We're fast approaching the end of 2022 and I just realised that I haven't shared any What I've Been Watching style blog posts this year. Other than the odd Instagram Story. But today I'm sharing some of my TV highlights from 2022. So if you're wondering what to watch next, look no further.
Here are some of the TV shows that you simply can't miss:
Better Call Saul (on Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I cannot recommend Better Call Saul highly enough to literally anyone who will listen. And with it concluding with a spectacular final season, now is the time to catch up with it if you haven't seen it. Even if you've not seen Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is unquestionably even better. It may take a few seasons for it truly to get going but not a single episode is wasted when you see how it all plays out. And for me, once a certain Lalo Salamanca comes into it, that's when it is some of the best television that you will ever see.
In its sixth and final season in particular, literally every single episode is perfection. From the first few episodes where you are genuinely on the edge of your seat for Nacho. To seeing Lalo out seeking revenge. And then the final few black and white episodes in Gene's world. If I could give it more than five stars I would. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, make Better Call Saul your next TV show to binge watch.
The Sex Lives Of College Girls (on ITV Hub) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I will basically watch anything that Mindy Kaling has something to do with. Which is why I had been hoping and praying that we would get the first season of The Sex Lives Of College Girls here in the UK. And it now is, on the ITV Hub of all places, which is why you might have missed it. It combines comedy, drama, coming of age, friendship, romance and college so well, that again you will make your way through the ten episodes so easily.
The four female leads/college roommates are both relatable and had me glued to my screen, with Timothee Chalamet's sister, Pauline, being one of the foursome. It has Mindy's trademark humour and bingeability. And it perfectly sums up that period where, as Britney Spears famously said, you're not a girl, not yet a woman. I watched all ten of the episodes over the course of a few nights. And I already can't wait to see what they do in season two.
Only Murders In The Building (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I simply cannot explain how brilliant this show is in just a few sentences. If you have Disney+ or are thinking about getting it in the future, make this the first thing that you watch and you won't be disappointed. It's witty and genuinely laugh out loud funny, with a great focus on three neighbours and ultimately unlikely friends, solving true crime that has taken place in their building. And as they do so, they're sharing it with the world in their very own podcast. But every episode is done so in such a fresh and unique way.
Steve Martin and Selena Gomez are both fantastic in this but Martin Short is the true standout for me. Almost every line that he delivers has me smiling or chuckling along. Whether you're a fan of comedy, true crime, drama or something that bit different, there are currently two seasons of Only Murders In The Building for you to be catching up with.
Dopesick (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I already knew a bit about OxyContin and the opiod crisis in the US, so when I saw Dopesick nominated for and then winning at the Emmy awards, I decided to give it a watch. And I'm so glad that I did. Much like with Only Murders In The Bulding, if you have Disney+ and haven't watched Dopesick yet, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
We see the impact that one drug and one drug company can have as normal people, including one of the doctors who has ended up prescribing it, played expertly by Michael Keaton, become addicted. It's both frustrating to watch and completely absorbing. In addition to Michael Keaton, it also features great performances from an all-star cast including Peter Sarsgaard, Will Poulter, Kaitlyn Dever and Rosario Dawson. Trust me, this is must-see viewing.
This Is Going To Hurt (on BBC iPlayer) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Now, I read This Is Going To Hurt and wasn't totally blown away by it like everyone else. I actually preferred Adam Kay's Christmas follow up, Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas. But from the very first few seconds of watching the TV show, I was hooked. It's funny, shocking and heart wrenching, all at once. Let's just say, I really didn't expect to go through all of the emotions when watching it. But that's exactly what happened.
Ben Whishaw is brilliant as Adam and we see the true realities of what life is like as a doctor in the NHS, even though it is set about fifteen years ago when Kay was practising medicine. It being set primarily in the labour ward also adds even more depth to the life and death nature of working in a hospital. This is another show that I can't stop raving about to everyone that I speak to.
Conversations With Friends (on BBC iPlayer) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another book adaptation and another book that didn't really impress me, of course I had to watch the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Conversations With Friends. I was intrigued to see how they would make it work for the screen. Plus, the casting of Jemima Kirke and Joe Alwyn had me on board too.
I will say, I never got over how deep Nick's voice is. That definitely threw me throughout. And there are some really awkward scenes, both in terms of the acting and the interactions between the characters. But I feel like that was completely intentional. It definitely captured my attention and I think it worked better for me than the book did. Is Frances incredibly frustrating most of the way through? Yes. Is the whole dynamic between the foursome super messy? Of course. But I would give it a watch, especially as you can catch up with all twelve episodes on BBC iPlayer for free.
Never Have I Ever Season 3 (on Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Another Mindy Kaling creation, Never Have I Ever is the teen high school drama/comedy that I wished had been around when I was a teenager. All of our favourite characters are back for season three, plus a new addition that turns Devi's love triangle into a bit of a square for part of the season, which I wasn't mad about in the slightest.
Devi is maybe slightly less chaotic than in previous seasons but it is just as brilliant. I loved seeing more when it came to some of the other characters, such as her best friends and even her family. And I will never complain about another episode being dedicated to Ben, with Andy Samberg expertly doing the voiceover once again. And John McEnroe's voiceover for Devi is still just as iconic. I also need to know if you are 'Team Paxton' or 'Team Ben', especially after you've watched this latest season. I'm 100% 'Team Ben', in case you were wondering.
Love Life Season 2 (on BBC iPlayer) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
You might remember how much I adored the first season of Love Life, featuring Anna Kendrick as the main character. So I was beyond excited when season 2 was added to the BBC iPlayer. I will say, season 2 and Marcus' story didn't grip me quite as much as Darcy's story. And I think that might be because one love interest plays such a central role the whole way through his season. I did, however, really like his friends and some of the other characters that pop up during the course of it.
Again, it is really relatable and I love that each episode is dedicated to a particular love in Marcus' life. I was also happy to see, as I expected, that it was set in NYC. So if you're looking for some New York escapism, from the comfort of your own home, you'll definitely get that. It is well worth a watch and you even get a cameo or two from Anna Kendrick's Darcy as well.
The Good Doctor (on Sky Boxsets) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After watching literally every episode of Chicago Med, PD, Fire and even Justice, I was missing something like those shows in my life. Which is when I decided to give The Good Doctor a try. Freddie Highmore, who you may know from Bates Motel or Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, is brilliant, as always, in this. It's definitely interesting seeing the perspective of and the reactions towards someone with autism. Particularly as he is an incredibly intelligent surgeon and yet, we see what others think when they come into contact with him.
Some of the medical issues and eventual cures can seem a bit hard to believe and sometimes watch. It's also wild seeing how toxic a workplace it is during the first couple of episodes. However, it is super easy to switch on when I'm not sure what else to watch and I have five seasons worth to work my way through. I'm almost halfway through the second season. And I may or may not have downloaded all of the upcoming episodes to my Sky box, just in case they were to take them off anytime soon.
Station 19 (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
And to get me over missing Chicago Fire, I finally decided to give Station 19 a try. Now, I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy since Izzy Stevens died, so quite some time. But Station 19 is actually a spin off of Grey's. I'm not sure if you'll undoubtedly get more out of Station 19 having seen the medical drama but Meredith Grey herself appears in the first episode of Station 19.
I'm still only on the first season but it's not quite as captivating as Chicago Fire or even 9-1-1 but it's definitely still watchable. I am, however, excited to see where things go next. It's particularly interesting seeing the job from the perspective of a female, even if I'm not the biggest fan of her, hoping to become captain, in the first season anyway. And as per usual for these types of shows, the fire fighting certainly isn't the main draw.
Selling The OC ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (on Netflix)
I wasn't sure if a spin-off of Selling Sunset was really needed. But given that I've watched and rewatched all of the existing episodes, I decided to give Selling The OC a try. And I actually think that it holds its own as a separate, if connected, show. First of all, there is all of the drama, which is almost a given. But what I really liked was the fact there was some actual diversity in the cast. There are people of colour, men and parents all working at the new office. So there is a bit more variety than there is in Selling Sunset.
The homes are crazier, the fashion is madder and then there's all the drama. Again, I don't think the characters that the show are making out to be the 'villains', Alexandra Rose and Jarvis are villains in the slightest. They, plus Gio, are probably the only realtors in the office out there closing big deals and actually working. But if you love a good reality TV show and over the top homes, you'll find exactly that on Selling The OC.
Making The Cut Season 3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75 (on Amazon Prime Video)
If you've seen some of my previous What I've Been Watching blog posts, you'll know how big a fan I am of Heidi and Tim. So to have a new series of Making The Cut to enjoy, especially when I wasn't expecting it, definitely made my day when I spotted it. So many of the international designers in this particular season are so incredibly talented. I also like the fact that they have to make both a runway and a more accessible look on this reality show. And the fact that you can buy the winning looks straight away on the Making The Cut store on Amazon.
If you love shows like Project Runway, Next In Fashion, etc. and have Amazon Prime Video, I would definitely recommend giving Making The Cut a watch.
So those are just a few suggestions for what to watch next. Especially if you're struggling to find something to watch on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video or TV.
Have you seen any of the shows that I've featured today? If so, what did you think of them? And are there any TV shows that you have absolutely loved this year?
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