Tony Shaloub is known for his leading role in the crime comedy Monk, yet the actor's other long-running show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, should be equally popular, especially after its Emmy win. Shalhoub has been in the film and TV business for decades, after landing his breakout role in the sitcom, Wings. He has received acclaim for projects such as Men in Black II, The Man Who Wasn't There, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, the audience will probably recognize him by Monk, which aired for eight seasons from 2002 to 2009.
Although Monk could be considered Shalhoub's claim to television fame, the actor starred in another series that is equally hilarious and endearing. Initially launched in 2017, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino of Gilmore Girls fame and produced by Prime Video. The show is set in 1950s New York and follows Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a witty and wealthy Jewish housewife who decides to pursue stand-up comedy after she discovers that her husband is cheating on her. In the series, Shalhoub plays Midge's scientist father, Abe Weissman.
Tony Shalhoub was amazing as Abe Weissman in Marvelous Mrs.
Abe is unintentionally funny
The entire cast of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is fantastic, but Shalhoub is a particularly bright spot in the series. Abe is a unique character, completely straightforward, but also somewhat eccentric. As a physicist, Abe sincerely believes in facts and rules, and when others deviate from them (especially Midge), he can become agitated and upset. On the other hand, Abe's passion for the arts and his intense emotions have led him into some interesting situations. In some ways, Abe's stories are as entertaining as Midge's.
One of the best parts of Shalhoub's performance as Abe is that he's unintentionally funny. Unlike Midge, Abe is not a comedian, nor does he have a strong sense of humor. However, it's his quirks that make him one of the most hilarious characters in the entire series. The way Shalhoub shows Abe's muttering irritation is fantasticeven when it's just a small part of a bigger picture. Additionally, Shalhoub's chemistry with the rest of the cast, especially Marin Hinkle, Kevin Pollak, and Alex Borstein, is simply excellent.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was a different kind of Monk comedy show
How Abe and Monk Are Similar
Despite the fact that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Monk are both comedies that include Shalhoub, they have significant differences between them. Where Monk had a procedural format focused on crime and mysteries, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel had much more freedom with its plot. Its time period also gave it an additional interesting element. Furthermore, Monk often used physical comedy and Monk himself for most of his laughs, while Maisel's the style of comedy was much more centered around wit, real stand-up, and a great cast of funny people.
Of course, Shalhoub's characters have similarities. For the most part, both Abe and Monk laugh at being fish out of water. Monk's OCD and social awkwardness make for some really great moments, especially when he's working. A similar situation is true for Abe, who may not explicitly have OCD, but is definitely averse to change. Both characters often find themselves in uncomfortable scenarios that cause them to have unique reactions, but ultimately, they are still fully formed characters who develop and grow over time.
Tony Shalhoub gave some of his best performances in Marvelous Mrs.
Maisel is a must-see for Shalhoub fans
Ultimately, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel includes some of Shalhoub's all-time best performances, and his Emmy award proves it. Shalhoub won Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2019 and was nominated for the same award in the years before and after. Although Shalhoub is absolutely hilarious in Maisel, some standout moments include its most dramatic moments. For example, When Abe discovers Midge is doing comedy, his performance is captivating. Plus, Abe's dinner with Midge last season, where he finally accepts what she does, is one of the best moments in the series.
Those who love Shalhoub in Monk should definitely give The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel an attempt. Despite the shows having very different plots, Shalhoub manages to bring the same comedy and joy to both series. The public will leave The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel feeling happier and maybe even inspired by Midge's story.