Top Ten Tuesday: What I’ve Been Watching On TV

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic has nothing to do with books. In honor of the fall TV season, I’m going to tell you about the trash I’ve been watching this summer and the trash that I’m looking forward to this fall.

I stole the show description from the network websites because they’re better at this than me. Click the show title for more info.

Trash I Loved This Summer

1. Lost In Transition (TLC)

“Follow four couples during the most trying time in their marriages where in each relationship, the wife has recently found out that her husband has grappled with his gender identity for years.”

This is a reality show, so of course it’s edited in the most unnecessarily dramatic way possible, but I learned a lot about transgender people and the process of transitioning. I like that the show focuses on whole families and not just on the person getting the surgeries/hormone injections/makeovers.

2. The Great British Bake Off / Baking Show (PBS)

“Follow the trials and tribulations of passionate amateur bakers whose goal is to be named the U.K.’s best.”

Confession time: I hate cooking, but I watch every food show ever. If there’s a food competition out there, I’ve probably seen it. I even watch those shows where Gordon Ramsay verbally abuses people. Out of all the food shows, Bake Off is my favorite. The contestants are so sweet and calm. I wish I had Netflix so I could see the newest seasons.

3. Sharp Objects (HBO)

“Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) returns to her hometown to investigate a string of unsolved murders.”

I debated putting this one on the list because I have mixed feelings. I like the music, the plot, and how the show looks. (Is there a word for “how the show looks?” I know nothing about TV! The closest word I can think of is “mise-en-scéne,” but I don’t know if that’s what I mean.) Anyway, the characters on Sharp Objects are irritating. I was hoping that the season would end with them all getting stabbed by sharp objects. 

4. Expedition Unknown (Travel)

“Expedition Unknown chronicles the adventures of Josh Gates as he investigates iconic mysteries across the globe.”

If I’m not watching the Food Channel, then I’m watching the Travel Channel. Expedition Unknown is my favorite Travel show. The host is hilarious. If I had friends, I’d want them to be like him. He travels the world and attempts to solve well-known mysteries (such as locating Egypt’s lost mummies or investigating yeti sightings). I don’t think he’s ever solved a mystery, but whatever.

5. Catfish Trolls (MTV)

“Catfish Trolls brings online bullies face-to-face with their victims. The show follows a similar format to the online dating show Catfish.”

This Catfish spinoff only has 3 episodes, so you have no excuse not to watch it. Nev and Max aren’t in it, but it’s still good. Instead of bringing together people who fell in love online, Trolls allows a victim to confront their online bully. Trolls are horrible and fascinating. Of course I’ll watch a show about them.

Trash I’m Anticipating This Fall

6. South Park (Comedy Central)

“This animated series is not for children. In fact, its goal seems to be to offend as many people as possible.”

Satire is one of the greatest human inventions. I’ve loved this show for most of my life. I think I was 12 when I saw my first South Park episode, and I’ve now watched every single one. I live in the state where the show is set, so it can be hard to avoid mentions of South Park. There was even a huge poster of the characters in the Denver airport for a while. Yes, I have been to the real South Park, Colorado. What’s there? Cows. So many cows. 

7. American Horror Story (FX)

“American Horror Story is a groundbreaking anthology horror drama series.”

This is another one that I debated putting on the list. I’ve never watched a full season of American Horror Story. I love the first few episodes of every season. They’re innovative and disturbingly beautiful. By the halfway point of the season, the plot has become so convoluted and stupid that I lose interest. This season’s theme is Apocalypse, which is awesome, so I’m hoping it’ll be different.

(Oh, random tangent: Last season’s American Horror Story taught me the word “Trypophobia.” Ever since I was a little kid, I knew that certain images could make my skin itch. I never really thought about it because it wasn’t a big deal. Then ads for last year’s AHS started coming out, and they made me itch so bad. Like, clawing-my-skin-and-ripping-out-my-hair itchy. I finally Googled it to see if the commercials made anyone else itch. They did! I’m not crazy! I learned that 15% of the population has Trypophobia. Even though the ads made me tear my skin to shreds, I still watched the show because I’m a very stable genius.) 

(Oh, related tangent: There’s an easy way to figure out if you have Trypophobia. Look up “Trypophobia” on Google images. If you regret Googling it, then you probably have it.)

8. Survivor (CBS)

“These castaways will be forced to compete against each other with the same ultimate goal: to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other in an attempt to become the Sole Survivor.”

Another reality show that I’ve been watching forever. You guys know about this one, right? It’s been on TV for 18 years. A bunch of strangers are dumped on a beach, and we watch them scheme, argue, become paranoid, get skinny and hairy, and win $1,000,000. I don’t know where the show finds these weirdo contestants, but they’re usually entertaining. 

9. The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

“Leonard and Sheldon are brilliant physicists—geniuses in the laboratory but socially challenged everywhere else. Enter beautiful, street-smart neighbor Penny, who aims to teach them a thing or two about life.”

When this show first started (way back in 2007), I watched it every week. I liked the smart quirkiness of the characters. Then, I stopped watching it so I could devote more time to reading. Now that the show is ending, I should probably catch up. 

10. All The Animated Shows (Fox)

The Simpsons’, Bob’s Burgers, and Family Guy.

Remember how I said I like satire? These shows have more satire! Homer Simpson is my favorite fictional character ever. Pretty much everything that comes out of my mouth is either a Simpsons’ reference or a Harry Potter reference. I contain no original thoughts.

What have you been watching on TV? What are you looking forward to?