If you loved Emily In Paris, you'll want to binge-watch these cheesy TV shows all weekend
The three words on everyone’s lips this autumn? Emily. In. Paris. If you’re anything like us, you watched all 10 episodes in one weekend and yes, it was great while it lasted, but now there’s a tumbleweed going through your watchlist.
With her frivolous adventures across the French capital, Emily In Paris gave us total escapism when all we could do was dream of selfies on the Champs-Élysées. There were also the ceiling-smashing career highlights while we Zoomed from our bedrooms and of course, all of the fashion moments because really, when was the last time any of us got dressed?
And, whilst we prepare to spend weekends indoors again for the foreseeable, a much-needed light-hearted TV show to satiate all that vicarious life-living is what will get us through. That's why we've found 10 comparably cheesy, funny and/or watchable shows to binge while we wait for Emily In Paris, Season 2.
Of course, we’re not going to tell you to watch Sex And The City, just because EIP was a Darren Star production. Frankly, if you haven’t watched SATC (multiple times) really what else have you been doing with lockdown? However, we do recommend TV spin-off The Carrie Diaries, charting Ms Bradshaw's first Manolo-shaped steps into publishing. From Ugly Betty to The Bold Type, we've also sought out the very best fashion-first TV dramas to replace all that wardrobe inspo that Emily has been giving us.
Or if you lived vicariously through Emily for the love life we’re all distinctly lacking in lockdown, try Never Have I Ever for what-not-to-do when dating and Anna Kendrick’s new TV drama, Love Life, for something more sentimental.
Whatever you decide to add to your watchlist this winter, just remember there’s no such thing as a guilty pleasure. Right now, we’ll take all the pleasure out of TV that we can get, no judging.
The Bold Type
Replace our savvy social media strategist Emily with three fearless publishing assistants Jane, Kat and Sutton navigating the turbulent world of women’s magazines in New York. Three times as outrageous with triple the dating drama, The Bold Type is now into its fourth season so not only will it fill the long winter nights (and days), you know it’s going to be your next obsession.
Ugly Betty
More of a re-watch than a watch-for-the-first-time but Ugly Betty defined the hard-working-girl-out-of-her-depth in media genre. We first fell for Betty Suarez back in 2006 when she landed a job at Manhattan-based fashion magazine Mode. Unlike Emily, who’s totally got her finger on the fashion pulse, Betty is somewhat lacking in sartorial flair but just like at Savoir, Betty is trying to fit in with some seriously difficult colleagues.
Girlboss
Serialising the rise of Sophia Amoruso’s multi-million-dollar fashion empire, Nasty Gal, 2017’s Girlboss taught us how to fail – and then well and truly win - in pursuit of a dream career. It stars Britt Robertson as fashion-obsessed Sophia who, while not quite as refined as our Emily, is equally outspoken when it comes to getting ahead in life. Watch it for the vintage apparel and Sophia’s DGAF attitude.
Watch on Netflix
Never Have I Ever
Toe-curlingly awkward at times but seriously heart-warming, Never Have I Ever is the light-hearted Netflix drama that launched earlier this spring, straight out of the mind of one of our favourites, Mindy Kaling. While there’s no aspirational, career-smashing triumphs to follow on this occasion, we’re totally rooting for Indian-American teen Devi as she deals with way more friendship and boy drama than our girl Emily.
Watch on Netflix
The Mindy Project
Speaking of Mindy, The Mindy Project is the quirky TV comedy that still gives us all the feels. Unlike Emily, Mindy Lahiri’s life revolves around a medical setting. Working as an obstetrician and gynaecologist (or an OB-GYN), the very loveable Mindy is constantly trying to be as successful in her personal life as she is in her professional and honestly, who can relate?
Watch on Sky
Love Life
One of the most hotly-anticipated new dramas of 2020, Love Life sees Hollywood’s comedy queen Anna Kendrick in a TV role - and we love to see it. If you liked watching Emily trying to kickstart her love life in Paris, you’ll love the romantic storylines that weave in and out of this 10-part series.
Watch on iPlayer
Jane The Virgin
After five series, Jane The Virgin only just came to an end last year, so now is the time to catch-up in full. Just like Emily In Paris, the TV comedy has been dubbed a ‘guilty pleasure’ probably because of how easy it is to watch without totally engaging. Right now, this sounds like the perfect antidote to real life, amiright?
Watch on Netflix
Shrill
Aspiring journalist Annie has the kind of infectious energy that we’re keen to channel in 2021. Just like Emily, she’s got confidence when it comes to her work ideas and if she can find the right people to listen, it’s going to get her far. Watch this for an instant pick-me-up and a few guaranteed laughs along the way.
Watch on iPlayer
Mad Men
Not so much cheesy but a hard recommend for us, Mad Men is the ultimate drama binge. It’s hard to imagine the outspoken Emily navigating the world of advertising in 1960s New York but we can 100% see her in some of the best fashion of the era. If you watched Emily In Paris for the drama but stayed for the fashion, get around to watching Mad Men and see how the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Sterling Cooper get business done with tons of sartorial flare.
Watch on Netflix
The Carrie Diaries
Of course, it didn’t trump SATC on ratings or rave reviews but The Carrie Diaries ticks all of the boxes when it comes to ‘totally bingeable, cheesy TV drama featuring fashionable female lead’. That’s us sold. Set in the early 1980s, it follows a young Carrie Bradshaw (played by AnnaSophia Robb) as she makes her first Manolo-shaped baby steps into publishing.
Watch on Movies 123
