I have a little problem. I’ve become obsessed with a television show called Being Erica and I can’t stop watching it. Please take note as you may need to stage an intervention.
It all began innocently enough last week with a random browse through Hulu. I didn’t have intentions to stay. Truth be told I believe I was there to see if the newest episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey had been posted. I was hoping for some big hair and even bigger attitudes to enjoy while I ate my boring lunch but it was nowhere to be found. Instead I happened upon Being Erica and decided to give it a shot. Now it’s only one week later and I’m already on episode ten of season one and ever so completely smitten.
The premise of the show involves a 30-something woman’s attempt to straighten out her seemingly directionless life. Unfortunately she’s crippled with past regrets and can’t seem to move on from a line of endless mistakes that she’s made in her past. Even though she holds both an Undergrad degree and a Master’s in English she’s stuck in a dead end job, dating inappropriate men, all the while feeling like a complete failure. Erica just can’t catch a break.
The next part is going to make you have to get back in touch with your “suspension of disbelief” side. Erica begins seeing a therapist, Dr. Tom, who asks her to create an extensive list of everything that she regrets in her life. Then in each episode she’s given the chance to go back in time and attempt to alter her past. My description probably sounds a bit formulaic but the show is done incredibly well. Erica is played by the adorable and incredibly relatable Erin Karpluk. You may recognize her as “Alice” the radio station manager on the equally fabulous show Life Unexpected.
Other things I love about the show include:
The music. Every time Erica goes back in the past (especially during the college years) I have some sort of personal nostalgic break with reality complete with The Spin Doctors and Blind Melon. All I can say is that my life is pretty plain. I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain …
The clothes. Say hello again to flannel and all of the other accompanying accessories of the 90s. Plus, in the present, Erica is always sporting a sassy dress or outfit that makes me want to run out and go shopping immediately. She also has gorgeously styled long loosely curled hair that all women with straight hair (aka me) covet. Yes. I admit it. I have a total girl crush on Erin Karpluk.
So far there’s very little “happily ever after” occurring while Erica attempts to change her regrets. And that’s what I love and appreciate the most. Like many people I too tend to fixate on “what ifs” and “if onlys” but the lessons Erica learns from her jaunts into the past are rarely brought about by simply picking another path. Usually her new perspective is achieved via looking at the events as they unfold with an older and wiser set of eyes.
I find myself drawing a great deal of comfort in thinking that perhaps all of those “might have beens” that I think about so frequently probably wouldn’t have altered my life too terribly much. Perhaps what I really should focus on is moving forward with the choices I’ve made and learning more fully how that applies to who I am today. Who says you can’t learn anything from TV?!
And there you have it. Being Erica is the new love of my life. Check it out! Plus it just got picked up for a third season so I wont have to cry crocodile tears when I get to the end of season two. Thank you Canadian TV!
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I randomly stumbled onto that show a week or two ago and watched both seasons start to finish in that time. Loved it!
Thanks for the tip! I checked it out on your recommendation…and now I’m on season 2 🙂
Ok. I officially just procrastinated my booty off with that…. don’t know if I should thank you or not?!!
Caroline, Sara & EB – Yay! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the show. I am still completely obsessed with it but trying to pace my viewing to make it last longer. I just finished up season 1 yesterday afternoon. I’m not sure when season 3 will begin but hopefully this Fall? How are we ever going to wait that long …eeek!?
Damn you Erin! I see many hours in front of Hulu in my future watching this show!
Seriously, thanx for the recommendation!
I wanted to pop back in and say thanks for recommending this show! I just finished the last episode of Season 2 and I’m so sad it’s over. What a great show!
I read that Soap Net is being canceled so I guess that means the third season won’t air here unless some other network picks it up? Lifetime should really pick it up because it fits well with their show Drop Dead Diva, which is another really cute show with a similarly fantastical premise.
I see some illegal torrent downloading in my future if it doesn’t wind up showing here because I can’t wait for the next season!
Emily,
So glad you enjoyed it too! I’m actually still watching Season 2 bit-by-bit in an attempt to stretch it out until season 3 begins in September. I fully intend to torrent it. I absolutely HAVE to know what happens next.
Being that my name too is Erica, I tried to stay away from the show. It would be too much of a cliche. However, I couldn’t keep away for long as they were playing an all day marathon on Soapnet one day and I was hooked after the one episode.
I really LOVE the show now, cliche or not, and I hope that they continue on for many more seasons.
I have watched both seasons now and totally psyched for the third. I’m excited for the character to get a fresh start to her life instead of getting hung up in the past. That is how I see her new business adventure…moving on.
Erin K. plays out this role brilliantly and so do all other cast members, esp. Dr. Tom. I would be seriously let down if they cancelled this show, like they have of some of my other favorites. So cheers to season three!!
I love this show too: I have watched all the episodes from first and second season in 3 days!
No need to find a therapist now, I just need Doctor Tom’s analysis and quotes^^
If you EVER learn where to find dresses like that… PLEASE tell me!
😀
YOLAINE –
You can find her tops at Lilikoi: lilikoiclothing.com
Some of her wrap dresses come from:
Banana Republic: http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JPQ8j53AIxQ/S0fftFYtsHI/AAAAAAAAGQQ/ZJQMf-uharY/s512/000410dh.jpg
Diane von Furstenberg
Nanette Lepore
and from season 1 promo, the one shoulder red dress is from “Fashion Crimes”
http://fashioncrimestoronto.blogspot.com/2009/01/erica-loves-fc-dresses.html
AND IF YOU HAVEN’t CHECKed out Erica’s video blog, you should!
http://www.cbc.ca/beingerica/blog/
The cherry-print dress that Erica wore in the season 2 premiere o is
Nanette Lepore’s Very Cherry dress
Hello!! I’m from Spain and Being Erica is my favourite TV serie 🙂 Today, I watched episode 4×07 and I love 2 dress: the red one and the other one, which wear in the end of the episode. Someone who know where I can buy them?? Thank you very much!!!
Lots of pix of Erica’s clothes here — it’s a Being Erica Tumblr!
http://beingericascloset.tumblr.com/
And if you are still watching in season four, here’s the dress Erica from the Future wears in episode 8
http://www.polyvore.com/mcq_alexander_mcqueen_feather_print/thing?id=38278942
Purple one-shoulder dress from Season 4, episode 8
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Nanette-Lepore-Marilyn-One-Shoulder-Cutout-Dress-Contemporary/prod130000088/
I can’t remember which episode in Season 3 this was from…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nanette-Lepore-Leading-Lady-Dress-/280800347272?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item4161014488
ANA from Spain —
The dress in the opening of S04EP07 “Being Ethan” is Nanette Lepore’s Tropical Heat Dress