Lessons in Life from Midge and Susie, by Ben Jeapes
I was bereaved twice in 2023. Before you feel too sorry for me, I should add that it was the same person on both occasions. That person being Mrs Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel, star of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Prime Video). The fifth and final series came to an end in May. Then we binge-watched all five series over the summer. Life will never be the same.
The premise: in 1959, Midge is a loyal housewife to Joel, who is a talented New York marketing executive but a second-rate wannabe comedian. One catastrophic Yom Kippur (the show is very Jewish in its humour), she learns of his infidelity and their marriage breaks up. She finds herself on the same stage where he bombed a few hours earlier. The mic is still live, the crowd is still there … And she finds, quite by accident, that she can do this too. Not only that, but she is very good at it. [Link here: caution, it’s sweary.]
In the club at the same time is Susie Myerson, who knows the world of showbiz inside out but knows she needs someone to make her big. Susie sees Midge’s potential and, despite knowing nothing about management, offers to be her manager.
By the end of the five series, Midge is a world famous comic and Susie is a comedy industry giant. It is a masterpiece of plotting and characterisation (one nice touch is that though Susie dresses throughout like someone who lives under a bridge, as she gets richer, her clothes get better quality). You fall in love with the characters and admire the writing and the sheer craftsmanship of the production. When an actor died in real life, his character’s death was not only woven into the story but it led to a very moving episode that was also a turning point in Susie’s career. The consistent recreation of 1960s New York is also a marvel.
Most of the show is about Midge and Susie getting there. There might not be many aspiring comics reading this, but a lot of their experiences translate into our lives as writers. Their lives and careers – and those of any creatives, including anyone reading this – are great examples of the Parable of the Talents.
What makes Midge a comic? She has natural talent, but it’s raw. She can’t just turn up and put on an act – as she learns the hard way. She must constantly polish and hone her craft. Listen to criticism, act on it, improve. There are ups and downs. At times Midge bombs. Her gender frequently works against her. She must make sacrifices to get ahead. Most of the third series worked up to her big break, working as a warm-up act for singer Shy Baldwin – until it all goes wrong. There are a lot of Shy Baldwins in a creative person’s life.
What makes Susie a manager? It’s because she says she is a manager. She gets a business card printed to prove it: “Susie Myerson & Associates” (Midge suggested the “& Associates”). She thinks and acts like a manager, and soon other people are treating her like one. What makes her a good manager is that she, too, takes it seriously and learns her lessons.
Neither of them would have got anywhere if they acted like amateurs. Neither of them ever hedges or apologises that they haven’t made it big yet but hope to one day. Right from the start they take this seriously. They are professionals.
As a creative person, a comic, whatever, not everyone is going to be rich and famous. Not everyone wants to be. Midge and Susie are the servants to whom much was given and who made it into even more. Many of us are just the ones to whom less was given and make less in return – but we still make something. The one thing to avoid is to be the servant who doesn’t even try. In Maisel terms that would be the talentless hacks who trot up onto stage and bomb. As a writer, think of your own examples.
Midge makes it big in the final minutes of the final episode: her set is here, and as in the story it’s being broadcast on live TV, it isn’t sweary. And if you’ve followed the story from the beginning, there’s a lump in your throat. As a barely observant Jew, she will never know it but she has been a good and faithful servant.
Ben Jeapes took up writing in the mistaken belief that it would be easier than a real job (it isn’t). Hence, as well as being the author of eight novels and co-author of many more, he has also been a journal editor, book publisher, and technical writer. His most recent title is a children’s biography of Ada Lovelace. www.benjeapes.com
The premise: in 1959, Midge is a loyal housewife to Joel, who is a talented New York marketing executive but a second-rate wannabe comedian. One catastrophic Yom Kippur (the show is very Jewish in its humour), she learns of his infidelity and their marriage breaks up. She finds herself on the same stage where he bombed a few hours earlier. The mic is still live, the crowd is still there … And she finds, quite by accident, that she can do this too. Not only that, but she is very good at it. [Link here: caution, it’s sweary.]
In the club at the same time is Susie Myerson, who knows the world of showbiz inside out but knows she needs someone to make her big. Susie sees Midge’s potential and, despite knowing nothing about management, offers to be her manager.
By the end of the five series, Midge is a world famous comic and Susie is a comedy industry giant. It is a masterpiece of plotting and characterisation (one nice touch is that though Susie dresses throughout like someone who lives under a bridge, as she gets richer, her clothes get better quality). You fall in love with the characters and admire the writing and the sheer craftsmanship of the production. When an actor died in real life, his character’s death was not only woven into the story but it led to a very moving episode that was also a turning point in Susie’s career. The consistent recreation of 1960s New York is also a marvel.
Most of the show is about Midge and Susie getting there. There might not be many aspiring comics reading this, but a lot of their experiences translate into our lives as writers. Their lives and careers – and those of any creatives, including anyone reading this – are great examples of the Parable of the Talents.
What makes Midge a comic? She has natural talent, but it’s raw. She can’t just turn up and put on an act – as she learns the hard way. She must constantly polish and hone her craft. Listen to criticism, act on it, improve. There are ups and downs. At times Midge bombs. Her gender frequently works against her. She must make sacrifices to get ahead. Most of the third series worked up to her big break, working as a warm-up act for singer Shy Baldwin – until it all goes wrong. There are a lot of Shy Baldwins in a creative person’s life.
What makes Susie a manager? It’s because she says she is a manager. She gets a business card printed to prove it: “Susie Myerson & Associates” (Midge suggested the “& Associates”). She thinks and acts like a manager, and soon other people are treating her like one. What makes her a good manager is that she, too, takes it seriously and learns her lessons.
Neither of them would have got anywhere if they acted like amateurs. Neither of them ever hedges or apologises that they haven’t made it big yet but hope to one day. Right from the start they take this seriously. They are professionals.
As a creative person, a comic, whatever, not everyone is going to be rich and famous. Not everyone wants to be. Midge and Susie are the servants to whom much was given and who made it into even more. Many of us are just the ones to whom less was given and make less in return – but we still make something. The one thing to avoid is to be the servant who doesn’t even try. In Maisel terms that would be the talentless hacks who trot up onto stage and bomb. As a writer, think of your own examples.
Midge makes it big in the final minutes of the final episode: her set is here, and as in the story it’s being broadcast on live TV, it isn’t sweary. And if you’ve followed the story from the beginning, there’s a lump in your throat. As a barely observant Jew, she will never know it but she has been a good and faithful servant.
You've convinced me to watch this show!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great watch! It's a lovely reminder to be a good and faithful steward, using our God-given talents! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGosh; looks like I've missed two series. I must catch up. Thanks, Ben, and thanks for the reminder that we can all do something with what we've got even if it doesn't appear to be much. I hear two fish and five oaves can sometimes go quite a long way too...
ReplyDelete*loaves
DeleteYes, the cliffhanger at the end of the third series was made even more frustrating by the whole show being delayed an extra year by lockdown! But it's well worth catching up! Watching it from scratch all the way through was also worthwhile as I could follow it far more easily, watching characters and jokes develop and flow over the different seasons without having to remember what happened a year ago.
DeleteWhat a rich lovely post, Ben! Thanks. So much great advice for us all. What I will work on is this advice you gave: 'The one thing to avoid is to be the servant who does not try." Deep but true. God did not give us all equal talents but like you said , some of us might be guilty of, '...less was given and make less in return.' The whole of your second to the last paragraph is loaded with life changing nuggets, writing career wise. May we be worthy of the talents God has given each of us to His glory. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteMore the former, Brendan.
ReplyDelete