‘American Woman’ Reconfirms Alicia Silverstone’s Icon Status

Paramount Network’s American Woman, a new half-hour comedy premiering Thursday, June 7 at 10pm ET/PT, has already garnered a lot of curiosity due to the fact that producer Kyle Richards talked about it, and let viewers in on the process of working on a scripted TV show, on the last season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. But Housewives fans, and avoiders alike, should tune in not just to see if Kyle was spilling the family tea (she’s really not), but because it’s better than you’re expecting it to be, and most importantly, Alicia Silverstone is reconfirming her icon status.

Yes, she will always be Clueless’ Cher Horowitz in our hearts and minds, but as Bonnie Nolan here, she’s just as fierce and funny. In fact, Bonnie certainly shares many similarities with Cher, perhaps if the stylish ’90s teen had been a stylish ’70s housewife instead (no advanced closet technology, sadly). Bonnie Nolan feels like the kind of woman who would 100% be on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills if that were a show in that era. The character is inspired by Richards’ own mother, but what Silverstone brings to Bonnie is simply worth watching.

It’s almost unfair how well she’s pulling off ’70s hairstyles and clothing, but it’s her feminist mentality that looks the best on her. Bonnie is progressive for her time (as was Cher), but she’s great for this time. In a world where The Handmaid’s Tale is way too heavy, American Woman is serving up the Skinny Girl version of girl power. The message is inspirational and motivational and enjoyable enough without knocking you over the head with it. Bonnie takes matters into her own hands: she follows her husband to learn he’s cheating, she stands up to him, and she kicks him out, determined to make a life of her own for herself and her daughters — his money be damned. And just when you’re raising your fist to cheer her on, you’re bringing it back down to wrap it into a huge around this relatable woman. For every “You go, girl” Silverstone brings to life, she’ll knock you in the heart with her character’s need for an “Aww, girl.” Silverstone gives Bonnie a vulnerability and sensitivity to round out the character in a way that is as dynamic as it is delightful.

From the pilot alone we learn just how crafty she is, how she uses her femininity as a useful tool, especially when men underestimate the fact that they’ve just met their match. American Woman knows this is a particular skill of Silverstone’s and the show very much allows her charm to shine through and shine brightly.

It’s not like she’s been hiding — Silverstone has popped up in a series of roles in the over two decades since Clueless, including recently in the films Book Club and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. And the main reason to keep referencing Clueless here at all, really, is that American Woman could, and should, revive our mid-’90s obsession with Silverstone. No matter what some of the professional choices she’s made in her career along the way might say, she’s an incredibly talented actress, and American Woman is not just a reminder of that, but a chance for Silverstone to have some fun as well.

While she achieved full icon status with her role in Clueless, she’s also great in a new way in American Woman, and not just because it’s a nostalgic reminder of her talent for us as viewers. Plain and simple, Silverstone is perfect casting here, and she is great in this role. She nails the humor, she looks fantastic, and she delivers the intended message and that go-getter attitude in her signature, captivating style. It’s enjoyable to see this woman in particular portray another woman who is as determined to start a new life as she one was to help a classmate become cool. Silverstone is back and better than ever, and really, what’s more American than that?

Where to watch American Woman