'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel': 10 witty punchlines that show Amy Sherman-Palladino's knack for comic timing
“There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt,” humorist Erma Bombeck once said. Tracing the essence of these words through its narrative is 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', a period comedy-drama television series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino. Rachel Brosnahan plays the role of Miriam "Midge" Maisel who breaks up with her husband Joel Maisel (Michael Zegen) after he cheats on her with his secretary. The setback in her personal life helps her realize she has a knack for comedy and she enters the stand-up scene without a hitch.
From aiming at gender issues to pointing out body measurements and even religious beliefs, Midge has a bold streak about her underlined with perfect comic timing that steals everyone's hearts. Moreover, she puts across her opinions without a care for what people think about her. Through powerful dialogues by Sherman-Palladino, the series available on Amazon Prime is a masterful blend of drama, disaster and human dynamics. Here are some of the funniest and wittiest one-liners from the show that will make you chuckle long after you've watched the show.
1. This is Midge's take on going to 14th street, and it is definitely one of the funniest lines from the show.
“It’s downtown. If you have underwear on, you’re overdressed.” — Season one, episode one: The Pilot
2. It is through her subtlety in comedy that Midge wins hearts at The Gaslight Cafe.
“All that applause for me? What am I, putting out after? One standing ovation, everyone goes home pregnant.” — Season one, episode one: The Pilot
3. As much as it is tragic, this line still will definitely put a split in your sides.
“He packed up my suitcase and left.” — Season one, episode one: The Pilot
4. Midge is going through a lot after her divorce and she puts it straight with this line.
“See, my life completely fell apart today, and here’s why. My father-in-law owns my house. And he took it back when his son left me. Actually, that doesn’t sound funny at all.” — Season one, episode two: Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme
5. During a confrontation of Abe, Midge's father and Joel, Midge's estranged husband, this is what the former tells the latter. With a pinch of salt, it does show Abe's feelings towards Joel and still makes you giggle.
"Nothing. You call me nothing! You don’t talk to me or look at me. If you see me on the street, you will cross the street whether or not there is a crosswalk present. Your pedestrian safety is of no importance to me anymore.” — Season one, episode two: Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme
6. Rachel Brosnahan as Midge showcases the plight of women and what it means to be a housewife with this punchline.
"It’s the bras. And the girdles and the corsets, all designed to cut off the circulation to your brain, so you walk around on the verge of passing out, and you look at your husband, and he tells you things, and you just believe them." — Season one, episode two: Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme
7 Calling a spade a spade, Midge hit the bull's eye with her words.
“Calling that thing a house is like calling the Vatican a church.” — Season one, episode seven
8. This line shows how Midge brings up the differences between men and women in society with so much ease. Even though it's 2019, not 1958, the statement still holds true as men are still seen as rulers while women look on.
“I get it now, why men rule the world: no high heels.” — Season one, episode eight: Thank You and Good Night
9. Midge's sarcastic take on comedy is simply perfect.
"I've only done this drunk or stoned. What-what if that's the only reason I was funny? Like I can't get loaded every time I come on stage." — Season one, episode five: Doink
10. Midge gives her two cents about men at parties and nails it.
"They're clustered in a corner. Why do they do that? Why do they cluster like that? Because we intimidate them or because they're finally admitting they don't know anything about cars? Lots of tears and catharsis over that. Or maybe they're just hoping to start a really easily-winnable game of tug-of-war. Or it's just a bunch of guys who didn't make their high school team talking about how Mickey Mantle can improve his swing." — Season one, episode seven: Put That On Your Plate