Jesse Eisenberg's A Real Pain is Real...ly Great
The Bagel Report
This week, Esther and Erin break down Jesse Eisenberg's new Jewy film, A Real Pain, and what makes his and Kieran Culkin's performances so captivating. They also dive into the high-stakes thriller September 5th, a gripping retelling of the Munich Olympics Israeli hostage crisis and what it brings up in a post-Oct. 7th world. The bagels even talk about the new Paramount+ documentary about an Israeli-Palestinian boy band that came to LA to start a music career on Oct. 6th, 2023. Check out these links: NPR's Retrospective on the September 5th As1One
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Down the Witches Road: Our 5th Bagelversary
The Bagel Report
Erin and Esther are celebrating the fifth anniversary of this little ol' podcast! After some reflections on all we've lived through since October 2019 (!!), the Bagels move down the Jewish interpretive road, examining "Agatha All Along" — its bar mitzvah episode and other moments and images that remind us of Jewy things. Looking ahead to November, the Bagels discuss A Real Pain, the movie written and directed by and starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Erin bubbles with enthusiasm about the release of Wicked and talks about the film's long production road. So if you care to find...
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Protopian Bagels w/ Alysia Reiner, Shaina Feinberg and Reboot Studios' Noam Dromi
The Bagel Report
As the Bagels reflect on the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the Oct. 7th terror attacks in Israel, they are also uplifted thanks to a conversation about Reboot Studios' latest project, "We Should Eat." Written and directed by Shaina Feinberg and developed by Alysia Reiner, the short tells the story of a Jewish family with a Filipino father and Jewish mother. The duo tells Esther and Erin about the film's diverse Jewish experiences and nuanced character dynamics while addressing existential dread and intergenerational trauma. Check out these links: Shaina Feinberg's | NYT Reboot's The...
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These Bagels Want This Rabbinical Rom-Com
The Bagel Report
Nobody Wants This? More like somebody wants this! Rabbinic representation gets the Hollywood treatment in the new Netflix romantic comedy series "Nobody Wants This," about atheist podcaster Kristen Bell falling for rabbi Adam Brody. The show's trailer and title set up negative expectations, but how did the series portray Jewish life and ritual? Is the show engaging enough for a second season? And what could a show like this do for Jews in interfaith relationships? Join the bagels for a long-ranging and in-depth conversation about this 10-episode series. If you've already binged it or have just...
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Tears, Love, L'Chaim
The Bagel Report
This week the Bagels discuss the importance of balancing joy and tragedy. They remember the six Israeli hostages killed by Hamas while kvelling over the very Jewish wedding of Ben Platt and Noah Galvin. They also review the trailer for the upcoming Netflix series "Nobody Wants This," featuring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody; shout out Ilana Glazer's friend-flick, "Babes," and rave over Adam Sandler's newest Netflix special, "Love You."
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Navigating Millennial Jewish Stars w/ Jonathan Branfman
The Bagel Report
The Bagels are glad to have found Jonathan Branfman, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford and author of the book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity and White Supremacy, to discuss how on-screen portrayals of Jewish people or situations have changed over the decades. Jon tells us about "Goyface" and how it relates to "Jewface" and racial minstrelsy. Plus, shoutouts to Andi Mack, Lil’ Dicky, Uncut Gems, Broad City, Logan Lerman, Zac Efron, Adam Brody and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. This episode will fulfill your Judaic studies academic requirements and...
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Yiddishisms in Pop Culture with Professor Rebecca Margolis,
The Bagel Report
This week, the bagels chat with Rebecca Margolis, author of and She and the Bagels do a deep dive into the Yiddish language and how it finds its way into TV and film. Later, she answers Erin and Esther's questions about Dybbuks and why they continue to show up in supernatural spaces.
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Bagels, Broadway, Platt and Pride
The Bagel Report
Only the Bagels know how to connect the Muppets, Broadway and SpermWorld. This episode's journey explores the history of the Muppets, the guest stars at Ben Platt's new Broadway show and the return of one of Esther's faves, Hacks. Esther and Erin also anticipate upcoming camp movies, are moved by Jerry Seinfeld's emotions, and talk documentaries, from SpermWorld to The Jinx. We also create our ultimate Jewish Pride Pop-Culture Playlist. Check Out These Links: Jim Henson Hacks Season 3 on and the that inspired the doc. and The Jinx
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Everybagel's in L.A.
The Bagel Report
Erin and Esther are back together, sharing their TV-must-watches as well as what they're looking forward to, Jewy pop culture-wise. Erin talks Netflix is a Joke Fest and especially John Mulaney's limited talk show format, "Everybody's in L.A." Esther downloads her time in Israel and tunes out for Erin's Bridgerton review. Digressions include puns, GenZ phrases, Kveller articles, pop tarts, graduation speakers and more. Check Out These Links:
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Comedian Rob Kutner on Ant-Man Memoir and God's Gang
The Bagel Report
This week, the Bagels are joined in the virtual studio by Emmy-winning comedian Rob Kutner. He shares his experiences writing on Conan and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as well as how he ghostwrote Marvel's meta-novel, Look Out for the Little Guy. Kutner also updates Erin and Esther on his latest project, God's Gang, a multicultural kid's series about superheroes, unity and peace. Check out these links:
info_outlineIt's a new year and that means the return of Erin's favorite joke annually told by Esther. This week, the Bagels talk about the upcoming awards season, and learn more about Maestro "Lenny" as well as how musical conducting is a lens through which to view leadership. Erin and Esther issue a Shabbat dinner invitation to Alanis Morissette, who discovered her Jewish roots, and talk about Ava DuVernay's upcoming film, Origin. Plus, Jessica Seinfeld's Instagram posts about her trip to Israel with her famous husband; and celebrating The Amen Effect, the eagerly-awaited book by IKAR Founder Rabbi Sharon Brous. The kvelling is substantial.
Check out these links!
Are the Golden Globes Unlikeable?
Finding Your Roots: Born to Sing
Ted Talk Lead Like the Great Conductors
Hollywood Reporter: Maestro Howard Rosenman