The Bagel Report

After some initial reflections on the Inauguration—in an episode recorded before Bernie Sanders became a coat-swaddled meme—the Bagels talk about Jewish rituals that mark moments of change. Erin is both bored by and getting costume inspiration from "Pretend It's a City," Netflix's Fran Lebowitz documentary series. Plus, a conversation about the new season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" inspires an Esther tangent about how people get their names and which Jewish themes the series should tackle next. And in the Bagel Wishful Casting Department, tackling rumors about Sorkin's "I Love Lucy" film and a wish list of young Willy Wonkas. Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

As a new year starts, the Bagels welcome back ultimate cinephile Jodi Berman Kustanovich (of bermanoscarblog.blogspot.com) for a report on the 365+ movies she saw in 2020. Topics include how increased access is great for movie lovers and "feeling seen" by streaming algorithms. Then Jodi announces her top 10 list (and Esther and Erin share their Top 5s from 2020). In summary, we're just three Jews standing in front of pop culture, asking it to love them. Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

If only Erin and Esther had a wishing stone so they could wish "Wonder Woman 1984" was a better movie... too many villains, plots and loose threads (including one hyperactive golden lasso) made it a bit of a mess. But the Bagels had fun breaking it all down: from what Gal Gadot means as a symbol of Judaism and Israel to musings about how gender influences criticism of superhero movies, and finding cool ideas within the messy narrative. And while unpacking the theology and lessons of Pixar’s "Soul," Erin and Esther discover the truth within: we're all just little soul blobs looking for our purpose.   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

In their year-end episode, the Bagels puzzle over advent calendars, debate the difference between diners and delis and muddle through the confusion over when "Shtisel's" third season will arrive on Netflix. Erin shares a rundown of new Hanukkah music (including two stars of the original production of 'Hamilton') and late-night sketches; meanwhile Esther "grinches" all over holiday content. Plus, an alternate career path for Gal Gadot in case Wonder Woman doesn't work out (although we hope it will!), and wishes for a new year that will be happy, healthy and, most importantly, not 2020.   Relevant Links: -Seth Meyers and 'Jersey Goys' -To Play Dreidel At The White House Hanukkah Party This Year, You Have To Risk It All -Proof the Chanucorn is Real! -HSM Series’ Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein Perform Classics for Disney+ Holiday Special -'Hamilton's' Daveed Diggs Writes a Hanukkah Song About Puppies   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

All of our Hanukkah dreams come true for this conversation with the prolific and brilliant Critics’ Choice Award winning actress, neuroscientist, author, mom and mogul-in-the-making Mayim Bialik. Mayim tells the Bagels about filming her new show "Call Me Kat" (Jan. 3 on FOX) during the pandemic and her "Breakdown" (new mental health podcast). Later they get into a conversation about non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles and breaking down gender and body stereotypes in Hollywood.    Plus, we ask Mayim a question she's never been asked in an interview before! Here's a hint: it's about her characters and Bat Mitzvah themes!   Tune in for one interview with enough content to last all eight days of Hanukkah! Happy Hanukkah to all, and to all a good night. :)   Follow Mayim Bialik on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @missmayim. Also check out her Youtube page.   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

It was bound to happen: a full episode devoted to one of our favorites, Rachel Bloom, and her new book, "I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are." Reading this felt like a Disneyland ride through the author's head: Erin celebrated Rachel's honest truth-telling and fantastic brain, and Esther appreciated the book's balance of comedy and pain. After sharing ideas for an on-brand Rachel Bloom bat mitzvah, the bagels ponder the question should we name and shame the bullies, or deny that they have any power over us by ignoring them?   "I Wanna Be Where the Normal People Are" is available wherever books are sold these days. Buy the book locally, here!  (*Not a paid advertisement, we just love her and want to promote strong successful Jewish women.)   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Leading up to Thanksgiving, the Bagels are identifying what they're most grateful for: John Mulaney, the Jewish-adjacent comedian who recently played a Hillel event; Rachel Bloom, who has a new book out, and Zoom, which enables family connections while separated. Plus, the return of everyone's favorite Haredi TV drama, "Shtisel," and everyone's favorite adult animated show about puberty and adolescence, "Big Mouth." The Bagels then take an unexpected turn and discuss intermarriage while dabbling in some light analysis of "Fiddler on the Roof's" Tevye. Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

This week, Erin and Esther talked Jewish community with Caroline Dorn and Ellie Klein Goldman, the newly-revealed co-authors of @RogueShul, a Twitter account that provided an anonymous, empathetic and often funny look inside the walls of synagogues and Jewish community organizations. After discovering a shared love for "Schitt's Creek," discussion of the comedy's magic emerges as a poignant metaphor for both the RogueShul account and for Jewish community life. Plus some Harry Potter references (from Esther, unexpectedly), a Hanukkah Hallmark movie brainstorm session and a shout out to "The Queen's Gambit" for making chess interesting.       Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

It's our first Bagelversary! The Bagels have been podcasting for a year now (check out last year's Halloween episode for our humble beginnings and more on Esther's non-Halloweeny youth). Now that we've both seen "Borat 2," we wish a hearty yasher koach to Sacha Baron Cohen for his surprisingly layered film, which provokes conversation about hatred, benign tolerance of anti-semitism, and remembering the Holocaust. Plus, our celebrity Zoom call fatigue continues as Jeff Goldblum and the Saturday Night Seder folks do their thing to save democracy (we hope). Also, Erin's 17 years late to the party, but is now obsessed with the very Jewy teen soap series "The O.C.," which Esther knows very little about. Finally, Esther makes Erin feel better about AppleTV+ nabbing the streaming rights to The Peanuts holiday specials.  Thank you to all of our listeners for spending a year with us - here's to Year 2!!   Relevant Links: 1. Halloween: It’s More Jewish Than You Think 2. Jewish Celebrities and ‘Saturday Night Seder” Get Out the Young Vote for Biden 3. Lawsuit Filed Over ‘Borat’ Sequel Synagogue Scene Dismissed 4. An anti-Semitic cake, a Holocaust survivor and a whole lot of Hebrew: All the Jewish moments in ‘Borat 2’   Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Does Sacha Baron Cohen traffic in satire or stumbling blocks? Anticipating Borat 2, Erin and Esther puzzle over the line between deception and shining a light on bad behavior. The Bagels then scratch their heads over the epidemic of TV casts reuniting to save democracy, specifically in Wisconsin (and Texas); say goodbye to "Away"'s Jewish astronaut, and meet "Grand Army"'s Jewish character who doesn't know where she belongs. The Chicago 7 had much Sorkinating but taught us a lot, and Erin shares her feelings about the political split among members of the original Beach Boys.     Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!