The Bold Type

In a medium where young women are too often gossipy girls or pretty little liars, it's refreshing to see deeper characters in a (still soapy!) workplace drama. Jane, Sutton, and Kat are presented to viewers as a sort of teen-friendly take on the ensemble of female friends most famously typified by the Sex and the City gang, though their characterizations are subtle and skillful enough that the characters don't break down easily into stereotypes ("the smart one," "the sexy one"). Each woman is working her way up the publishing ladder while at the same time dealing with romantic attachments. 

But what's notable about The Bold Type is that the romantic entanglements are only part of these women's lives, not the end-all, be-all. There's just as much drama in Jane pitching a story idea at a meeting as in the moment when she runs into her ex. Like real women, these characters lead full, rich, and complicated lives.

It's good stuff -- despite the fact that Hardin's Jacqueline (saddled with the world's worst wig) seems to have been cast as a sort of unrealistically Willy Wonka-esque mentor to her employees. Memo to young women: Your boss may very well assign you work and then check up on your progress. But it's unlikely she'll put off a call from Beyoncé to check in on how your breakup is going. Since this series was inspired by a real-life fashion editor, it's not surprising that the boss is painted in such glowing tones -- but it does detract from the fun. A Miranda Priestly type may be a bit of a cliché, but without an antagonistic boss, the antics of our three she-roes loses a bit of excitement. Nonetheless, teens will enjoy watching -- and parents may like the show enough to watch along.