The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
MarvelousMrsMaisel.png
Genre
Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino
Starring
Composer(s)
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 8 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Dhana Gilbert
  • Matthew Shapiro
  • Salvatore Carino
Location(s) New York City
Cinematography M. David Mullen
Running time 46–61 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Amazon
Release
Original network Amazon Video
Picture format 4K (UHDTV)
Audio format 5.1 Dolby Digital
Original release March 17, 2017 (2017-03-17) – present
External links
Website

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an American period comedy-drama television series, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Rachel Brosnahan. Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino serve as executive producers. The series follows a housewife in 1958 New York City who discovers she has a knack for stand-up comedy. The series's pilot premiered as a part of Amazon Studios' spring pilot season on March 17, 2017, to critical acclaim, and was picked up by Amazon for a two-season order on April 10, 2017.[1] The series was picked up for a third season on May 20, 2018, before the second season had aired.[2]

The first season was released on November 29, 2017,[3][4] to generally favorable reviews.[5] The series has won two Golden Globe Awards (Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy for Brosnahan) and received three nominations with two wins at the Critics' Choice Television Awards (won Best Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Brosnahan while Alex Borstein received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series).[6][7]

The series includes fictional depictions of several prominent comedians, including Lenny Bruce and Bob Newhart, and drew inspiration from trailblazing female comedians like Joan Rivers and Totie Fields.[8][9]

The retro looking typeface used for the main title is called Sparkly and was designed by Stuart Sandler of Font Diner.[10]

Plot[edit]

Miriam "Midge" Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is a Jewish housewife living in New York City in 1958. Her husband, Joel, is a businessman who moonlights as a struggling comedian at The Gaslight Cafe. Midge supports Joel, providing feedback about his sets, but becomes disillusioned when she discovers that Joel has stolen one of his best routines from Bob Newhart.

One night, after a particularly unsuccessful performance, Joel confesses to Midge that he has been having an affair and leaves her. Midge goes to her parents for support but instead receives criticism for choosing to marry Joel and also the demand to persuade Joel to return.

After drinking too much wine, Midge returns to the Gaslight Cafe and impulsively goes on stage, delivering an impromptu set about her predicament which the audience finds hilarious. After baring her breasts in an attempt to demonstrate how attractive she is, Midge is arrested and taken to jail for indecent exposure and performing without a cabaret license.

The squad car contains another comedian who was also arrested: Lenny Bruce (Luke Kirby). Midge, who had seen Lenny perform, returns to jail the next morning to bail him out and ask him if he loves performing stand-up comedy. Bruce warns Midge that the comedy business is terrible, but Midge takes his warning as encouragement and teams with Susie (Alex Borstein), a comedy club employee, to hone her act.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main[edit]

Recurring[edit]

  • Kevin Pollak as Moishe Maisel,[16] Joel's father
  • Caroline Aaron as Shirley Maisel,[17] Joel's mother
  • Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce, a well-known New York City comedian
  • Bailey De Young as Imogene Cleary,[16] Midge's best friend
  • Joel Johnstone as Archie Cleary, Imogene's husband and Joel's coworker
  • Brian Tarantina as Jackie, emcee at The Gaslight
  • Holly Curran as Penny Pann, Joel's former secretary and girlfriend
  • Matilda Szydagis as Zelda, the Weissmans' live-in maid
  • Cynthia Darlow as Mrs. Moskowitz, Joel's secretary and Penny's replacement
  • Nunzio and Matteo Pascale as Ethan Maisel, Midge and Joel's eldest child.
  • Zachary Levi[18]

Guest[edit]

  • Wallace Shawn as Herb Smith, a hack comedy writer who Midge briefly hires after she bombs a set.
  • Jane Lynch as Sophie Lennon, a successful stand-up comic who relies on shticky gimmicks about her life in Queens and her frumpy appearance. In actuality, she is a rich aristocrat with refined taste and wears a fat suit on stage.
  • Gilbert Gottfried as the emcee at a strip club where Midge and Joel first see Lenny Bruce perform.
  • Nate Corddry as Randall, an amateur comedian who does improvisational skits with Midge at parties.
  • Max Casella as Michael Kessler, Midge's lawyer.

Episodes[edit]

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 Manhattan, Miriam "Midge" Maisel is a contented, young, Jewish, Upper West Side housewife who has been married for four years. She occupies herself with raising her son and daughter and facilitating her untalented husband's dream of becoming a stand-up comedian at The Gaslight Cafe. When her reality is threatened by his decision to leave her for his secretary, she drunkenly discovers that she herself possesses a previously unrealized talent for stand-up comedy. Arrested for baring her breasts onstage, Midge finds herself in a police car with Lenny Bruce. Susie bails Midge out, and 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)
Joel breaks the news of the separation to his father. Both Midge's and Joel's parents are unhappy about the breakup. To make people happier, Midge invites all four parents plus Joel to dinner at her apartment. Conflict erupts. After Joel's father reveals that he plans to evict Midge and the children from their apartment, Midge leaves her own dinner party to go back to the Gaslight, where she performs again and is arrested again.
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's parents, who were babysitting her kids until 1:30 a.m. are baffled about Midge's new life. Midge and Susie engage a lawyer. But in court, Midge clashes with the judge and needs to ask Joel for money to pay her fine, which he agrees to do. Meanwhile, Midge's father Abe visits Joel's father Moishe to ask if he can share the cost to keep the apartment where Midge and the children are living, and Moishe agrees. Midge joins Lenny Bruce at the Village Vanguard, where she does a short set. Susie visits the Friars Club to talk with Harry Gray about managing Midge. Joel asks Miriam to give their marriage another go, but she says no.
4 4 "The Disappointment of the Dionne Quintuplets" Amy Sherman-Palladino Amy Sherman-Palladino November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge moves in with her parents. Abe wants to turn off TV where Ethan is watching Howdy Doody, Midge suggests she could have TV in her room where she could also watch Jack Paar, but Abe is reluctant. Midge takes Ethan to visit Joel in his new apartment, which she discovers he shares with Penny Pan. Susie takes Midge to comedy record store (where she buys a record by Redd Foxx,) and to many clubs where they see comics perform, including Red Skelton. Midge wants to be friends with Susie, but Susie claims she just wants a professional relationship. When Midge gets home late, Abe angrily says he won't buy her a TV. Miriam decides she needs to get a job.
5 5 "Doink" Amy Sherman-Palladino Daniel Palladino November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge applies for a job running elevators at B. Altman, but is hired instead to makeup department. But at the Gaslight, Midge has her first experience in failing to get laughs. She decides to try hiring a comedy writer: Herb Smith (played by Wallace Shawn.) When Midge performs jokes Herb Smith sent her, she bombs even worse (they are terrible jokes) and tells Susie she'll give up on comedy. Meanwhile, Joel takes Penny Pann to meet his parents, who are charming to her but agree, "No." Also Archie cancels a double date to go with Joel and Penny to see Broadway show The Music Man with Imogene observing Archie calling to cancel, clearly not sick as he claimed. Midge goes to party with her makeup counter friends and has a great time making people laugh. Susie stares unhappily at the telephone she bought in order to be Midge's agent.
6 6 "Mrs. X at the Gaslight" Scott Ellis Sheila R. Lawrence November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge entertains (unpaid) at parties hosted by her new B. Altman friends. She meets and briefly performs with male comic Randall (Nate Cordrry), who later introduces her to his agent from William Morris. Columbia University professor Abe is recruited to join Bell Labs. Midge's brother Noah and his wife Astrid (a gentile who enthusiastically converted to Judaism to impress the unbothered Weissmans) visit to join in the celebration. But when Midge's family goes out to celebrate at a Chinese restaurant, the occasion is spoiled because Joel and Penny Pann are in the same restaurant. Joel apologizes to Midge before noticing that she no longer wears her wedding and engagement rings. When Midge visits Susie at her apartment, Susie bluntly tells Midge that they are in a partnership and Midge doesn't require a man to be a successful comic. Midge tearfully apologizes yet insists that Susie needs to support Midge personally if they're going to be professional partners, and the two reconcile. As the episode ends, Virgil and Oz are shown from above enjoying a tape of Midge's earlier comic performances. Not knowing her name, they label the tape they have "Mrs. X at the Gaslight."
7 7 "Put That On Your Plate!" Daniel Palladino Daniel Palladino November 29, 2017 (2017-11-29)
Midge hones her comedy act. At work, Joel's ideas win him fans. Susie tries to get Midge a chance to open for comedienne Sophie Lennon. Abe brings home a surprise dinner guest--a divorce attorney. Rose is furious, and not consoled when Abe confesses that Joel already tried to come back but Midge turned him away. Rose seeks consolation from Drina, but Drina has vanished, replaced by "Madame Cosma." Joel tells Abe that, with his new promotion, he can pay for everything Midge might want. Midge visits Sophie Lennon, discovering that the beloved comedienne "from Queens" is really a rich and arrogant graduate of Yale University. Onstage "Sophie" is a gimmick, wearing a fat suit. The real Sophie tells Midge that women can't succeed without gimmicks. As Midge leaves to meet her parents in synagogue, Sophie forces a mink coat on her for a parting gift. In synagogue, Rose loudly demands to know where the mink coat came from. Later, at the Gaslight, Midge lampoons expectations imposed on women, and makes fun of Sophie Lennon. Sophie's agent Harry, in the audience to hear 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)
Susie and Midge in bar, drink (too much), upset by Harry's war on them. Next day, hungover Midge hosts birthday party for her son, where she reconnects to Joel and ends up sleeping with him in her childhood room. Joel still wears his wedding ring, and never considered taking it off. In the morning, Joel leaves via the window, but at big company meeting announces that he wants to quit. Midge's "shit gig" at stripper show is canceled because of Harry. Susie begs Lennie Bruce to come back to Gaslight to help Midge, which he does. Midge's set is great hit, and at the end she introduces herself as "Mrs. Maisel."

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 96% based on 67 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. 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."[19] On Metacritic the series has an average weighted score of 80 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[5]

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).[3] The review of the pilot in The Guardian praised the "combination of [Sherman-Palladino's] banging dialogue and the utterly winning charm of Brosnahan",[20] while The AV 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. Midge is already layered, conflicted, hilarious, and charming."[21] 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."[22]

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."[23] NPR similarly highlighted the effectiveness of the comedy in the show, writing "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel isn't aiming for realism. It's a heroic fantasy. And Midge's humor, one might say, is the ultimate version of staircase wit. Recklessly honest, she says what female comedians would've said half a century ago — if they had only been free to say it."[24]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2018 Costume Designers Guild Awards Excellence in Period Television Donna Zakowska Nominated [25]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Comedy Series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Won [26]
Best Actress in a Comedy Series Rachel Brosnahan Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Alex Borstein Nominated
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a Comedy Series Amy Sherman-Palladino (for "Pilot") Nominated [27]
Golden Globe Awards Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Won [28][29][30][31]
Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Rachel Brosnahan Won [32][33][34][35]
Location Managers Guild Awards Outstanding Locations in Period Television Amanda Foley-Burbank, Jose Guerrero Nominated [36]
Peabody Award Entertainment, children's and youth honoree The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Won [37]
Producers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Won [38]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 10, 2017). "Gilmore Girls Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Snags 2-Season Order at Amazon". TVLine. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  2. ^ Littleton, Cynthia. "'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Renewed for Season Three by Amazon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2018. 
  3. ^ a b "Amy Sherman-Palladino & Daniel Palladino Ink Amazon Studios Overall Deal". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2017. 
  4. ^ Highfill, Samantha (October 10, 2017). "Amazon reveals premiere date for Amy Sherman-Palladino's 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'". EW.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017. 
  5. ^ a b "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2017. 
  6. ^ Chow, Andrew R. (December 11, 2017). "2018 Golden Globes: List of Nominees". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 11, 2017. 
  7. ^ Nolfi, Joey (January 11, 2018). "Critics' Choice Awards winners 2018: Full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2018. 
  8. ^ "Rachel Brosnahan on how 'trailblazer' Joan Rivers inspired Marvelous Mrs Maisel". Metro. November 29, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017. 
  9. ^ Soloski, Alexis (November 21, 2017). "Did You Hear the One About the Housewife Who Walks Into a Comedy Club?". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2017. 
  10. ^ "The Font You Love to Hate". theoutline.com. 
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 5, 2016). "Rachel Brosnahan Cast As the Lead In Amy Sherman-Palladino's Amazon Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (September 19, 2016). "Michael Zegen Cast In 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Amazon Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  13. ^ Romano, Nick (March 2, 2017). "Gilmore Girls creators have a new Amazon pilot". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (September 13, 2016). "Tony Shalhoub Cast In 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Amazon Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 6, 2016). "'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel': Marin Hinkle Joins Amy Sherman-Palladino Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017. 
  16. ^ a b Petski, Denise (May 9, 2017). "'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel': Kevin Pollak & Bailey De Young Set To Recur". Deadline.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017. 
  17. ^ Petski, Denise (May 4, 2017). "'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel': Joel Johnstone & Caroline Aaron Set To Recur". Deadline.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017. 
  18. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 23, 2018). "'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Recruits Zachary Levi for Season 2 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 23, 2018. 
  19. ^ "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 1 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  20. ^ "The Marvellous Mrs Maisel: from the writer of Gilmore Girls, with brazen nods to Mad Men". The Guardian. Retrieved September 25, 2017. 
  21. ^ "Amy Sherman-Palladino's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel pilot lives up to its title". Retrieved September 25, 2017. 
  22. ^ "Amid a Slew of Lackluster Amazon Pilots, Amy Sherman-Palladino's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Is a Knockout". Slate. Retrieved September 25, 2017. 
  23. ^ "The 'marvelous' Jewish story of Miriam Maisel". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved December 7, 2017. 
  24. ^ "Zippy And Delightful, 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Spotlights An Unlikely Comic". NPR.org. Retrieved December 7, 2017. 
  25. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "I, Tonya, Get Out earn Costume Designers Guild nominations". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 January 2018. 
  26. ^ Swift, Andy (6 December 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards 2018: Netflix, FX's FEUD Lead TV Nominations". TVLine. Retrieved 2 January 2018. 
  27. ^ "DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2017". Directors Guild of America. 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2018-01-10. 
  28. ^ Plaugic, Lizzie (January 8, 2018). "Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wins the 2018 Golden Globe for best TV comedy". The Verge. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  29. ^ Strause, Jackie (January 8, 2018). "Golden Globes: 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Wins Best TV Comedy or Musical". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  30. ^ Russian, Ale (January 8, 2018). "Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Wins 2018 Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series". People. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  31. ^ Piester, Lauren (January 8, 2018). "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Wins Golden Globe for Best TV Comedy But Is There Cheese Backstage?". E! News. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  32. ^ Smith, Nigel (January 8, 2018). "First-Time Winner Rachel Brosnahan Pauses Globes Acceptance Speech for a Good Reason: 'Hi, Oprah!'". People. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  33. ^ Plaugic, Lizzie (January 8, 2018). "Rachel Brosnahan wins 2018's Best Actress Golden Globe for Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel". The Verge. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  34. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 8, 2018). "'Mrs. Maisel' Star Rachel Brosnahan Advocates for More Women's Stories During Golden Globes Win". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  35. ^ Perez, Lexy (January 8, 2018). "Golden Globes: Rachel Brosnahan Wins Best Actress for 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018. 
  36. ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (22 February 2018). "'The Crown,' 'Dunkirk' Among Locations Managers Guild International Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2018. 
  37. ^ "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel". Retrieved 2018-04-20. 
  38. ^ Dupre, Elyse (5 January 2018). "2018 Producers Guild Award Nominations: The Full List of Film and TV Nominees". E! News. Retrieved 5 January 2018. 

External links[edit]

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