Lenny Bruce - Blog Posts
Reasons to ship Midge X Lenny from the Marvellous Mrs Maisel
The show is very feminist and relevant, despite being set in a time period that was awash with sexism and misogyny. Lenny is a great example of that, being the first male character to see Midge as more than a housewife or mother, and he never once doubts her skills as a female comedian.
. He is (or at least tries to be) a gentleman, giving up his taxi so Midge gets home safe, pays for her and Benjamin’s table on their date, and gives Midge his coat to wear on a cold night when he bails her out of jail and she loses hers.
. They have an irresistible chemistry between them - witty banter, some lingering looks - but what’s more than that is they’re more alike than they know. They’re both controversial, outspoken comedians who don’t give a hoot in hell about not being allowed to say “obscene” things on stage, but you get the feeling they both feel quite lonely and tired sometimes, which is why I love the scene in the bar so much.
It’s the first time we see Lenny vulnerable, shockingly different from the charming, slick character we’re used to. And the fact that they find each other right when they’re both feeling tired and disheartened and like giving up and they’re able to confide in each other says a lot about their relationship. Watching this scene from an outsider’s viewpoint you’d think these people have been friends for years, but in the show they’ve only known each other just under a year and even then rarely see each other, but they’ve got this connection that’s so intimate and interesting to watch. They’re both clearly attracted to each other but never either a) act on it or b) have actually realised it yet, but there’s some casual flirting that just warms my shipper heart🥰:
1. Lenny: “I heard some cute uptown chick got arrested doing a set, I put two and two together.”
Midge: “Called me cute, huh?”
2. Lenny: “Wait, was I supposed to make a pass at you?” (My personal favourite 🥰)
3. Lenny: “Does he know?”
Midge: “Know what?”
Lenny: “That you’ve been corrupted. Lured to the dark side of the microphone…”
Midge: “One. Date.”
Aagh, their chemistry!😍And those lingering looks and smiles and the way they literally light up around each other you can’t help but get drawn in - also literally everyone on the show thinks they’re slept together or are sleeping together 😅😉 Even while Midge is on her date with Benjamin, we get that delightful scene with Lenny and she absolutely glows, because, in my opinion, they just bring out the best in each other and it really shows on the screen.
I’ll ship it die I die!😍😍 *Jumps into the fandom trashcan*
How can you not ship them, seriously
I really like her with Benjamin, but you can't deny there's chemistry between them
listen…….i know that shipping Midge with Lenny Bruce is ultimately pointless due the fact that Lenny Bruce was a real person and that when it comes to his character on the show, unless she decides to go full revisionist history route with him, Amy Sherman-Palladino is most likely going to stick pretty close to how his actual life played out…..but i don’t…….como se dice……….give a fuc k
Y’all there’s Jazz version of “Uptown Girl” by the Cooltrane Quartet.
Okay, the next installment of Domestic Burlesque is up. This deals with some heavy elements so mind the tags. Please tell me what you think!
Head canon: When Midge and Lenny get married, he has the numbers from her fortune cookie engraved on her wedding ring. She has “I’ll always bring my umbrella” engraved on his.
This head canon comes features in “Two Comics Walk Into Temple…” part of my “Domestic Burlesque” series on ao3. Please go check it out and review!
Her lucky numbers are 46, 24, 11, 6, and 5.
Let’s do the number meaning for it.
TMMM Series Finale Review:
- Midge…WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST GO TALK TO LENNY?!?!
- I love Abe
- Stop cutting to Joel!
- Aww Susie!
- Aww Rose!
- Chinese Restaurant Scene broke me and she keeps the Fortune!!!
- The ending with Midge and Susie is great
- This is still a disappointing season overall.
Okay, so I’m working on Part 4 of Domestic Burlesque, it’s just that it covers 1964-1966 (if you know you know). Obviously, it’s going to end happily, but it gets pretty dark. So, I decided to post a little bit of fluff first. Please let me know what you think!
Not me restructuring “Very Blue Lives” on ao3 again…
When she started quoting Lenny my heart broke 💔😩
Okay, the third installment of “Domestic Burlesque” is up! I’m insanely excited about how chapter 5 turned out. Please check it out and let me know what you think!
This was originally titled “Tying Cherry Stems” however, I have combined it with the sequel, added to it, and heavily restructured it. I love reviews, so please let me know what you think! I need feedback like Midge and Lenny need each other.
No actually.
First of all, Joel. He cheated on his pregnant wife. That’s the first thing we learn about him. But that’s not why I dislike him. I have way bigger issues. We learn that Midge said no when he asked her out, and he didn’t accept this. He tells her that their song is “You Belong to Me” which is so creepy. He judges her drink choice, saying he’ll “fix it”. Amaretto sours are known for not having a lot of alcohol, so it’s kind of concerning that he’s judging her for something that doesn’t lower her inhibitions. He criticizes Midge for things that aren’t her fault (show sweater, him bombing). He introduces the kids to Penny without Midge’s permission, then gets mad at her when Benjamin surprises her at the park. The first thing Midge says is that she needs to clear it with Joel, but Joel doesn’t believe her and just yells at her and accusing her of leaving him. The audacity and double standards are unbelievable.
He lies to her about having no money and not owning their apartment.
He plans to move across the country, knowing that he won’t see the kids. He brings his very young children to live in a factory which he himself points out is full of dangerous, flammable chemicals and sharp, heavy machinery. He doesn’t want Ethan to see a therapist when he’s having sleeping problems. Everyone forgets about these events, which bothers me because everyone rags on Midge’s parenting but never Joel’s.
He never apologizes for what he did. After he and Midge sleep together in 1.8, he acknowledges that he didn’t apologize, but never actually does. Then he has the gall to say that he left because she was “a lot” and claim that he “never really left”.
What’s also concerning is that the minute after Midge puts her rings back on, she starts measuring herself. Part of this is definitely just the time period and definitely her mother’s influence, but it’s interesting how the two correlate.
Deep down, Joel is an insecure child who can’t let his partner be better than him. That’s why he has that fight with Mei about the liquor license. He says in season 3, that he knows he likes “conductors” but then gets upset when they act like conductors.
When he sees Midge perform for the first time, he throws a fit because Midge is good. She tries to work it out, but he just walks away, then refuses to get back together because he’s insecure. To be fair, I do absolutely understand his position here, I just don’t like how he left Midge in limbo about it. (She mentions that he won’t return her calls). Yet, he still tries to tell her where to live because he’s controlling.
Now, I like him considerably better in seasons 3 and 4. His Catskills characterization is actually really great. His support of Midge in court is actually really nice, and I like that he comes to her defense with the panty pose picture. His support of her career is actually really great and his relationship with Mei is really interesting and does a lot to make me like him.
Then we get to the Vegas episode. They wake up together and he feels guilty because of his relationship with Mei. To be fair, I don’t think that this is cheating because it’s clear they haven’t had the exclusivity discussion. I also understand why he is frustrated with the situation, however none of that is any excuse for how he treats Midge. Midge is joking about the situation, since there’s obviously nothing they can do about it now. He tries to slut shame her for “entertaining herself on the road”. Now, Midge isn’t doing that, but even if she was, that is her business. And he is no position to judge promiscuity after having flings with all of the factory models in season 2. Once again, the double standards are absolutely ridiculous.
I do wish he had told Midge about the money situation with Susie, and I blame both of their characters for keeping this serious issue hidden.
In season Season 4, I like him. I like that he wants to support Mei. This is really when I started to engage with Joel. He has great moments in season 2&3, but Season 4 has them on display more often.
Then…we get season 5. He blames Midge for Mei leaving and ending the pregnancy, something that I already analyzed earlier. He acts like he deserves a medal for being concerned that Midge is owned by the mob. He’s trading pictures of his ex-wife (specifically revealing ones where she looks younger. Ew). But the thing that bothers me most, is the set that he does at the beginning of 5.2.
He degrades her onstage, mocking her for not spending enough time on his jockey shorts. She was busy raising your children and cooking your brisket asshole. The worst part is, he does it for revenge. He says “turnabout is fair play”. Midge never talked about him for revenge. She did it because she was sad and embarrassed and needed a way to vent, because there’s not a whole lot of people in Midge’s life that actually listen to her.
All that said, I think Joel is really interesting. Michael Zegen does a great job portraying Joel with complexity and humanity, and people who send him hate mail are…rude to say the least.
However, the reason I hate Joel from a narrative standpoint, is because Midge is never able to truly get over him. He is not good for Midge, and deep down, he’s a selfish, spoiled brat who is only happy when everything is perfect for him.
Yes I’m a huge MidgexLenny fan, but I knew that wasn’t going to work. I wanted to see Midge happy yes, but not in such a reductive way. I wanted to see her stop her dependence on Joel, see her independent and thriving. That’s why Joel’s double standards bother me. He doesn’t want to be with her, but he also doesn’t want her to move on. He can move on, but she can’t.
Secondly, I hate what they did with Susie.
The gambling thing resurfacing made no sense to me. It was never even implied that she started gambling again after she lost all of Midge’s money in season 3.
I hate the fact that she went to Joel she never told Midge about it.
I hate the way she wasn’t the one to get Midge out from the mob and never told Midge about the situation. I don’t like the direction they went in with Nicky and Frank. I liked it better when they were actually supportive of another Rockaways kid. I’m not saying that they couldn’t have asked to get a taste, but they could’ve done it another way.
I hate that Susie couldn’t get through to Midge in season 4. Susie from seasons 1-2 would never have let Midge tank her career like this.
Once again, Alex Borstein is phenomenal as the character. My issues come from how the characters are being written.
I have a lot of issues with Midge in seasons 4-5. Like a lot of people, I am disappointed with the current trajectory of the show.
However, when I share my thoughts, whether they’re positive or negative, I am doing so because I have opinions that I want to share. I am not trying to diminish anyone else’s enjoyment, but rather engage critically with media I care about.
Season 5 Episode 6 spoilers below:
Gotta love how Joel went behind Midge’s back to solve the problem with the mobsters. He could’ve shown her the book or went back to her to raise his concerns again now that he had tangible proof. But no. It’s Joel, so he has to lie and go behind her back about stuff that pertains to her own life. This man has learned absolutely nothing.
Also hate that he’s trading pictures of her in prison. He specifically asks for the panty pose picture which is so gross. He got mad at someone for having it in S3 but whatever.
I almost rage-quit when Midge said she was still in love with Joel. I still hate her romance plots this season. Gordon is gross. The stalker guy is gross. Joel still sucks. The guy literally blamed Midge for Mei leaving and ending the pregnancy. Yeah Midge was probably still a little jealous since Joel was such a huge part of her life, but there’s a lot of concern for her children driving it as well. “I don’t want them calling you mom.” Is a line that especially has a lot of insecurity behind it.
I guess the rest of the episode was okay. Unsurprisingly, Alex Borstein was great, but I am totally on Midge’s side in regards to her fight with Susie. Susie should’ve told Midge the truth.
I almost cried at the ending.
I miss Lenny. But that’s why we have fanfic.
Also, I know it was a joke, but Midge says she and Susie had sex in Pensacola and refers to their fight as a “break-up”…so…I want to see that story.
So I’m doing a Marvelous Mrs. Maisel rewatch (to remind myself of when the show was good). I got to the Season 2 episodes with Benjamin and… I don’t like him. I always thought he was kind of boring, but had a few good moments with Midge, but now…
From the beginning, he’s just so unnecessarily rude to Midge, and only after she riffs along to the radio and proves herself sufficiently “weird” that he shows any interest in her.
Their relationship seems rushed too. We don’t see their first kiss or him meeting the family.
He springs marriage on her out of nowhere, after ambushing her at the park. The man is a doctor and supposedly very smart, I don’t know why he would think this was a good idea. He hadn’t met Joel but he’s proposing? Even Abe points out how rushed their relationship is.
Then there’s Midge, who falls back into old habits. She bends over backwards to meet Benjamin’s desires, even if it means putting herself at risk. She feels like she has to put makeup on in the mornings. She didn’t even mention Benjamin to Susie.
It’s later revealed that he bought a townhouse for himself and Midge, but didn’t consult her about it, because she apparently didn’t even know about it.
Even from their first date there are signs that Benjamin is never going to be enough for Midge. First of all, she knows immediately when and where Lenny’s show is, and it is her first instinct to go to him. Once Lenny is onstage, Midge is captivated. She only looks at Benjamin to gauge his reaction to Lenny. Her approval of Benjamin hinges on his approval of Lenny. (Personally, my favorite part is when Benjamin spends less than a minute watching Lenny and Midge interact and he is immediately like, “Did they…?”)
But the most interesting interactions come in S2E7: Look, She Made a Hat. Benjamin takes Miriam to an art show, something he knows she has no interest in. Now, yes I think you should try to take an interest in your partner’s hobbies, but the thing is, Benjamin keeps leaving to go brag or get drinks, and makes no effort to include her.
Now, contrast that with Lenny in S3E5: It’s Comedy or Cabbage. Lenny says he has a “work thing” which he brings Midge to, which turns out to be an appearance on Miami After Dark. He could’ve easily dumped Midge backstage for the entire show. But does he? Of course not. He brings her out to do a bit, have fun, and get her some exposure. He does this over the objections of the crew, because he loves her.
Returning to 2.7, Midge finds a painting she likes and buys it. She returns to Benjamin excitedly to show it off, but he demeans it. “That’s where they put the very minor artists. Or the mops.” Then he tells her that she overpaid and Midge feels the need to justify her purchase.
After the show, they head to the Cedar Tavern and Midge expressly tells Benjamin that he isn’t paying attention to her. Then, Declan Howell is introduced and Midge is captivated. Here is a man, an artist, who talks dirtier than he looks and can hold a crowd’s attention and make them laugh. And Benjamin is hesitant for Miriam to be around him.
Benjamin abandons Midge again in a situation that he thinks could be dangerous (yes he’s on call but still). And Declan gives Midge his complete attention. He is no longer dismissive, but attentive.
He asks her why she bought the painting she showed him yesterday. He remembered. She seems taken aback by the question, and even more shocked when he doesn’t accept her flippant response. She realizes he isn’t asking to make her feel bad.
When she finally gives her answer, “…She knows a joke that I don’t…” (Midge likes art that is warm and full of laughter which is a piece of characterization that I love), he is staring at her intently, and realizes she is worth showing his life’s work to, being vulnerable in front of. He listens to her answer.
Like Lenny does. Yup. It’s time to talk about The Blue Room.
Lenny stares at Midge like Declan does (but more because it’s Lenny). Lenny was listening to her, he always listens to her, and proves it by quoting her act.
“You are more important than God.”
“You were listening?” Midge asks this like it’s something she’s unaccustomed to (because it is).
“To you? Always.”
Men like Declan, men like Lenny, hold Midge’s interest for a reason: they listen to her. They make an effort to understand her. They show interest in things she likes without real judgement. They are real with her when no one else is. And that’s why it didn’t work with Benjamin. Because he just wanted someone to bum a light.
Midge needs someone who will give her the last puff.
I watched the first three episodes of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 5.
I…Eh…
First of all, where is the Gaslight? We haven’t seen it in so long.
Second, I’m sad to see that there’s still a lack of long stand-up performances…in this show about a comedienne. This was a problem in season 4, and I hope they fix it as S5 goes on.
I’m so glad season 4 Midge is mostly gone. I hated how insufferable she was in Season 4 and that Susie was never able to get through to her. That’s the core of their relationship, and I don’t like that it took so long for her to get over herself.
The flash forward openings were…weird. On one hand, Miriam being kind of an absentee mother makes some sort of sense, but seeing her as another version of Rose is kind of disappointing.
As is the reveal that she’s apparently been married four more times. Like, why can’t she find happiness? I never liked the arc about ending up alone, but I was willing to accept it as Midge putting romantic relationships on hold for a bit after putting it ahead of everything for so long.
But apparently she no longer speaks to Susie either? I HATE the explanation they give too. Their whole “we’re not friends, we’re coworkers” finished midway through the second season, and was a huge and endearing bit of Susie’s growth. I’m sure they’ll expand on it, but it’s just sad. And they showed the inverse of it mostly effectively in Season 3.
I hate that this show seems to really be doubling down on its message of “you have to be alone and distant from literally anyone to achieve your dreams.”
Season 1 and Season 2 (barring the finale) were about finding personal growth by pursuing your own ambitions.
Season 3, which I didn’t enjoy as much, is where the “ending up alone to succeed” stuff really started after being seeded in the Season 2 finale. Yeah, it’s hinted at in the S2 premiere, but it’s more about the final end of Midge and Joel specifically. The plot line with Ben is also more about Midge opening up with a potential romantic partner, and how perhaps she isn’t ready or compatible with someone in that moment enough to settle down.
She’s only about a year out from her divorce, so it makes sense that she realizes that she isn’t ready to settle down again.
I don’t really get why she decided that one failed relationship automatically equals alone forever. I guess it’s because she’s also super influenced by Lenny’s performance, but…that’s another problem. Her idolization of him is just such a weird step in the wrong direction for her character.
She’s putting him on a pedestal the same way she did with Joel, and it’s him that is the one to get her out of her self-destructive phase.
Susie once told her “You do not need a … man at your side to do this”. Except she does.
I hate some of the messaging in this show, but hopefully the final episodes will make up for the stuff I didn’t like just like the Lenny and Midge blue room scene did last season.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EAR0zcuYfSWOC57bMFAzK?si=y3_NVsNoSFCCmzRH3_O-Iw
