Welcome to this week’s installment of “Behind the Insta-Scenes” and we’ve got sartorial highs, set shenanigans and some very cute animals to share with you.
And not to forget all the dog lovers – Constance Zimmer showing off this little cutie on the set of UnREAL. And now I’m wondering what manipulative role this puppy will be playing.
Also here for random encounters like this one with Chris Noth walking by the Girls set and getting accosted by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner (also understandable).
Ariana Grande did a superb job on SNL this week accidental swear and all. And now I have This is Not A Feminist Song” stuck in my head for at least another three more days.
Greg Williams has one of the best celebrity photography Instagram accounts and the access he gets at events like Letters Live lends to some very intimate moments; including this amazing shot of Gillian Anderson peaking from behind the curtain.
We have written about a lot of outfits both on and off screen this year and the 2015 Best Of series turns its attention toward our Look of the Week column, which has featured a whole host of red carpet appearances, magazine covers/editorial styling and many other sartorially infused events. And this is the second part of our “Out of the Box” rundown showcasing our favorites from a very stylish year (head here for Part 1).
Best ‘For Your Consideration’ Ad
Somehow Gina Rodriguez did not get nominated for an Emmy this year, which based on her performance and this incredible ‘For Your Consideration’ ad blows my mind. Ladysuit excellence.
Best Twirl
Another fantastic year for Lupita Nyong’o on the red carpet and in fashionmagazines with this Gucci dress twirl at Cannes giving plenty of 2014 Oscar flashbacks. Plus it proves that if you wear pleats there will always be the urge to whirl. Now for someone to cast her in a lead role please.
Best Peplum
It is well documented that I have jumpsuit issues (more on myself than anyone else) and adding peplum opens up a whole world of potential concerns, but this Roksanda number (a brand we heart) is beating the odds and it might help that Tatiana Maslany is the one wearing it. The red pumps do clash with the colored waistband, but this is totally working for me.
Best White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner
Mixing 70s cool with Old Hollywood glam in Peter Pilotto at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is Gillian Jacobs showing exactly why she is an “Out of the Box” regular.
Best Ladies on a Ladysuit
Or rather Mae Whitman wears the “Boob Suit” by Rachel Antonoff at a Refinery 29 event and I adore the irreverence of the ensemble. Whitman is killing it with her red lipstick choice and Mamie Gummer’s coat skirts bathrobe territory without stepping on the Dude’s toes. Excellent boots and jeans pairing.
Best Floral
2015 is the year we said goodbye to TV Ate My Wardrobe style icon April Ludgate, but there is still plenty of Aubrey Plaza sartorial brilliance including this color blast floral Suno mini dress at the Independent Spirit Awards.
This year has been awash with a lot of bad sheer; turning a good outfit into a scrolldown nightmare. However, there are always exceptions to the rule such as this Valentino starry eyed number and Naomie Harris crushed the Spectre promo tour.
Best Magazine Cover Part 2
Fashion was all about the 70s and I don’t think I need to mention again how much I adore the looks from this decade, but this WSJ Carey Mulligan cover/editorial is pretty much the dream. Also more Valentino with this jacket and across the two Out of the Box Best of 2015 posts they are the most featured brand. Good work, Valentino!
Best Black and White
Another year of Kiernan Shipka dressing much better than me and it is hard to believe she only turned 16 last month. This Interview shot captures her fashion cool without a) dressing her older than her age and b) putting her in something she wouldn’t actually wear.
Most on Point Dress Part 2
This is still the photo on my phone lockscreen and I can’t get enough of Gwendoline Christie in her Captain Phasma infused Giles Deacon dress for the ‘Force 4 Fashion’ Bloomingdales charity event.
Best Sundance Cool
Jessica Williams is still our favorite Daily Show correspondent and she is also slaying on the Sundance portrait front showing off the vital boots/tights/thick socks combination.
Most Precarious Walk
Less weather appropriate is Keri Russell in a very snowy/icy New York on her way to The Today Show back in January. I could barely walk in these Alaïa sandals in the best weather conditions and it would very much be a Bambi on ice situation. The rest of the outfit is terrific including the rose covered Victoria Beckham skirt and there are strong coat feelings going on right now. If only it was currently cold enough to wear outerwear like this.
Best Couple
Pushing recent tabloid rumors aside it has been another really strong year for Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson on the red carpet. This is another occasion of Kruger as the Magical Fashion Unicorn as I’m not sure there are many who could pull off this cutout vintage Roland Mouret ensemble and Joshua Jackson scrubs up nicely at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. Let’s hope there is more of this in 2016.
Best TCA Pairing
Pete and Peggy feeeeeelings are happening because of this winter TCA Elisabeth Moss and Vincent Kartheiser moment. I’m so glad the final season of Mad Men addressed their relationship in this manner. Plus more red pumps <3.
Best ‘Could be Related’
It might be the matching luscious brunette locks and similar attire, but Liv Tyler and Margaret Qualley gave off a related to each other vibe at the season 2 premiere of The Leftovers. Now that would be a season 3 twist.
Happy New Year! And here’s to many more sartorial highs in 2016.
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.”
A bumper “Behind the Insta-Scenes” this week including Halloween both on and off set, cast hangouts, reminiscing and dancing. There is always time for dancing.
Continuing the Parks and Rec theme and combining it with the musical that like many people I can’t stop listening to at the moment. The fact that Ben Schwartz has Jean Ralphio’s faked death headstone is also aces.
Entering the Halloween portion and You’re the Worst doubled down on Sunday Funday this season with a fantastic tapestry of scares, amazing costumes, hilarity and relationship drama.
Which Aya Cash then used as an IRL dress-up solution because why not? These wings give me so many teen flashbacks and I still have a pair stuffed in the back of my wardrobe.
I haven’t watched this week’s Scream Queens yet and while I keep fluctuating between enjoyment and eye roll toward this show (standard reaction to a Ryan Murphy project) this pairing does raise my interest levels. Now to make the Gwyneth thing actually happen.
Ending things this week with this very hypnotic video. And even though I can only see a tiny portion of Elizabeth Banks’ outfit, it already looks like she is killing it on the Mockingjay press tour.
The red carpet is awash with bold looks this week from PaleyFest, the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards and a variety of other events delivering sartorial highs.
As promised here is Tatiana Maslany at the Orphan Black PaleyFest panel wearing a fabulous Roksanda ruffled jumpsuit with color clashing red pumps. This is one way to brighten up a classic look with excellent results.
Another jumpsuit twist with Diane Kruger sporting a quilted look from the Balmain x H&M collection event. I have a feeling this might be a Magical Fashion Unicorn situation with Kruger and it falls into my own personal ‘jumpsuits are awkward’ category. Very much into Zachary Quinto’s chevron sweater and they look like they’re attending a super hip party in the 1970s, which might include a bowl of keys.
A gold pleated sparkly treat from Laverne Cox wearing Alice + Olivia at the One Life/Live Them event and this is getting added to the festive party ideas list. It was announced this week that Cox is going to star in the new Rocky Horror Picture Show TV remake and I am suddenly more interested in this project.
Take two for Roksanda this week and another signature color blocking delight. Olivia Wilde also choose to give the outfit an extra pop of wow with red pumps; she balances the look out by opting for minimalist makeup and accessories at The Headstrong Project’s 3rd annual Word of War event in New York.
Now entering the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards section kicking off with Ashley Madekwe in Calvin Klein Collection teaming leather with what looks like a sweater and I am so here for this mix of edgy and comfy. So happy sweater season is firmly here.
Alicia Vikander is serving up casual cool in, you guessed it Louis Vuitton – the current print ad campaign is fabulous – and this is one fashion partnership I can’t get enough of. And now I’m left wondering what Raf Simons departure will do in regards to JLaw and the HUGE final Hunger Games press tour, which is fast approaching.
Pow! Ahna O’Reilly in what would be an ideal (if a little on the nose) dress for something like Comic-Con and it also works like a super fun charm at this celebratory event.
Red shoes are so on point this week with America Ferrera pairing her patent Kurt Geiger pumps with electric blue Novis and all these bright and bold “Out of the Box” looks have put me in a wonderful mood.
Plenty of singing and dancing from this week’s TV Instagram highlights. Plus costuming sneak peeks and more shows going back into production while others are coming to an end. Ah the cycle of TV (and especially cable shows).
Queen of Dubsmash Hayley Atwell with co-star Enver Gjokaj doing the impossible and making “Uptown Funk” feel fresh again. She isn’t wrong about those hips.
Tatiana Maslany switched out her fantastic ruffled Roksanda ruffled jumpsuit (stay tuned for Look of the Week) for something a little more comfy post panel and Donnie himself, Kristian Bruun captured the look.
Alison Bennett wrote last week’s episode of You’re the Worst and the end of “Side Bitch” was just as emotionally devastating as the Gretchen’s trip in the middle of night a couple of weeks ago. Luckily for us Paul himself Allan McLeod has a bunch of sweet photos to soften the blow.
Of course the ChumHum office has a slide. Cush Jumbo’s video also indicates that Lucca Quinn will be sticking around, much to our delight and one of The Good Wife’s most challenging clients will be making an appearance.
The Americans won’t be back until the start of 2016, but in the meantime the Russian contingent are sharing some set photos and once again Nina has some fantastic knitwear.
It may not be a Mindy Project behind the scenes picture and yet it still makes the TV Insta cut as this scene made me laugh a whole bunch. And I continue to have Mindy pajama envy.
Welcome to the TV Ate My Wardrobe Emmy red carpet coverage and after plentyof amazingpre-party looks the main event delivers on fantastic frocks, ladysuits and some eyebrow raising outfit choices. There are many outfits to discuss and so we have three posts offering up our highlights of the gowns, suits and those garments which are harder to categorize.
Enjoy!
Hands down Aubrey Plaza in glitzy Alexandre Vauthier gown is my overall favorite of the night and everything about this is perfection; Aubrey and her Parks and Rec character April are TV Ate My Wardrobe style queens and she makes this whole thing look so effortlessly cool.
When Tatiana Maslany stepped onto the red carpet I maybe had a minor meltdown at this #LadySuitWatch2015 moment. Maslany did joke that she wished her Bouchra Jarrar white tux was cutoff shorts instead (much like her Friday party outfit), in fact I don’t think she was joking as everyone appeared to be melting in the LA heat. All the heart eyes.
Wearing custom Alexander Wang and spicing up a black dress with bike chain straps, pleats and the ideal balance of sheer and cut out elements makes Taraji P. Henson a winner on the red carpet, even if she did miss out in her category. Not that she seemed to mind as she cheered on Viola Davis.
After attending the Naeem Khan NYFW runway show last week Christina Hendricks chose this designer for her last Mad Men Emmys moment and she looks like an Art Deco sensation in this gold beaded gown.
More #LadySuitWatch2015 bliss with Carrie Brownstein in Stella McCartney. That lip color!
Talk about bold sparkle from Kerry Washington in Marc Jacobs. This is one fancy battle Washington is headed toward.
More shoulder chains from another Best Drama Actress nominee with Claire Danes in a sequinned Prada delight and sporting a Grace Kelly like faux-bob.
Jill Soloway rocks a lot of polka dots.
A different spin on red carpet attire and another take on menswear trend from Sophie Turner in a Galvan jumpsuit and this shade of violet blue with her red hair is stunning. Excellent accessorizing too.
Game of Thrones did very well on the awards and style front and even though Lena Headey didn’t win in her category this Zuhair Murad Couture gown is divine.
While we’re on the subject of GoT here is a hot dude in a tux break courtesy of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Oh, hello.
This is a signature Sofia Vergara look in metallic St. John and a style that is still working wonders for her.
Gonna throw in a couple of black frocks to round this first post off with and Amanda Peet’s red lipstick game is strong and the same can be said for her Michael Kors floral textured gown.
Lady Gaga sauntered on the red carpet looking dramatic and Old Hollywood with a modern twist in Brandon Maxwell. I cannot wait to see more of her American Horror Story: Hotel costuming (even if I will probably only watch a handful of episodes).
Things you can rely on from the Emmys – if Julia Louis-Dreyfus is nominated she will win and her dress choice will be something classic. Tick for both and while her Safiyaa gown is not going to reinvent the wheel she does look fabulous.
A late #LadySuitWatch2015 addition and one I can’t believe I missed earlier because Lisa Kudrow looks like a BAMF here. And while she didn’t get her Valerie moment I’m so glad The Comeback was at least in the fight. Stay tuned for Pretty in Pink and Bold Color and Print red carpet rundowns.
All the parties this weekend for those who work in TV land and Emmy day is here! Before we get to the fancy dresses of the awards (check back in the morning) there are more fun frocks, ladysuits and generally fabulous outfits and accessories to scroll through.
Yesterday we covered the Entertainment Weekly and Variety shindigs; both offeringsome excellent sartorial moments and today we are taking a look at the BAFTA TV Tea and the TV Academy pre-game event. Quite a few of these actresses are on our most anticipated list for tonight.
After dipping her toe into the menswear trend in tailored perfection Tatiana Maslany has gone for something far dreamier in Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. The colorful stripe detail on the sleeves gives this dress a much needed pop of color.
Now for a closeup up of her Lego clutch from Les Petits Joueurs and a brand that is getting a lot of red carpet attention of late; including Taraji P. Henson accessorizing her Empire premiere look with this fantastic keyboard version.
One Tatiana Maslany is never enough as Orphan Black is so good at pointing out and here she is at the Emmy nominee event wearing one of my favorite designers; in a striking Roksanda Ilincic skirt from the S/S 15 collection. Paired with a simple black tee and another Les Petits Joueurs clutch (you can’t see it in this shot but this is it) to complete a winning ensemble.
Hot dude in a suit break courtesy of The Knick’s Andre Holland. I am very excited to have this show back next month.This could be standard cute dress fare from Kiernan Shipka, but the interesting color/texture choice makes her stand out.
Sophie Turner can join the #ladysuitwatch2015 gang wearing Chloe even without a jacket and this is a fun take on this trend.
A floral treat from Uzo Aduba in an ideal dress for BAFTA TV tea.
Another and somewhat abstract take on a floral print with a lovely watercolor effect from Madeleine Mantock. Not sure about the sliver wedges with this outfit and they’d be more suited for something a little bit more 70s. At least they’re not beige.
So Yara Shahidi’s strappy sandals are a little on the beige meh side, but the rest of her outfit is so vibrant and fun that I’ll give her a pass.
Jill Soloway has moved away from 60s optical illusions to a trippy forest mural and once again I am so in love with her choice of buttoned up patterned shirt. Mini-Gaby Hoffmann (the Transparent flashback casting is so spot on it is eerie) Emily Robinson goes beige sandals, but her dress is adorable.
One trend we can’t get enough of here at TV Ate My Wardrobe comes in the form of tailored menswear with a feminine spin. The reigning queen of #LadySuitWatch2015 on television is Hannibal’s Alana Bloom and she’s got some real life rivals from the Entertainment Weekly and Variety pre-Emmys parties. This very busy fashion month just got a whole lot busier and with plenty more sartorial treats. Aya Cash looks spectacular in green and blue tartan pairing it with a simple white blouse. Between Gretchen’s buying stuff meltdown (of which someone very near and dear compared me to and I’m not sure how to take that) on this week’s You’re the Worst and this ensemble I am very much doing all the heart eyes at Cash. Someone who is always on point is Ashley Madekwe and she is killing in in this double breasted matching green suit. If you look at Jill Soloway’s outfit for too long it feels a little hypnotic or like an optical illusion from the 1960s, but this is very much in line with her style and I love the buttoned up blouse. #LadySuitWatch2015 isn’t just about the pants and Tatiana Maslany black shorts look is a super chic and a playful twist on this style. And I just remembered that Maslany is nominated for an Emmy. That’s enough to temporarily forget Emmy snub sadness.This is how you do elements of sheer without making me want to pull my hair out. Plus Amanda Peet has the all important red lip perfection going on. So we’ve entered the jumpsuit portion and while I still have conflicted feelings about this garment type (I still need to try on more than one this year), Beth Behrs in Elisabeth Franchi is giving me nothing but good feelings. There’s something very 70s about Uzo Aduba’s wide legged white jumpsuit and it looks ideal for dancing in, but with plenty of spilling peril.
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.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
