Not every television show has to be award-winning TV. There’s also a place for programs that help us escape the stress of daily life, kind of like candy for the brain.
From trashy reality favorites to drama-filled soap operas, here are 10 guilty pleasure TV shows to binge right now.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ (2013 to present)
“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump knew just the group Bravo should follow if it wanted non-stop drama: her employees.
The young waitstaff at West Hollywood, California’s SUR (which stands for “sexy unique restaurant”) work at the eatery while chasing their dreams. They also have a penchant for dating, hooking up and breaking up with their co-workers — which causes explosive and shocking moments.
Watch on Hulu and Xfinity Stream
‘Glee’ (2009 to 2015)
The musical dramedy centers on the fictional William McKinley High School competitive glee club, the New Directions, and its misfit members as they work to be the best in the high school show choir circuit. In between silly moments and large-scale musical numbers of beloved pop songs, the characters also explore themes such as sexuality, race, gender identity, relationships, grief and inequality, while working together to be part of something special.
Watch on Netflix
‘American Horror Story’ (2010 to present)
A horror anthology, each season chronicles a different set of characters in a different setting, including a haunted house of murder in modern day Los Angeles’ a freak show circus in 1940s Jupiter, Florida; and a coven of witches living in New Orleans. Situations range from disturbingly real to psychologically terrifying, with dark humor and touching moments in between. Viewers also will notice characters, locations and plots reaching across seasons and connecting to each other.
While some seasons are better than others, the show as a whole is a fun, wild ride.
Watch on Netflix, Hulu
‘Rock of Love’ (2007 to 2009)
One of the gems of the golden age of VH1’s “Celebreality” lineup, this “Bachelor”-style show placed 20 women together in a Los Angeles mansion or on a massive tour bus to compete for the affections of ’80s hair metal icon and Poison frontman Bret Michaels.
In between the weekly challenges, including mud wrestling and something called the “Truck Stop Games,” there’s plenty of drinking, crying, fighting and backstabbing, all while the women and Michaels search for a shot a true love.
Watch on Hulu
‘Jane the Virgin’ (2014 to 2019)
Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) is a devout 23-year-old Latina and daughter of a teen mother who is determined to not repeat her mother’s mistakes — that is until Jane becomes pregnant after an accidental artificial insemination by her gynecologist from a sperm donor who is the wealthy owner of the hotel she works at.
The show parodies commonly used tropes and devices in Latin telenovelas, so in between heartwarming moments and romantic connections, there are plenty of shocking twists and turns to keep viewers on their toes.
Watch on Netflix
‘Dynasty’ (2017 to present)
This soap opera reboot, based on the 1980s series of the same name, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy Atlanta family that includes billionaire patriarch Blake (Grant Show); his new wife with a shady past, Cristal (Nathalie Kelley); savvy and scheming daughter Fallon (Elizabeth Giles); and wayward son Steven (James Mackay). Though the family stands united against those who threaten their empire, each member’s loyalty to themselves runs deeper than their loyalty to each other.
Watch on Netflix
‘The O.C.’ (2003 to 2007)
Featuring a who’s who of 2000s young Hollywood and set to a critically acclaimed indie-rock soundtrack, this soap opera centers on Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a gifted yet troubled teen from Chino who is taken in by his compassionate (and wealthy) public defender. Instantly, he has a new family and a new life inside exclusive, materialistic Newport Beach, California. Ryan quickly learns that, beneath its perfect exterior, life in the O.C. is not as golden as it seems.
Watch on Hulu
‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ (2016 to present)
This spinoff in Bravo’s “Below Deck” franchise follows the lives of crew members who live and work aboard a 150-foot yacht. As it sails throughout the Mediterranean, each episode features a new group of ultra-rich passengers who present a different set of challenges for the crew.
In between waiting on the guests hand and foot and some life-or-death technical situations, the close quarters the crew members share cause plenty of tense situations on land and sea.
Watch on Xfinity Stream
‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ (2015 to 2019)
Coined as a “dark romantic musical comedy” by creator and star Rachel Bloom, her character,Rebecca Bunch, starts off a wealthy partner at a prestigious Manhattan law firm. While she seemingly has it all, her battles with anxiety and depression leave her unfulfilled.
After a chance meeting with a high school flame, Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III), Rebecca impulsively uproots her life in New York City to relocate to the small Los Angeles suburb where he lives. The story follows Rebecca’s journey to find love, friendship and true happiness amid her mental health struggles, with the occasional musical number thrown in.
Watch on Netflix
‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ (2007 to present)
When “Keeping Up” premiered on E! More than a decade ago, people were fascinated by the big blended family living in Calabasas, California, giving them the title of “being famous for being famous.” The show followed Paris Hilton’s then-less famous pal, Kim Kardashian, daughter of O.J. Simpson’s attorney, the late Robert Kardashian, and her family, including mother and “momager” Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney and Khloe.
As the show progressed, the family decided to include more of their lives on camera, including boyfriends, breakups, fights, marriages, children, divorces, scandals and more. While the “first family of reality television,” gets a bad rap, they have 18 seasons under their belt with No. 19 currently filming. There’s something about this famous family that viewers can’t resist.
Watch on Hulu
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT