The Israeli sitcom *Checkout* has returned for its sixth season, continuing to attract viewers with its comedic take on the everyday life of supermarket employees and customers. The series, which airs on KAN 11 and streams internationally on Netflix, follows the interpersonal dynamics at the fictional Shefa Issachar supermarket. Its popularity was reinforced this summer with the release of a film adaptation, which became the highest-grossing Israeli movie of the season, selling over one million tickets.
Yaniv Zohar and Nadav Frishman, co-creators and co-head writers of *Checkout*, along with fellow writers Matan Blumenblat and Daniel Salganik, discussed the show’s success, creative process, and upcoming projects in a recent interview. Speaking from a supermarket location, Zohar emphasized the integral role of humor as a form of resilience within Jewish culture, describing it as a survival mechanism rather than mere escapism.
The writers expressed pride in the film’s achievement amid competition from international releases, with Blumenblat noting that it had surpassed a classic Israeli film in viewership rankings. Despite the film’s success, the creative team remains focused on the series, which is known for its broad, relatable characters drawn from Israel’s diverse society, including Arab Israelis, Russian immigrants, and others who populate Shefa Issachar.
Season six introduces several new cast members such as Israel Katorza, Tal Friedman, Yael Shelbia, Meni Mamtera, Roy Kafri, and Ilan Peled. Friedman appears as himself, while Peled plays a family member of an existing character. Katorza’s role involves a contractor brought in to address ongoing supermarket disrepair.
While the series traditionally steers clear of political commentary, this season will include an episode based on the ongoing election cycle. Salganik acknowledged the episode’s delicate balance, emphasizing the writers’ guiding principle that their "only ideology is ‘Is it funny?’" The election-themed episode was written about a year ago, presenting challenges in maintaining relevance by the time of airing. The episode features a guest appearance by Yaakov Zada-Daniel, known for his role in *Fauda*, and includes a storyline where a character, wealthy life coach Shuni Stretiner, runs for the Knesset.
The show has produced new episodes amid ongoing conflict in Israel, including the war following October 7, which posed emotional and logistical challenges. Zohar recalled a brief period when humor felt difficult but emphasized the importance of continuing to provide comedic relief as a way to help audiences cope. Blumenblat highlighted the audience’s eventual desire to return to lighter entertainment after periods dominated by war coverage. The writers drew parallels to historical examples where entertainment served as a vital form of emotional sustenance during hardship.
Regarding the portrayal of Ramzi, an Arab Israeli employee played by Amir Shurush, the writers maintain that his ethnicity is secondary to his character traits. Blumenblat and Salganik stressed that Ramzi remains consistent with previous seasons, characterized by humor and loyalty to the supermarket, rather than being defined by his background.
The team sources much of their inspiration from real supermarket experiences, often spending time observing daily interactions to capture authentic moments. Frishman noted that viewers frequently identify with the show’s characters as reflections of people in their own lives.
Looking ahead, the writers are developing a new comedy set in a hospital environment aimed at Arab viewers, with an inversed cultural perspective: almost all characters are Arab, except for two Jewish characters. Zohar described the project as a continuation of the theme that everyday human interactions transcend ethnic and cultural divisions, emphasizing shared humanity in workplace settings.
*Checkout* continues to resonate with audiences through its blend of humor, relatable social commentary, and diverse representation, underscoring everyday life in Israel while steering clear of overt political messaging.