The Bagel Report

Frequent Flyer Bagels

Esther and Erin have been quite busy flying here, there, and everywhere the last few months. If they could convert their flight miles into money, they could buy a lifetime supply of bagels...probably! Purim and Passover have come and gone, so it's time to get into what they missed during their separate travels: a LOT of movies and some TV, too. A new Jewish actor on The Pitt; casting news for Nobody Wants This Season 3; and brief reviews from the latest roundup of streaming series. Later, Esther's got some publication news, Rachel Bloom's back in a few movies and Erin starts dreaming about future episodes. She'll keep the details to herself for now...you'll just have to stay tuned! Check out these links: Alexandra Metz (Garcia on "The Pitt") on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/metzaballsoup/?hl=en] Pre-order link to Modeling Religious Pluralism book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Modeling-Religious-Pluralism-Cultivating-Equity/dp/0197745814/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N623DMSZP95I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.H4deSYbmAjXvXpKBzr2gGVDI6cDPGR9lVIgJSoDuGcLYfvf7AW8639EPBprsBncC5DhsYSBkdvLGDNWryFgtD-AP6F8yfJGh-XGjBQPyg7g.mbesvZCylnX16rJ_bD6UKkkNgbTcy2uJ-p1uEAa2AU8&dib_tag=se&keywords=modeling+religious+pluralism&qid=1776459104&sprefix=modeling+plural%2Caps%2C475&sr=8-1] (June 2nd release) Caught Stealing: available on Netflix Nothing Is Lost: available on Apple TV The Pitt and Rooser: available on HBO Max.

Bad Bunny, Good Hangs and Meeting Jason Alexander

Esther and Erin are back----how is it February already!? This week, they reflect on the Super Bowl and note the cultural significance of Bad Bunny's halftime show and the impact of SoCal commercials. Erin also spills the details of how she finally met her TV dad, Jason Alexander, and interviewed him about his production of Sweeney Todd playing at the La Mirada Theatre. They also react to catching some Jewy moments in The Pitt, Wonder Man, and Jeopardy.

Bagels Supreme: Airing Out Our Grievances for a Jewy 2026

It's 2026 and the bagels are using Festivus as a metaphorical sage so they're ready for 2026. Esther and Erin start with what's out, and what's in for Jewish trends in entertainment... Hot rabbis...OUT.....authentic Jewish encounters between celebrities...IN. As awards season begins, the pair shares musings on the portrayal of Jewish identity in films like "Marty Supreme" and "Is This the Thing On?" and discusses Jewish content scrutiny fatigue. Plus, is "Pluribus" both the most Jewish and un-Jewish show on TV right now?? More to come in 2026! Check out this week's links! Santa Ana Winds [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5XdQ5q2PIA&list=RDJ5XdQ5q2PIA&start_radio=1] song --Crazy Ex Girlfriend Drew Berrymore, Jack Black and Paul Rudd talk B'nai Mitzvahs [https://youtu.be/AAbiyO4LKtk?si=2S0W2Z-A4GJQbd8Q&t=79] Kate Hudson talks Matzah Ball Soup [https://youtu.be/v7yWCZ8PCrI?si=dtPD6uhQdGuTISDT&t=2040] on Table Manners Podcast

BONUS EPISODE: Tsures, Shnook, and Overlapping Dialogue w/ Raphael Bob-Waksberg

"What is this a crossover episode???" Yes, listeners, it is! This week, Esther and Erin are featuring an episode of the Heritage Words podcast [https://huc.edu/public-programs-events/huc-connect-upcoming-events/podcast/heritage-words-exploring-jewish-ancestral-languages/], featuring friend of the pod Sarah Benor [https://huc.edu/directory/sarah-benor/]and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of Bojack Horseman and Long Story Short. The bagels spoke to RBW earlier this year about creating the most Jewy show on TV. In this episode, RBW discusses his Ashkenazi roots, exposure to Yiddish in pop culture, and how sharing specificity allows audiences to find universal connections. You can find Heritage Words anywhere you listen to podcasts. It's sponsored by the HUC Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect.

Lighting "31 Candles" for Hanukkah

Writer/director/actor Jonah Feingold joins the bagels this week to talk about his new indie film "31 Candles," which blends a Hallmark Christmas movie with Jewish culture. The movie follows a 30-something New Yorker who becomes a bar mitzvah...only to win over his former camp crush, who is now a b'nai mitzvah tutor. The three also remember the legendary Rob Reiner and talk about his influence on Feingold's movies. "31 Candles" heads to an AMC near you on January 9th.