Mourning Mrs Maisel? Help is at hand
Here is our pick of fun, female-driven shows to fill the gap left by everyone's favourite Jewish housewife
Brigit Grant is the Jewish News Supplements Editor
The Empire State Building turned pink on May 26. Bathing the art deco skyscraper in a particular hue is significant as it marks a happening, such as the passing of Queen Elizabeth last September when it was lit purple and silver.
That the departure of a TV character brought about a light change says everything about the impact of Midge Maisel, the Jewish housewife comedian created by Amy Sherman Palladino and portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan.
The show, which ran for five seasons, was a small screen revelation, beloved for its wit, wonderous sets, period detail and, for Jews, a déjà vu family dynamic. The epic finale of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is still being mulled over and I’ve watched (and cried) through the last episode three times, including credits and considered sending flowers to costume designer, Donna Zakowska and Bill Groom, head of production. In the credits there’s an acknowledgement for Kitty Bruce, daughter of comedian Lenny who appears in a fictionalised strand, portrayed by Luke Kirby who won an Emmy for the role. I’m still hoping Lenny and Midge get a spin-off series in the style of a Hope and Crosby ‘On the Road’ movie, but doubt that will happen. All number of returns are being suggested in MMM fans groups within lyrical tributes as we try to accept the brisket queen has gone.
But TV’s role is to distract and fill the gaps favourite shows leave behind, so bank that last laugh between Midge and manager Susie (Alex Bornstein) and channel your interest in some other series.
Such as Sex and the City, which celebrates its 25th birthday this week with the return of And Just Like That. A second season of the SATC spin-off created by Darren Starr brings back Carrie Bradshaw (Jewish Sarah Jessica Parker) and her gal pals, now in their 50s and still wearing heels. This is expected of Manolo Blahnik poster girl Carrie now widowed following the death by Pelotron of husband Big (Chris Noth). As there have been photos of Carrie chatting to old flame Aidan Shaw (John Corbett), it seems there’s a future with the carpenter who dared to buy the wrong engagement ring. More interestingly this second season will also see the return of Samantha (Kim Cattrall) who was absent from the revival, but Carrie kept texting her, so… Cattrall by all accounts filmed her segment from inside a garage, so was never truly reunited in person with the girls. Shame!
Those who prefer faux reality to fiction will rejoice at the resurgence of The Real Housewives of New York. Season 14 starts in July, but you won’t hear a peep from Ramona, Dorinda or LuAnn as they’ve been replaced by a new line-up of privileged princesses. RHONY, first aired in 2008, and is the longest-running of the addictive franchise, but a drop in ratings, forced Jewish RHONY producer Andy Cohen to have a rethink. He considered inviting back original cast members Jill Zarin and Betheny Frankel which would have worked for me, but instead recruited an entirely new batch of housefrauen, including Jewish social butterfly Erin Lichy. Born and raised in Manhattan, Erin, is big in real estate, runs an interior design firm, and is described in pre-launch literature as the one who “floats amidst the drama and isn’t afraid to stir things up.” We love a stirrer, so check out her insta to learn more about her life with Jewish lawyer husband Abe – their wedding looks fabulous.
Enough of New York? (As if.) Then from across the border in Canada, Workin’ Moms returns for a seventh and final season. The show’s star Catherine Reitman (who plays PR guru Kate Foster) and she came up with the series idea after missing her own first Mother’s Day while shooting a movie. Producing WM with husband Philip Sternberg (who plays her on-screen husband Nathan). Catherine hired Canadian primetime’s first ever all-female camera team so cheers to the actual workin’ moms who got this off the ground and for including such content as Kate making matzah balls and sitting shiva for her father. In the final series besties Kate and Anne (Dani Kind) reunite after their friendship breakup, which may mean more to you, as I’ve not watched the show. A female colleague tipped it as a must watch and as Mrs Maisel has left the building, I may just give it a go.
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