Miriam Maisel is a young, New York, Jewish, mother of two, who has a gift for being funny. The show follows her from her first, accidental, stand-up comedy performances, to her rise in the Greenwich Village club scene, and beyond.
Set in 1958, 1959, and 1960 (so far), a big part of the show is about how this woman, played by Rachel Brosnahan, breaks into a man’s world. Very, very few women were stand-up comics at that time.
The show is also about her vulgar and hilarious friend and manager, played by Alex Borstein.
It is also about Miriam’s nutty family: her ex-husband, played by Michael Zegen; her father, played by Tony Shalhoub; her mother, played by Marin Hinkle; her ex-father-in law, played by Kevin Pollak; and her ex-mother-in law, played by Caroline Aaron. Viewers will get to know them all and more.
There is also the mysterious recurring character of real-life comedian Lenny Bruce, played by Luke Kirby.
Every episode is fast and funny, and for all of us here, hunkered down at home, it is a great break from crisis around us.
Check it out. (But be warned, the language is rough and definitely not for the kiddies.)