S03.E01: Strike Up the Band

[Pallas]

Midge performs at a USO show ahead of touring with Shy, while Susie learns the ins and outs of contract negotiation. Abe and Rose grapple with their new financial situation. Joel finds the perfect spot for his new club.

[CinAZ]

It’s available now on prime!

so nice to have this show back.

the USO show was fun.  I missed the clothes porn!!
So I guess Joel is going to be a club owner.  The basement was funny.

i am going to have to try really hard not to watch all of the episodes tonight 

[Riplet68]

When did she tell her parents it wasn’t going to work with hot doctor? 

[CinAZ]

18 minutes ago, Riplet68 said:

When did she tell her parents it wasn’t going to work with hot doctor? 

I liked hot doctor. 

[shapeshifter]

So glad Lenny Bruce/Luke Kirby is back with a seemingly bigger role. 
And I’m glad Midge’s jokes are better, both in her act and when she’s doing the Gilmore Girl-esque riffing. 
I hate the Sophie Lennon/Jane Lynch drama, but I guess it serves to cement the show passing the Bechtel Test. 
I loved Midge’s mother’s yellow coat.

Tony Shalhoub’s Abe character continues to morph into his Monk character.

3 hours ago, CinAZ said:

I liked hot doctor. 

Hot Doctor Benjamin/Zachary Levi can currently be seen on over-the-air TV singing and dancing in a Christmas shopping commercial.

 

[Riplet68]

Yeah, I liked hot doctor too.  Why wouldn’t it work?

[Juneau Gal]

12 minutes ago, Riplet68 said:

Yeah, I liked hot doctor too.  Why wouldn’t it work?

Basically, he wanted a more stay at home wife and Midge wants to pursue her career. 

[tennisgurl]

I am thrilled to have this show back, with all of its fast talking costume porn glory! I also liked seeing some late 50s style music, this show always does a good job of presenting a mood of the time but with a 00s twist. 

So I guess I forgot why Midge and Benjamin didnt work, I guess it was because she wanted to go on tour and put that over their marriage and wedding? That sucks, I liked him a lot and thought he and Midge worked really well together. And her mom was this close to having a nice Jewish doctor for a son in law! This close!

Great seeing Lenny again, and he is, again, bailed out by a Maisel. His set about the double standard society has about sex vs. violence is still relevant and hilarious. 

Well I guess Susie leaving Midge was inevitable, but I dont think it will be very long lasting. "I haven't chased anyone down since Dezi Arnez gave me the clap." "It was worth it." 

[ProudMary]

3 hours ago, Juneau Gal said:

Basically, he wanted a more stay at home wife and Midge wants to pursue her career. 

It seems that's the assumption the viewing audience is supposed to make.  I think it stinks that we didn't get to see the conversation between Midge and Benjamin, in last season's final episode.

I liked the USO Show portion of this episode. The rest of it seemed somewhat strained to me.  I honestly don't care at all about Joel's life. Also, I don't really buy that Sophie Lennon is that desperate to secure Susie as a manager.

It's always a pleasure to see Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce, though I suspect he may only pop up again toward the season's end, based on his guest star billing. Meanwhile, Jane Lynch was named with the regular cast, so I'm assuming she'll be in most of the episodes.

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, ProudMary said:

I think it stinks that we didn't get to see the conversation between Midge and Benjamin, in last season's final episode.

Now that you reminded me of the total lack of closure between Midge and Dr. Benjamin, I realize that the assumption that she left him because he wanted a stay-at-home wife is not spelled out. It could also be that Midge just didn’t want to be tied down emotionally or socially at this point in her life. Additionally, if no conversation ever happened off screen with Midge and Dr. B, likely she couldn’t bare to close the door on a possible future with Dr. B either. The conversation in this episode between Midge and Joel reinforces this notion of Midge’s own uncertainty about her future relationships. 

Edited December 7, 2019 by shapeshifter

[ElectricBoogaloo]

14 hours ago, ProudMary said:

It's always a pleasure to see Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce, though I suspect he may only pop up again toward the season's end, based on his guest star billing. Meanwhile, Jane Lynch was named with the regular cast, so I'm assuming she'll be in most of the episodes.

Sometimes that's more of a contract negotiation thing that the actor wants. When you sign on as a series regular, contractually the show takes first priority over any other projects. You are still free to do other things while the show is on hiatus, but you can't take a role as a regular on another show and you might have to turn down a movie if it's shooting while your show is filming. Signing as a regular is also usually a multi-year commitment (the standard contract in American television is for seven years).

Chris Noth chose to be a guest star on The Good Wife because he wanted to be able to do other projects. Because he was a guest star and not a series regular, he was able to do a mini series, another tv series, and several movies during the seven seasons that he also appeared on The Good Wife. Connor Paolo chose to be a guest star on Gossip Girl so that he would have the freedom to do other projects, which is why he was able to sign as a series regular on Revenge a few years later. If he had been a series regular on Gossip Girl, he would not have been able to do that without asking to be released from his GG contract.

Getting signed as a regular doesn't always necessarily mean you will appear in every episode either. It depends on what your contract says but you can be a series regular with an 8 of 10 contract, meaning you will appear in 8 of the season's 10 episodes (and the number of episodes you will appear in can be negotiated). Being a regular also means that if for some reason, you end up not appearing in the number of episodes in your contract (like your scenes get cut or the writers decide your story doesn't fit into a specific episode or they condense your storyline that was going to run in 2 episodes into 1 episode, etc) then you still get paid for the number of episodes in your contract.

[EtheltoTillie]

Come on, Midge didn’t know the lyrics to White Christmas because she was Jewish?  One of the most popular songs of all time, which you would have heard a million times everywhere?  A song that was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish composer?  It’s not”Come All Ye Faithful.”  

They are really losing me here with stupid cringey stuff.  And I don’t want to see any more of Sophie Lennon. 

[khyber]

On 12/5/2019 at 11:20 PM, shapeshifter said:

Tony Shalhoub’s Abe character continues to morph into his Monk character.

 

I've just started watching Monk last month and I kept getting drawn back to that.

[shapeshifter]

5 hours ago, GussieK said:

Come on, Midge didn’t know the lyrics to White Christmas because she was Jewish?  One of the most popular songs of all time, which you would have heard a million times everywhere?  A song that was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish composer?  It’s not”Come All Ye Faithful.”  

Growing up in Christian neighborhoods in the 60s I remember moving my lips and humming until I learned the Lord’s Prayer that started my first grade class each day, and Silent Night that we were to sing for the Christmas play (picturing the pregnant “Round Young Virgin, Mother and Child” based on the illustrations from the Time Life Library of Art books to which my mother subscribed). 
So I have no problem imagining someone who grew up in a Jewish neighborhood at that time not knowing White Christmas, even though I did know that one and all the other secular Christmas tunes of the day —and Midge might have known them too —but not necessarily. 

[Clanstarling]

On 12/6/2019 at 5:28 PM, shapeshifter said:

Now that you reminded me of the total lack of closure between Midge and Dr. Benjamin, I realize that the assumption that she left him because he wanted a stay-at-home wife is not spelled out. It could also be that Midge just didn’t want to be tied down emotionally or socially at this point in her life. Additionally, if no conversation ever happened off screen with Midge and Dr. B, likely she couldn’t bare to close the door on a possible future with Dr. B either. The conversation in this episode between Midge and Joel reinforces this notion of Midge’s own uncertainty about her future relationships. 

My take from the last episode last season was that while listening to Lenny Bruce do his "All Alone" bit on Steve Allen, she realized that to really pursue her dream, she needed to be unencumbered. 

I think the Benjamin dump wouldn't really have done much to move the story along, so I don't really mind that we didn't see it. Joel's set up was more important, in my opinion.

Minor quibble coming from a military brat - the soldiers weren't wearing khakis, which are a tan color. They were wearing olive drab fatigues. I'd put up pictures of my father (who was in the service in this era) in both, but I'm too lazy.

[Razzberry]

It's simply unbelievable to me that anyone who grew up in New York City and not on an Amish farm with no radio or TV wouldn't know the song, "irregardless" of religion.  According to Wiki:

"White Christmas" is the most-recorded Christmas song; there have been more than 500 recorded versions of the song, in several different languages.[50]

Crosby's "White Christmas" single has been credited with selling 50 million copies, the most by any release and therefore it is the biggest-selling single worldwide of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records 2009 Edition lists the song as a 100-million seller, encompassing all versions of the song, including albums.[4][5] Crosby's holiday collection Merry Christmas was first released as an LP in 1949, and has never been out of print since."

[EtheltoTillie]

9 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

My take from the last episode last season was that while listening to Lenny Bruce do his "All Alone" bit on Steve Allen, she realized that to really pursue her dream, she needed to be unencumbered. 

I think the Benjamin dump wouldn't really have done much to move the story along, so I don't really mind that we didn't see it. Joel's set up was more important, in my opinion.

Minor quibble coming from a military brat - the soldiers weren't wearing khakis, which are a tan color. They were wearing olive drab fatigues. I'd put up pictures of my father (who was in the service in this era) in both, but I'm too lazy.

I have no military connections, but I know fabric, and I thought that was wrong. 

[KariLois]

As a Jewish New Yorker, she would have definitely known the song, “White Christmas.”  It is kind of considered an in-joke among us that Irving Berlin managed to write one of the most iconic Christmas songs ever.  It irked me the same way in the first episode that Midge bought the lamb from a non kosher butcher.  It would never happen.  Their research seems convoluted.  As for Benjamin, I knew they wouldn’t end up together because of the episode titled, “Finishing the Hat.”  “Finishing the Hat” is a song about the artist deliberately choosing art over relationships.  

[SimonSeymour]

I don’t know. I’m Jewish (from Chicago, not New York), but definitely nowhere close to being as religious as Midge’s family seems to be. I absolutely know OF the song, but I wouldn’t be able to sing the lyrics past, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one(s?) I used to know(?) . . ..” That’s as far as I can go. 

Edited December 9, 2019 by SimonSeymour

[shapeshifter]

37 minutes ago, SimonSeymour said:

I don’t know. I’m Jewish (from Chicago, not York), but definitely nowhere close to being as religious as Midge’s family seems to be. I absolutely know OF the song, but I wouldn’t be able to sing the lyrics past, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one(s?) I used to know(?) . . ..” That’s as far as I can go. 

And Midge being from a more Orthodox family might only know "Laaa, la la, la a white Christmas . . . " 

[Nidratime]

On 12/6/2019 at 2:29 PM, tennisgurl said:

Well I guess Susie leaving Midge was inevitable, but I dont think it will be very long lasting. "I haven't chased anyone down since Dezi Arnez gave me the clap." "It was worth it." 

Unless I misunderstood something from last season, Susie isn't leaving Midge. She's taking on an additional client. (Did Sophie tell Susie she couldn't have other clients?) The fact that she argued to Midge that she can't be Susie and Associates if there's nothing for her associates to do means that she's trying to grow her management and take on other clients. 

[Spaceman Spiff]

On 12/6/2019 at 1:29 PM, tennisgurl said:

Great seeing Lenny again, and he is, again, bailed out by a Maisel.

Actually he was bailed out by a Weissman. Maisel is Midge's married name.

[TV Diva Queen]

Midge worked in a department store....surely she's heard White Christmas a million times.  Come on now. 

[EtheltoTillie]

10 minutes ago, TV Diva Queen said:

Midge worked in a department store....surely she's heard White Christmas a million times.  Come on now. 

Yes!  I think not knowing the words to White Christmas is like not knowing the words to I Wanna Hold Your Hand.  It's interesting how this issue has really touched a nerve! 

[Gummo]

The Weissmans are certainly not Orthodox Jews. Conservative Judaism possibly, most likely German Reform Jews (going to the nonkosher butcher in the very first episode reinforces this impression). Having the Rabbi join them for Yom Kippur break-fast dinner in the first episode was a social "get," not a religious one. Have we even seen Abe wear a yarmulke?

Which makes Midge not knowing even the opening lines to White Christmas kind of ridiculous. By 1959 it was an American standard! At the time, Reform Jews prided themselves on their assimilation, it was in many ways the whole point of the movement. Her best friend is a Christian, she went to a "Christian" college, plus she must have played the radio as a girl -- sorry, nope, doesn't pass the smell test.

I do love that they continue to use real Lenny Bruce routines as part of the series. Abe should count himself lucky he didn't first see Lenny a couple of years later, he might have caught his infamous "To is a Preposition, Come is a Verb" routine.

I also like that the writers dealt with MIdge's selfishness and self-centeredness head on this episode, after much grumbling from fans the first two seasons. She got it from her parents, from Shy Baldwin, and from Susie. And they were all right, too! Susie especially had a right to be pissed off -- what does Midge think Susie's going to live on? I don't think $450 every six months would get you thru, even in 1960.

Speaking of which, Jane Lynch continues to steal the show every time she appears. She had all of one scene this episode and I was practically on the floor, laughing. Still not sure what Sophie's ultimate goal is, though. The idea that she wants a nobody like Susie representing her is absurd and I'm surprised the cynical Susie is swallowing Sophie's line so readily.

Been way too busy to binge the series yet but looking forward to the rest!

Edited December 9, 2019 by Gummo

[MoreCoffeePlease]

Loved it! Enjoyed the tap dancing routine and Shay's "angel" song. Very catchy.

Susie trying to be up on military time, and telling Midge that her method of being late or not isn't the way the world works.

Susie not be interested in joining the army, even if "there are benefits up the ass". 

Midge's gorgeous dress for the show. She knows how to wow the crowd.

Abe talking about the apartment: "When did I become a man who needs a living room and a dining room?!? And a kitchen?!? And 2 bathrooms? ..."

[Janie430]

So what I got from last season was that Midge decided to break up with Benjamin, because when the opportunity to tour came up, she didn't even think about Benjamin before she said yes.  Didn't think about the fact that she was engaged at all (or the kids really).  So she realized that she wasn't really into him, if he didn't even make her think "Wait . . "

[Clanstarling]

6 hours ago, TV Diva Queen said:

Midge worked in a department store....surely she's heard White Christmas a million times.  Come on now. 

This non-jewish woman, who's heard that song a million times, and who has it on the one Christmas album I listen to, doesn't know all the lyrics. The chorus, sure. But I'd be following the lyrics a step after the other singers (better than Midge, though) if I had to sing it. But a lot of music - especially the stuff that doesn't interest me and is played incessantly, doesn't get absorbed by my brain.

So while, yeah, it's a bit jarring - it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Oh, and I couldn't sing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" either - even though I did/do actually listen to and like the Beatles. It was not a song I particularly cared for. Now, "Yesterday" I could do.

Edited December 9, 2019 by Clanstarling

[shapeshifter]

1 minute ago, Clanstarling said:

This non-jewish woman, who's heard that song a million times, and who has it on the one Christmas album I listen to, doesn't know all the lyrics. The chorus, sure. But I'd be following the lyrics a step after the other singers (better than Midge, though) if I had to sing it. But a lot of music - especially the stuff that doesn't interest me and is played incessantly, doesn't get absorbed by my brain.

So while, yeah, it's a bit jarring - it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Thanks for this^ @Clanstarling. Also, if Midge has said it once, she’s said it a hundred times: She’s Not a singer. 

[TV Diva Queen]

14 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Thanks for this^ @Clanstarling. Also, if Midge has said it once, she’s said it a hundred times: She’s Not a singer. 

but she's a performer and she thinks quick on her feet, she was doing a USO style Christmas show and IMO she wasn't prepared.  Let us not forget she's a selfish gal, as cute as she is...she's selfish.  The lyrics are simple, what everyone is saying "sure I know the chorus"  that's the pretty much the whole song.  Here they are:

White Christmas
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
 

[Eri]

I'm going to have to rewatch the series to catch up again because it's been a while but can I say I'm glad Rose/Midge finally stood up to Abe and called him out for his ignorance and incessant whining - I honestly could not stand him for most of Season 2. And good on Rose for taking more control, she had some great lines.

I don't mind if Midge is no longer with Benjamin if she wants to focus on her career, but she's playing with fire catching feelings for Joel again in what was supposed to be a "one-time" night of fun before she ships off on tour. Aside from sharing kids, I honestly cannot see the appeal of him - and the more success she gets is the more bitter/petty he'll get, especially if his club business bites the dust. If they do decide to finally move forward with divorce proceedings as the season progresses, I hope he won't do something drastic (custody battle to punish her) - I don't think they'd go down that path but Joel has the personality for it.  Stick to cordial co-parenting and move on please!

[snarktini]

9 hours ago, Janie430 said:

So what I got from last season was that Midge decided to break up with Benjamin, because when the opportunity to tour came up, she didn't even think about Benjamin before she said yes.  Didn't think about the fact that she was engaged at all (or the kids really).  So she realized that she wasn't really into him, if he didn't even make her think "Wait . . "

This is my takeaway too. Regardless of what he did or didn't want, she didn't even consider him when making a big life decision. He didn't even occur to her. That doesn't bode well for a marriage.

Because I enjoyed his character and how he treated her, I would have liked for Midge to have at least discussed it with him. (Which we don't know for sure didn't happen.) OTOH, what's there to discuss? The problem isn't whether or not he was okay with her leaving. It's about where her heart and mind are -- and that's not with him.

[EtheltoTillie]

14 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

Oh, and I couldn't sing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" either - even though I did/do actually listen to and like the Beatles. It was not a song I particularly cared for. Now, "Yesterday" I could do.

Im terrible with song lyrics myself but I picked this one because most of the song is actually “I wanna hold your hand.”  

[Blakeston]

On 12/7/2019 at 9:56 PM, Clanstarling said:

My take from the last episode last season was that while listening to Lenny Bruce do his "All Alone" bit on Steve Allen, she realized that to really pursue her dream, she needed to be unencumbered. 

Also, the artist played by Rufus Sewell basically told her in season two that if she truly wanted to pursue her craft to the best of her ability, she'd have to do it alone.

On 12/9/2019 at 4:27 PM, TV Diva Queen said:

but she's a performer and she thinks quick on her feet, she was doing a USO style Christmas show and IMO she wasn't prepared.  Let us not forget she's a selfish gal, as cute as she is...she's selfish.  The lyrics are simple, what everyone is saying "sure I know the chorus"  that's the pretty much the whole song.  Here they are:

White Christmas
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
 

It didn't look like she was told in advance she'd have to sing the song. They just assumed she knew the lyrics.

I've heard it a million times, but before watching this episode i didn't know any of the lyrics beyond "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas."

I'm sure for many people it's second nature, but there are many of us who just don't pay much attention to the lyrics of Christmas carols.

[Raja]

I left the episode searching for One Less Angel by Shy Baldwin 

[SimonSeymour]

On 12/9/2019 at 3:27 PM, TV Diva Queen said:

but she's a performer and she thinks quick on her feet, she was doing a USO style Christmas show and IMO she wasn't prepared.  Let us not forget she's a selfish gal, as cute as she is...she's selfish.  The lyrics are simple, what everyone is saying "sure I know the chorus"  that's the pretty much the whole song.  Here they are:

White Christmas
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
 

It’s selfish of her to not know the words of a song she A) was not told she’d have to sing in advance and B) had never sung before in her entire life? 

If they had told her ahead of time she’d have to sing it, fine—she should have prepared. But it seemed to come as a complete surprise to both Midge and Susie. 

ETA: Also, don’t department stores usually just play the instrumental version, without lyrics?

Edited December 12, 2019 by SimonSeymour

[Nordly Beaumont]

4 hours ago, SimonSeymour said:

Also, don’t department stores usually just play the instrumental version, without lyrics?

Back then, probably. Especially in an elegant store like the one Midge worked in, they probably had a piano player come in to play Christmas music. Also, Christmas hasn't always been forced on us starting in high summer. It used to be a short season, easily ignored by anyone who didn't celebrate (the good old days!)

Edited December 12, 2019 by Nordly Beaumont

[shapeshifter]

On 12/11/2019 at 3:19 PM, Raja said:

I left the episode searching for One Less Angel by Shy Baldwin 

I don’t see video, but there’s: 

Edited December 13, 2019 by shapeshifter
Typo

[Elbow]

14 hours ago, Raja said:

I left the episode searching for One Less Angel by Shy Baldwin 

4 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I don’t sees video, but there’s: 

Oh, dear…The adjective 'few' modifies singular nouns such as 'angel' or 'idiot'. 'Less' is only properly used to modify plural nouns like 'angels' or 'morons' or 'vegetables'. Mizer & Moore and every teacher who failed to teach them their own first language should be ashamed. It's a race to the bottom.

[Blakeston]

4 hours ago, Elbow said:

Oh, dear…The adjective 'few' modifies singular nouns such as 'angel' or 'idiot'. 'Less' is only properly used to modify plural nouns like 'angels' or 'morons' or 'vegetables'. Mizer & Moore and every teacher who failed to teach them their own first language should be ashamed. It's a race to the bottom.

A song called "One Fewer Angel," while being grammatically correct, would also be kind of alien-sounding to most Americans.

I don't think there would be much of a market for an R&B song that sounds like it was written by my seventh-grade English teacher.

[Kenzie]

7 hours ago, NYCFree said:

There are many popular songs with non standardized English

My personal favorite grammatically mangled line:

'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain. 

(Horse with no Name)

[Old Man Neil]

On 12/12/2019 at 5:25 AM, Elbow said:

Oh, dear…The adjective 'few' modifies singular nouns such as 'angel' or 'idiot'. 'Less' is only properly used to modify plural nouns like 'angels' or 'morons' or 'vegetables'. Mizer & Moore and every teacher who failed to teach them their own first language should be ashamed. It's a race to the bottom.

The rule of thumb is, If you can count it, go for fewer. If you can't, opt for less.

Do you know how many angels are in heaven? Can you count them? Don't they add to their number every time a bell rings? How do you keep track? It's impossible. 

Therefore, using less is actually grammatically correct in this context. And I say that as someone who feels kind of sad that the word fewer seems to be disappearing from the language. 

[Pallas]

Thus endeth the lesson...

Please return to discussing Mrs. Maisel, and with renewed civility. 

[geauxaway]

Not for nothing, but I’m sitting listening to Christmas music and here comes Neil Diamond singing White Christmas.   
 

I liked the essence of this episode, very vibrant and colorful.  

[Janie430]

So on another thread, I was reminded that in the first season, Midge claimed to love Bing Crosby, and talked about watching "White Christmas".  Maybe it was a quip, but continuity, people.

[ShadowFacts]

32 minutes ago, Janie430 said:

So on another thread, I was reminded that in the first season, Midge claimed to love Bing Crosby, and talked about watching "White Christmas".  Maybe it was a quip, but continuity, people.

They really should have picked "Silent Night" or some other actual carol instead of a very well-known popular secular song.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Janie430 said:

So on another thread, I was reminded that in the first season, Midge claimed to love Bing Crosby, and talked about watching "White Christmas".  Maybe it was a quip, but continuity, people.

My fanwank for this and the other posts about Midge's claim to not know the lyrics to White Christmas:

• In the first season Midge repeatedly stressed that she has neither interest nor talent for being a singer, and I'm pretty sure this has been reiterated in seasons 2 and 3. Midge does not want to sing and is uncomfortable with being asked to sing, plus, I interpreted her objections to singing being also about not wanting to dilute her identity as a comic. 
   
• As someone upthread mentioned, just because someone likes a song doesn't mean they know the lyrics. For example, today I was humming the Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" while walking in sub-freezing temps, but even though I eventually managed to get the tune right, I could not recall more than a couple of phrases of lyrics, even after an hour of humming. 

I love creating fanwanks, especially for legitimate audience outrage.

[Crs97]

I was on Joel’s side during that phone conversation.  If he had called her, she would have been angry that he didn’t respect her boundaries.  She is achieving Lorelai Gilmore levels of annoying entitlement.

[janie jones]

On 12/9/2019 at 10:56 AM, MoreCoffeePlease said:

Abe talking about the apartment: "When did I become a man who needs a living room and a dining room?!? And a kitchen?!? And 2 bathrooms? ..."

I didn't like this scene.  What's the deal with Midge's mom?  Is living minimalistically only acceptable in Paris?  I can understand not wanting to give up her home, but still.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

On 12/21/2019 at 9:22 PM, janie jones said:

What's the deal with Midge's mom?  Is living minimalistically only acceptable in Paris?  I can understand not wanting to give up her home, but still.

I think it's more that in New York, she is known by the other women as having a certain amount of status and she feels she needs to maintain it so that they won't gossip about her and her family. It's not necessarily that she loves the apartment the way some people love their homes, but about keeping up appearances.

What we saw of Rose in Paris is what I believe is who she could be if she didn't care about what people thought about her. In Paris, she knew her old landlady (and she made new friends) but she wasn't entrenched in the social scene the way she was in New York so she could do whatever she wanted and no one cared.