yiddish in the street.
In August, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” grabbed snippets of that video to pretend its host was getting advice from the man.
The bit spoofed James’ recent sit-down with rabbi-to-the-stars Yishayahu Yosef Pinto.
“See, now it makes sense, LeBron went to Miami to become Jewish,” Kimmel joked as he set up the spoof.
“Apparently, [Pinto is] a very high-paid consultant when it comes to business matters. One time, I actually consulted with the rabbi myself.”
In the skit, Sondik is then seen hooting incoherently in Yiddish, framed to look as if he were talking to Kimmel through a car window.
Kimmel, who re-upped his contract with ABC yesterday for two years, pretends he’s getting sage advice, saying, “Yeah, that’s true,” as Sondik continues his rant.
The scene cuts back and forth between them and the bit ends with Kimmel joking, “You know, it turned out he was right.”
Sondik’s lawyer, Robert Tolchin, said the man was just “goofing around” when he made the video and never meant it to be broadcast to Kimmel’s 1.5 million viewers.
“It has caused me difficulty and pain,” said Sondik, who, though not a rabbi, would speak of scripture to people in the neighborhood. “Now they think I’m a joke, a comedian.”
The suit, seeking unspecified damages, accuses Kimmel of appropriation of likeness and violating YouTube’s service terms.
A rep said Kimmel’s people were unaware of the suit.
The skit by Kimmel below.
kimmel’s not jewish but he was dating very funny jewish comedian Sarah Silverman, i recommend watching some of her skits on youtube. (they are not going out anymore).
i feel bad for the chusid in the video if he is bothered by it, though he did not have to post a video of himself online in the firstplace- those things can get around. though i do not think the kimmel was being disrespectful.
He’s suing Jimmy Kimmel for embarrassing him? After posting that silly thing on YouTube himself? Sorry, but that dog won’t hunt. When you stick something on YouTube, it’s pretty much out there for anybody to see, so it’s a bit much to claim that someone else embarrassed you by calling attention to what you did in public.
Once something is on You Tube, it’s in the public domain, no permission is needed to use it anywhere.
Crazy legal system! This guy runs around 13th ave all day screaming yelling singing acting all crazy all the time, He should sue Himself for being an embarrassment for his own self!
I know Dovis sandik personally, he ate in my home several times on shabbos and yom tov…He is the biggest comedian on 13th avenue and he was so excited to be on Youtube.He is not the guy who is bothered with this publicity maybe just the other way around…He probably found a very hungry lawyer who took him out to Spoons (sandiks restarea)…This lawsuit is baseless and he indeed was so proud of this video..Dovid runs around the streets selling his own videos of screaming so who will believe he is bothered with this…..Dovid get back on your feet on 13th avenue and we will keep on supporting you as we always did..You might loose this case and loose all the free hand outs you been getting last 20 years..
There is no case. Anything can be taken from YouTube and put on TV. Putting it on YouTube means you agree to make it public
Some bum lawyer from Harvard figured he can make a buck here, scum of the earth.
Gotta admit, this Kimmel guy is pretty darn funny.
He’s looking to score a quick buck but it won’t happen.
i know dovid for a number of years and this is his dream come true…everyone who knows him knows that he constantly looks for attention, well now he found it..i dont think that this was so funny, but give it up dovid this is your dream…
What a great way of making money. U make your self silly and then copied and then u can file a law suit.
Cmon that was funny!!! Lawsuit? Maybe he should offer him a few bucks for acting on his show but cmon…… this guy claims he was a hollywood actor before becoming frum (jewish)? Hes probably thrilled w this gig!! Whoever posted it on youtube should have thought about it before he did it…. its him that should be hit with a lawsuit. He videotaped w/o consent…..probably
One thing is for sure, if you mess with Dovid Sondik aka Moshiach…..
he will give you a Headache!!!
At first I was thinking…why distract the off the regular VIN off the cuff fountains of misinformation with facts. But then I said, nah, let’s show them the law.
California Civil Code section 3344 says:
(a)Any person who knowingly uses another’s name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, in any manner, on or in products, merchandise, or goods, or for purposes of advertising or selling, or soliciting purchases of, products, merchandise, goods or services, without such person’s prior consent, or, in the case of a minor, the prior consent of his parent or legal guardian, shall be liable for any damages sustained by the person or persons injured as a result thereof. In addition, in any action brought under this section, the person who violated the section shall be liable to the injured party or parties in an amount equal to the greater of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the unauthorized use, and any profits from the unauthorized use that are attributable to the use and are not taken into account in computing the actual damages. In establishing such profits, the injured party or parties are required to present proof only of the gross revenue attributable to such use, and the person who violated this section is required to prove his or her deductible expenses. Punitive damages may also be awarded to the injured party or parties. The prevailing party in any action under this section shall also be entitled to attorney’s fees and costs.
(b)As used in this section, “photograph” means any photograph or photographic reproduction, still or moving, or any videotape or live television transmission, of any person, such that the person is readily identifiable.
Sondik has a lawyer now? This is ridiculous. Sondik is a BUM in Boro Park that screams and harasses people from 6 am. You can hear his outrageous behavior on daily basis. That Jewish lawyer saw an opportunity to sue and give Sondik some %. How come Sondik never hired a lawyer to remove TONs of videos of him all over youtube and internet blogs that make fun of him? He always volunteers when people video record him saying stupid stuff and acting like he is high all the time. Another frivolous law suit. Jimmy Kimmel has smarter lawyers.
Is he married
Anyone know where this Sondik fellow is originally from or where he went to yeshiva or high school?
the poor man may become Robin Hood.
The greedy lawyer behind this is no better than Heidi and Mendi. Another epic chillel Hashem in the works. For pittance.
i’m afraid to get involved here.tolchins libel to tell me to call him also.seems a bit pugnacious for an esq.????? i’m an old guy now(so dont tell me to call you) but i never was that touchy on the honor of my work.all work is honorable but i guess my trade doesnt have as many jokes going for it.i love dovid but mr.tolchins response seems a bit like dovids responses.
reply to #40
Are you his agent? Do you get a percentage of what he makes? Does he have something to hide?