In a world full of wonderful movies and TV shows, the culture staff wanted to highlight some truly terrible gems that you should hate-watch.
We are firm believers that sometimes artistic quality can be left by the wayside, and that you can enjoy a show even while avidly disliking a majority of its components.
Please enjoy — or hate — our recommendations.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” – Clare Yesilonis
I’m a person who rarely watches media, and when I do, I try to make it worth my time. I’m so picky, in fact, that many of my friends playfully tease me about the seemingly endless list of shows I need to see.
Yet, on Wednesday nights after class, I find myself settling down with my laptop open to Amazon Prime Video, ready to stand by helplessly as Isabel Conklin makes the worst possible decisions for her life.
What started as a summer tradition with my friends and sister, watching and rewatching each episode has turned into an infuriating part of my weekly routine.
I’m either yelling at the TV for Belly to stop flirting with the wrong brother, or groaning when Taylor avoids telling Steven her feelings. I’ve never been so angry at a show, and yet I’m drawn back every time.
Each episode that drops leads to multiple debriefs with friends about how Jeremiah treats his loved ones, or the way that the show diverges from the books. Even more heated discourse happens over social media.
Needless to say, there’s a lot to analyze and plenty to discuss, no matter whose side you’re on. Personally, I’m Team Conrad to the end.
“Ginny and Georgia” — Mackenzie Bender
Hands down, the best worst show is “Ginny and Georgia.” From the writing to the characters, this show sucks, but for some reason, I can’t turn it off.
I really have to fight the urge to turn it off when I painfully cringe at lines such as, “It’s Friday! Happy Friday,” being sung by a character with a Snapchat dog filter. Yet, I am compelled to keep watching.
Yelling at the characters for the stupid choices they make, and then being annoyed with the consequences of their actions, has to be the best part.
And I shouldn’t forget to mention the horrible fashion of 2020 that they made the characters wear. Everything about this show is so bad. I can’t wait for another season.
“Four Weddings” — Kendall Evans
As a true TLC warrior, I fall to my knees for nostalgic reality shows, especially “Four Weddings.”
If you haven’t been initiated, “Four Weddings” is a show where four women attend each other’s weddings and rate them in various categories.
So, you get to watch four women hate on each other’s weddings while they fight and claw to win their dream honeymoon. It’s a glistening gem of the 21st century.
There are personal vendettas, passive-aggression, straight-forward aggression and a whole new cast every episode. The show started in 2009, so you also have the privilege of basking in bright teal, sequin gowns and chunky costume jewelry.
As an anti-wedding Gen Z-er, this is the magnum opus of hate-watch TV.
“Below Deck” — Maya Surrenti
My roommates first turned on “Below Deck” during finals week of our fall semester junior year. As the sounds of Australian accents reached my ears, I believed that I could never stand to watch the show that had begun consuming my roommates’ free time.
Lo and behold, one fateful afternoon, I too got sucked into what might be the best worst show ever. Crew-cest, spoiled rich guests, kitchen drama — “Below Deck” features elements of all of our favorite reality TV shows in one place.
It’s “Love Island” meets “Master Chef,” plus a yacht.
I highly recommend the show, though I advise that you start it far away from finals week. Otherwise, you might end up like me, writing a 14-page paper in one night because my roommates refused to pause the show, and I just couldn’t miss one minute of the yacht drama.
