On The Same Paige

but are they any good?

If you know me, you will already know that I am nothing if not a TV show connoisseur. But if you don’t, hi, I’m Paige, and I watch a lot of television. If I were to rank what I enjoy the most, it would be TV, followed by books and then films. If you’re the same, then you’re my kind of person.

So let’s begin, from start to finish, every TV show I watched in 2024, my thoughts and feelings, where you can watch in the UK, or if you should watch them at all. Grab a snack, we may be here a while.

1. Love Island All Stars

Now, I remember when watching this new Love Island series, everyone complained about it not being any good. Here’s my take, on shows like this, every single year everyone complains that it’s terrible and that last year was so much better, and then the next year they say the same. Personally? I thought the All Stars series was great and I’m glad they’re doing it again next year. It was also interesting to see a new side to old islanders. For example, Chris was a much beloved islander in his original series and I loved him just as much as the next viewer but in the All Stars series, there was a very different side to him that left a bad taste in my mouth as well as a lot of other watchers. I’ll admit, I too was rooting for Callum and Molly, but nevertheless, it was nice to see them move on and be happy for one another.

I streamed this show on ITVX

2. Ugly Betty

Finally got around to watching this show about a conventionally ‘ugly’ girl who winds up working for a famous fashion magazine, and it was enjoyable. Was it my favourite of the year? No, but did I watch it all the way through with no complaints? Yes. If you’re looking for something easy to binge, and enjoy The Devil Wears Prada, then this is one for you. My one big complaint though; what the hell happened to Betty and Daniel?? It felt like they were set up from the start and then just… nothing. However, they developed this gorgeous friendship that made me okay with that, but THEN they gave us that weird ending suggesting they are together. I read online that in other versions of the show they do end up together but in the American version we are just left with this unsatisfying ‘what-if’. Regardless, it was a fun watch.

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Speaking of classics, I binged this 90s classic back in February that follows, you guessed it, a teenage vampire slayer called Buffy. It definitely declined after the high school seasons and don’t get me started on how awful Buffy’s friends are but all in all, I did really love it and definitely recommend it. I am going to say something very controversial, I prefer Angel over Spike, my reasons for such could be a whole separate blog post. Also, *spoiler alert* Joyce’s death was probably the most heartbreaking and well-written, acted, edited, etc. death I have ever seen in a TV show. One thing I did question about the ending, when Sunnydale just vanished, what about everyone that was still living there?

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

4. Manifest (Season 2)

We are now just waiting for Netflix UK to give us season 3. Nothing drives me more mad than when they put seasons 1, 2, and 4 on the streaming service because what is the point?? Anyway, the show is about a flight that goes missing and mysteriously reappears years later but for the passengers on the plane no time has passed. If you felt the loss when The Society was canceled by Netflix, this might just fill the void. I really enjoy it and am sad there are only 4 seasons.

I streamed this show on Netflix

5. Not Dead Yet

Starring Gina Rodriguez, the show is about a young writer who sees dead people, aka every person she has to write an obituary for. It’s a sweet and light-hearted comedy that’s great if you’re looking for an easy watch to pass the time.

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

6. One Day

Originally a book, One Day follows the lives of Emma and Dex throughout many years. Shows like these aren’t my favourite – realistic characters with painfully slow romances kill a part of my soul, if I wanted to see that I’d go outside and take a look at half of my friends and their situationships – but it’s always nice to watch something different and I didn’t dislike it. It’s one of those shows that, for the sake of my heart, I couldn’t watch again, but if that’s your kind of thing you will love it.

I streamed this show on Netflix

7. Normal People

Speaking of heartbreakingly realistic TV shows, I rewatched Normal People as my mum hadn’t seen it. Again, not really my cup of tea but I can appreciate how good it is. Controversially, I read the book years ago and absolutely hated it, it’s probably the only book I’ve ever read where I’d say the media adaptation was better. In the book, not only did I find all the characters insanely annoying, but the lack of communication made me want to hit my head on a wall. The show, possibly because it’s quicker than reading the book, is a lot less painful.

I streamed this show on BBC iPlayer

8. Criminal Minds

I know I’m late to the game with this one but I’d definitely recommend Criminal Minds. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to commit to this long-running series, that follows a group of FBI agents who profile criminals, but I surprised myself by watching the entire thing. Some brief thoughts; the show went downhill after Hotch left, JJ and Reid made no sense, and Penelope not ending up with Derek was the real crime of the show. If you’re willing to commit, I’d say it’s worth the watch.

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

9. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

I have to say, this show about American football cheerleaders, really opened my eyes to how serious all of these lot are about a football game, including the cheerleaders themselves. I mean these girls are literally destroying their bodies for a job that doesn’t even pay the rent just for bragging rights, it’s crazy but you have to respect it. The show was actually really interesting and I’d recommend.

I streamed this show on Netflix

10. Bridgerton (Season 3)

Now Netflix, you either need to release a show all at once or do an episode per week, because when you do the whole part 1 and 2 thing I can’t remember what was going on. With that out of the way, Bridgerton season 3 was what I expected, nothing special but still enjoyable and I don’t really have much more to say about it. Personally, nothing has beaten season 1 for me yet.

I streamed this show on Netflix

11. Fool Me Once

Ex-soldier, Maya, discovers a history of secrets when she sees her supposed-to-be murdered husband on the nanny cam. This was a predictable but fun watch and I think it got more hate than it deserved. My personal favourite part was pointing out every Manchester landmark in the background to my family, much to their annoyance.

I streamed this show on Netflix

12. Love Island

Again, I revert back to my statement from show number 1; every year everyone complains, and this series was no different. I thought that this year’s series of Love Island was by far the best I’d seen in years. They actually switched things up for a change, there weren’t any islanders that I outright couldn’t stand and there were couples I could actually root for. The best thing about Love Island used to be going on Twitter whilst watching but since X came to town the Love Island hashtag has just become spam post after spam post, which ruined a big part of the show for me. However, a big shout-out to the producers for making this year’s series worth the watch.

I streamed this show on ITVX

13. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder

Based on the book trilogy, college student Pip sets out to uncover the truth behind the Andie Bell murder case. I thoroughly enjoyed the book series so really the television series was never going to quite compare for me but the biggest thing that threw me off was the casting of Pip. Emma Myers is a great actress but I just know that viewers all over the UK were cringing at her British accent. I wouldn’t be so harsh if it hadn’t completely ruined the series for me. For the life of me, I could not stay in the story whenever I heard her speak. Ravi’s casting, however, was perfection and exactly how I envisioned him when I read the book. The other note is that I hated just how much they swayed from the book’s original storyline and where was Stanley?? He was my favourite character in the book series but was nowhere to be seen on screen. I’m just hoping they don’t try to bring him in during season 2 because it would be a total injustice to his character and storyline. Would I recommend the show so far? Honestly no, if I were you I’d just read the books. Hopefully, they find a way to change my opinion in season 2.

I streamed this show on BBC iPlayer

14. House

I finally got around to watching this medical drama, following a diagnostician who is unconventional at best. I will say that because of my own odd health issues, and subsequent health anxiety over the past couple of years, I have avoided medical dramas, but this one was an enjoyable watch. In my opinion, shows like Grey’s Anatomy became too focused on the doctors’ personal lives and drama as the show went on, whereas shows like Criminal Minds focused too much on the cases and didn’t give much insight into their personal lives. House, however, finds a perfect in-between. I’d also like to add *spoilers* that I actually really liked how they wrote Kutner’s death in the show, it was sudden, and jarring, and horribly real. It highlighted the importance of talking, even to those friends who seem perfectly fine. I do wish, however, that we would have seen more of the after-effects this had on the other characters. Overall, I would definitely recommend.

I streamed this show on Amazon Prime

15. Tell Me Lies

Man oh man, this show was annoying, but in a way that does mean I’ll probably watch the next season. Essentially, our main girl Lucy just keeps going back again and again to this toxic man. I have never seen such a manipulative and gross man on my screen before and it is infuriating to watch how Lucy doesn’t have enough self-worth to simply walk away. It does show though how these guys can trap a vulnerable girl and keep her hooked for as long as they want, I mean he even fooled her ‘friend’. Sometimes people are just genuinely so blinded by their desperation for what they think is ‘real’ and ‘intense’ love that they will do just about anything, including letting the most heinous things slide. Oh, how badly I wish she would just end up with Leo. Going forward, I’m interested to see if they ever delve into what mental illness or disorder causes Steven to be the way he is. I would recommend this show but you should A) look up trigger warnings and B) be prepared to want to rip your hair out.

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

16. Nobody Wants This

Now, for some light relief from that toxic mess, we have this new show starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. This show is just like a rom-com film in episode form, it’s perfection. Not too cringey or too slow, just the perfect amount of wholesome romance to make it the ultimate cosy watch. Unsurprisingly, our two main actors have great chemistry and if you want a feel-good watch then this is for you, I highly recommend.

I streamed this show on Netflix

17. Love Is Blind

I watched however many seasons of Love Is Blind US came out this year, and to be honest it does just blur into one for me. If you want some good brain-rot reality television then watching two strangers get engaged without seeing each other is pretty entertaining. By far the most sufferable of the American reality shows on Netflix, I will continue to watch each season as my dedicated trashy reality TV show. It’s quite fun trying to figure out who is going to end up married, and it is never who I think it will be.

I streamed this show on Netflix

18. Love Is Blind UK

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find the UK version of this show a lot more bearable than the US version (although that is always the case with reality TV so I don’t know why I was surprised). Like the US version, I was totally wrong about who ended up together, or more so who stayed together. I would genuinely recommend this one.

I streamed this show on Netflix

19. The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives

I watched this show with a friend, and you should too, preferably drunk. This show was an all-around hot mess that made me glad to not be in high school anymore. Not that it’s about high schoolers, as the title suggests it’s about a group of Mormon moms who are all TikTok influencers. It’s giving those mean girls in secondary who thought they were the best thing to grace the earth but actually, they were all in weird toxic relationships, all hated each other and pretty much everyone else hated them too. It’s as painful as it sounds to watch, which is why I don’t think I could have watched it alone.

I streamed this show on Disney Plus

20. Man On The Inside

I loved this show that follows a widowed elderly man who goes undercover in a retirement home. It is wholesome and funny and you can definitely tell that it was created by the same person as The Good Place, not just for its cast but for its sense of humor too. This, along with previous number 17, is one of my favourite new shows this year. It can be watched by anyone, with anyone. Just an overall pleasure to binge-watch on a weekend.

I streamed this show on Netflix

21. Squid Game (Season 2)

The final show I watched this year was the second season of this popular Netflix series, which follows a man who agrees to be part of a series of games to win money but instead of losing, you die. Unlike most people, I wasn’t too excited about this, when I watched the first season I actually found it quite dull and depressing, you know what’s going to happen by the end. I dragged myself through it wanting to understand the hype, and still never did. However, I actually loved the second season. It was much more entertaining to have a plot point other than just the games themselves, I didn’t know how it was going to end and there was much less of a focus on the annoying and obnoxious characters than last time. I would actually watch it all over again, which is very surprising considering how much I disliked the first season.

I streamed this show on Netflix

So there you have it, all of the TV shows I watched in 2024 (honestly I’m probably missing a few but I tried). In fact, as I’m writing this I remember that I re-watched a good 5 seasons of The 100 on Prime before giving up again. I’m sure there will be a lot of disagreements and agreements with my opinions, so please remember it is just a show. What was your must-watch show of 2024?