The Bagel Report
The Bagel Report is a pop-culture entertainment podcast featuring award-winning culture and entertainment writers Esther D. Kustanowitz and Erin Ben-Moche. Each episode, these entertainment junkies discuss all things Jewish in the arts & entertainment world while exploring how Jewish identity is portrayed on the big and small screen. Follow us on social @estherk and @ebenmoche and on Twitter and Facebook @TheBagelReport .
Episodes
February 3, 2023 • 57 min
People certainly do have opinions about "You People," the interracial, interfaith Netflix romcom scripted by Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill. But we're putting reviews on hold (tune in next week!) to go behind the scenes with Todd Shotz, the Jewish consultant on this controversial production.
He's also a film producer and founder of the b'nai mitzvah prep company Hebrew Helpers. How did Todd land this gig? How did he...
He's also a film producer and founder of the b'nai mitzvah prep company Hebrew Helpers. How did Todd land this gig? How did he...
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January 27, 2023 • 47 min
The Oscar nominations are here! In this week's Bagel Report, the Bagels break down nomination trends, talk about Jewish nominees (as well as films they just enjoyed), and speculate about why "She Said" was left out of the awards conversation.
They're also talking about "The Fabelmans," what's Newy (an Amy Winehouse biopic!) and Jewy (Josh Malina, always), and a speed round of stories ranging from a movie ...
They're also talking about "The Fabelmans," what's Newy (an Amy Winehouse biopic!) and Jewy (Josh Malina, always), and a speed round of stories ranging from a movie ...
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January 20, 2023 • 46 min
Join the Bagels as they take a deep dive (with some spoilers, so watch first, then listen!) into Hunters Season 2. The gang is now in Argentina looking for Hitler — so the Bagels are pondering the proper punishment for a genocidal maniac, examining the line between vigilantes and heroes, and wondering about why this series grabbed us and wouldn't let us go. We'll tell you about TV shows featuring pop songs in Hebrew and Yid...
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January 17, 2023 • 2 min
The Bagel Report is launching season 2 starting this Friday, now supported by J. The Jewish News of Northern California.
Connect with us on socials!
Twitter: @estherk, @ebenmoche and @TheBagelReport
Instagram: @estherkustanowitz, @ebenmoche and @tbrthepod
Email us at: thebagelreport@gmail.com
Connect with us on socials!
Twitter: @estherk, @ebenmoche and @TheBagelReport
Instagram: @estherkustanowitz, @ebenmoche and @tbrthepod
Email us at: thebagelreport@gmail.com
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December 9, 2022 • 56 min
It's a high-low cultural extravaganza that includes everything from Spielberg's “The Fablemans” to the newest season of “My Unorthodox Life.” David Baddiel's "Jews Don't Count" is a UK documentary special based on his book; we have a brief rundown. Plus, why aren't people going to see "She Said"? And does anyone have Peacock? And if so, are they watching "The Calling," a police procedural...
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November 18, 2022 • 60 min
This week the Bagels are joined by actor Adam Busch, one of the stars of the new Hulu Hanukkah film "Menorah in the Middle." This episode has everything: childhood Hanukkah traditions, the Talmud, Jewish geography, learning about Christian de la Fuerte, and a wide-ranging discussion of whether "an awareness of duality" is a Jewish trait.
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November 11, 2022 • 40 min
After a rough few weeks, people are showing their support for Jews in big and small ways! Taylor Swift swiftly corrected her tour schedule to include non-Shabbat dates, and Amy Schumer wore her Judaism on SNL. The Bagels are in trouble for not having read "Fleishman's In Trouble" in advance of its premiere on Hulu next week, and are anticipating the end of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" by suggesting spinoffs for o...
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September 23, 2022 • 56 min
Therapy is now in session as Erin makes a confession, Esther absolves, and Steve Carell flashes back to Jewish moments in his life in "The Patient." Then we break down "Do Revenge" and wonder why the villain is wearing a Magen David necklace. "Cobra Kai" goes to Shul to hornswoggle the Jewish sensei. Later, the bagels enjoy the actors and fun self-skewering of "Reboot." Since the High Holy Days are r...
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September 16, 2022 • 56 min
The Jeopardy category is JEWISH PODCASTS. Fresh from the Celebrity Jeopardy studio audience, Esther and Erin jump into the intricacies of trying to make Sabra happen. It has barely been a week since Marvel announced that Israeli actress Shira Haas is playing Israeli superhero Sabra, and the world is on fire with controversy. Esther and Erin go down the anxiety rabbit hole about this announcement, wonder what having an Israeli super...
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September 2, 2022 • 53 min
At The Bagel Report, anything can happen: like learning about human behavior and Jewish ethics with Nathan Fielder on "The Rehearsal" which leads to a conversation about how to clone Hitler. Erin is anticipating Nick Kroll’s new standup special and although she's under a reviewer embargo, Esther can't wait for "Reboot," starring Rachel Bloom and Paul Reiser. Plus, a convo about which sitcoms from our respect...
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August 19, 2022 • 47 min
Only icons and no lame-os in this new episode. Erin and Esther share their reflections on iconic singer/actress Olivia Newton-John, from "Grease" to "Physical" to "Two of a Kind." Erin tells Esther about Nathan Fielder's very Jewish episode of "The Rehearsal," and Esther tries to sum up "The Sandman" and invokes "The Booth at the End." Plus, disappointment is shared over the Netfl...
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July 22, 2022 • 56 min
From Adam Sandler's new bat mitzvah movie to 1"3: The Musical: The Movie" (both coming to Netflix), the Jewish coming of age ritual is taking center stage. Erin breaks down Jason Robert Brown's contributions to musical theater, while Esther wants to know more about the Jewish meaning in both of these movies. Erin drops knowledge about Josh Peck and Esther appreciates the education. Inspired by P!nk's newest song...
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July 8, 2022 • 41 min
This week we talk about....everything, including a madcap review of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 4. Mostly Ms. Marvel and her fascinating background, delightfully constructed world, and her particular resonance for people with immigration stories in their family history. Mel Brooks makes headway toward becoming the 2000-year-old man. Transparent comes to LA —as a musical, of course—to display complicated families and secul...
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June 3, 2022 • 46 min
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...
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May 27, 2022 • 41 min
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 e...
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May 20, 2022 • 57 min
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 ol...
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March 25, 2022 • 46 min
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 E...
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March 18, 2022 • 58 min
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” lean...
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March 4, 2022 • 63 min
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...
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February 25, 2022 • 62 min
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...
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