Emily in Paris part 2 (of season 4, that is) premieres this Thursday, and creator Darren Star wasn’t kidding when he told us “the second half is just like a roller coaster…part 2 is the show on steroids.” These five episodes will take viewers to the French Alps and Rome, and also give you plenty of inspo for your next vacation (trust me, I’ve never wanted to visit Megéve, France, more). We’ll also meet new characters (more on that below) and a potential new love interest for Emily (here for it), plus get some fun surprises.
In fact, the hardest part is going to see how the show tops these five episodes in what is hopefully a soon-to-be-announced season 5 (come on, Netflix; I’m impatient). I don’t care if Emily ping-pongs between Gabriel and every other eligible guy for the rest of time; I just need this show to continue.
When I spoke with Lily Collins (Emily Cooper) while hosting the Netflix fan screenings for Emily in Paris season 4, part 1, she said that episodes 6 and 10 are the ones she is most eager for fans to watch. Having seen them all, I understand why (although make no mistake, episodes 7, 8, and 9 are wonderful too). Collins gives such a beautifully nuanced and powerful performance in episode 6, and both that and episode 10 are so magical and captivating, you’re going to want to rewatch them.
But before Emily in Paris premieres on Thursday, we have a lot to get to, starting with the new season of Wheel of Fortune on Monday. Ryan Seacrest steps in as the new host, opposite Vanna White, and you just know fans will be analyzing everything about it. But I, for one, can’t wait to see this new pairing on the show we’ve come to love all these years.
Meanwhile, if you have plans on Tuesday night, cancel them. It’s the presidential debate on ABC (streaming as well; details below) between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, and the first time the two (as far as we know) have ever come face-to-face. The debate rules, which were recently announced, are fascinating. For instance:
- A coin flip was held virtually last week to determine podium placement and order of closing statements; Trump won the coin toss and chose to select the order of statements. The former president will offer the last closing statement, and Harris selected the right podium position on screen (stage left).
- No opening statements; closing statements will be two minutes per candidate.
- No topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates.
- Candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.
- Candidates will have two-minute answers to questions, two-minute rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses.
- Candidates’ microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak and muted when the time belongs to another candidate.
- Candidates will not be permitted to ask questions of each other.
- Campaign staff may not interact with candidates during commercial breaks.
- There will be no audience in the room.
This election will shape our future not just for the next four years, but for decades to come, especially when it comes to the Supreme Court, the environment, body autonomy, and gun control. So grab your popcorn, wine, coffee, friends…whatever you need to make sure you watch. (Oh, and while you’re at it, if you will be out of town for the general election on November 5, send in that absentee ballot request now! I did.)
Also on Tuesday is the premiere of Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory (yes, just go with it) on streaming/demand. The good news is you can watch it whenever—but just watch it. The documentary follows filmmaker Justin Johnson’s mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer and the steps her introverted husband Brian takes to transform their Midwest modest home into a secret prosthetic-nipple laboratory, all while keeping it hidden from their church, their small-town community, and their five unsuspecting children. It’s a fascinating doc (only 90 minutes!) and totally worth your time. I wasn’t so sure about it going in, but I’m so glad I made time. More on that below—including the trailer you must see.
Wednesday is the VMAs, and it’s slated to be another star-studded and dramatic event. (If you’re not caught up on the Sabrina Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, and Camila Cabello chatter, now’s the time.) The Glamour team will be covering it throughout the night for the most-talked about moments, best fashion, and more, so stay tuned for those juicy details.
Thursday is of course the return of Emily in Paris (see all the new characters below), and then Friday is another stacked night with the docuseries In Vogue: The ’90s. If you loved The Supermodels on Apple TV+ last September, then you’ll be obsessed with this deep dive into ’90s fashion culture and the most iconic Vogue editors.
Also Friday: Natasha Rothwell in Hulu/Onyx’s new comedy How to Die Alone. The first episode was so moving ,it unleashed all the waterworks for me, and Rothwell—who also wrote the series—is bound to earn more Emmy nominations between this and the upcoming third season of The White Lotus, in which she again stars as Belinda. But in How to Die Alone, we see her play a 30-something TSA worker who has never been in love and is afraid her life is passing her by. It’s the kind of topic that is never given enough space on TV, and Rothwell delivers.
I also urge you to check out My Old Ass next weekend, staring Nashville alum Maisy Stella (she played Connie Britton’s youngest daughter on the series) and Aubrey Plaza. By the end I was bawling, and Stella has cemented herself as one of the brightest stars of her generation. (Btw, look for our interview together on Thursday, as we revisit the last time I interviewed her—when she was nine years old and had just performed in front of Taylor Swift.)
On that note (finally, right?), check out the entire guide below—including your new Hallmark obsession (btw, Hallmark+ launches on streaming this week)—and I’ll see you back here next week for the Emmys, Dancing With the Stars, The Golden Bachelorette, and plenty more. Welcome to the fall TV season!
Sunday, September 8
National Parks: USA (National Geographic): This five-part series features a blend of wildlife with stories of rich culture, history, and geological landmarks. You’ll see Zion, Yellowstone, Katmai, the Everglades, and Olympic, and all sorts of extraordinary wildlife. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu
Monday, September 9
The Talk (CBS): The 15th and final season begins today with a new theme song and returning hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, and Sheryl Underwood. Guests this week include Terry Crews, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lacey Chabert, Dave Bautista, Dana Delany, and Adam Pally. 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT/PT, and available to stream on Paramount+
Wheel of Fortune (Sony Pictures Television; syndicated): A new era begins with Ryan Seacrest as host of the iconic game show alongside the equally iconic Vanna White. Check local listings
Flip Side (CBS syndication): This new game show, hosted by Jaleel White, pits two teams of players against each other to test them on how they think two different groups of people feel about the same issue. Teams choose from multiple-choice answers, and whoever has the best intuition on human behavior will find themselves richer. Check local listings
My Brilliant Friend (HBO/Max): The 10-episode final season starts airing tonight. New cast members have joined this season as the main characters who are now older, including Alba Rohrwacher as Elena Greco, Irene Maiorino as Lila Cerullo, and Fabrizio Gifuni as Nino Sarratore. They will face the turmoil of Italy in the late ’80s, nearing the end of decades of political violence and social unrest. Amid motherhood and career demands, amid betrayals, threats, disappearances, and natural disasters, Elena and Lila once again reside in the same neighborhood. My Brilliant Friend is based on the best-selling novels by Elena Ferrante. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT and streaming on Max
Tuesday, September 10
ABC News Presidential Debate: Race for the White House (ABC/ABC News Live/Disney+ and Hulu): The debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with moderators David Muir (World News Tonight anchor), and Linsey Davis (ABC News Live Prime anchor). The debate will be 90 minutes with two commercial breaks.
The primetime predebate special Race for the White House will be anchored by chief global affairs correspondent and This Week coanchor Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent and This Week coanchor Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, and senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT
Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory (Video on Demand): After its limited theatrical release, you can watch Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory at home, and it’s worth the watch. Emmy nominee Mayim Bialik produced the heartwarming documentary through her Sad Clown Productions team, which tells the incredible story of Emmy-winning director Justin Johnson’s conservative parents, who, yes, started a nipple factory for a very good reason.
Bialik tells Glamour she was drawn to Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory because “it’s this quirky documentary about a couple who never expected to be at the center of a documentary about their lives! They were a conservative Midwest couple raising five kids, and when Randi received a breast cancer diagnosis, their lives changed forever. Her husband, a quiet, eccentric engineer who rarely says much, started designing prosthetic nipples for breast cancer survivors inspired by his love for his wife and her need to feel whole again after her surgery. This is exactly the type of story I want to amplify as a producer.”
Bialik continues: “As a mom of sons, I especially appreciated their filmmaker son turning the camera on himself and exploring his distance from his family, which was a rebellion of sorts, and how his mom’s diagnosis allowed him to turn his lens on his parents in a way that changed his relationship with them forever. Well, when I first saw that title I thought, I have no idea what this is, but I must [know more] immediately! And what I ended up watching was this heartwarming, inspiring, and hilarious love story; I knew I needed to be a part of this in whatever way I could. Also, I’m a lactation educator counselor, so women’s health is so important to me. Hopefully the title piques your interest, but what you’ll actually get when you see it is a film about love, family, creativity, and the strength we give each other when we need it most.” Streaming details here
Celebrations With Lacey Chabert (Hallmark+): The fan-favorite star hosts and executive produces this new 10-episode series which follows Chabert as she surprises deserving individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities with the celebration of a lifetime. With the help of professional party planners, celebrity friends, and a team of volunteers, Chabert will have just three days to create an unforgettable event, blending heartwarming stories with dazzling celebrations. Kaley Cuoco appears in episode three (called “Liv’s Big Block Paw-ty”). Following the first episode, new episodes premiere every Thursday starting on September 12.
The Chicken Sisters (Hallmark+): The eight-episode family drama is set in the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants–Mimi’s and Frannie’s–has left the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides. However, when the popular cooking competition show Ultimate Kitchen Clash comes to town, it could be the recipe for ending this feud once and for all. Based on the New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club selection The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia, the series stars Schuyler Fisk (Sam & Kate), Genevieve Angelson (The Handmaid’s Tale), Lea Thompson (Back to the Future), and Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me!). Margo Martindale (Justified) is the narrator, much like Julie Andrews in Bridgerton. Following the first episode, new episodes stream every Thursday starting on September 12
Wednesday, September 11
2024 VMAs (MTV): Three-time Grammy-winning superstar Megan Thee Stallion will host and perform. Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Rauw Alejandro, and Sabrina Carpenter will also take the stage, as will Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, and Blackpink’s Lisa, Anitta, Karol G, LL Cool J, and Shawn Mendes. Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and perform live.
Taylor Swift leads with 10 nominations, followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone (9); Ariana Grande, Eminem, and Sabrina Carpenter (6 each); Megan Thee Stallion and SZA (5 each); Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Teddy Swims (4 each). Both Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims are among the 29 first-time VMAs nominees. And in observance of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, MTV will again support the nonprofit 9/11 Day, which organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Tuesday’s Children, which serves the families of 9/11. Airs live at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
Thursday, September 12
Emily in Paris (Netflix): When I first saw the (long-ish) list of new characters being introduced on Emily in Paris part 2, I wasn’t super excited, given that the current cast is rich enough in stories, but trust me when I say these are all fantastic additions who give new life to existing plot lines, and set up plenty of cliffhangers for another season. Here’s the breakdown:
- Eugenio Franceschini as Marcello: Originally from Rome, Marcello is direct and confident, and values simplicity. He’s substantive but never flashy—true to the roots of his family’s company.
- Thalia Besson as Genevieve: Genevieve is Laurent’s 20-something daughter from a past relationship, who’s just moved from New York City to Paris to start her career. Her bright, eager demeanor immediately endears her to Emily, who’s thrilled to have an American expat to mentor. But their similarities may end up complicating Emily’s life—both professionally and personally.
- Rupert Everett as Giorgio Barbieri: The owner of a global interior design firm based in Rome, Giorgio makes it his business to know everyone else’s business, and to be the life of every party. He’s been friends with Sylvie for decades.
- Anna Galiena as Antonia Muratori: Marcello’s mother, matriarch of the Muratori family, and head of the family business. Antonia presides over their small village by building up the community and taking care of the people who live and work there. Even in uncertain times, Antonia is committed to maintaining the company’s soul.
- Raoul Bova as Giancarlo: A charming, self-assured, successful Roman commercial director who used to be Sylvie’s film professor.
All five episodes will be streaming as of today (Thursday, September 12) on Netflix
Colin Jost & Michael Che Present: New York After Dark (Peacock): The first live comedy special for the streamer, the comedy event will be hosted by the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update duo, and stream live with an in-person audience from The Bell House in Brooklyn. Special guest appearances will feature both up-and-coming and established comics in New York. Grammy-nominated musical ensemble 1500 or Nothin’ will be the house band accompanying performances throughout the special. Streaming live at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT
The Old Man (FX): The second season premieres with two episodes and follows former CIA agent Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges) and former FBI assistant director Harold Harper (John Lithgow) as they set off on their most important mission to date—to recover Emily Chase (Alia Shawkat) after she is kidnapped by Faraz Hamzad (Navid Negahban), a powerful Afghan tribal leader. With all three men claiming her as their daughter, Emily finds herself in an identity crisis that has dire implications. 10 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT, and streaming the next day on Hulu
Friday, September 13
In Vogue: The ’90s (Hulu): The first three episodes drop today, followed by the second batch of three episodes on September 20. The series tells the definitive story of the fashion industry in the ’90s through the eyes of Vogue editors Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful, Tonne Goodman, and Anna Wintour. From grunge to the Met Gala, each episode in this six-part series centers on a defining ’90s moment. Participants include Amber Valletta, Andrew Bolton, Baz Luhrmann, Camilla Nickerson, Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele, Catherine Martin, Claire Danes, Claudia Schiffer, Donna Karan, Elizabeth Hurley, Grace Coddington, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hillary Clinton, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, June Ambrose, Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, Linda Evangelista, Marc Jacobs, Mary J. Blige, Michael Kors, Missy Elliott, Miuccia Prada, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, and Victoria Beckham, among other prominent figures. Executive producers include Liesel Evans, Jonathan Smith, Helen Estabrook, Sarah Amos, Mark Guiducci, and Agnes Chu, as well as Bowles, Enninful, Goodman and Wintour. Three episodes streaming at launch
How to Die Alone (Hulu): The half-hour comedy series premieres with four episodes today, and focuses on Mel (Natasha Rothwell), a JFK airport employee who has never been in love and has forgotten how to dream, until an accidental brush with death catapults her on a journey to finally take flight and start living by any means necessary. Rothwell (who will return to The White Lotus in season 3 as Belinda) created the series and serves as coshowrunner. Four episodes streaming at launch, followed by two new episodes every Friday
Here After (Paramount Pictures): Connie Britton stars in this supernatural thriller as Claire Hiller, a woman who is overjoyed when her daughter, Robin, is miraculously revived after a fatal accident. However, her relief turns to dread as Claire notices changes in her daughter, suspecting something dark has followed her back from the brink of death. In select theaters and on digital
My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios): Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza are brilliant in this film written and directed by Megan Park, and produced by Tom Ackerley, Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara, and Steven Rales. Here’s the synopsis: “In this fresh, big-hearted take on the classic coming-of-age fable, free-spirited teenager Elliott (Maisy Stella) encounters her wisecracking 39-year-old future self (Aubrey Plaza)—and can’t escape her influence. On the cusp of leaving home for college, Elliott is determined to have one last summer packed with good times and girl crushes. To celebrate her 18th birthday, she boats off to a remote island with her best friends to trip on mushrooms. But just when Elliott thinks she’s not feeling a thing, she suddenly finds herself chatting with a woman who claims to be her literal “old ass” (Plaza)—the person she is apparently destined to become in two decades. Prodded for advice, Elliott’s future self gives her one major warning: Avoid anyone named Chad, which sounds easy enough. But when Elliott meets the very Chad (Percy Hynes White) she was supposed to dodge, things get complicated. Elliott starts to open herself to what her future self might have to show her…and vice versa.” In theaters
Three Women (Starz): The limited series about female desire is based on the instant number one New York Times best-selling book of the same name from author Lisa Taddeo. The series stars Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies), Betty Gilpin (GLOW), DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World: Dominion), Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin), Blair Underwood (Impeachment: American Crime Story), Jason Ralph (The Magicians, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and John Patrick Amedori (Dear White People).
Gilpin plays Lina, a homemaker in suburban Indiana, who is a decade into a passionless marriage when she embarks on an affair that quickly becomes all-consuming and transforms her life. Wise plays Sloane, a glamorous entrepreneur in the Northeast, who has a committed open marriage with Underwood’s Richard, until two sexy new strangers threaten their aspirational love story. Woodley plays Gia, a writer grieving the loss of her family, who persuades each of these three spectacular “ordinary” women to tell her their stories, and her relationships with them change the course of her life forever. 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT, and midnight on the Starz app the night before
Uglies (Netflix): Based on the book of the same name by Scott Westerfield, and directed by McG, the story takes places in a futuristic world that imposes a cosmetic surgery at 16. Tally is eager for her turn to join the rest of society, but when a friend runs away, she embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted. Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, Jan Luis, Charmin Lee, and Laverne Cox star. Streaming
The 4:30 Movie (Saban Films): Kevin Smith writes and directs this film—a coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1986 that follows three 16-year-old friends who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local cineplex. When one of the guys invites the girl of his dreams to see an R-rated film, all hilarity breaks loose, as a self-important theater manager (Ken Jeong) and teen rivalries interfere with his best-laid plans. Justin Long, Rosario Dawson, Jason Biggs, and more contribute outrageous characters to this poignant comic valentine to moviegoing and the youth of the ’80s. In theaters
Subservience (XYZ Films): Megan Fox stars as Alice, a lifelike artificially intelligent android, who has the ability to take care of any family and home, in this sci-fi thriller. Looking for help with the housework, a struggling father (Michele Morrone) purchases Alice after his wife becomes sick. Alice suddenly becomes self-aware and wants everything her new family has to offer, starting with the affection of her owner–and she’ll kill to get it. On digital and on demand
The Heiress and the Handyman (Hallmark Channel): The all-new movie stars Jodie Sweetin and Corey Sevier. Here’s the official synopsis: “After losing her fortune, June Waltshire (Sweetin), an heiress, moves to a rural farm where she mistakes her handsome neighbor Bart Hudson (Sevier) for the handyman. Bart and June form a friendship and work together to reclaim her family’s fall fair legacy, taking on apple pies and the livestock parade. As they prepare for state fair domination, they learn a lot about each other’s lives.” 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
The post What to Watch the Week of September 8: Emily in Paris Part 2, the VMAs, and the Presidential Debate Showdown appeared first on Glamour.