The Bagel Report

Esther D. Kustanowitz and Erin Ben-Moche

The Bagel Report is a pop-culture entertainment podcast featuring award-winning culture and entertainment writers Esther D. Kustanowitz and Erin Ben-Moche. Each episode, these entertainment junkies discuss all things Jewish in the arts & entertainment world while exploring how Jewish identity is portrayed on the big and small screen. Follow us on social @estherk and @ebenmoche and on Twitter and Facebook @TheBagelReport .

  1. Jul 16

    Let's Go to Camp! Feat. "The Floaters" producer Shai Korman

    The Bagels host Shai Korman, one of the producers of the super Jewish summer camp comedy "The Floaters." This movie (and podcast episode) have everything: real camp vibes, Jewish traditions, "Nobody Wants This"'s Jackie Tohn, and camp inside jokes; there's even a substantial Mandalorian and Grogu/Star Wars tangent. May the Floaters be with you, and may you be with the Floaters at a theatrical screening near you!  See floatersmovie.com for upcoming screenings and post-film conversations featuring Shai and other producers, and some cast members.

  2. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

    Introducing Trying the Viral Smoked Salmon, Mifepristone Access, the first Spelling Bee | ICYMI from Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness. Follow the show: Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness ICYMI: This week: our first official TME Spelling Bee, Producer Nathanael learns the Tin whistle, we try the viral smoked salmon, talk GLP-1 & Cannabis usage, cover Mifepristone Access in the US over at the Jonathan Van News Desk, and drop this week’s Hot B*tch of the Week. The Monday Edit, now on ⁠YouTube⁠!  Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! ⁠www.patreon.com/jvn⁠  Follow us on Instagram ⁠@gettingbetterwithjvn⁠ Jonathan on Instagram ⁠@jvn⁠ and senior producer Chris ⁠@amomentlikechris⁠  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

  3. Jun 19

    School's Out, Birthday Bummers and Pop-Culture Pods

    The Bagels are back to talk end-of-school reflections, social media tribulations, pop culture and podcast recommendations, and - of course - Jewish representation. Esther talked about her Facebook account being "permanently disabled," affecting her connections with nearly 5,000 friends (read the whole story here), and Erin shared her experience working on a live remote broadcast for the FIFA World Cup. Then the pair got down to processing the latest onslaught of pop culture, with Larry David's take on American history on HBO; Mindy Kaling's latest, Not Suitable for Work; the film Bride!, which was about the Bride of Frankenstein but also about Mary Shelley, who authored the famous monster tale; and the anticipated arrival of Steven Spielberg's latest aliens film. Also in this episode: two odd films from Sacha Baron Cohen, "The Invite," directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Seth Rogen; Anderson Cooper's podcast on grief, featuring Amanda Peet, and a wonderful episode of The Daily, a New York Times podcast, featuring the Broadway show "Every Brilliant Thing," and more!    Check out these links: On The Daily (NYTimes) Amanda Peet "There's No Algorithm for Grief"  with Anderson Cooper The Happiest List on Earth - Every Brilliant Thing Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness - Trailer Stop That Train Trailer

  4. May 29

    May the 27th...29th Be With You

    Since we missed Star Wars Day, Esther and Erin are celebrating this week! Esther gives a short review of "The Mandalorian and Grogu," followed by some Jewish-adjacent notes in "Euphoria" and "The Testaments," and the funny thing that happened when the Bagels met up for "The Devil Wears Prada 2." Passover gets a moment to shine on "Friends and Neighbors," as Esther and Erin run through some of the excellent and authentic seder. There's also a reminder to watch out for the theatrical release of "Floaters," and Erin gives high praise to the documentary "Martin Short: Life is Short."

  5. Apr 17

    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 Pre-order link to Modeling Religious Pluralism book on Amazon (June 2nd release)  Caught Stealing: available on Netflix Nothing Is Lost: available on Apple TV The Pitt and Rooser: available on HBO Max.

  6. Feb 13

    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.

  7. Jan 9

    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 song --Crazy Ex Girlfriend   Drew Berrymore, Jack Black and Paul Rudd talk B'nai Mitzvahs  Kate Hudson talks Matzah Ball Soup on Table Manners Podcast

  8. 12/26/2025

    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, featuring friend of the pod 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.

See All (101)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The Bagel Report is a pop-culture entertainment podcast featuring award-winning culture and entertainment writers Esther D. Kustanowitz and Erin Ben-Moche. Each episode, these entertainment junkies discuss all things Jewish in the arts & entertainment world while exploring how Jewish identity is portrayed on the big and small screen. Follow us on social @estherk and @ebenmoche and on Twitter and Facebook @TheBagelReport .

Information

  • Creator
    Esther D. Kustanowitz and Erin Ben-Moche
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Bagel Report

You Might Also Like