The Bagel Report

The Bagels are talking about Bradley Cooper's nose this week-- and how his Leonard Bernstein impression has set the internet ablaze in prosthetic controversy. We also talk about why Obi-Wan Kenobi may or may not be like Moses. Speaking of Moses, Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Moses Ingram has become the target of racist fan rage, which we do not approve of. Strange Jewish things are emerging from Stranger Things this season and of course, Esther caught it. Big Bagel appreciation goes out to celebrity Jews Jamie Lee Curtis, Liev Schreiber, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen for their work in honor and memory of their ancestors. The Bagels also remember George Shapiro, who is responsible for bringing us so much comedy over the years, and looking forward to Erin's wedding; she's basically the opposite of a Bridezilla. Stranger Things Season 2 is on Netflix Obi-Wan is on Disney+

Just because "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" is between seasons doesn't mean we're not going to talk about the recent casting notice looking for "Jewish types," or what it means that there are scenes in the upcoming season set in Israel. This week, Esther gives a light review of "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem" and Erin makes a case for Randall as the Jewish sibling in "This Is Us." Plus, Esther engages in a discussion of when "Star Wars" Day actually is and explores some of "Star Wars'" Jewish elements in honor of Shabbat Shabobiwan as Erin politely nods and smiles.

With so much content hitting theaters, networks, and streamers, we had to make some hard choices about what to cover in our first pod after our unintentional hiatus. Esther confronts her "WeCrashed" issues; Erin gets frustrated by missed Jewish opportunities in Marvel's "MoonKnight" series. Both take a moment to appreciate "Grace & Frankie" and how they show new paths into friendship while growing older. Plus, Erin and Esther are happy to be back onboard "Russian Doll's" regressive therapy train to take apart the new season until we reach the vulnerable inner child at the center.

This week, Erin and Esther noted a new trend in storytelling: Girls and women coming of age. "Encanto" and "Turning Red" (Disney+) narrow the lens further with ethnic specificity, which doesn't stop either from being relevant regardless of cultural identity. Plus, some initial talk about Amy Schumer's new series "Life and Beth" (Hulu); "Heritage Day" featuring two of our fave "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" alumni; and the cartoon in live-action that is Jared Leto playing an Israeli in WeCrashed (AppleTV+).

A magician is suddenly a hypnotist and changes everything! Imogene is Dody! Moishe falls off a barstool! This week the bagels recap the highs and lows of the last few episodes of Amazon's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Esther and Erin try to find all their words and mostly succeed in their recap and make a few guesses about the final season. Also, in case we still have listeners who don't watch Maisel, loving "Better Things" leaning into the Jewyness, wondering why Hollywood is all-in on Jared Leto and made him an Israeli con-man in "WeCrashed," and a quick mini-review of the play "TRAYF," now at the Geffen Playhouse in L.A.

This week, the Bagels reflect on Ukraine, recap "CODA" moments at the SAG Awards, understand the many layers of Larry David after he canceled/ postponed his own HBO special, and dissect John Mulaney's sober SNL patchwork musical, including those Fiddler Jews. Later, during Maisel Moments, they psychoanalyze Midge's urge to drag everyone into progress whether they like it or not. They also praise Susie's eulogy tour de force and — unfortunately for Esther —offer another "What's going on with Joel" segment. Stay connected with The Bagel Report on social @thebagelreport, on Instagram @TBRthepod, and by email at [email protected]

This week Esther and Erin sing out Broadway-style with special guest Anita Silvert, co-host of the Broadway-meets-Jewish-texts podcast VERSES. From Bibliodrama to Limmud to camp and school plays, the trio gets dramatic and musical, talking about the enduring power of musical theater. After saying goodbye to Anita, it's a Bagel Breakdown of the first two new episodes of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," in what may or may not be a returning segment called Moments of Maisel. Or the Bagel Breakdown. We're still deciding.

As this episode drops into the world, so do the first new episodes of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" in two years. This week, we've got recaps and predictions for Season 4 (with reviews of new episodes coming next week and in our first IG Live on Feb 18). Esther delights in one of the new episodes' titles, and Erin tells us why some people call her "Maisel." Before we remember Midge, Susie and the gang, we head through some newy and Jewy TV shows coming up from HBO and Israel, and more.

The Oscar nominations are here, Charlotte York Goldenblatt's child became a Jewish adult (or did they?), and there's a whole lot that's Newy & Jewy (bam copyright). And Erin and Esther have feelings about all of it, (over)analyzing "And Just Like That"'s Jewish coming-of-age ritual and sharing their bat mitzvah experiences, thinking about how to anchor this moment in a child's life in meaning and identity beyond the binary/traditional. And, pop culture moments that are good, bad and meh for the Jews.

After taking a spin through celebrity genealogy with Pamela Adlon and Kathryn Hahn who co-starred in the latest episode of "Finding Your Roots," the Bagels tackle Jewish erasure in "How I Met Your Mother/Father" and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (in advance of the forthcoming "Moon Knight" TV show on Disney+). Plus, the Bagels get fashiony (is that how we say it?) and talk about Zendaya's Hebrew dress, Jeff Goldblum's Chasidic couture, and how David Beckham's son has a possibly very Jewish wedding coming up.