TELEVISION, AT ITS BEST, distracts from real life and doesn’t judge us if we slump in front of it wearing what might charitably be called “comfortable clothes.” But increasingly, as streaming outfits pour millions into ever more ambitious, Emmy-worthy productions, TV is also a great source of inspiration when it comes to our more ambitious selves. That is, the selves who want to dress, at least now and then, like Shiv Roy in “Succession” (who dominates in high-waisted power pants), eat a savory goat stew inspired by the antics of the wellness retreaters in “Nine Perfect Strangers,” or model our decor after the surprisingly...

TELEVISION, AT ITS BEST, distracts from real life and doesn’t judge us if we slump in front of it wearing what might charitably be called “comfortable clothes.” But increasingly, as streaming outfits pour millions into ever more ambitious, Emmy-worthy productions, TV is also a great source of inspiration when it comes to our more ambitious selves. That is, the selves who want to dress, at least now and then, like Shiv Roy in “Succession” (who dominates in high-waisted power pants), eat a savory goat stew inspired by the antics of the wellness retreaters in “Nine Perfect Strangers,” or model our decor after the surprisingly tasteful Vegas home of Deborah Vance, one of the titular “Hacks” in the HBO Max comedy, which is up for an Outstanding Production Design award at the Emmys this Sunday.

In this special collection of stories, we look at the many ways that quality TV affects Americans’ style choices, our interior design, our vacation plans and cuisine routines, and even the way we process our all-too-real work dramas. Unsurprisingly, many of the shows that are nominated for Emmys this year factor into our takes—from “Mare of Easttown” (up for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series), which, like many murder mysteries, is fueling an odd tourism trend, to “The Crown” (Outstanding Drama Series) which figures in a quiz we put together about the truth behind seven series’ “location shoots.” Both “Bridgerton” (which scored its own nod for Outstanding Drama Series) and “The Queen’s Gambit” (also up for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series) earned our scrutiny, though more for their sets’ covetable wallpapers than the shows’ (impressively tight) scripting. Our wine columnist, Lettie Teague, looked at the ways fine wine plays a role in TV narratives, and, although “Emily in Paris” is up for an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy, Lettie found its cliche-ridden obsession with sipping vino less than outstanding.

An admission: We couldn’t resist trashy reality TV entirely, making room for the British dating show “Love Island,” though we did try to extract an ambitious grooming regimen from it. Writer Todd Plummer enlisted two male former contestants to help him primp unrelentingly for a week in hopes of achieving the sort of bronzed, hyper-coiffed appearance that’s standard on the show. Todd harbors no hopes of winning an Emmy for his performance.

Below, find links to more stories from the package. But to kick things off, here’s a frank and funny chat we had with Kaley Cuoco, who’s one-upped her success in the 12-season run of “The Big Bang Theory” as the star and executive producer of “The Flight Attendant.” The HBO Max series earned her a nod for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and established that, if you’re going to be falsely accused of killing a perfectly lovely man you just met on an airplane (as her character is), you might as well be implicated in a room at the highly sophisticated, four-star Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, whose exteriors stood in for the show’s fictional slaughter site. Enjoy!

HIGH FLYER Kaley Cuoco and her dog Rosie at the actress’s California home in 2021.

Photo: Shayan Asgharnia / AUGUST

‘The Flight Attendant’ Star Kaley Cuoco Actually Hates Flying

She may zip around the world as Cassie Bowden in her latest HBO series, but actress and producer Kaley Cuoco prefers staying close with her horses and flock of rescue animals over jetting to far-flung locals. Ahead of the Emmys—‘The Flight Attendant’ received nine nominations—Ms. Cuoco talks perfect pizza, her ‘diva’ tendency and the extremely unlikely accessory she refuses to walk the red carpet without.

SCENERY TO DIE FOR A scene from the detective drama ‘Shetland,’ which helped to boost tourism to the remote Atlantic isles by 53%.

Photo: BritBox

Murder Shows Are Inspiring Vacations, From ‘The Killing’ to ‘Shetland.’ (Yes, Really.)

Fans of grisly TV are flocking to the locations of popular detective dramas, from Denmark’s “The Bridge” to rural Washington’s “Twin Peaks.” And tour companies are happy to oblige: “I’ve had a lot of people lie down on the crime scenes,” said Christine Bordin, who owns and operates Nordic Noir Tours.

MRS. MONEY BAGS Always over the top—sartorially and otherwise—’Empire’ character Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson) is rarely seen without a statement bag, like this luxe snakeskin clutch.

Photo: Everett Collection

The Handbags That Rich Women Carry...on TV

You can tell a lot about an affluent TV heroine from her handbag. There’s a reason Renata Klein of ‘Big Little Lies’ sticks with recognizable designer styles. And it’s no accident that Rachel Patton on ‘The White Lotus’ conspicuously carries a green Goyard. Here, what seven real totes say about their fictional owners and where to buy them (if you’re rich).

WHAT’S SO FUNNY? In the office of stand-up comic Deborah Vance, a character in ‘Hacks’ (HBO Max), the décor portrays someone to be taken seriously.

Photo: HBO Max

How TV Set Designers Use Decor to Say What a Script Doesn’t

Knicknacks, furniture, art all help tell a character’s story. We asked the production designer and set decorator of the HBO Max comedy series ‘Hacks’ to decode the elements in the home office they devised for lead character Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary aging comic living and working in Las Vegas.

TURN TO TV Psychologists say that our favorite shows can distract us enough to stop us ruminating about that awkward question we asked during the afternoon all-hands meeting.

Illustration: Francesco Zorzi

Close Email, Open Netflix. How TV Replaced the Commute as a Workday Wind-Down.

Is TV the new commute? We examined why streaming a favorite show can help your WFH brain turn off at the end of a workday. Plus, a few psychologist-recommended strategies for boosting TV’s ability to transport you.

GRAPE PERFORMANCES 1. Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge), ‘The White Lotus’ 2. Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), ‘Friday Night Lights’ 3. Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara), ‘Schitt’s Creek’ 4. David Rose (Dan Levy), ‘Schitt’s Creek’ 5. Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), ‘Emily in Paris’ 6. Richard Youngsta (Chris Brown), ‘Black-ish’ 7. Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey), ‘Ginny & Georgia’ 8. Tom Wambsgans (Matthew MacFadyen), ‘Succession’

Illustration: Dennis Eriksson

The Best and Worst of Wine on TV, From ‘Friday Night Lights’ to ‘Emily in Paris

When our wine columnist watches television, she can’t help noticing what the characters are drinking—and, too often, wondering what on earth the writers were thinking. Whether an ostentatious red on ‘Succession’ or an anaesthetizing white on ‘The White Lotus,’ more often than not, wine on TV seems to represent everything but pleasure.

THROWBACK THURSDAY Chandler Bing from ‘Friends’ in a quintessentially ’90s outfit

Photo: Getty Images

How Chandler Bing and Jerry Seinfeld Became 2021’s Biggest Fashion Icons

During their 1990s heyday, Must-See-TV characters who relied on blousy button-downs, unironic sweater vests and pleated pants were seen as irredeemably dowdy. Today, they’ve become unlikely style influences for high-fashion brands and Gen Z. How the frumpy characters from ‘Friends,’ ‘Frasier’ and ‘Seinfield’ became modern style stars.

BATTLE OF THE REMOTE Over 50% of Americans regularly use their phones to watch streamed TV, but the habit is plenty polarizing.

Photo: Serge Bloch (illustration); Istock (photos)

Is Watching TV on Your Phone Futile? A Debate

Over 50% of Americans regularly use their phones to watch streamed TV, according to market research company Branded Research. But the habit is plenty polarizing. Here, we debate whether mobile viewing is persuasively convenient or just a compromised version of a classic TV experience.