The Bagel Report

Erin and Esther are back, with new AirPods and opinions about everything from Marvel to Netflix' "My Unorthodox Life." Was "Black Widow" a Soviet Jew? (No, but that won't stop Esther from posing the theoretical question.) Why is "Grey's Anatomy" helpful in alleviating Erin's wedding planning stress? And why won't Jews calm down about "My Unorthodox Life?" Let's get into it. Follow us on social @estherk, @ebenmoche and on Facebook and Twitter @TheBagelReport Read more of Esther's content about "My Unorthodox Life" below! Is 'My Unorthodox Life' bad for the Jews? Hollywood Jews weigh in 'My Unorthodox Life': Hasidic TV trend gets reality treatment

After briefly breaking down the Oscars, the Bagels compare it to the Jewish community after COVID (of course) and wonder if the trailers for "In The Heights" and "West Side Story" are too similar. Erin's looking forward to the Steven Spielberg remake of "West Side Story;" Esther's looking forward to being less confused about where to find which movies and TV shows. Erin invents the term "platon-com" to describe the upcoming Tiffany Haddish & Billy Crystal movie, "Here Today." The upcoming season of "Never Have I Ever" (created by Mindy Kaling) renews the conversation about Jewish stereotyping and invoking the Holocaust; and we talk about Erin's favorite interview subject Mandy Patinkin's discovery on "Finding Your Roots."   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter! 

What do shivas and b'nai mitzvah have in common? Bagels, of course, and this week, it's the new films "Shiva Baby" and "Donny's Bar Mitzvah" that are getting The Bagel Report treatment. While one film is subtle and intense, the other takes caricature to 11. The Bagels review them both and reflect on their own b'nai mitzvah and shiva experiences. Esther wants more character and content and less caricature, while Erin looks back on her Detroit-area bat mitzvah years with nostalgia and horror. Plus, the pair reflect on their Passover experiences, talk about the popularity of the "'Schitt's Creek' Haggadah" and get into some "Shtisel," which Erin still can't sit down and watch.   Links: -Check out Esther's "Schitt's Creek" Haggadah  -From ‘Shtisel’ to ‘Tiger King,’ the secret TV bingeing pleasures of America’s Jewish clergy "Shiva Baby" "Donny's Bar Mitzvah" "On the Spectrum"    Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Sorry listeners, Esther and Erin don't have time to recap the 4-hour-long Snyder Cut this week because they have to prepare for Passover!!! Realizing they're still not ready, they stall and talk about Passover's past and share traditions, stories, special foods and other influences that define the holiday for their respective families. They also discuss crossover possibilities between Passover and popular culture. Later they take a moment to remember their colleague, entertainment writer Gerri Miller, who died on March 14.    Links Night at the Museum clip Easy Farfel Muffin Recipe Remembering Gerri Miller Stop AAPI Hate   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

The Bagels welcome Julia Lester, one of the stars of "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." After some getting-to-know-you conversations and Jewish geography, we talk about her character Ashlyn on the Disney+ reboot and what it's like to be a part of the 15-year-old franchise. Erin geeks out with Julia over a cappella connections and Esther does her best to understand nostalgia for a show she never watched. Plus, a speed round of questions delving into favorite Broadway shows, bat mitzvah themes and beyond!!   Relevant Links: "Wondering" Music Video "HSMTMTS" Season 1 Trailer Hanukkah Medley from "High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special" Follow Julia Lester on Instagram and Twitter!    Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

After acknowledging the first anniversary of COVID hitting America, the Bagels are not getting ready for the Holiday of Matzah and are reviewing the Golden Globes. From virtual awards shows to what's newy and Jewy, Esther and Erin explore pop culture through their particular Jewish lens: highlighting the career of Shira Haas, sending good wishes to Gal Gadot & looking forward to the return of "Shtisel'' in late March.   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Everybody knows Stan Lee, but nobody knows Stan Lee— except people like critically-acclaimed writer Abraham Riesman, who has written a new book about the late Marvel Comics founder. Riesman joins the Bagels to discuss  "True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee," which shatters fans' assumptions about the life of the man who started out as Stanley Lieber.    Riesman also provides background on comic book fandom and culture, questions Jewish characters in Marvel universe and asks if we go too far in looking for Jewish themes and identity in comic book superheroes and their stories. Later, Esther talks trauma as a crucible for storytelling and Erin reveals a surprising turn in her "WandaVision" fandom.    Relavent Links: Find his book here. Follow Riesman on Twitter @abrahamjoseph Check out his latest WandaVision Recaps here!   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Hold onto your invisible kippahs (especially while drinking water during the impeachment trial), because the Bagels are talking awards show nominations, challenging Hollywood to create more thoughtful Jewish portrayals, and wishing a mazal tov to Steven Spielberg on being named the Genesis Prize Laureate for 2021. Plus, Erin knows Broadway musicals so well that she can use the term "choreo," while Esther brainstorms about casting Julia Garner and Shira Haas as sisters in something. And this week's speed round might be the speediest yet! (Which is to say, not all that speedy, but speedier than usual, so we will take the win.) Finally, with Valentine's Day approaching, and since Esther's celebrating her nephew's bar mitzvah and Erin her brother's birthday virtually due to pandemic concerns, it's time to think differently about love. Sending big Bagel love to all our listeners!   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Proud Bostonian and all-around-rockstar Variety Features Editor Malina Saval joins the Bagels for a deep dive into Jewish representation and how our names and our accents mark us. It's not just where we're from but possibly who we become. Is the "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" full of caricatures? What does it mean to "look Jewish"? And why "Let Them All Talk" is a deeply Jewish — and pandemic-relatable — film, even though it features non-Jewish women on a cruise. Plus, we'll brainstorm some storylines for the upcoming "Sex and the City" reboot, and discuss why Boston accents are hard to pull off and which actor nailed it best.   Relevant Links: Hilaria Baldwin, Hollywood and the Honor of Having a Boston Accent Dunkin Donuts Commercial SNL "Smaht Pahk" Hyundai Commercial  Rob Lowe on Sobriety     Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

This week's title may sound like a verse from Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," but it's only because it's packed with weekly pop-culture info! In a week that includes both Holocaust Remembrance Day and Tu Bishvat (Jewish Arbor Day), the Bagels remember their respective trips to Poland before awkwardlyconnecting it to a conversation about "WandaVision" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Later, Esther and Erin discuss crossover pop culture neighborhoods and compatible universes and Erin reveals a love for "Happy Days" while Esther gives us the rundown on the newest Israeli streaming content. Also, a diversion into mayonnaise thanks to Amy Schumer, and why looking to Superbowl commercials as an annual event doesn't make sense anymore. Plus, should Esther and Erin do a video episode? Let us know by connecting with us! Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!