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TV shows that are considered “trashy” or less-than-prestigious might not be critically acclaimed or even likely to stand the test of time, but that hasn’t prevented them from being massively popular and entertaining. Though these shows will never be remembered as the most ground-breaking or boundary-pushing, they shouldn’t be overlooked or looked down on. Most of the time, these series are self-aware and reflexive, weaving meta-commentary about their stories into the plots and making satirical comments about the wider world and television in general.
It would be easy to categorize many of the best teen romance TV shows or modern soaps as so-bad-they’re-good, but series like this fall into every genre. The way these series break out of their niches and appeal to wider audiences often has to do with the action, mystery, and intrigue that are inherent to their stories. There are many reasons why audiences enjoy watching these types of projects, as they appeal to the parts of us that enjoy pure fun and entertainment, which is ultimately exactly what television is for.
8
Riverdale (2017–2023)
Though it gained a reputation for going off the rails, Riverdale never stopped being fun
The campy, offbeat teen drama Riverdale garnered a reputation for being completely unpredictable and outlandish by the end of its seventh and final season. Often referred to as a spiritual successor to Twin Peaks, Riverdale might not take itself as seriously as that groundbreaking mystery series, but it fully embraces the surreal and metatexual, crafting a world that not even the characters know how to navigate. Both committing to the classic elements of supernatural teen dramas and subverting them, Riverdale is engaging if only for its unguessable plot lines.
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Though it quickly left behind the original premise, which was much more rooted in reality, Riverdale stayed true to the concept of exploring the dark underbelly of a seemingly idyllic town. Many of Riverdale‘s best episodes are homages to classic works of fantasy and teen genres, and the series enjoys playing with the existence of the comics it’s loosely based on. As easy as it is to make fun of Riverdale, there’s a sharp self-awareness and hilarious joy that’s inherent to the show.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Riverdale (2017–2023) |
81% |
49% |
7
Manifest (2018–2023)
This shocking series has a sci-fi twist that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats
Fans of Once Upon a Time will recognize one of the protagonists of Manifest, Josh Dallas, who plays Ben Stone, one of the passengers who goes missing on Flight 828. Though the premise of Manifest is similar to that of Lost on paper, since they both involve missing flights, the recent mystery series couldn’t be more different. Ben and the other passengers land at the end of what seems to be a normal flight and learn that they’ve been missing for over five years, sparking the unbelievable story of Manifest.
It balances these otherworldly aspects with typical relationship and character drama.
Manifest introduces additional sci-fi elements, including premonitions. However, it balances these otherworldly aspects with typical relationship and character drama. Though some of the answers to the mysteries of Manifest don’t always make the most sense, this doesn’t stop the audience from caring about Ben and the rest of the passengers as they’re violently dumped back into their lives. Though Manifest was initially canceled after season 3, it found a home on Netflix for the final season, giving viewers closure after an intense story.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Manifest (2018–2023) |
72% |
68% |
6
True Blood (2008–2014)
This fantasy series pushes boundaries and takes risks, but it’s never boring
Anna Paquin leads the cast of the famous vampire soap opera True Blood, which takes its supernatural drama to the next level with every episode. Though there are issues with the series, and it begins to go off the rails by the final seasons, True Blood is the kind of show that packs in action, betrayal, and romance into every episode. While True Blood sometimes stumbles in its attempts to tackle the biggest social issues of its time, it pushes boundaries on television and remains self-aware, providing audiences with the thrills they tuned in for.
Created by Alan Ball, the mind behind Six Feet Under, True Blood has fun with its gothic setting and concept, reveling in the sexy tone and over-the-top issues of its characters. True Blood had the difficult job of striking new territory within the vampire genre, which is one of the most widely explored aspects of fantasy. However, even when True Blood used a classic trope or well-known supernatural creature, it was always impossible to guess what would happen next.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
True Blood (2008–2014) |
68% |
73% |
5
FUBAR (2023–Present)
Fathers and daughters make unlikely pairs in the world of the CIA
Arnold Schwarzenegger recently made his return to the small screen in FUBAR, the comedic action TV show that makes good use of Schwarzenegger’s background in the genre. His character, Luke, is joined by his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) when the pair discover that they’re both CIA agents and they need to work together. Of course, this sparks many issues, as their working relationship is colored by their personal one, unfolding like a typical espionage comedy.
It didn’t take long for FUBAR to be renewed for season 2, as it’s a nostalgic twist on the genre that puts Luke and Emma in dire situations, forcing them to fight their way out.
However, the performances from the leads and the well-choreographed action demonstrate why it’s so fun to watch FUBAR. Monica Barbaro is an actor to watch for in 2025, as she’s been pushing herself in roles outside the action genre, like in A Complete Unknown. It didn’t take long for FUBAR to be renewed for season 2, as it’s a nostalgic twist on the genre that puts Luke and Emma in dire situations, forcing them to fight their way out.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
FUBAR (2023–Present) |
50% |
68% |
4
Baywatch (1989–2001)
The reputation and preconceptions about Baywatch have followed the series to this day
Known for its controversies and the fact that it kept its attractive cast clad in swimsuits in every episode, Baywatch is much more than an exploitation series. Though it was never taken seriously while it was on the air, Baywatch thrived, even when critical reception was negative, and it sparked parodies left and right. However, the fact that Baywatch was so widely talked about proves just how much of a cultural impact it had. Iconic actors like Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff were hallmarks of the cast.
Though it was similar to a soap opera in tone, a typical episode of Baywatch unfolds similarly to a classic procedural drama. The team of lifeguards, not too dissimilar from a team of first responders, has to handle the emergencies at the beach, creating new drama in every installment. It’s true that Baywatch will include a slow-motion running scene even when the story’s subject is on the serious side, but this is part of the charm of the iconic series.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Baywatch (1989–2001) |
N/A |
N/A |
3
Scream Queens (2015–2016)
This horror-satire has high enough stakes to balance its comedy
Ryan Murphy’s off-beat dark comedy Scream Queens was an underrated addition to the horror genre when it first premiered, but the series has gained recognition since it went off the air. Canceled after season 2, the series touched upon the tropes and pitfalls of the slasher genre, poking fun at the archetypal characters who meet their ends in these types of narratives. Emma Roberts leads the cast as Chanel Oberlin, a privileged mean girl who finds herself being targeted by serial killers.
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The unique blend of comedy and horror might not connect with all audiences, but it strikes a distinctive tone that helps it avoid the problems of the genres. With a sprawling ensemble cast made up of many familiar faces, including Ariana Grande and Glen Powell, Scream Queens draws in the audience by picking off its characters and establishing a thrilling central mystery. Though it’s a satire, first and foremost, this doesn’t stop the viewer from getting a little nervous when the killer appears onscreen.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Scream Queens (2015–2016) |
77% |
76% |
2
Outer Banks (2020–Present)
Romance, mystery, and buried treasure all make Outer Banks a crossover hit
What begins as a series about forbidden romance between two teens from opposite sides of the tracks soon spirals out of control into a murder mystery full of treasure, betrayal, and secrets. However, this shift in tone is what sets Outer Banks apart from similar series and has made it a smashing success for Netflix since its premiere in 2020. Starring Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline as John B. and Sarah, the romantic leads, Outer Banks keeps audiences guessing in every episode.
Outer Banks demonstrates how freeing it can be for a series to simply stick to what it does best and enjoy that.
Many elements came together to make Outer Banks such an unexpected hit, as it combines a beachy, idyllic setting, a mystery, and an attractive cast of characters who have increasingly complex romantic entanglements. Since Outer Banks isn’t concerned with crafting nuanced or interrogative stories, the series can focus on creating interesting plot points and jaw-dropping mysteries. Outer Banks demonstrates how freeing it can be for a series to simply stick to what it does best and enjoy that.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Outer Banks (2020–Present) |
79% |
68% |
1
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–Present)
There’s plenty of drama and shock value in this teen romance series
Now that The Summer I Turned Pretty‘s final season release date has been revealed, the anticipation is mounting for the dramatic end to the romance series. Based on Jenny Han’s beloved book series of the same name, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows the protagonist, Belly (Lola Tung), as she gets caught in a love triangle with her childhood best friends, who just so happen to be brothers. As the series progresses, audiences must decide if they’re rooting for Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) or Conrad (Christopher Briney).
Of course, what we really want is for Belly to find herself and be happy, but something always pulls her back into the orbit of the Fisher boys. The ups and downs of adolescence get a little melodramatic throughout The Summer I Turned Pretty. However, it’s a very atmospheric and nostalgic series that encourages the audience to indulge in some good old-fashioned romance. There are worse ways to spend a summer afternoon than watching Belly get swept off her feet by two great loves of her life.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–Present) |
75% |
69% |
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