Tony Shaloub is well-known for his starring role in the police procedural comedy, Monk, yet the actor’s other long-running show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, should be just as popular, especially after his Emmy win. Shalhoub has been in the movie and TV business for decades now, after earning his breakout role on the sitcom, Wings. He has garnered acclaim for projects such as Men in Black II, The Man Who Wasn’t There, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, audiences are most likely to recognize him for 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 just as hilarious and captivating. Initially released in 2017, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a dramedy 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 affluent Jewish housewife who decides to pursue stand-up comedy after she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. In the series, Shalhoub plays Midge’s scientist father, Abe Weissman.

Tony Shalhoub Was Incredible As Abe Weissman In Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

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 very unique character who is both entirely straightlaced, but also somewhat eccentric. As a physicist, Abe believes wholeheartedly in facts and rules, and when others deviate from these (especially Midge), he can become agitated and upset. On the other hand, Abe’s passion for the arts and his high-strung emotions lead him into some interesting situations. In some respects, Abe’s storylines are just as entertaining as Midge’s.

RelatedThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel combines hilarious dialogue with gorgeous 1960s style, and the best seasons are riotously entertaining throughout.

One of the best parts of Shalhoub’s performance as Abe is that he is unintentionally funny. Unlike Midge, Abe is not a comedian, nor does he even have a strong sense of humor. Yet, it is his quirks that make him one of the most hilarious characters in the entire show. The way that Shalhoub showcases Abe’s mumbling irritation is fantastic, even when it is just a small part of a larger scene. Plus, Shalhoub’s chemistry with the rest of the cast, especially Marin Hinkle, Kevin Pollak, and Alex Borstein, is just outstanding.

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Was A Different Type Of Comedy Show From Monk

How Abe & 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 relied on a procedural format that 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 a majority of its laughs, whereas Maisel’s style of comedy was much more centered on wit, actual stand-up, and a large cast of funny people.

Of course, Shalhoub’s characters do have their similarities. For the most part, both Abe and Monk garner laughs by being fish out of water. Monk’s OCD and social awkwardness create some truly great moments, especially when he’s out on the job. 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 at the end of the day, they are still fully formed characters who develop and grow over time.

Tony Shalhoub Gave Some Of His Best Performances In Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Maisel Is A Must-Watch 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 for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2019, and was nominated for the same award in the years before and after that. Although Shalhoub is absolutely hilarious in Maisel, some stand-out moments include his more dramatic moments. For example, when Abe discovers that Midge is doing comedy, his performance is captivating. Furthermore, Abe’s dinner with Midge in the final season where he finally accepts what she does is one of the show’s very best moments.

RelatedMonk had its tragic moments but also knew how to keep things fun, with Tony Shalhoub’s portrayal of the detective delivering some hilarious scenes.

Those who love Shalhoub in Monk should definitely give The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel a try. Despite the fact that the shows have vastly different plots, Shalhoub manages to bring the same comedy and cheer to both series. Audiences will leave The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel feeling happier, and maybe even inspired by Midge’s story.

Your changes have been saved