23 Years of Eretz Nehederet: A Failed Pilot and 4 Surprising Stories
Celebrating 23 years on air, Israel's legendary satirical show Eretz Nehederet on Keshet 12 reveals four fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, from a failed pilot to unexpected visits by world leaders.
On November 2, 2003, a new satirical show titled Eretz Nehederet premiered on Channel 2, marking a major milestone in Israeli television history. Twenty-three years later, hosted by Eyal Kitzis, the program remains a massive ratings powerhouse for Keshet 12. Behind its unprecedented success, however, lie several fascinating stories that shaped the iconic broadcast.
The genesis of the show was actually tied to the departure of Erez Tal, who left Keshet for Channel 10. Forced to find a replacement for another hit show, the network birthed Eretz Nehederet. Interestingly, the famous title was suggested by Dana Modan, inspired by Yehhoram Gaon's song Shaloom Lekha Eretz Nehederet.
Despite its phenomenal run, the beginning was far from seamless. In an interview with Keshet 12, creator Muli Segev revealed that the initial pilot was a creative failure. Writer Dovid Lifshitz recalled that during the grueling development process, Segev demanded that staff members stay until the material became genuinely funny.
One of the most extraordinary moments in the show's history occurred during Yom HaAtzmaut in 2013, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the studio to appear alongside Mariano Idelman, who famously impersonates him. Segev noted that while some jokes were pre-arranged, host Eyal Kitzis caught Netanyahu off guard with unscripted questions.
That same year, during his visit to Israel, then-U.S. President Barack Obama mentioned Eretz Nehederet in his speech at the Jerusalem Binyanei HaUma, joking that the tensions between him and Netanyahu were just providing material for the show's writers. Segev admitted he received a heads-up minutes before the speech and could hardly believe it would actually happen.
Finally, the famous civil war sketch featuring Shauli and Irena was originally conceived by Assi Cohen for his personal stand-up show. After debating whether the concept was too extreme, it was integrated into an Eretz Nehederet election special, ultimately becoming one of the most talked-about segments in the show's history.
