Typically all awards chatter at this time of year is geared towards film, which makes a whole lot of sense as we are deep into pre-Oscars territory. Most TV related panels tend to occur at the Emmys business end (so any time from July-September usually), but the SAG-AFTRA Foundation got some of the WGA nominees together for a discussion that covers everything from casting, influences, whether binge watching impacts their storytelling choices to interacting with material written by critics and fans online.
Mixing comedy and drama writers with a whole variety of backgrounds makes this panel even more interesting and it features Sam Esmail (Mr Robot), Joe Weisberg (The Americans), Joel Fields (The Americans), Kim Caramele (Inside Amy Schumer), Adam Rapp (Flesh & Bone) and Dan Lyons (Silicon Valley).
Some of these writers are also the showrunners/creators (Esmail, Weisberg and Fields) so this means their input and day to day tasks also incorporate wider aspects of production. Or if you are Sam Esmail you’re directing all 10 episodes, plus writing which is probably why his current day starts at 6 and finishes at 2 the next morning. This sounds good for writing a character like Elliot, but dude will need a long holiday by the time season 2 is over. Writers’ rooms and process varies from show to show with the Mr Robot going all in on the telling each other to “go fuck yourself” in a totally constructive manner (of course), whereas Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields will take long walks to solve any writing issues they might be having.
Kim Caramele goes into some detail about the 12 Angry Men episode of Inside Amy Schumer, which has received all the critical adulation but was met with some resistance when they pitched the idea. The idea of responding to online chat/reviews also comes into play and Esmail admits he reads everything. Joel Fields discusses this idea of how you can’t set out to do something great/original with a spy show because there is so much that has come before it, but you can set out to do something exciting which they are certainly doing on The Americans. They also talk about whether people binge watching dictates storyline and it sounds like FX are really good bosses to have.
Watch the whole thing below.
For more SAG-AFTRA discussions (of which there are many to deep dive in to) head here.
Welcome to TV Ate My Wardrobe’s “Best of 2015” costuming series and rather than doing a straightforward countdown we’re going to do a variety of posts that look at which costumes and shows have made a huge impact this year. From items we want in our own wardrobe to pieces that got everyone talking; we want to celebrate the work of television’s best costume designers.
Now is the turn of a huge range of shows we have been watching this year from network, cable and streaming with comedy, drama and all those other hard to categorize scripted offerings. There has been so many fantastic individual moments that we have had to split this post into two otherwise the scrolling would be endless.
Here is Part 2 of the standout costuming moments in 2015.
Camo Queen
Diane Lockhart is the ultimate when it comes to power dressing in the office – make sure you have at least one piece of statement jewelry – and she manages to transfer this skill to the snowy hunting climate working the all camouflage and furry hat getup like no other.
The Morning After the Night Before Award
Looking dudes killing it with their cardigan, plaid and most importantly bathrobe attire in the season 2 premiere. Patrick also hugged a tree, which was possibly the most adorable TV moment of 2015.
Hair Most Watched
When you want people to believe a HUGE character has been killed off don’t say the actor who plays him has cut his hair because for the next few months every public appearance will be under the hair watch spotlight; whether this be at Wimbledon or an airport (which also happens to be where said show is filmed). Nice suit, Kit. Sunglasses won’t protect your identity.
Inaugural Cary Agos Hot in a Hoodie Trophy
Cary Agos wore his hoodie recently much to our delight and yet we are going to give his prize to the one and only Matt Murdock who took this look to new shirtless levels in Daredevil. Rosario Dawson’s Claire also does casual cool ever so well.
Clothing Most Lived In
It would be remiss if while I was on the subject of hoodie wearers if I didn’t mention Elliot from Mr Robot and it just so happens that I started watching this yesterday (three episodes in and all I want to do is watch the rest). Elliot’s hoodie is very much part of his being and he pulls his hood up at any given opportunity. If a person could live in their clothing then Elliot would definitely live in his black hoodie with his black backpack as his home away from home.
How to Work a Sleeveless Hoodie
This is NOT A GOOD LOOK outside of a boxing movie (and even then I would probs give it a pass) and yet there is something so mesmerizing about Lee Pace in this getup. The same can be said for pretty much all of his Halt and Catch Fire costuming (dude even makes an all white suit and tee work) and this is one show I am so glad I went back to. For actual style inspiration check out everything Donna.
Best Mode of Transport
Amy Schumer’s “Last Fuckable Day” sketch was sadly all too accurate, but most of the time it is better to laugh than cry and that is exactly what Inside Amy Schumer did with this moment and many others over the super strong season 3. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes a rowboat look cool as fuck. Is there nothing this woman can’t do?
Smackdown of the Year
There’s a lot that can be said about the relationship dynamics on Jane the Virgin; the Villanueva women are guaranteed to get me crying at least once an episode and I am firmly in the Team Michael camp. There is one relationship that has gone from antagonistic to friendly with a whole dose of it’s complicated in-between and the Jane/Petra situation is the one which intrigues me the most. In Chapter 20 the pair entered the fantasy wrestling ring and it was as much fun as the leather wresting attire that a pregnant Jane was wearing. Petra didn’t look too shabby in her liquid silver jumpsuit. Jane the Virgin is particularly good at mixing the soapy/fantasy elements with real world in both content and costuming; this smackdown episode showcases these elements.
The Reality Show I Wish Was Real
2015 saw the end of several TV Ate My Wardrobe favorites including Kroll Show, which bowed out before it hit any kind of slump. There are many sketches that could have filled this slot – PubLIZity being a close contender – and yet it was this one off Farley piece that has me randomly saying “Look like dis.” Chelsea Peretti and Jenny Slate were my ideal Kroll Show guest stars and this included both women much to my delight.
Unexpected Character Inspiration
More reasons to adore Tatiana Maslany as not only did she deliver yet another fantastic new clone to the Orphan Black table, but she also got her initial inspiration from one of favorite places (as related to the above choice). Maslany told The LA Times that “Krystal was different because she was meant to die in the first episode. I was really into Kroll Show at the time. And I was doing PubLIZity. I was wandering around the set as Krystal in that voice, and they were, like, “We can’t kill her.” Then we started to develop her into a full character and not just me doing Jenny Slate.”
Outfit Most Inspired by Lindsay Weir
Much like Lindsay Weir, Rachel on UnREAL pretty much had her army green jacket glued to her and while Rachel’s life is definitely more of a mess there is certain Lindsay quality to her.
How to get Dressed in a Super Sexy and Snarky Manner
The Good Wife gave us the TV equivalent of blue balls squandering both Finn and Jason; instead having Alicia hook up with Johnny and Peter. At least the latter delivered on this perfect giving none of the fucks moment.
Stripes Delight
A classic look is classic no matter the decade and Virginia’s striped tee and pants ensemble on Masters of Sex is just that. If Emma Stones stripes and polka dots is my platonic ideal of an outfit then this is a close runner-up.
Most Old Hollywood
No one looks more killer (in more ways than one on this occasion) than Lady Gaga as The Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel capturing all that is glam and seductive about Old Hollywood.
Finding the Ideal Location for an Outfit that Looks Like a Painting
Every episode of Elementary is a costuming dream and Joan’s fashion palette is full of patterned delights including this stunning Victoria Beckham shirt dress; it looks like a shot of springtime against the snowy backdrop. There are several shows which use the winter shooting schedule to their advantage and Elementary is on this list (The Americans and Hannibal are two others).
International Assassin of the Year
There could only be one and the meaning behind Kevin Garvey’s suit – which Justin Theroux fits rather nicely – plays out in an incredibly surreal way in one of televisions best episodes of 2015 as The Leftovers hit new bonkers and brilliant heights. How to Make a Silly Looking Prop Look Entirely Serious
I mean it still looks pretty silly, but I don’t want to say that too loud as Keri Russell is giving killer side eye and it’s pretty terrifying. This is also one of Elizabeth’s best wigs of the season (which is actually a slightly less wavy repeat from S2). Blonde is definitely working for her.
Unexpected Sylvia Plath Quote Usage
Master of None took one of my favorite passages from any book and used it in an unexpected way that was so unbelievably perfect. Yes I burst into tears at the reading and portrayal of the fig tree passage from The Bell Jar. Here is that incredible quote in full.
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn’t quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.”
There is a lot of TV to be watched right now (#PeakTV) and like many I am in the process of compiling end of year lists (and as I have done in previous years I will be doing my ‘best of’ in a variety of ways) while trying to remember everything that I have watched this year. So this is a preview of what is to come in the following month and hopefully it will jog my very full TV related memory of anything I might miss.
So in no particular order here is what I am thankful for when it comes to TV in 2015:
The Hollywood Reporter TV Actress roundtable participants look like this and not this.
Comedy shows that explore a broad range of topics which not only make me laugh until I cry, but also invoke full on Claire Danes level of cry face. I am mostly looking at you You’re the Worst.
While I’m on the subject of comedies that make me misty eyed; Parks and Recreation ended this season on a high with an episode that pivoted on the Six Feet Under model and caused just as many tears.
Cable shows are embracing male nudity beyond just butts (special shout-outs to The Leftovers and The Affair) and all this after the The Comeback had a whole episode dedicated to skewering cable on this issue.
And that every episode is a lesson in tension and an exploration on marriage and identity. It was my number one show in March and it still is in November (spoiler alert).
That Agent Carter got a second season and I now own the same lipstick as Peggy Carter.
The master class in acting delivered by Carrie Coon and Regina King on The Leftovers and for every insanely wonderful thing this show is doing. Also for Justin Theroux’s ability to look bewildered and devastated at any given opportunity.
The Villanueva women.
Getting to see Tatiana Maslany take on even more characters and make me forget she is playing everyone in a scene. And this wave.
Kroll Show going out on a high and creating this incredible universe where so many characters overlapped and intersected. And because I can’t say “Oh, hello” without wondering if there is too much tuna and I sometimes inadvertently say ‘Ameezing’ like I’m on PubLIZity.
The 12 Angry Men episode of Inside Amy Schumer.
Rob and Sharon on Catastrophe (even if the amount of things Sharon says that are like me is reaching a worrying level).
Shows that take will they/won’t they situations and turn them into yep they will. Oh hey there Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
All of Lady Gaga’s costuming on American Horror Story: Hotel.
Fargo indulging my love of all things 1970s clothing.
Daenerys’ dragon necklace.
The brief but amazing turn by Birgitte Hjort Sørensen on Game of Thrones.
Oscar Isaac’s mustache/dad jeans and all the Bruce Springsteen used throughout Show Me a Hero. And, how the thought of this show hits me like a gut punch.
Every beautiful/fucked up thing they got away with on Hannibal this season.
The range in costume design and shows covered on here includes everything from period to contemporary to fantasy; I am thankful there is a vast amount to discuss and get inspired by.
Season 2 of Transparent is almost here!
The list is long and there are probably some very obvious things I have missed. I will get mad at myself later, but for now Happy Thanksgiving!
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving episodes to watch maybe take a rewind and watch these offerings from Felicityand Dawson’s Creek.
Happy Emmy nomination day! In a few hours time the title of this can probably be changed to Emmy Nomination Snub Rage List and before they are announced I wanted to make a note of the performances I would love to see recognized this year. Some of these are pretty much locks and will make the cut later, while others have an outside chance and there are of course the complete pipe dream entries.
There are sure to be some that I have missed and so this list doesn’t end up turning into thesis length I’m going to narrow it down to choosing from five shows. The slight loophole (because this list is mine) is I can pick more than one person from the same show.
First up drama!
Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell (The Americans)
Many words have been dedicated to The Americans here at TV Ate My Wardrobe and a good third of those are related to the outstanding performances Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell give on a weekly basis. The real tension of this show goes far beyond wigs and spy missions; it Philip and Elizabeth’s complicated relationship that takes The Americans to the next level. Realistically I’m not sure either of them will crack into their respective categories and just in case they don’t I’ve got the perfect gif reaction lined up.
Taraji P. Henson (Empire)
There is a lot to love about Empire and at number one on pretty much everyone’s list is probably the same name – Cookie. Taraji P. Henson takes a larger than life character and imbues her with vulnerability and power (she shared her surprising inspiration for Cookie here). And when it comes to style there is no other character that wears patterns or hats quite this well. I will definitely be throwing my shoe at someone if she doesn’t get a nomination.
Carrie Coon (The Leftovers)
Nobody quite made me feel their character’s pain in the same way as Carrie Coon in The Leftovers from her scream of anguish (which I just rewatched and now my keyboard is soaked in tears) in the standout episode of the season “Guest” to her silent wail in the season finale. It isn’t just her despair that made this such a great performance, but also because she injected some much needed romantic fun into a show that at times leaned so far into the darkness. I for one was thrilled to have a couple to ship.
Elisabeth Moss and Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men)
I really want the whole cast of Mad Men to get recognized for their acting talents in the final season, but somehow Vincent Kartheiser has never been nominated for an Emmy. This is unlikely to change even if his reading of “The King ordered it” is pure Pete Campbell perfection. Elisabeth Moss made me cry (sofa confessions) and cheer so loud (roller skating, supreme office strut) which makes her my ultimate Mad Men nominee.
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Even when the plot is a little bit all over the place you can guarantee that Tatiana Maslany will ground whatever craziness with whichever seestra she is playing. After three seasons it might be easy to take it from granted how she makes you forget that she is playing everyone, but I still find myself in awe every week. What makes her performance even more impressive is that when they introduced yet another clone (this time Krystal) there was an instant connection (Jordan Gavaris deserves a big shout-out here) and empathy toward her plight.
Now comedy!
Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback)
Nothing would make me happier than seeing Lisa Kudrow repeating Valerie Cherish’s Emmy success and the return of The Comeback after 10 years could have soured the memory of the beloved ‘cancelled too soon’ show. Instead what it did was once again give a searing look at Hollywood including how it treats aging stars. The blowjob episode was devastating and hard to watch, which also makes it one of the most important moments on TV from the past year.
A performance that can make me laugh and cry in equal measures with Gina Rodriguez delivering (no pun intended) in both areas. The world of Jane the Virgin can be kind of out there and the show moves at a pace to rival Orphan Black, but as with Tatiana Maslany this show has a lead that can ground the crazy and make you feel every bit of pain and joy that she does.
Kether Donohue and Aya Cash (You’re the Worst)
Another show I would give all the awards to with BFFs Gretchen and Lindsay each clinging to some expectation of the life they should be living while embracing the one they think they shouldn’t. For Lindsay this is playing wife to a husband she doesn’t love while partying with Gretchen on the side and Gretchen attempts to ignore the very real feelings she has for Jimmy. Both Kether Donohue and Aya Cash are brilliant and I still have Lindsay’s haunting drunk rendition of “This Woman’s Work” playing on repeat in my head.
Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer)
The “Last Fuckable Day” sketch from the season opener is hilarious and sadly too fucking accurate; this is one example of how good Inside Amy Schumer has been this season a long with boy band parodies which ring true to the episode long take on 12 Angry Men. Now there are magazine covers galore and her movie Trainwreck is out in the US this weekend and this really is the year of Amy Schumer.
You know the drill by now and while I can pretend I haven’t been checking various industry websites daily (okay sometimes way more than that) for their Emmy discussion coverage, anyone who visits TV Ate My Wardrobe at this time of year will be aware of my love of all things roundtable. The Hollywood Reporter kicked things off a couple of weeks ago with an interesting chat with writers from shows such as Empire, The Good Wife and The Leftovers and now we turn to the comedy actresses.
The Hollywood Reporter has gathered a roll call of ladies I would like to get a boozy dinner with and covers network, cable, basic cable and streaming platforms; Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Ellie Kemper (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Lena Dunham (Girls), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish) and Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer) discuss a range of subjects touching on racism, sexism and issues they have encountered in the work place. Sounds like a hoot, right? Oh, but it is.
There’s a lot of jaw dropping revelations which sadly fall in line with some of the other industry stories making the rounds (such as Maggie Gyllenhaal is ‘too old’ and Salma Hayek has an accent). You can read the transcript over at the THR website, which is great and all, but the videos are where the real good stuff is at. In the past the full discussion has been released at the same time as the issue of the magazine, however this year we will have to wait until August when it will be available on THR.com and SundanceTV. For now we will have to make do with the clips they have made available on YouTube, which thanks to some editing makes it seem like the same question gets asked three times. Regardless of this choppy nature there is still plenty to unpack.
First up Amy Schumer discussing the incredible 12 Angry Men episode of Inside Amy Schumer and the inspiration behind it (so much rage/eye rolls at those dudes).
Good audition stories ahoy and by good I mean ‘Holy fuck! Hollywood is a garbage dump at times’ with Tracee Ellis Ross sharing a humiliating experience as well as talking about sexism and racism behind the camera.
Gina Rodriguez shares a similar WTF audition moment and I heart these women and their reactions to the crap they have to endure so hard.
On race and learning experiences Lena Dunham discusses the reaction to season 1 of Girls. Plus she also talks sexism and how her book advance was scrutinized. Plus I really want to know who the Girls guest star who spouted that awful shit is.
For a couple more videos from this roundtable head here and roll on August so we can watch the full thing (this will be my sentiment for all of these posts).
Styling wise they have stuck with the bold color palette and this tends to be the signature look for the comedy actress editorial, while the drama actresses usually get something a little more somber or on the more delicate end; see last year’s pastel, satin and lace for more (cue this year’s drama ladies in so much sparkle just to prove this theory wrong).
Check back for more Emmy related discussions in the weeks/months to come.
The sun is shining and the influx of summer looking prints and hemline lengths at the MTV Movie Awards has me both fearing and embracing the ditching of tights. Plus the best sartorial moments of the week from other premieres and events.
It has been a big week for Amy Schumer with hosting the MTV Movie Awards, receiving a Peabody and being part of Time’s 100 Most Influential People (Tilda Swinton wrote this spectacular ode to her). Inside Amy Schumer returns next week and we have already been gifted with this. To top it off she looks really great in this monochrome Balmain mini frock, which is giving me all the Megan Draper feels.
Short hemlines were on trend as Holland Roden demonstrates in another take on black and white in this super funky Caterina Gatta dress. And this ensemble also wouldn’t look out of place on Mad Men this season. Cute blue pumps too (although it is a shame they blend into the carpet).
Another very fun dress and Anna Camp’s Peter Pilotto is a textured/pattern joy. Not entirely sure about chunky straps on the Stuart Weitzman sandals, but this is the kind of outfit that would also work at Coachella (without looking too Coachella).
Now for a pair of dapper FNL boys and one thing I am really excited about when it comes to the new Fantastic Four is Michael B. Jordan on the red carpet and he is already killing it in plaid Vivienne Westwood.
All the Matt Saracen swoons are occurring right now and Zach Gilford’s got the whole cute smile thing down. Now to find him a decent TV project.
Moving on to the Lilly Pulitzer for Target event with Ellie Kemper rocking a bob with bangs and an ideal dress for the warmer weather. This looks like an ideal Jane the Virgin outfit and I can see this collection popping up on this show (it is Jane’s favorite store after all).
Rose Byrne opts for a slightly longer cut at the Adult Beginners premiere in velvet (!) Christopher Kane and the 70s influence here is strong (and I love).
Going for chic simplicity at the Avengers: Age of Ultron premiere and slaying it in Galvan is Elizabeth Olsen (I have to concentrate extra hard so I don’t end up typing a mashup of Peggy Olson/Elisabeth Moss). The white tee element is accentuated by the gold necklace and combined with midnight blue makes this a winning look.
Some of these writers are also the showrunners/creators (Esmail, Weisberg and Fields) so this means their input and day to day tasks also incorporate wider aspects of production. Or if you are Sam Esmail you’re directing all 10 episodes, plus writing which is probably why his current day starts at 6 and finishes at 2 the next morning. This sounds good for writing a character like Elliot, but dude will need a long holiday by the time season 2 is over. Writers’ rooms and process varies from show to show with the Mr Robot going all in on the telling each other to “go fuck yourself” in a totally constructive manner (of course), whereas Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields will take long walks to solve any writing issues they might be having.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
