I don't watch much tv. And I certainly don't watch comedies on tv, because they're not funny. Most of the jokes don't even draw a smile, let alone a LOL.

Then along came Midge.

Yup, I'm gonna post about a show with a female lead, on a message board that's 98% male. Fight me. Because it's just so hard for me to imagine anyone watching this show (about a rich Jewish housewife looking to break in to the boys club of stand-up comedy), and not enjoying it. There is just so much GOOD about it:

--The writing. The jokes are hilarious. The stories are good. The arcs of the minor characters are all as interesting as the leads' journies. It's TIGHT--there's not a wasted scene, not even a wasted line.

--The cast. It's perfect. Everyone on this show nails it.

--The costumes. The sets. It's 1958 on the Upper West Side. Put all the guys in hats and suits, all the girls in girdles and all-encompassing bras, all the tiny-yet-heavy tv's on little carts with wheels...and I'm happy.

--THE STEREOTYPES! This show, about a Jewish girl and her Jewish family and her Jewish in-laws and her Jewish show-biz contacts, leans heavily on Jewish jokes. Every time someone drops a Yiddish word into the conversation, I LOL (just like I do every time Howard Stern does it). Then my midwestern WASPie girlfriend hits "pause" and asks me to let her in on the joke. And there's a LOT of that in this show, and it's all wonderful. It's as essential as the profanity was on Deadwood--to these characters, it's currency. So enjoy the trips to the deli for a bagel and schmear. Enjoy celebrating the prestige that comes from getting the rabbi to accept your invitation to Yom Kippur dinner. Enjoy learning new words like "shiksa" or "goy", if you're currently unfamiliar. It's all part of the wonderful tapestry of this show.

--The lead. The lead, the lead, the lead. Rachel Brosnahan (the call girl Rachel from House of Cards) plays Midge Maisel. She's in almost every scene, and we love her. She's smart, funny, sexy, driven...but she also has her flaws. Despite all the praise I've lavished on this show so far, none of it matters if this girl doesn't knock it out of the park every time she's on camera. She delivers the goods. I don't know how else to say it.

There's so much more. Tony Shalhoub (Monk) plays her stern Jewish father, and what a brilliant move it was to cast him in this role. We're used to seeing him play much more sensitive characters, and that's the brilliance. He gets to do just that in those scenes where the facade cracks, and we see how much he loves his wife and kids.

Alex Borstein (voice of Lois on Family Guy) plays a role that would've gone to a young Rosie O'Donnell 30 years ago: sassy, street-smart, wise-cracking, masculine (!!!), poor chick from NYC. She and Midge paired up as unlikely friends make for a real Odd Couple, and there's comedy in them thar hills.

Enough prattle from me: just go watch an episode or two, then come back so we can discuss. Don't let the title make you think "a show about a woman, FOR women!" That title sure made ME think that. And when I heard the showrunners were from Gilmore Girls, I thought the same thing about THAT title, too (I still haven't watched GG). You're just gonna have to take my word for it: even tho most of the characters on this show are women, you're still going to enjoy hanging out with them.

(Or don't take my word for it: go look at how many times this show is mentioned in the "shows without their own thread" thread. Everybody there loves it, too.)

ytf,

lol

Wow. Haven't been trolled by that guy in a while!

ytf,

Fight me!

If you were trying to sell this show, you did not succeed.

Oh hi this show is great. I mean, there's no way I wasn't going to be excited about a show about Jews in NYC in the 50s because that's my dad's family, but this exceeded expectations. 5 stars

I just binge-watched all eight episodes a few days ago at my wife's recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed the entire season. I can't really add anything to YTF's description except to say that every scene involving Tony Shalhoub and Kevin Pollack is pure gold. I can't wait for season two to begin in November (I think).

The Emmy nominations came out this morning, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel garnered 14 nominations, including Best Comedy Series, Rachel Brosnahan for Lead Actress, Tony Schaloub for Supporting Actor, Alex Borstein for Supporting Actress and Jane Lynch for Outstanding Guest Actress. It also garnered nominations in the categories of writing, directing, cinematography and production design among others.

Google says no announcement yet as to when Season 2 will air-- but Season 3 has already been ordered.

haha ya i posted the same exact thing in some other TV thread, those two are fantastic.

show is great can't wait for season 2 and my parents good friend saul rubinek has a 3 episode arc and hes pretty great so looking forward to that as well.

2 episode in (thanks ytf) and I'm really enjoying it. Huge crush on lead actress.

Just watched the pilot based on recommendations here. Hilarious. Lead actress kills it.

Plus even the throwaway background bits are awesome. The bit at open mic where the black lady reads her poem "Spokane" had me rolling.

She also has amazing ta-tas.

Chick show. Pretty good, but it's no Gilmore Girls!

Definitely needed it’s own thread. The whole season was great, but the last two episodes were fantastic. Lots of great characters, but Brosnahan killed it. When does Season 2 come out?

I am conflicted through six episodes. The lead is absolutely crushing it - Midge is the character I didn’t know I needed in my life. Susie is a poorly written character; she is filled with cliches and jokes that are low hanging fruit. Midge’s Mom is great.

I think it’s worth watching but the lead is carrying the show.

Tits up!

It's a "feel good" comedy in the style of the musical genere of that time period (but without the singing), targeted primarily at a female audience, but enjoyable for the whole family.

very well done, last episode did not disappoint and left me wanting more

she definitely is. what's wrong with that

This show is great, I usually hate comedies but this one had me dying two episodes in. Was dissapointed to find out it's not based on a real person though, it doesn't detract from the show, it just detracts from real life.

well lenny bruce is a real person

watched the first season twice already and definitly ready for season 2

Season 2 premiers December 5th

tits up