Variety’s ‘A Night in the Writer’s Room’ is more of the kind of pre-Emmynomination events that I get very excited about and this panel includes a lot of interesting shows (and one that doesn’t quite fit the pattern) covering network, cable and streaming. This in itself brings about the subject of the differences of working across these various platforms as several of these writers have experienced both the more traditional model and recent developments.
Also this is a good time to point out that the excellent Queen Sugar returned last night and Ava DuVernay talks about how this project came about. It includes a trip to Maui and I could listen to DuVernay chatting about this show for a long time.
A potential season 2 of Big Little Lies has been coming up a lot during these Emmy campaigning chats – I’m in agreement with Caroline Framke about why it should be a one and done series – and David E. Kelly is unsurprisingly non-committal saying it is all in the hands of author Liane Moriarty. He does have nothing but love for this entire project and set of characters. He also tells an amusing anecdote about how many pages director Jean-Marc Vallée likes to write with.
Both Mr Robot and Westworld had fans theorizing (and guessing correctly early on) so the question of fans guessing major twists is something that is addressed and whether streaming has an advantage here with how quick it gets consumed.
Watch the panel below.
Emmy nominations will be announced Thursday, July 13.
End of year lists can focus on various things – performances, costumes, episodes, overall show – and one of my favorite things to look back at is the best use of music on TV. Song can transport us to those all important standout moments or introduce us to new music; over the last few years I have compiled playlists from TV to celebrate this. Last year I focused a single show as You’re the Worstis particularly strong in the end credit department, whereas in previous years I have done a general playlist of the year in TV music.
For 2016 I have returned to the latter format going all in with 28-tracks and you can find the full breakdown and playlist over at Collider. Songs and music from 21-shows were chosen with some getting two tracks (including the above Fleabag) because I just couldn’t chose and a variety of genres feature. There are songs to dance to, induce tears and all other kinds of emotions and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
You can find instrumental pieces from Westworld and Game of Thrones, tracks that have appeared on “Music Monday” from the melancholy to fun cover versions. Mr. Robot was messy in season 2, but nailed the soundtrack once again and shows like Atlanta and Crazy Ex-Girlfriendhave music ingrained into the very fabric. You will find songs from The Americans, Halt and Catch Fire, Girls, Black Mirrorand American Crime Story as well as a literal earworm from BrainDead. Plus many, many more.
Costuming is my first love, but soundtracks is a close second and I am so glad I got to compile such an extensive playlist and discuss the best of 2016 over at Collider. Check it out here and get your dance on.
So 2016 has been bit of an emotional roller coaster on a large global scale and a personal one with moments of so much joy and immense sadness.
Writing wise this has been my best year yet as I finally got over my pitching fears (well, mostly) and have a weekly TV and Style column at The Observer where I have discussed numerous shows and costume moments beginning with Girls back in February. I have also contributed to Collider with several Americans essays and a TV themed gift guide (still time to buy!).
Here is a selection of my favorite pieces of work from 2016 including a personal essay, topics I have been obsessed with for a long time, discussing so many different shows from this year (with a dash of the ’90s) and I also got to interview two amazing costume designers.Kicking off with the essay that was incredibly hard to write, but also gave me great comfort after my father passed away in July. I got married in September and in the lead up I knew it would be a very happy day tinged with sadness and writing about Outlander, my father and our shared heritage helped.
I don’t tend to be someone who is good with sharing my deepest feelings and personal essays are an uneasy prospect: however connecting to the work of Terry Dresbach and the Outlander team led to an outpouring of words.I wrote about The Americans a lot in 2016 both here and other places. I spoke to costume designer Katie Irish at the start of the fourth season about Coach, the many coats and other costume design disguise secrets.
BrainDead is one of my favorite shows of the year for being fun, weird, having so much flames chemistry and rethinking how to do a “previously on.” Plus it gave me so many outfit goals and I got to expand on this further here. And now for my most viewed article, which also happens to be one of my favorite costume moments of the year when Sansa made sure Jon knew he was family by making him a very Ned fur.
On the pieces I have wanted to write about forever track; Angela singing on Mr. Robot let me go all in on the sadness karaoke essay that has been itching to come out since Eliza sang “Chandelier” on Selfie.
The second season of Mr. Robot was messy in places, but the women delivered and it gave me plenty to write about from a costuming perspective. Oh and everyone looks hotter in sunglasses as the Fug Girls always say.A tale of two haircuts and I am very proud of finding a very strong link between Keri Russell’s infamous Felicity haircut and Marcia Clark’s mid-trial makeover. American Crime Story’s “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” is one of my favorite episodes of TV this year and exploring the legacies of a style change was incredibly fulfilling.
I binged the first season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend the week after my dad died and it was a much needed distraction so I will forever be grateful for Rachel Bloom and Rebecca Bunch. Season 2 has also provided some very interesting talking points including portrayals of lady friendships and makeovers. Plus Rebecca’s imagination delivers on plenty of fun costume changes.
Here’s to more in 2017 and for my author pages at The Observer and Collider head here and here.
For individual costume highlights check out Best of the Rest Parts 1and 2.
There were a lot of great outfits at the Hollywood Reporter’s celebration of women in entertainment and as there was so many I dedicated a whole post to this event.
There’s more to celebrate on this week’s “Out of the Box” including a fantastic start to Vogue’s 2017 magazine run, a night dedicated to Carolina Herrera, more yellow dress delights and a Mr. Robot family reunion.Vogue kicks off their 2017 issues with this Ruth Negga stunner in Alexander Wang rose print and this is another case where shoulder cutouts aren’t distracting me from how great everything is.
Negga recently appeared in Vogue editorial with Loving co-star Joel Edgerton. Considering how fantastic that shoot was it isn’t surprising they asked Negga to come back in this starring capacity (although the close release between issues made this a happy surprise to see her on the cover).An Evening Honoring Carolina Herrera means lots of Carolina Herrera gowns and Emmy Rossum in this black and white gingham number is ticking so many boxes. It also reminds me of Lizzy Caplan’s Lela Rose fave from last year and I am a sucker for this classic picnic adjacent print. Now for something super pretty and Emily Robinson looks fancy festive party appropriate.Going for gold and Julianna Margulies is a long time Carolina Herrera wearer and here she is with hot husband (in a fantastic coat) Keith Lieberthal. Great berry lipstick choice to up the drama factor.Another perfectLa La Land yellow dress reminder from Emma Stone and I am also full heart eyes over this Rochas frock and red lipstick combo. Ryan Gosling is look all kinds of handsome as they both do the hand and footprint in cement thing at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. A picture of Mr. Robot family happiness at the GQ and AG dinner in LA with a whole lot of black and white casual outfit coordinating from Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin and Christian Slater.
Fall TV premiere dates inch closer – and You’re the Worst is back tonight! – and so plenty of behind the scenes promo is occurring. Plus fabulous guest stars, guest directors and one show is almost forever finished shooting.
A lot of beard to kick off this week’s Insta highlights with Kristofer Hivju and Michael Fassbender. Future Fassy in Game of Thrones possibilities are probably low, but this wouldn’t be his first HBO venture as he was in a couple of Band of Brothers episodes.
Welcome back my fave screechy teen on a prestige drama and it looks like Whitney’s going all domestic goddess in a cat covered apron in season 3 of The Affair.
Eva Longoria is directing an episode of Jane the Virgin this season and everyone is very pleased with this. Also the amount of Brett Dier popping up in these shots would suggest Michael is not going to be dearly departed.
While we won’t get to see the final season of Girls until early next year, the show is currently wrapping up and these final days are getting the Instagram treatment.
BrainDead continues to be my favorite show of the summer, but the last two weeks have been lacking any Gustav so hopefully the next episode will rectify this.
The 2016 TCA Awards (not to be confused with the Teen Choice Awards) took place on Saturday and it is one awards show where the attendees know they have won* and that aren’t televised. They also don’t separate the acting awards by gender and ladies won big this year with Sarah Paulson and Rachel Bloom taking home the drama and comedy accolades. American Crime Story was the big winner of the night and The Americans received Best Drama for the second year in a row. For a full list of winners head here.
Sidenote – I also can’t help but think of this episode of The Comeback when it comes to award shows where the recipient knows they have won.
Check out our style highlights from the event below.The Mr Robot cast continue their best dressed domination with Christian Slater and Rami Malek crushing their suit choices (as per usual). Malek’s penchant for color instantly makes him standout. Portia Doubleday and Carly Chaikin’s excellent dress picks continue with pleats and a super sexy black number; they are high on the Emmy red carpet anticipation list. Oh hey there Cuba Gooding Jr. More royal blue pleats from a Mr Robot cast member and this time with one of my other favorite things; sequins. Stephanie Corneliussen also happened to be a TCA panel style highlight last week.There’s a lot of sheer/net curtain elements to this dress and much like this Philosophy frock Sarah Paulson wore a few months ago I am somewhat on the fence; however she wears it incredibly well and the shorter hairstyle continues to be the best. Also got some strong #RelationshipGoals going on as Paulson poses with girlfriend Holland Taylor.It was a busy week for Americans stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys and they didn’t make the awards (it looks like Matthew Rhys was shooting Girls), but the rest of the cast looked amazing with Holly Taylor in a sparkly Marc Bouwer frock. Bonus lipstick points.Whoa! Keidrich Sellati who plays Henry Jennings sure looks tall/scrubs up well and is finally out from behind the computer screen. Pockets and florals, plus gold shoes equals a fantastic look from Alison Wright. I love how genuinely thrilled Rachel Bloom looks at events like this and the red/white coordinating with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna is striking. All the feelings and a good way to start the week with a hug from Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Co-stars supporting co-stars, returning summer shows, crushes are all included in this week’s “Behind the Insta-Scenes.” Plus plenty of stylish moments, a very cute TBT and more from the CFDA Awards.
Tonight is The AmericansS4 finale and Holly Taylor not only plays one of the best teens on TV, but her notebook prop from the show is so spot on with detail even if we barely get to see this stuff on screen.
There isn’t so much on set action this week as most shows are on some form of hiatus, but we still have plenty of behind the scenes treats including the UnREAL press tour, Vulture Fest, some new exciting projects, lots of glam and the odd bit of TV making magic.
And it’s double Lupita and Gina as I couldn’t pick between the two photos. This one also gives a better look at Gina Rodriguez’s hiatus hair (and here’s a more dramatic angle) and I love it so much. Such a bold and fantastic cut.
I am behind on every podcast I listen to at the moment, but I am very excited to hear this one from Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson aka 2 Dope Queens from Vulture Fest (which pretty much had my dream lineup).
A before Vulture Fest getting ready shot from Carly Chaikin and this is kinda making me want to figure out how to use Snapchat (my username is frazbelina). Also for more from the Mr Robot panel head here.
We have to wait until August 31 for season 3 of You’re the Worst so for now enjoy this collection of photos from the Vulture Fest Pop Culture Trivia Game Show.
Puppy heaven on The Late Show for Emilia Clarke (love her green dress) and she discussed the recent Free the D Game of Thrones moment. I’m not exactly sure this is what was being asked for (no one wants to hear about warts) but I guess it is a start?
Shiri Appleby didn’t get to play with puppies, but she did pose with this Late Show cushion and the UnREAL cast are doing an excellent job on the Instagram promo front with plenty of photos.
I am also beyond excited about this and Jenny Slate’s outfit is pretty much the platonic ideal of casual wear. Can never go wrong with jeans, Cons, a grey sweater and sunglasses.
Priyanka Chopra flies in gown style when hopping from one event to another and this also reminds me that I am about 5 episodes behind on Quantico (I am behind on so much). This dress/color on her is fantastic.
LadySuitWatch2016 alert! Anne Hathaway was in the fantastic Jenny Lewis video for “One of the Guys” and here she is giving a nod to Lewis in custom Jenny Packham while promoting Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Allison Williams’ style is morphing into Marnie on the final season of Girls while Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke are accidentally twinning in very similar checks.
Cush Jumbo and Adrienne C. Moore are currently performing in an all-female production of The Taming of the Shrew and there are plenty of ways to adapt Shakespeare as the above clip shows.
It is an all Tribeca Film Festival offering this week and TV got in on the action with panels for shows such as Broad City, The Good Wife and Mr Robot. As with a lot of these events the outfits range from the fancy end to casual cool, which makes for a very fun and varied “Out of the Box.The Broad City panel took place before the ABC morning TV drama and season 2 guest star Kelly Ripa moderated. Ripa is one of my favorite ever Broad City guest stars and not just because my go to gif about pizza is one featuring her. I am very much in favor of this argument and Ripa in this whole debacle because there are certain words that only ever get used about a woman when she has been fucked over.
Completely unrelated to the behind the scenes stuff going on, but her outfit here is really cute. Abbi and Ilana look funky and panel ready with the option to go out after in this attire. Abbi’s shoes are stacked strappy greatness and Ilana’s hair is giving me curl envy. The Good Wife is in farewell tour mode and normally I might be bothered by the presence of such a new cast member, but Cush Jumbo’s Lucca Quinn has been one of this seasons highlights from her funky styling to filling in the much needed Alicia friend position. Plus she gives such great side eye. Here at the Good Wife Tribeca panel Jumbo’s Michael Kors frock is my favorite of the three looks, but Julianna Margulies and Matt Czuchry are also killing it in the panel style stakes. Rounding things out on the three co-stars posing together front are Mr Robot’s Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin and Rami Malek. Oh and season 2 has a premiere date; Wednesday, July 13 and you can see them discussing the show here.
At the event Carly Chaikin wore something you might see pop up on Elementary as it is very much in the Joan Watson wheelhouse, which I am very much here for and I would very much like a pair of those Aryn Glasser pants. Malek and Slater are both doing their top button thing and this is one cool looking cast.Recent “Out of the Box” columns have been awash with color and print, but this week there are quite a few variations on black classic outfits including Gillian Jacobs at the Dean premiere. The ruffled neckline and detailing makes this more than just a run of the mill black dress. And Viola Davis puts a cutout spin on this black fit and flare frock at the Custody premiere. Lots of really great strappy sandals and nail polish combinations this week too and I can finally crack out some color for my toes. On the effortless end of the scale Sarah Jessica Parker does denim with a pair of SJP ‘Echo’ gold booties, long sleeve grey tee and a brown jacket at the #ActuallySheCan film series event.Ending things on a dapper note and Tom Hiddleston has a lot of projects to promote at the moment and he continues to wear suits very well. Hiddleston is another Ilaria Urbinati client and anyone familiar with TV Ate My Wardrobe and award season will know how much I love Urbinati’s work, particularly on the menswear end as she dresses her dudes in suits of all colors. Here Hiddleston is in a brown Dolce & Gabbana while on the High-Rise trail (a movie in which he wears suits well).
If this week’s Instagram collection could be summed up in one emoji it would be heart eyes as there are plenty of co-stars hanging out treats on offer with a strong dose of cute.
Keeping on the Mr Robot train and on set selfies from the new season that don’t reveal anything new, but I heart regardless. Heavy Darlene eyeliner is always welcome.
Flashing back to simpler times and pre whatever happened that caused Christopher Abbott to leave Girls under a cloud. But he did return and boy did we get a much more beardy Charlie in the process and this episode really is top tier Girls. It was good to see him again even if it was tinged with the tragedy of what has since become of Charlie. I miss that awesome bed he made.
Praise is justifiably heaped on Jane the Virgin from so many different angles and visually it continues to be striking in fresh and new ways. Everyone here looks spectacular.
One thing I spend more time thinking about than is maybe necessary is whether actors end up falling asleep during sleeping scenes or in this case in a pile of laundry after fake taking a lot of drugs. And the answer looks like yes.
Basketball being played on set between takes gives me instant ER vibes and I’m also enjoying how these poses both resemble a superhero stance and shooting hoops.
Instagram is a platform used for many things including celebrities wishing each other happy birthday in picture form. Sarah Jessica Parker took this opportunity to post not one, but a whopping nine pictures celebrating the incredible Amy Sedaris and it only made me love SJP even more.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
