The Americans returns for season 5 next month and somehow things look tenser than ever before. I don’t know how they manage this every year, but the threat levels look higher and also there is some training to be done.
After seeing her mother take out two dudes – including killing one of them – at the end of last season Paige has even more questions about what her parents do and she’s ready to help with the family business. This includes her relationship with Matthew Beeman in The Americans version of Romeo and Juliet and getting self-defense lessons from her mother.
The net continues to close in around Philip and Elizabeth and there is concern that their position is more precarious than ever. Here is the trailer and the ticking clock does a very good job of setting my frayed Americans nerves on fire. Great music timing with the punches too.
And here is my breakdown of some notable moments.Henry is still excluded from all important family conversations for obvious reasons. Costume wise Elizabeth is back to silk blouses and not worrying about hiding Keri Russell’s IRL pregnancy. Philip still does dad sweaters better than anyone.Disguise cave! It is always fun to take a sneak look at their getting ready process and even more so when they’re discussion domestic issues. Philip has concerns with regards to Paige and I don’t blame him tbh.Maybe all Stan needs is some red string to connect the dots. Or the Carrie Mathison color coding method.Mischa Jr. is coming! His voyage to the US is far from first class with the trunk of a car providing the non-luxury conditions. I had to double check this wasn’t Matthew Rhys so good casting guys!Philip and Elizabeth tend to have their most intimate conversations in the bathroom (for anyone who has read my teen TV pieces they will know how happy this makes me) and Philip is also great at miming the clusterfuck they are now in.Getting every Buffy/Alias training montage vibe.If this was 2017 Paige would probably be wearing an Ivy Park hoodie. As it is 1984 she is in ESprit. And it is also worth noting her cross necklace is still on display.A very proud mama.Stan has very strong concerns about Oleg’s safety as he is still giving the FBI information and this is probably wrapped up in the fact that he already got one informant killed. Oleg looks every level stressed. This is a tad on the blurry side as this shot is very quick, but here are two new disguises. The last time Philip wore a hat like that it did not go well. A gentle stroll in the park or really a difference in opinion about Philip and Elizabeth; Claudia thinks that nothing scares them, Gabriel believes the opposite.
Considering how broken they were at the midpoint last season I am definitely inclined to side with Gabriel on this one.They definitely just did something bad. Bonus points for the eerie mist and pensive stares.A brief look at the new flight themed disguises which debuted in Entertainment Weeklyat the end of last year.And I am always thrilled to see Elizabeth in huge frames.
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.
Welcome to TV Ate My Wardrobe’s “Best of 2016” 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.
This week we kicked off our end of year coverage with a deep dive into the Jennifer disguise on The Americans and how it encapsulates the vulnerability that is creeping in.
Today we’re going to switch things up and take a broad look at some of the individual costume standout moments with entries from Game of Thrones, Preacher, Broad City, Good Girls Revolt and more.
Stay tuned for part 2 next week.Most on Point Family Accessorizing
Sansa and Jon Snow did not appear on screen in conversation with each other before season 6 and yet when these two Stark children (cousins not siblings) were reunited the room got very misty all of a sudden. Starks finding each other has been a long time coming as there have been so many near misses over the seasons. To show loyalty Sansa gifted Jon with a fur just like their dad/uncle wore and made herself a fetching new dress complete with wolf sigil. The Starks are back and their little sister/cousin is also hopefully on her way home too.
Okay so things got a little messy with Sansa withholding important information, but in this moment at Castle Black they were at one with each other and their family heritage. For more on this Game of Thrones season 6 moment check out my essay at The Observer.
The Most Ilana Wexler Use for a Dog Hoodie
I remember seeing this dog hoodie in American Apparel about two weeks before this Broad City season 3 trailer came out and also initially thought it was for an adult (I put the small size down to it being American Apparel). This sight gag was perfect; right down to Ilana thinking the ear holes were for her hair and this sums up Ilana’s carefree (and cropped top loving) attitude toward fashion.
Best ’90s
The big ’90s fashion resurgence continued with gusto this year and Halt and Catch Fire delivered on a very time specific ensemble that wouldn’t look out of place in a current Topshop display. Ah, the cyclical nature of style.
Also this shot is great as it shows that costume designer Kathryn Morrison linked Cam and Joe together in black and white, but put distance between them as their outfits are the negative image of each other.The Felicity ‘Queen of Sweaters’ Award
There is no doubt that Felicity Porter is the Queen of Sweaters and Keri Russell takes this title once again on The Americans. As this is a winter set show the knitwear levels are high and when I spoke to costume designer Katie Irish she explained that cable knits were one bump concealing solution. And for when the Jennings family go bowling, Elizabeth looks like she borrowed this one straight from Felicity’s closet.Bringing the Black Turtleneck Drama
Everyone needs a black turtleneck and Queen Judith Light (official title) delivers on the drama in this black turtleneck in front of a black backdrop on this season of Transparent. Yes I would buy tickets to her one-woman show (both IRL and Shelly Pfefferman’s).Cape Most Coveted
I love a cape. I love late ’60s fashion. I love knitwear. It is not surprising then that as soon as I saw Cindy’s green number in the second episode of Good Girls Revolt I wished for knitting skills. Amazon sadly hasn’t renewed this show and I’m hoping it will find a new home elsewhere; it still feels like there is a lot of story to tell and it was only just getting going. Plus I need my fashion fix from this era (especially as Masters of Sex has now also come to an end).Sunglasses I Need in My Life: The 2016 Edition
This year I picked up some very Gretchen sunglasses and there is another shades wearer to look to; Tulip from Preacher joined my list of TV style icons and Ruth Negga is also high up on the IRL style icons list after a runof redcarpet and Vogue sartorial highs. Part of Tulip’s cool as fuck look is down to her choice of frames and her mix of feminine florals, cropped tops, cute formal wear and edgy leather makes her a costume standout in 2016.
Teen Bedroom Photo Accuracy
N.B. This is more an interior/production design award, but definitely worthy of a mention here.
There are a couple of reasons this very small moment in Stranger Things stood out to me; in part it is down to the very teen bedroom photo collage thing that always hits those nostalgia points and the other is because they took photos and didn’t just rely on stilted promo shots. There is nothing that takes me out of something quicker than awful photoshop on a picture (see Spectre for a recent offender) or if they have just taken a still from the promotional department; it really doesn’t take long to get results like this. Although I am now wondering why Nancy has two identical sets of the same photo booth shots. Oh hey, Barb those orange framed sunglasses are cute.
Welcome to TV Ate My Wardrobe’s “Best of 2016” costume 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.
Kicking off with the show which would be top of my list (and has been for the last few years) and The Americans continues the impossible task of somehow getting even better each season and upping the stakes/tension levels. In previous end of year essays about this show we have discussed wigs, the marriage disguise and the act of removing and revealing the truth.
This year is a combination of all of those things as we take a closer look at costume designer Katie Irish’s work with a focus on Elizabeth Jennings, the Jennifer disguise and where we find her at the mid-point of season 4 in the episode “Travel Agents.”
Performance wise it doesn’t get much better than what Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and Alison Wright are doing this season (and the ones before) and this episode showcases the best of this very complicated dynamic.
The implications of Philip removing his Clark cover in the penultimate episode of season 3 (discussed in detail here) are huge; for whom Philip and Elizabeth are as partners in both the professional and personal. By showing his real face he risks the identities they have crafted and lived over twenty years and this act could be read as one of betrayal. It doesn’t help matters that Elizabeth finds out what Philip did when she turns up at the safe house all dressed up as Jennifer (Clark’s sister) – lovely Jenny – and sees her husband without his disguise on.
What he did was an in the moment choice, but he could’ve at least given her a heads up rather than reveal it in this bombshell manner. Three weeks is a long time to be sitting on this secret and Philip’s sheepish reaction is very much their version of getting caught in the act.
Without Clark, Jennifer is nothing and it becomes apparent to Martha that their relationship is definitely not brother and sister; but the Jennifer disguise stays on because they can’t risk her face being seen by someone who has no love or loyalty toward her. It is a humiliating moment for Elizabeth and not just because the Jennifer cover isn’t entirely flattering.As the seasons have progressed Elizabeth’s tough exterior remains tough, but through falling in actual love with her arranged suitor she has become emotionally vulnerable and the Martha situation brings all these feelings of jealousy to the surface. This isn’t a conventional love triangle and the last time Elizabeth showed outward signs of Martha curiosity/envy was back in season 2 when Martha referred to Clark’s bedroom prowess (not a good conversation point with a sibling or as it turns out in this case his wife) and yet this is about more than just sex. They have both slept with so many other people as part of their job and this goes much deeper than that.
Sex does play a role and it is a form of communication when the words are hard to find or speak; Elizabeth does attempt to stamp her position as wife (and give them both a much needed release) and yet there is a nagging feeling that can’t be subdued.
The thing about the Jennifer look is that she is meant to be unassuming and like a lot of the spy costumes she is meant to be unmemorable. The glasses swap her face and her clothing is pretty ‘Plain Jane’ and she is very much the original Barb. These granny frames are all kinds of endearing, however there is no glamour here; which is in strong contrast to Elizabeth’s other main cover from this season as the super ’80s stylish Patty. Also RIP to this look as Patty ‘killed herself’ and I am looking forward to whatever new creations costume designer Kate Irish comes up with for the forthcoming season (check out Irish’s Instagram for shots of her research and more BTS from The Americans).So not only does Elizabeth have to watch her de-wigged husband interact with this woman who he also calls his wife, but she has to do so all while dressed in a confidence crushing appearance (Keri Russell talks about the Jennifer disguise as part of 92Y Americans panel and explains that it is a “little rough” on her self-esteem).
Plus she gets questions like this from Martha “Are you sleeping with my husband?” and rather than go for an “Actually” truth response she takes the much easier road of lying to prevent a figurative gut punch. Quickly followed by a literal one.Emotional devastation comes in many forms over the course of this season and The Americans level of romance isn’t one coated in chocolates and flowers. However as a show about marriage it nails the ups and downs of romantic love with Elizabeth uncharacteristically laying out her fears for Philip to see, all while dressed as Clark’s sister Jenny. She is so exposed and it doesn’t matter that her mane of hair is stuffed in that wig (another amazing feat).
The glasses are removed because you don’t want to have a conversation like this with half your faced covered, but the wig and ill fitting pink coat remains (the coat and layers is pure Jennifer, but also act as an IRL bump concealer). Elizabeth poses a hypothetical question where she wonders if Philip would go with Martha if he could; she dreads he’ll say yes because he wants the easier life with a more emotionally available woman, but of course this couldn’t be further from how Philip actually feels and he responds with a hint of confused anger at such a thought.
So much gets said with a look and one of The Americans’ strengths is economy of words; this scene delivers on the complexities of this marriage, how hard it is to show this level of vulnerability and how you can be mad that the person you love could even consider such a thought. Ending with a passionate embrace as Elizabeth still clutches her glasses and the realization that he needs to stay cements what we already knew; these two are made for each other and there is no hypothetical situation Philip would be happy with that doesn’t involve his wife. The first one.It is also fun viewing this scene in juxtaposition to the very honest marriage discussion (okay screaming match) in the following episode. Here Philip is reassuring his wife that this is the life he wants and she is the one he loves, cut to their big hallway blowout which brings up the names of betrayals and former lovers they haven’t forgotten. The Martha situation is a sticky one, but this has nothing on Gregory or Irina. No wigs or glasses present in this trip down romantic rival memory lane.
This episode directed by Matthew Rhys is the best of the season, but this scene in “Travel Agents” is the one which is the true standout for me; the fact that it involves Elizabeth dressed as Jennifer answering a question she won’t be able to take back and Philip is so emphatic with his answer underscores how good every level of The Americans is from the acting, writing, directing to the costuming and hair/makeup.
Watch the scene below and The Americans returns for season 5 next year and if I had to guess I’d say March again, but I’m sure we’ll find out the date next month during TCA.
For more essays on The Americans by me in other places from 2016 check out:
The Americans has just started shooting its penultimate season, but it won’t be back for at least a few months. To fill the wig and complicated relationship void showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields joined stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys at the 92nd Street Y as part of The Hollywood Reporter’s TV Talks panel series to discuss all things The Americans.
Regular readers will know how much I enjoy a good panel/roundtable (movie award season is coming!) and as this one has the bonus of being about my favorite show.Weisberg and Fields are both very cautious when revealing anything that could be considered a spoiler so if you want some season 5 secrets then you might be disappointed. Instead what follows is a fascinating chat about the process of making this show from a writing and acting standpoint. It is also very funny at times with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys displaying the kind of back and forth ease/humor that you would hope to expect from an IRL couple.
This includes Rhys joking about how he directed Russell during her big Paige confrontation scene in “The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears” explaining that it was a “very simple scene to direct because Keri was pregnant at the time, so I just said pretend like you’re talking to me.” He also made Holly Taylor cry for real during this scene and he seems to feel very bad about this.
One of the most revealing aspects of this scene discussion was the behind the scenes debate in the editing room about whether to CGI out the vein which grew more inflamed on Russell’s face as Elizabeth’s anger at Paige increased. Joel Fields fought the corner of keeping it as it was and Russell loved that her face naturally looked like this as “You’re mad. Why would I want to be a pretty version of that? Like I want to be mad, but I want to be pretty.”
Russell also mentions that she understood why this conversation took place; “In everyone’s defense they were just trying to protect me.” It really is a stunning moment and physical performance from Keri Russell’s face parts so I am thrilled they didn’t alter it in post.While talking about what it is like to work with the person you also go home with Rhys a little hesitantly at first takes the lead referring to the duality of it all “it’s amazing and it’s difficult. And it’s challenging and exciting. It’s everything.” And that so far they seem to be getting away with it.
One of the answers that surprised some of the audience was when Rhys responded to ‘Did Philip love Martha?’ with a quick “no.” In the way he played it (and I read it) his feelings for her were intrinsically linked to guilt rather than love and there is an aspect of caring, but not being in love. There were lots of Martha questions from the audience – all audience Qs should be done on cards as it really speeds up the process – and she is an important character.
Of course this being Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields they didn’t reveal whether they have plans to bring her back. The only new S5 info was that Philip and Elizabeth would have some different operations to deal with as most of their old ones wrapped up in S4. And there are some theories from the actors about how they would like to see the show wrap up including a dramatic interpretation by Matthew Rhys that has him going out in a blaze of glory.
It wouldn’t be an Americans panel without a little bit of wig/disguise chat and Russell and Rhys were asked to name their favorite disguise the other has worn. This resulted in a Margo Martindale anecdote that is worth clicking on the link below (and comes just before the hour mark).
Praise for Holly Taylor (and whether she has a real tattoo or not) was scattered throughout and how the Paige reveal scene is one of the hardest they have ever shot as it was a lot more heartbreaking on a personal level than Russell expected. This also allows Rhys to gift us with a Monty Python impression and for how serious this show is the set life sure sounds like a lot of fun.
Watch the whole panel here (and click ahead to 9 minutes in if you want to skip the clips).
TV Instagram mourns those lost on The Walking Dead (spoilers ahead), celebrates a birthday on Game of Thrones, gets excited about A+ guest stars and has a whole lot of style on and off set.
The biggest TV event this week was the season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead and even though I quit watching last year the first thing I checked after the episode aired was the identity of the departed. The Walking Dead is a show I generally keep up with just in case I ever want to go back and this is mostly through the Richonne tag on Tumblr.
My other favorite character is/was Glenn and this photo by Steven Yeun’s TV wife, Lauren Cohan is a heartbreaker. I am very excited to see what Yeun will be doing next.
Paparazzi got some BIG photos this week while Game of Thrones was shooting (don’t click this link if you want to remain spoiler free – I have SO many costuming thoughts). This is not these photos and there is something very unnerving about Dora and SpongeBob hanging in Westeros.
Get ready for an onslaught of Halloween celeb photos after this weekend, but meanwhile enjoy the SNL ladies and this fabulous sketch. While I’m on the subject of this holiday; check out my piece on teen TV classics, costumes and growing up.
I’m enjoying this season of The Last Man on Earth as much as I’m enjoying Will Forte’s drawn on eyebrows and Carol’s fabulous top. So that is a lot and it will be fun to see what the new location will bring.
Also high on the fun list is Timeless and it continues to capture the same feelings that early Sleepy Hollow gave me; the core cast is just as delightful.
I still need to watch the I Love Dick pilot on Amazon, but knowing Phoebe Robinson is going to be in it when the full season lands makes me even more eager to do so.
Abbi Jacobson and Jon Glaser serving up very different interpretations of talk show style with Glaser opting for something from Jon Glaser Loves Gear. In non-shocking news, I am very excited about Abbi’s new book.
As I have been away for a couple of weeks some of these Instagram highlights are from during that time period.
Now for some behind the scenes of how I choose which pictures I include; while I’m scrolling through I’ll screengrab the ones that catch my eye and because I wasn’t on the internet all that much while on honeymoon/during wedding prep this will be a lighter week, but a fun collection nonetheless featuring a lot of my favorite shows/people.
Next time everything will be back to regular transmission.
Our first proper night in New York was spent in the company of Gil and George (charmed, I’m sure) and as a huge fan of the “too much tuna” sketch on Kroll Show this stage production was everything I hoped it would be and more. Funny and so dark in places, that I was equal parts laughing and picking my jaw up off the floor.
There is still time for some 2016 Emmy coverage and this photo Tom Cullen posted of Tatiana Maslany links nicely into Orphan Black and my desire to get drinks and go dancing with them.
Speaking of Orphan Black and they are back on set for the fifth and final season. Helena is coming to play and this always makes me very happy.
Also it just occurred to me that a lot of shows I hold close to my heart are getting the chance to wrap up on their own terms (see also The Americans, Halt and Catch Fire and The Leftovers). Sure, it is a bummer they will be over soon(ish), but also such a relief they will get a proper ending to their story.
Also on this list is Game of Thrones (although it was never in doubt that they would get to choose their end date unlike some of those shows listed above) and this is very fun flashback to 2015 from Carice van Houten.
Two more seasons of The Americans (*sob*) and day one of season five already has me excited for the skirt/boot combination Keri Russell is wearing (even in this is an out of focus shot).
Now for a closer look at the hair, makeup and costuming Shantel VanSanten wore on the Timeless premiere – a show that is tremendous amounts of fun from both a story and costume perspective – and I love the detail in her description here. Also so much lipstick coveting.
Ending things this week with a couple of very important things from the Broad City Instagram including the best dog ever (Tom Hiddleston you look okay too).
As a Top 5 Americans disguise it feels right to finish this first “Behind the Insta-Scenes” post after being away with this joyous moment. Abbi and Ilana, I’m sure would agree.
The 2016 summer TCA press tour continued this week (and finished yesterday), which means another round of fabulous panel and party attire. This week has already given an instant entry into magazine cover of the year and the TCA awards delivered on the Mr Robotcast style dominance (and for my take on some of the costuming this season head here and here).
It isn’t all TCA on “Out of the Box” this week as Emmy campaigning continues and one of TV Ate My Wardrobe’s favorite podcasts gets profiled in The New York Times.At the Fox All-Star party Taraji P. Henson in Emanuel Ungaro is pretty much wearing my platonic ideal of a floral dress; ideal because it is perfect for a casual summer event AND because you could throw on some ankle boots with knit tights for when it starts to get colder.
The dash of pink nail polish with black Alex Wagner sandals is an excellent finishing touch.So this shot of Yara Shahidi is from last week’s ABC day/Black-ish panel, which I somehow missed until I saw Shahidi’s Instagram. From H to T (thanks Tyra) this is a fantastic look throwing in some whimsy with leopard print shoes and ticking all my collar/bow boxes. Shahidi continues to impress not just on a teen style scale, but in general.Mindy Kaling goes classic in a black Dolce & Gabbana at the Hulu Mindy Project panel, but kicks the whole look with some fun peep toe pumps and a second case of fabulous pink nail polish this week.This Roland Mouret frock is a lot of dress to pull off and Lizzy Caplan is just the person to do that at the CBS, CW and Showtime TCA party; crushing it on non-boring shoe and lip color choices too. At a quick glance and if you switched out the bottle of water for a cocktail then this looks more like a vacation snap; Mandy Patinkin has gone full casual and Claire Danes is still giving off a tanned glow in a stunning green and orange textured frock with a floral trim. Instead it is the Homeland panel and here’s what they revealed about the forthcoming sixth season. The You’re the Worst cast continue to delight in the run up to season 3 and Aya Cash was kind enough to tell me on Twitter what lip color/brand she is wearing. I am also very much into Cash’s Rachel Comey ensemble and Kether Donohue looks lovely in blush pink. Plus, Desmin Borges and Chris Geere do the casual/smart panel balance well. And one from the You’re the Worst panel because just look at these beauties.Speaking of which and as Emmy campaigning season continues the “it is about time” Emmy nominees, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys have given another joint interview (this time for Deadline) and as with the THR one it is a delight of finishing each other’s sentences and talking about The Americans. This one goes more in-depth into last season and they also discuss how Russell’s pregnancy ended up giving Rhys the biggest episode of the season to direct (which he crushed) and this also happens to be both their episode submission.
This Mark Mann photo also looks like a great way to sell chambray and seersucker shirts for all your upstate New York vacation needs. A birthday crown for Jessica Williams and a tiara for 2 Dope Queens co-host Phoebe Robinson at their show, which also happened to be Williams’ birthday and featured a surprise guest (who also happens to be a former boss). This New York Times profile covers that night and discusses this podcast and ladies fave of mine; here’s to them recording an episode when I am in New York next month. *insert prayer hands emoji*
Shows back from summer hiatus while others come closer to their end. Plus cast reunions, dancing, fancy dinners at the White House and more from this week’s TV Instagram highlights.
You’re the Worst returns this month – August 31 – and I cannot wait; just look at these faces. All the heart emojis. Catch up on Hulu now and in the meantime I will be listening to this season 2 credits music playlist to get in the mood.
Fun getting ready pictures of Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys’ trip to the White House last night from hair stylist Brian Magallones. Cue every Russian spy joke ever and it would appear that the Obamas are fans of The Americans as they scored a prime spot at the state dinner table. Excellent dress choice by Keri Russell and a nice prelude to the Emmys next month.
Sometimes a hiatus beard happens (see Matthew Rhys) and other times in between seasons a different dye job is the thing (or this could be work related). Regardless, from this obscured shot the blonde looks great on Sophie Turner.
There have been a lot of missteps on UnREAL this season including keeping Rachel and Quinn apart and at loggerheads. The end of this week’s episode included a really satisfying moment that doesn’t erase everything that has come before it, but it felt good to see them together again. Also this is a really nice photo of Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby.
For a closer look at some of the Emmy nominated costumes including this personal fave head to the Costume Designers Guild Awards page for a lot more treats.
This photo of Michiel Huisman led to a very fun conversation about dudes in sweaters on Twitter last week and I thank him for that much needed break from work.
Henry is still excluded from all important family conversations for obvious reasons. Costume wise Elizabeth is back to silk blouses and not worrying about hiding Keri Russell’s IRL pregnancy. Philip still does dad sweaters better than anyone.
Disguise cave! It is always fun to take a sneak look at their getting ready process and even more so when they’re discussion domestic issues. Philip has concerns with regards to Paige and I don’t blame him tbh.
Maybe all Stan needs is some red string to connect the dots. Or the Carrie Mathison color coding method.
Mischa Jr. is coming! His voyage to the US is far from first class with the trunk of a car providing the non-luxury conditions. I had to double check this wasn’t Matthew Rhys so good casting guys!
Philip and Elizabeth tend to have their most intimate conversations in the bathroom (for anyone who has read my teen TV pieces they will know how happy this makes me) and Philip is also great at miming the clusterfuck they are now in.
Getting every Buffy/Alias training montage vibe.
If this was 2017 Paige would probably be wearing an Ivy Park hoodie. As it is 1984 she is in ESprit. And it is also worth noting her cross necklace is still on display.
A very proud mama.
Stan has very strong concerns about Oleg’s safety as he is still giving the FBI information and this is probably wrapped up in the fact that he already got one informant killed. Oleg looks every level stressed. 
This is a tad on the blurry side as this shot is very quick, but here are two new disguises. The last time Philip wore a hat like that it did not go well. 
A gentle stroll in the park or really a difference in opinion about Philip and Elizabeth; Claudia thinks that nothing scares them, Gabriel believes the opposite.
They definitely just did something bad. Bonus points for the eerie mist and pensive stares.
A brief look at the new flight themed disguises which debuted in Entertainment Weekly at the end of last year.
And I am always thrilled to see Elizabeth in huge frames.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 