Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong women, lots of energy in charming period piece.
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Parents say that while the show has strong acting and touches on significant themes such as female empowerment and family dynamics, it is marred by excessive nudity and profanity that many reviewers found unnecessary and problematic, especially for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciate the show's charm and messages, others are disappointed by the reliance on vulgarity and sexual content, questioning its appropriateness and overall classiness.
- excessive profanity
- inappropriate content
- strong performances
- positive messages
- not family-friendly
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 13 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Co-created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls, Bunheads) and Daniel Palladino (Family Guy), THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL introduces us to the inimitable Miriam "Midge" Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a Manhattan housewife in 1958 whose main concerns are keeping a nice house, hanging on to her figure, and advancing the stand-up comedy career of her husband, Joel (Michael Zegen). But when her life takes an unexpected turn, she discovers she has hidden talents. So, with the help of her bullheaded new manager, Susie (Alex Borstein), Midge takes on the coffeehouses and basement comedy clubs of Greenwich Village in the hopes it will lead her all the way to a career-making appearance on Johnny Carson's late-night show. In the show's second season, Midge and Susie attempt to recover from a reversal at the end of the first season, Rose and Abe weather some marital troubles, and Midge agonizes over whether her personal life and her comedy career can exist at the same time.
Is It Any Good?
Laced with wit and sass, set in a mid-century dream of upscale New York, and starring an actress who could easily pass for a third Gilmore girl, this winning comedy is a delight. At a time when women were supposed to be demure little housewives, confining their interests and passions to producing perfect dinners and obedient children, Midge is a firecracker -- albeit one who's doing her level best to fit into an Upper East Side mold. "Who gives a toast at her own wedding?" she asks the camera in her first words of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She does -- because despite a mother (Marin Hinkle) who's always criticizing her, and a husband who doesn't appreciate her, Midge knows her own worth. She knows she's funny, and she knows that when she gets on a stage in front of a microphone, people laugh -- and that doesn't happen for everybody.
It helps -- Midge's career, and our entertainment -- that she's starting off in an era in which comedy was big, and getting bigger; when comedy albums sold, and a chance to sit on Carson's couch could launch a funny person into stardom. Lenny Bruce makes an appearance, as does the Friar's Club, pot-smoking beatniks, grimy Greenwich Village clubs, and any number of other vintage delights. Best of all is Alex Borstein as Midge's determined manager, a women who sees something amazing in Midge, a star quality she herself lacks. "I've accepted that I'll always be alone," she tells Midge in her authentically miniscule, moldy Village apartment from atop her Murphy bed, her eyes burning fiercely. "But I don't want to be insignificant." A whole world of misfits will see themselves in Susie and Midge, two women who are underrated by everyone -- but themselves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the time period in which The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was set. What jobs were typically open to women at that time? Was "performer" or "comic" one of them? What female comics can you name from the 1950s? Would it have been harder or more unusual for a woman to succeed in comedy? Is it harder or more unusual now?
How do Susie and Midge demonstrate courage and teamwork in building Midge's comedy career? Why are these important character strengths?
Both male and female characters mistreat women in this show. What examples of sexism can you name? How does the show want us to feel about its female characters and how they are treated?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 29, 2017
- Cast : Rachel Brosnahan , Alex Borstein , Tony Shalhoub , Marin Hinkle
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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