The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
File:MarvelousMrsMaisel.png
Genre	Comedy-drama Period drama
Created by	Amy Sherman-Palladino
Starring	Rachel Brosnahan Alex Borstein Michael Zegen Marin Hinkle Tony Shalhoub Kevin Pollak Caroline Aaron Jane Lynch
Composers	Sam Phillips Eric Gorfain
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Amy Sherman-Palladino Daniel Palladino
Producers	Dhana Gilbert Matthew Shapiro Salvatore Carino Sheila Lawrence
Production location	New York City
Cinematography	M. David Mullen Eric Moynier
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	43–76 minutes
Production companies	Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions Picrow Amazon Studios
Original release
Network	Prime Video
Release	March 17, 2017 (2017-03-17) – present (present)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an American period comedy-drama web television series, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, that premiered on March 17, 2017, on Prime Video. The series stars Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a housewife in 1958 New York City who discovers she has a knack for stand-up comedy. Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shalhoub, and Kevin Pollak feature in supporting roles. Following the premiere of the pilot episode to critical acclaim, the series was picked up by Amazon Studios. The second season was released on December 5, 2018, and the third was released on December 6, 2019. The series was renewed for a fourth season on December 12, 2019.

The series has received critical acclaim and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2017 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2018, with Sherman-Palladino receiving the awards for Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing at the latter ceremony. In addition, Brosnahan won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2018 and two consecutive Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 2018 and 2019; Borstein has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series twice consecutively for her work on the series in 2018 and 2019 and Tony Shalhoub won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2019.

Plot

Season 1

Set in 1958, Miriam "Midge" Maisel is a young, upper class Jewish American housewife living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her husband of four years, Joel, a businessman working at a plastics company, moonlights as a comedian at The Gaslight Cafe, copying more acclaimed comics' material. After one particularly mediocre performance, Joel leaves Midge for his secretary.

Midge drunkenly goes back to The Gaslight where she delivers an impromptu set, confessing her predicament to the audience. While her bawdy, biting, and brilliant delivery enthralls the audience, she gets arrested after baring her breasts.

Midge meets comic Lenny Bruce, who has also been arrested for obscenity in his act. Midge is bailed out of jail, and she, in turn, bails out Bruce. Inspired to be a comedian herself, she teams up with The Gaslight employee Susie Myerson, who becomes her manager.

After Midge and her two children move in with her parents, Rose and Abe, she lands a job in the cosmetics department at B. Altman, a high-end department store. In addition to an income, the job provides material for Midge's act.

Midge visits New York clubs to study other comedians. She meets top comedian Sophie Lennon, who is completely unlike her frumpy on-stage character. Sophie advises Midge to develop her own stage persona, but Midge prefers performing as herself.

After Midge disparagingly reveals in her act that Sophie is actually a wealthy, snobbish socialite, she soon finds herself blacklisted from every club in the city. However, with Susie and Lenny's help, Midge performs again and proves she has what it takes to be a professional comic.

Joel secretly watches her act, and, dejected, realizes she is truly talented. After trying out numerous stage names, Midge settles on calling herself "Mrs. Maisel".

Season 2

Midge's mother, Rose, moves to Paris after her New York social life falls apart. After having been oblivious to her departure for quite some time, Midge and Abe travel there to persuade her to return home.

Back in New York, Susie is abducted by two thugs working for Sophie Lennon's manager, who end up befriending her. They release her with the cautionary remark that others may come looking for her, implying that Susie should be more cautious.

After a period of enjoying life in Paris with and without Abe, Rose agrees to come home after Abe promises to be more like his vacation self and arranges for her to audit art classes at Columbia University, where he is a tenured mathematics professor. The family goes on their annual vacation at a Catskill Mountains resort.

Susie, upset that Midge will be gone for two months, goes to the resort, and, pretending to be a staff person, works on booking gigs in the area. She books Midge at a large hotel where she gives a sexually-charged performance, during which she spots Abe in the audience leading to a major turning point in the series. While at the resort, Midge meets Benjamin Ettenberg, a successful New York doctor whom she soon begins dating.

With Abe the only family member knowing about her side-career, Midge continues performing. She wants to skip an important gig that Susie has booked because it is on Yom Kippur. When Susie insists that Midge perform, Abe says it is time to tell the family.

Midge and Susie embark on a short comedy tour at various clubs outside of New York. Susie books Midge for a spot on a telethon, where Midge meets a famous singer, Shy Baldwin, but learns that Sophie Lennon controls the show.

Still angry over Midge's having exposed her real identity, Sophie gets her bumped to the telethon's late-night end slot. Emboldened by knowing that fewer viewers are watching, Midge's all-out performance is a hit, and the phones light up with last-minute donations. Her performance prompts Baldwin to ask her to be his opening act on his six-month tour throughout the United States and Europe, which Midge immediately accepts. Meanwhile, Sophie, after Susie threatened her for her scheme against Midge and tired of her act, asks Susie to become her manager, saying she wants a manager who will fight for her like Susie does for Midge.

Abe considers leaving both Bell Labs and Columbia, fed up with their interference in his personal life. Benjamin proposes to Midge, despite her still being married to Joel. After watching Lenny Bruce's act about being alone, Midge ponders the personal cost of a full-time career.

Season 3

After ending her engagement with Benjamin and a one night-stand with Joel, Midge kicks off her tour with Shy Baldwin with a USO show. Susie and Midge have a brief falling out over Susie's decision to manage Sophie Lennon, but Midge later comes around as she wants Susie to be independently successful. Joel finds a spot in Chinatown for his club, but later discovers the building's basement is an illegal casino. He chooses to stay and begins seeing a local medical student named Mei. Mei begins to help Joel with tasks that arise as he attempts to get the club up and running, specifically the liquor license that had gone unapproved, a juke box, and assistance from a plumber. On the club's opening night Joel finally makes up with Mei after having vehemently refused her help, wanting to do this venture completely on his own. Joel also introduces Mei and Midge when Midge stops by to congratulate him. Mei teases that she didn't know he had a wife, so Mei and Midge banter back and forth to torture him. Suddenly the band has technical difficulties, resulting in Midge doing a small set while the electrical issues are sorted out, ending with Midge jokingly stating that she "will burn the place down before her kids go to school in Queens."

Abe's decision to leave Columbia has huge financial repercussions for the family as their apartment was provided by the school. Rose briefly returns to her family home in hopes of getting more money out of her trust fund, but ends up cutting ties with them altogether over their sexist attitudes. Having no other options, they go to stay at Moishe and Shirley's new house in Queens.

Joel and Midge's divorce is finalized before Midge leaves for Las Vegas. Midge and Susie are introduced to Shy's no-nonsense manager Reggie, who warns both of them to act appropriately. Despite a lackluster opening night, Midge adapts to performing on the road. Sophie's desire to play the lead in Miss Julie leads Susie to secure producers and a male co-star to make that happen. When a crisis with Sophie takes Susie away for one night, Joel visits Midge and the two get re-married after a drunken night.

Abe visits old friend Asher Friedman; a former playwright who was blacklisted several years ago for his connections to the Communist Party. This prompts him to write an article about Asher's unfair treatment. The article gets published in the New York Times, resulting later in the opportunity to be a theatre critic.

While performing in Florida, Midge gets visited by her collegue and friend Lenny Bruce. Midge tries to get his verdict on her act, but instead, Bruce takes her to a TV show he performs at, and makes her a surprise guest. The night ends as a date, but instead of inviting her into his room, Bruce finally admits that he thinks that her act was "sensational". Midge then takes a cab back to her hotel. Also in Florida, Midge discovers that Shy is homosexual. Having to hide this part of his life, he sometimes becomes depressed and disappears for nights, not appearing at several performances. After one episode that even ended violently, Midge succeeds at bringing him back on stage without anyone noticing.

Midge prior to performing at the Apollo decides she wants part of her old life back, her apartment in the Upper West Side, in part so that her son Ethan can attend the prestigious and expensive Collegiate School.

On the night Midge is to perform for the first time at the prestigious Apollo she sees Shy for the first time since his leave of absence from the tour. They share "girl talk" and then she hears a performer really stirring up the crowd. Midge asks Shy who is on stage; he tells her it is Moms Mabley. Midge being a huge fan of the comic's work runs out on Shy and catches the end of Moms Mabley's set. Backstage Midge is enamored by the performance and is star struck by her fellow comedienne. It's discovered that Midge is the person who "bumped" Moms Mabley from opening for Shy; Shy's assistant calls Midge out on this matter and refers to her as "white girl." Midge realizes she may not be ready for a stage as important as the Apollo and feels at the very least she has not "earned" her spot. Reggie, in an attempt to refocus her so she can perform, tells her to just talk about Shy, what it's like to be on the road with him, not realizing that Midge knows the truth about Shy. Midge goes on to give a rave performance but also "outs" Shy at the same time. This results in Shy refusing to have Midge continue the last part of the tour. Reggie attempts to explain to both of them with tear-filled eyes that "this is my boy and I do what I can to protect him." Midge pleads for him to explain that she was only going off the advice Reggie had given her, but he refuses to do so and leaves Susie and Midge on the tarmac as the plane takes off without them. Reggie and Susie share one final moment before he boards the plane where, with tears in his eyes, he says to her "You're gonna be right where I am someday."

Cast and characters

Main

• Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam "Midge" Maisel (née Weissman), a Jewish American housewife who discovers her flair for stand-up comedy. After her husband leaves her, she finds a job as a make-up counter girl at B. Altman and starts performing stand-up comedy in clubs across New York.
• Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson, an employee of The Gaslight Cafe and Midge's manager.
• Michael Zegen as Joel Maisel, Midge's estranged husband, who leaves Midge for his secretary. He is also an aspiring stand-up comic, but only relies on the routines of Bob Newhart. A former employee of Tri-Borough Plastics, he leaves the company and ends up working with his father. Lenny Palmieri portrays a thirteen year old Joel in a guest appearance in the episode "Put That On Your Plate!".
• Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman (née Lehman), Midge's mother.
• Tony Shalhoub as Abraham "Abe" Weissman, Midge's father, a mathematics professor at Columbia University and researcher at Bell Labs.
• Kevin Pollak as Moishe Maisel (season 2, recurring season 1), Joel's father, the owner of Maisel and Roth Garment Company.
• Caroline Aaron as Shirley Maisel (season 3, recurring seasons 1–2), Joel's mother.
• Jane Lynch as Sophie Lennon (season 3, recurring season 2, guest season 1), a successful stand-up comic who relies on shticky gimmicks about her life in Queens and her frumpy appearance. In reality, she is a rich Manhattan aristocrat with refined taste and wears a fat suit on stage.

Recurring

• Nunzio and Matteo Pascale as Ethan Maisel, Midge and Joel's elder child.
• Matilda Szydagis as Zelda, the Weissmans’ maid.
• Brian Tarantina as Jackie, the emcee at The Gaslight.
• Joel Johnstone as Archie Cleary, Imogene's husband and Joel's coworker.
• Bailey De Young as Imogene Cleary, Midge's best friend.
• Cynthia Darlow as Mrs. Moskowitz, Joel's secretary, former childhood nanny, and Penny's replacement.
• Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce, a well-known New York City comedian and close friend of Midge's.
• Holly Curran as Penny Pann, Joel's former secretary and girlfriend.
• Zachary Levi as Dr. Benjamin Ettenberg, a doctor whom Midge meets in the Catskills and later begins to date.
• Will Brill as Noah Weissman, Midge's brother. He is secretly an analyst for the CIA.
• Colby Minifie as Ginger, a coworker of Midge's at B. Altman who works at the switchboard
• Megan McGinnis as Loula
• Jack O'Connell as Jerry
• Erin Darke as Mary, one of Midge's coworkers at B. Altman
• Lilli Stein as Vivian, one of Midge's coworkers at B. Altman
• Wakeema Hollis as Harriet, one of Midge's coworkers at B. Altman
• David Bluvband as Virgil
• Joanna Glushak as Mrs. O'Toole, the floor supervisor at B. Altman
• Justine Lupe as Astrid, Noah's wife and Midge's sister-in-law. She is very insecure about the fact that she was not born Jewish.
• Patrick O'Neill as Oz
• David Paymer as Harry Drake, a successful manager of comedians with clients including Sophie Lennon.
• Brandon Uranowitz as Buzz Goldberg, the entertainment director at the Steiner Mountain Resort
• Jacob Kemp as Samuel, the Weissmans' staff helper at Steiner Mountain Resort.
• Jill Abramovitz as Stevie
• Barbara Malley as Goldie, a hairdresser at the Steiner Mountain Resort beauty salon
• Chris Chirdon as Don
• Peggy J. Scott as Verla
• Logan Riley Bruner as Lance
• Andrew Polk as Fred, an agent that Susie networks with for booking gigs with Midge
• David Aaron Baker as Charles Connelly, Abe's boss at Bell Labs
• Karl Miller as Devlin McClane, a colleague on Abe's research team at Bell Labs
• Mary Testa as Drina Romanoff, a psychic that Rose frequents, until she leaves for the Bronx.
• Frank L. Ridley as Sal
• Cheryl Stern as Ida Ettenberg, Benjamin's mother
• Nolan Gerard Funk as Josh, captain of the lifeguards at Steiner Mountain Resort
• Laura Dreyfuss as Deecy, a staffer at Steiner Mountain Resort
• Teddy Coluca as Manny, a worker at Maisel & Roth
• John Scurti as Nicky
• Max Casella as Michael Kessler, Midge's lawyer and a former activist acquaintance of Abe's.
• Katrina Lenk as Cosma, a psychic that replaces Drina whom Rose begins to see
• Christopher Fitzgerald as Bobby
• Leroy McClain as Shy Baldwin, a singer who gives Midge her big break to be his opening act
• Sterling K. Brown as Reggie, Shy Baldwin's manager
• Stephanie Hsu as Mei Lin, a mysterious Chinese woman who has connections to an illegal gambling ring underneath Joel's new club
• Cary Elwes as Gavin Hawk, Sophie Lennon's co-star in Miss Julie.
• Jason Alexander as Asher Friedman

Episodes

Season	Episodes		Originally released
			First released	Last released
1	8		March 17, 2017 (2017-03-17)	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
2	10		December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
3	8		December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)

Season 1 (2017)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	1	"Pilot"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	March 17, 2017 (2017-03-17)
In 1958 New York City, Miriam "Midge" Maisel is a young, contented Jewish American housewife living on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Married for four years to Joel, who works at his uncle's plastics company, she enjoys a busy social life while raising her son and baby daughter. She also facilitates her untalented husband's dream of becoming a stand-up comic at The Gaslight Cafe, considering it their shared hobby. When Joel upends their idyllic life by leaving Midge for his secretary, her parents, Abe and Rose (Weissman), believe it must be Midge's failure. Midge drunkenly goes to the Gaslight in her nightgown and gets on stage. She unloads her misery onto the audience, entertaining them with her spontaneous performance. After baring her breasts and performing without a cabaret license, Midge lands in a police car with comedian Lenny Bruce, who was arrested for using obscenity in his act. Susie Meyerson, the manager at The Gaslight, bails Midge out, later telling her she has a natural talent. The next morning, Midge bails out Lenny Bruce.
2	2	"Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge and Joel's breakup upsets the Weismans and the Maisels. In an effort to calm everyone, Midge invites her parents, her in-laws, Moishe and Shirley, and Joel to dinner at her apartment. Susie meets with Midge and encourages her to perform comedy, but Midge insists she will never get on stage again. Conflict erupts during the dinner and Joel's father announces that he plans to evict Midge and the children from her and Joel's apartment which he says he owns. Midge, upset, leaves and returns to the Gaslight where she performs again and is arrested a second time for obscene language.
3	3	"Because You Left"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge, in jail again, is bailed out by Lenny Bruce. Midge starts performing at the Gaslight, leaving her unknowing parents baffled by their daughter's new single life and late-night hours. Midge and Susie hire a lawyer to address Midge's arrests, but in court, Midge clashes with the judge and is found in contempt and put in jail until she pays a $200 fine. She calls Joel, who agrees to pay the fine without knowing what Midge did. Meanwhile, Joel's father, Moishe, accepts Abe's offer to buy half of Midge and Joel's apartment. Midge joins Lenny Bruce at the Village Vanguard, where she does a short set. Susie visits the Friars Club to talk with Harry Drake (played by David Paymer) about Midge's career. Joel wants to give their marriage another try but Midge turns him down.
4	4	"The Disappointment of the Dionne Quintuplets"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
When Joel and Midge's apartment is put on the market, Midge moves in with Abe and Rose. Abe, wanting to read, demands the TV be turned off when Midge's son, Ethan, is watching Howdy Doody. Midge suggests Abe buy a second TV for her room. Midge takes Ethan to visit Joel at his fancy new apartment, discovering he shares it with Penny Pann, his secretary/mistress. Midge is furious that he is living a nearly identical life as when they were married. Susie takes Midge to a used record store, owned by Virgil and Oz, to listen to buy underground comedy records. Susie also takes Midge to different clubs to study other comics, including Red Skelton. Midge wants her and Susie to be friends, but Susie only wants a professional relationship. Midge keeps her budding comedy career secret from her family, but when she arrives home particularly late, Abe and Rose are angry. When Abe says he will not buy her a TV, Miriam decides to get a job so she can buy one herself.
5	5	"Doink"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Daniel Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge lands a job at B. Altman in the cosmetics counter. Performing at the Gaslight, Midge fails to get laughs for the first time. She hires comedy writer, Herb Smith (Wallace Shawn), but when she bombs even worse using his material, tells Susie she wants to give up on stand-up career. Meanwhile, Joel takes Penny Pann to meet his parents, who are charming but consider her unsuitable for Joel. Joel's coworker, Archie, cancels a double date with Joel and Penny to a Broadway show, giving awkward excuses about why he and his wife (Midge's close friend), Imogene, are unable to attend. Midge attends a party with her work friends and entertains the guests with an impromptu comic routine. Susie stares unhappily at the telephone she bought to be Midge's agent.
6	6	"Mrs. X at the Gaslight"	Scott Ellis	Sheila Lawrence	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge regularly entertains (unpaid) at parties hosted by her new B. Altman friends, performing alongside Randall (played by Nate Corddry), a comic who later introduces her to his William Morris agent. Abe, a Columbia University professor, is recruited to join Bell Labs. To celebrate, Midge, her parents, and Midge's brother, Noah, and his wife, Astrid, (a gentile who converted to Judaism to ingratiate herself to the Weissmans) have dinner at a Chinese restaurant. However, the occasion is marred by Joel and Penny Pann, who happen to be there. Joel apologizes, then notices Midge no longer wears her wedding ring. Susie sternly tells Midge to quit entertaining at parties for free and start seriously pursuing a comedy career. She is angry that Midge met with the William Morris agent. Midge tearfully apologizes but insists that Susie needs to be supportive if they are to be professional partners. The two reconcile and agree to formalize their partnership. As the episode ends, Virgil and Oz from the record store are seen laughing at a tape of Midge's earlier comic performances. Not knowing her name, they label the tape as, "Mrs. X at the Gaslight," intending to sell it.
7	7	"Put That On Your Plate!"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge hones her comedy act and tries out different stage names while Susie works to get Midge to open for comedian Sophie Lennon. At work, Joel's ideas lead to promotion and a big raise. Abe brings home a surprise dinner guest—a divorce attorney. Rose is furious when Abe informs her that Midge refused to reconcile with Joel. Rose seeks consolation from Drina, her psychic, but Drina has vanished, replaced by "Madame Cosma." Joel, who has broken up with Penny Pann, tells Abe that he can now afford to support Midge and the children, though Abe notes there would be little left for Joel to live on. Midge visits Sophie Lennon (played by Jane Lynch), discovering that the beloved comedian "from Queens" is really a rich and arrogant graduate of Yale University. Onstage "Sophie" is a gimmick character in a fat suit and says female comics need a fake persona to succeed. As Midge leaves, Sophie forces a slightly used mink coat on her. Rose loudly demands to know where Midge got the coat when Midge meets them at synagogue. Later, at the Gaslight, Midge lampoons expectations imposed on female comedians, and ridicules Sophie Lennon, exposing her act in the process. Sophie's agent Harry Drake, in the audience to watch Midge perform, is furious, and tells the terrified Susie, "You're on my bad side!"
8	8	"Thank You and Good Night"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
At a bar, Susie and Midge get drunk and worry that Harry Drake will sabotage Midge's career after Midge lambasted Sophie Lennon in her act. The next day, a hungover Midge hosts Ethan's birthday party where she reconnects with Joel. They end up sleeping together in her childhood bedroom. It appears they may reconcile, but after Joel overhears a bootleg tape of Midge's boozy first Gaslight act while at Virgil and Oz's record store, he storms out upset. During a big company meeting, a deflated Joel announces he is quitting. Meanwhile, Midge has been blacklisted from most New York clubs. Susie begs Lenny Bruce to perform at the Gaslight to draw in crowds and help Midge. He agrees, and Midge's opening act is a huge hit. Joel shows up at the Gaslight and watches Midge's act. Stung by her unflattering comments about their marriage, he argues with Susie then dejectedly leaves the Gaslight. Outside, he attacks a heckler while proclaiming that Midge is great. Midge ends the act by introducing herself as, "Mrs. Maisel."

Season 2 (2018)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
9	1	"Simone"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
After Penny Pan makes a scene at B. Altman blaming Midge for Joel leaving her, Midge is demoted to switchboard operator in the basement. When an unhappy Rose makes an impromptu move to Paris, Midge and Abe follow to persuade her to return home. Susie is abducted by hoodlums working for Harry Drake as retaliation for Midge's dissing Sophie Lennon during her act. Susie makes friends with them, and they let her go, warning that other thugs may come looking for her.
10	2	"Mid-way to Mid-Town"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge lands a gig at a comedy show, but learns how difficult it is for female comics to be taken seriously. After the male comics demean her, she hilariously retaliates during her act. Meanwhile, in Paris, Rose and Abe acclimate to Parisian life while reconnecting with one another. Abe eventually convinces Rose to return home. Back in New York, Joel, temporarily living with his parents, discovers several devious goings-on behind the scenes at Maisel & Roth, though his stubborn parents resist his findings and proposed solutions. Joel deflects Midge's attempts to reconcile.
11	3	"The Punishment Room"	Scott Ellis	Daniel Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge gets a temporary promotion from switchboard operator to coat check girl, though things quickly go awry. She also helps plan a friend's wedding but discovers how much she has changed when she impulsively gives a risque speech at the couples' reception. Abe pulls strings for Rose to audit art classes at Columbia, though she receives a shock at the first session.
12	4	"We're Going to the Catskills!"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
The Weissmans depart for their annual two-month vacation at Steiner's Resort in the Catskill Mountains. Joel and the Maisels are also vacationing there. Susie follows Midge to the resort, posing as a staff person while working to book Midge comedy gigs in the area. Joel inadvertently discovers Abe's secret early-morning exercise routine, embarrassing his father-in-law. Midge is uncomfortable with her parents maneuvering her into meeting Benjamin Ettenberg, an eligible New York doctor staying at the resort.
13	5	"Midnight at the Concord"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge rushes back to New York when B. Altman calls, needing a temporary fill-in at the cosmetic counter. She also begins dating Benjamin despite her original misgivings. She returns to the Catskills to perform at a hotel, discovering during her act that Abe is in the audience.
14	6	"Let's Face the Music and Dance"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Tension between Abe and Midge increases after his discovery that she is a stand-up comedian. Joel continues adjusting to renewed bachelorhood. Susie becomes overly immersed in her Steiner resort persona.
15	7	"Look, She Made a Hat"	Jamie Babbit	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge receives a proposition from a well-known but eccentric artist after Benjamin introduces her to New York's art world. A Yom Kippur dinner on the anniversary of her and Joel's separation is filled with tension. Susie needs to raise funds for her and Midge to go on a short comedy tour. Somewhat out of desperation, she turns to her dysfunctional family for help.
16	8	"Someday..."	Jamie Babbit	Kate Fodor	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge and Susie hit the road on a short comedy tour, traveling in a vintage Model A Ford that Susie "inherited" from her mother. They soon find touring is harder than expected. Joel intervenes on Midge's behalf when a club owner refuses to pay her. Knowing it is still business as usual in New York leaves Midge wondering if comic success is worth personal and family sacrifice.
17	9	"Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Midge's first television appearance on a fundraising telethon is marred when she and Susie discover that Sophie Lennon is also appearing. They worry that Sophie is still retaliating against Midge, unnerving Midge and enraging Susie, who angrily confronts Sophie. Joel becomes overly immersed in turning Maisel & Roth around. Joel's father offers him $60,000 to leave the company to instead pursue something he really wants to do in life. Joel considers opening a club. Abe is not as happy at Bell Labs as he originally thought he would be. After a still vengeful Sophie uses her influence to bump Midge the latest time slot on the telethon, Midge turns a "punishment" into a huge hit.
18	10	"All Alone"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Rose visits her psychic who "sees" Midge in front of a large audience, which Rose assumes is a wedding. A flashback shows Joel proposing to Midge (without first asking her father for permission). Meanwhile, Benjamin asks for Abe's permission to marry Midge, despite her still being married to Joel. Abe requires that Ben provide relatively intrusive personal details before deciding. Abe wants to quit Bell Labs and Columbia University to return to social activism. Sophie Lennon wants Susie to become her manager, saying no one fights for her the way Susie does for Midge. After seeing Midge perform, singing star Shy Baldwin asks her to open his six-month tour in the US and Europe; she immediately accepts. After being pulled offstage for discussing pregnancy, a dejected Midge encounters Lenny Bruce in a bar. Lenny, equally dejected and nearly broke, says there are arrest warrants out for him (for obscene language in his act). Midge goes with Lenny when he performs on Steve Allen's TV show, but his "All Alone" routine incites fears that she will end up successful but alone. Meanwhile, Abe gives his approval for Midge and Benjamin to marry. Midge goes to see Joel after Lenny's show, saying she needs to spend the night with someone who loves her.

Season 3 (2019)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
19	1	"Strike Up the Band"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
20	2	"It's the Sixties, Man!"	Dan Attias	Daniel Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
21	3	"Panty Pose"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
22	4	"Hands!"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
23	5	"It's Comedy or Cabbage"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
24	6	"Kind of Bleu"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
The Weissmans escape the Maisels' noisily casual lifestyle for awhile by visiting Midge in Miami. Joel's liquor license situation stirs an argument with Mei that seems to break them up. Midge helps Shy Baldwin after a nasty scrape including keeping a secret that could ruin Shy's career if it's exposed. After visiting an old friend blacklisted early in the 1950s, Abe writes of the injustice and The New York Times publishes it.
25	7	"Marvelous Radio"	Daniel Palladino	Daniel Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
Between legs of the Shy Baldwin tour, Midge back in New York takes on a series of radio voice-over gigs that run from amusing to annoying and not just because of strange pay. Abe is beyond thrilled when his article is published. Joel and Mei reconcile on the threshold of his club's grand opening. The Maisels celebrate the bris of Astrid's baby. Susie's gambling habit worsens. Abe is attacked on the street by someone who objected to his article but he accepts it as a sign what he writes affects people---especially when it leads to an unexpected job offer.
26	8	"A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo…"	Amy Sherman-Palladino	Amy Sherman-Palladino	December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)
Midge and Joel disagree whether they can afford to send Ethan and Esther to a tony Manhattan private school. Joel's club's grand opening is a hit, but a subsequent problem forces the band offstage. Midge saves the night with an impromptu performance. Moishe agrees to sell the former Weissman apartment back to Midge---who posts her contract for the Baldwin tour as collateral. Susie's gambling costs her Midge's earnings, driving Susie to desperation trying to re-claim the money through insurance fraud. Susie later meets with Joe to appoint him as sole manager of future revenue, believing that he still loves Midge and will handle her money responsibly. Midge is stunned to be billed ahead of African-American comedy legend Moms Mabley (Wanda Sykes) on Shy's big showcase at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater. She asks Shy's manager Reggie nervously what to do, and accepts Reggie's suggestion to talk about Shy. Her improvised routine about Shy wins over the tough Apollo audience---but gets her kicked off the Baldwin tour due to how close the jokes strayed to Baldwin’s homosexuality.

Production

Development

In developing the series, Amy Sherman-Palladino was inspired by childhood memories of her father, a standup comedian based in NYC, and an admiration for early female comics such as Joan Rivers and Totie Fields.

On June 6, 2016, it was confirmed that Amazon had given the production a pilot order. The pilot episode was written by Sherman-Palladino, who also served as executive producer. On March 2, 2017, it was reported that the pilot would premiere as a part of Amazon's Spring 2017 pilot season on March 17, 2017. On April 10, 2017, Amazon gave the production a series order consisting of two seasons. The series was confirmed to be executive produced by Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino with Dhana Gilbert serving as a producer. On October 10, 2017, it was reported that the series would premiere on November 29, 2017.

On May 20, 2018, Amazon renewed the series for a third season which will consist of eight episodes. On October 24, 2018, it was announced that the second season would premiere on December 5, 2018. On August 19, 2019, the release of the third season was announced for December 6, 2019.

Casting

On August 5, 2016, Rachel Brosnahan was cast in the pilot's lead role. In September 2016, it was reported that Tony Shalhoub and Michael Zegen had joined the pilot's main cast. On October 6, 2016, Marin Hinkle was cast in one of the pilot's main roles. In May 2017, it was reported that Joel Johnstone, Caroline Aaron, Kevin Pollak, and Bailey De Young were set to appear in recurring roles.

On May 23, 2018, Zachary Levi was announced to appear in the second season in a recurring capacity. On August 15, 2018, it was reported that Jane Lynch would reprise her role of Sophie Lennon in recurring capacity in season two.

On April 15, 2019, it was announced that Sterling K. Brown will appear in the third season in an undisclosed role. The October 14, 2019 release of the season's teaser trailer revealed that Liza Weil would also play an undisclosed character.

Filming

Principal photography for the pilot took place from September 27 to October 14, 2016 in Manhattan. On October 4 and 5, 2016, filming took place at 96 St. Marks Place where exterior shots were being filmed. Residents of the building used for filming were reportedly unhappy about the disruption that the production would cause.

Design

The "apartment" where Midge and her husband Joel live was created on the same set as the apartment where Midge's parents live, but with more modern (late-1950s) design, inspired in part by Doris Day movies, according to production designer Bill Groom. The retro looking typeface used for the main title is called Sparkly and was designed by Stuart Sandler of Font Diner.

Release

The pop-up restaurant modeled after Carnegie Deli.

Marketing

On October 10, 2017, the official trailer for the first season was released. On August 9, 2018, a teaser trailer for the second season was released. On October 24, 2018, the official trailer for season two was released. From December 1–8, 2018, Amazon opened up a pop-up restaurant in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood modeled after Carnegie Deli as it appeared during the 1950s. The restaurant served a menu much more limited than what was actually offered at the original deli with the only two sandwich options being "The Maisel" and "The Susie." Other items offered included mini knishes, black and white cookies, cheesecake, and pickles. As the restaurant was purely for promotional purposes, nothing on the menu cost more than 99 cents, and all the proceeds went to support the Lower Eastside Girls Club.

In August 2019, to promote the show for the upcoming 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Amazon partnered with various businesses in and around Santa Monica, California, to provide goods and services at 1959 prices. The offer to sell gasoline at $0.30 per gallon led to long queues and traffic jams in front of the gas station that offered the promotion, forcing police to intervene.

Premiere

On November 13, 2017, the series held its official premiere at the Village East Cinema in New York City.

Reception

Critical response

Season		Critical response
		Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic
	1	94% (81 reviews)	89 (27 reviews)
	2	91% (70 reviews)	85 (24 reviews)
	3	81% (42 reviews)	75 (19 reviews)

Season 1

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 94% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.43 out of 10 based on 81 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an upbeat addition to Amazon's original offerings, propelled by a playful yet poignant performance by Rachel Brosnahan." On Metacritic, the series has an average weighted score of 80 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

The pilot episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was one of Amazon Video's most successful ever, achieving an average viewer rating of 4.9 (out of 5). The review of the pilot in The Guardian praised the combination of Sherman-Palladino's "banging dialogue and the utterly winning charm of Brosnahan", while The A.V. Club praised the "outstanding" production design and said "this is a series that's as confident as its heroine—and what a heroine she is." A critic for Slate called the episode "a knockout", stating that the stand-up element "introduces a welcome streak of discipline, both verbal and thematic, into Sherman-Palladino's charming but manic work."

The Jerusalem Post highlighted the exceptionally well done "Jewishness" of the work, calling it a "comedic delight of a show, combining Sherman-Palladino's knack for witty dialogue with the colorful, rich world of 1950s New York and the intensity of family drama and changing times." NPR similarly highlighted the effectiveness of the comedy in the show, calling it "a heroic fantasy."

Season 2

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds a 91% approval rating, with an average rating of 8.25 out of 10 based on 70 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Like Midge herself, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel charges full speed ahead in a second season brimming with warmth, empowerment, and a whole lot of laughs." Metacritic assigned the season a score of 85 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Season 3

On Rotten Tomatoes, the third season holds an 81% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.71 out of 10 based on 42 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "As visually spectacular as ever, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's banter and pace still fly with comedic fury – but shallow social commentary and wandering storylines highlight the show's increasingly superficial tendencies." Metacritic assigned the season a score of 75 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
2018	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
		Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Comedy Series	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
		Best Actress in a Comedy Series	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
		Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Nominated
	Producers Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Comedy	Amy Sherman‐Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Dhana Rivera Gilbert & Sheila Lawrence	Won
	Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a Comedy Series	Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "Pilot")	Nominated
	Costume Designers Guild Awards	Excellence in Period Television	Donna Zakowska	Nominated
	Location Managers Guild Awards	Outstanding Locations in Period Television	Amanda Foley-Burbank & Jose Guerrero	Nominated
	Peabody Award	Entertainment, children's and youth honoree	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
	Television Critics Association Awards	Individual Achievement in Comedy	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Comedy Series	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Tony Shalhoub	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Won
		Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series	Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "Pilot")	Won
		Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series		Won
	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series	Jane Lynch (for "Put That on Your Plate!")	Nominated
		Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series	Meredith Tucker, Jeanie Bacharach & Cindy Tolan	Won
		Outstanding Cinematography for a Single Camera Series	M. David Mullen (for "Pilot")	Nominated
		Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single Camera Series	Francesca Paris, Christine Cantrell, Cassie Hurd & Reo Anderson (for "Pilot")	Nominated
		Outstanding Music Supervision	Robin Urdang, Amy Sherman-Palladino & Daniel Palladino (for "Pilot")	Won
		Outstanding Period Costumes	Donna Zakowska, Marina Rei, Ginnie Patton & Sheila Grover (for "The Disappointment of the Dionne Quintuplets")	Nominated
		Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)	Bill Groom, Neil Prince & Ellen Christiansen (for "Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme")	Nominated
		Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series	Brian A. Kates (for "Pilot")	Won
	People's Choice Awards	The Bingeworthy Show of 2018	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Shortlisted
	American Film Institute Awards	Top 10 TV Programs of the Year	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
2019	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Nominated
		Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
		Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film	Alex Borstein	Nominated
	Dorian Awards	TV Comedy of the Year	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Nominated
		TV Performance of the Year – Actress	Rachel Brosnahan	Nominated
	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Comedy Series	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Won
		Best Actress in a Comedy Series	Rachel Brosnahan	Won
		Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Tony Shalhoub	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Won
	Producers Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Comedy	Amy Sherman‐Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Dhana Rivera Gilbert & Sheila Lawrence	Won
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Caroline Aaron, Alex Borstein, Rachel Brosnahan, Marin Hinkle, Zachary Levi, Kevin Pollak, Tony Shalhoub, Brian Tarantina & Michael Zegen	Won
		Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series	Tony Shalhoub	Won
		Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Nominated
			Rachel Brosnahan	Won
	Artios Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Pilot & First Season – Comedy	Jeanie Bacharach, Cindy Tolan, Anne Davison (Associate) & Betsy Fippinger (Associate)	Won
	American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards	Best Edited Comedy Series for Non-Commercial Television	Kate Sanford (for "Simone")	Won
			Tim Streeto (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
	Art Directors Guild Awards	Excellence in Production Design for a One-Hour Period or Fantasy Single-Camera Series	Bill Groom (for "Simone" & "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Won
	Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series	Daniel Palladino (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
			Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "All Alone")	Nominated
	American Society of Cinematographers Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for a Movie, Miniseries, or Pilot for Television	M. David Mullen (for "Pilot")	Nominated
	Cinema Audio Society Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Television Series – One Hour	Mathew Price, Ron Bochar, Michael Miller, David Boulton & Steven Visscher (for "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy")	Won
	Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards	Television Series, Television Mini Series or Television New Media Series – Best Period and/or Character Make-up	Patricia Regan, Claus Lulla & Joseph A. Campayno	Won
		Television Series, Television Mini Series or Television New Media Series – Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling	Jerry DeCarlo, John Jordan & Peg Schierholz	Won
	Golden Reel Awards	Broadcast Media Longform Music / Musical	Annette Kudrak (for "We're Going to the Catskills")	Won
	Writers Guild of America Awards	Television: Comedy Series	Kate Fodor, Noah Gardenswartz, Jen Kirkman, Sheila Lawrence, Daniel Palladino & Amy Sherman-Palladino	Won
	Costume Designers Guild Awards	Excellence in Period Television	Donna Zakowska	Won
	Television Critics Association Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Comedy	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Nominated
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Comedy Series	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series	Rachel Brosnahan	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Tony Shalhoub	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Won
			Marin Hinkle	Nominated
		Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series	Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "All Alone")	Nominated
			Daniel Palladino (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series	Luke Kirby (for "All Alone")	Won
			Rufus Sewell (for "Look, She Made a Hat")	Nominated
		Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series	Jane Lynch (for "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy")	Won
		Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series	Cindy Tolan	Nominated
		Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour)	M. David Mullen (for "Simone")	Won
		Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single Camera Series	Jerry DeCarlo, Jon Jordan, Peg Schierholz, Christine Cantrell & Sabana Majeed (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Won
		Outstanding Make-up for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)	Patricia Regan, Joseph Campayno & Claus Lulla (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
		Outstanding Music Supervision	Robin Urdang, Amy Sherman-Palladino & Daniel Palladino (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Won
		Outstanding Period Costumes	Donna Zakowska, Marina Reti & Tim McKelvey (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Won
		Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)	Bill Groom, Neil Prince & Ellen Christiansen (for "Simone" & "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
		Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series	Kate Sanford (for "Simone")	Nominated
			Tim Streeto (for "We're Going to the Catskills!")	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)	Ron Bochar, Mathew Price, David Bolton & George A. Lara (for "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy")	Nominated
2020	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Pending
		Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy	Rachel Brosnahan	Pending
	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Comedy Series	The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel	Pending
		Best Actress in a Comedy Series	Rachel Brosnahan	Pending
		Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Pending
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Caroline Aaron, Alex Borstein, Rachel Brosnahan, Marin Hinkle, Stephanie Hsu, Joel Johnstone, Jane Lynch, Leroy McClain, Kevin Pollak, Tony Shalhoub, Matilda Szydagis, Brian Tarantina & Michael Zegen	Pending
		Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series	Tony Shalhoub	Pending
		Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series	Alex Borstein	Pending
			Rachel Brosnahan	Pending
	Writers Guild of America Awards	Television: Comedy Series	Kate Fodor, Noah Gardenswartz, Daniel Goldfarb, Alison Leiby, Daniel Palladino, Sono Patel, Amy Sherman-Palladino & Jordan Temple	Pending
		Television: Episodic Comedy	Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "It's Comedy or Cabbage")	Pending

External links

• Official website
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel at IMDb