The Summer Top 10

Around March and April a dark cloud appears above the TV world - all of our favourite shows come to an end, some until the following Autumn, some are gone forever (still grieving for the City of Pawnee). Summer television is often given the side eye and looked down upon. With no Olivia Pope, Meredith Grey or Leslie Knope it just doesn't seem to compare. It is almost as if TV bosses assume we have all gone outside and turned our TV's off. No Sir, some of us have not! Some of us still need that background noise as we go about our day, some of us still need our daily dose of escapism from normal life. However I have found some gems that have kept me glued to the box this summer, before or after work I have been able to zone out and enjoy some quality entertainment. So as I do I have come up with a little top 10; 10 shows I have been enjoying this past summer and you should of aswell.

10. Masterchef US
I am sorry once again I turn my back on my anglo brothers and sisters. America just do competition so much better, I don't even watch the British version of Masterchef - it is so boring in comparison. On American Masterchef it is exciting, the contestants woop and cheer for everything, the challenges are extreme and they have my culinary God, Gordon Ramsey. The show got even better this year with the edition of a new judge in Christina Tosi (I like her a lot more than Joe Bastianich). So happy for the winner this year, Claudia wasn't my choice going through but she was my choice in the finale, what can I say - I love Mexican food.

9. Candidly Nicole
Yes! Nicole Richie came back for a second season of this part mocumentary, part sitcom. I have been in love with Nicole since the first season of The Simple Life. She is hilarious, we have similar sense of humours and her fashion kills me. This year she is rocking the pink pixie cut and I love it. The episodes are much more extreme this time around - from wanting to leave for Australia to creating an app that tells people things that may be too awkward or uncomfortable to say yourself. I can only hope for more and more episodes because Nicole should always be on TV. If you watch only one clip please watch her performance piece which ends with her smashing a replica of Lionel Richie's clay head from the 'Hello' video, in front of Lionel.

8. Ink Master
I love competition shows and tattoo shows, this show perfectly intertwined them. Each week the tattooists have to perfect a certain aspect of tattooing, if they don't then they are out. Simple as. The one aspect of this show that gets me is how passionate these artists are. They will literally fight the judges if they are pushed enough, never mind each other.  The art work produced is stunning and has definitely inspired me with some future (if I ever get brave enough) tattoo choices.

7. Face Off
As a fan of horror I have always been intrigued by the make-up. Like, how do they make Freddie look that way and what magic is behind the many monsters that have been created to stalk our nightmares. This show answered all my questions, in a competition style to boot. Every week they are giving a brief that is basically left up to interpretation and they create. They have some amazing, beautiful, scary, phenomenal and gory make ups that keep me tuning in every week.

6. Orange is the New Black
You may be shocked that is only at number 6 as it did win the coveted 'Craigy' for best drama of 2015, but the rest of my list is justified believe me. I really enjoyed season 3 of this amazing show for one good reason - Angie Rice, played by Julie Lake. When I think of this season I think of her. Ruby Rose who? Angie brought all the laughs this year plus a couple of heartwarming moments. Whilst the season was mainly concentrated on the more prominent characters, they really gave a spotlight to some of the supporting characters.

5. Big Brother US
I have not been shy in my love for the American version of the worldwide hit reality show. The concept is so so so so so much better than others. This year has been great, so many front runners were out early. The shy, quiet ones have ruled the house this year. Plus how has Vanessa been allowed to get this far? She has by far been the best game player this year and she hasn't exactly hid it well. I hope she wins because lets face it she has put the most work in this summer.

4. Big Brother Canada
Exactly the same concept as the American one, but I warm to these Canadians a lot more than the Americans. Where as America can sometimes look like they cast abs and blondes (a few less these year), the Canadian version really mixes it up (with a few abs thrown in for good measure). I got really attached to Sarah and Brittany, and Sarah won!! The comps were extreme, the back door evictions were great there were lots of surprises along the course of the show.

3. The Real Housewives of New York
Hands down my favourite city from the franchise. Simple premise of following the rich women of certain areas. The cast of New York are the best, no lie. Who ever decided to bring Bethenny back after so long is a freaking genius and hopefully got a huge bonus. I loved all the new friendships that formed this year, especially with Carole and Dorinda. Ramona definitely annoyed me less this year, I wish Kristen got more screen time (especially as she is only one of two actual 'wives' on the show), Heather was her usual take-no-shit self, Sonja is finally getting things together and then theres the Countess - LuAnn .... I have not warmed to this new Lu the way she would probably wants the fans to.

2. Young and Hungry
This show is great,  the simplicity in its comedy style is what makes this show so good. It is obvious humour mixed with warmth and heart. It is 21 minutes of giggles, of course the situations are ridiculous and it can be quite obvious what is about to happen a lot of the time but thats what I like about it. Plus the casting is outstanding. Emily Osment is a comedy queen! Her timing is perfect. Plus she looks like Carrie Underwood's little sister so that's nice. Rex Lee, Aimee Carrero, Kym Whitley and Jonathan Sadowski all round the main characters to perfection.

1. Playing House
I feel like I am about to grow into these women, we speak the same language and basically I am 3 years away from owning my own window box full of succulents. I don't know to express how much this comedy gets me, sometimes it seems like they are speaking their own language but I get it. Their reaction to situations is how I would react, plus they give me immense friendship goals. All I need is one friend's life to fall apart so I can move in and we can live codepentently happily ever after (is it weird to assume that I wouldn't be the friend whose life fell apart? Maybe because you need a life to have one fall apart).

New Addictions

So once again it is my favourite time in TV world. Not only are all my favourite shows returning, but they come with a whole bunch of new ones tagging along for the ride. Whilst my favourite shows like Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Grey's Anatomy etc etc fill up most of my free time, I like to take the time to try new ones. Even though its almost guaranteed that most won't last more than a season I still like to watch them. So here are just a few of the new ones that I took a look at.

The Crazy Ones

Buffy may have ended 10 years ago but Sarah Michelle Gellar has stayed in my heart. I tried watching her show The Ringer, but I just didn't get attached (good job aswell as it got the can). She has returned in this 22 minute comedy along with the great Robin Williams. Its about a father and daughter who own an advertising company, not 100% sure where the crazy is, I mean Williams character is a bit eccentric but I don't want to judge him as crazy just yet. I really enjoyed it, and Kelly Clarkson acting like a diva is enough for anyone to tune in. 

Mom

Starring the beautiful alien-esque Anna Faris as a single mum/mom struggling with alcoholism. Its a comedy by the same creators of The Big Bang Theory so you know I was gonna tune in. My main issue is that Anna does not look old enough to be a mother to a teenager, but I got over that. Anna's unique acting skills that features a lot of gurning works perfectly, and her non-bond with her own mother (played by the amazing Allison Janney) is probably my favourite aspect. This kind of comedy is my favourite, plenty of laughs with heartfelt moments.

Sleepy Hollow

I saw the film years and years ago so I was worried I would need to watch it again to understand the TV show. Turns out I didn't need to as its completely detached. The story is basically that a man, Ichabod Crane, has been resurrected 250 years after he died, he died during some war (I should have payed more attention) after he beheaded someone. So of course the beheaded man has been resurrected aswell and is going around killing a load of folk. So Ichabod joins forces with the local police to help them, of course the police officer he joins forces with has a dark past and some connection to the demon stuff that is going on. I like the show, it does need a lot of attention - you blink and you miss something. I'm gonna stick with it and see where it goes.

Sean Saves The World

Starring Sean Hayes of Will & Grace fame as a gay, single dad struggling to balance work and raising his teenage daughter. My problem with this is that it is very similar to Jack from Will & Grace's storyline - a gay dad having to learn how to be father. It is a very funny show though and I will definitely watch it, it got a few giggles out of me. Some of the characters are a little too exaggerated and can be taken down a notch so we can actually relate to them. All in all a good start.

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D

A spin off from the film Avengers Assemble. Joss Whedon has brought his magic back to the TV screens with this very stylish, sleek, action-filled and funny TV show. It isn't a show you can come back and forth to as it has a running storyline to it which I am looking forward to seeing unravel. We haven't met any superheroes yet as it turns out S.H.I.E.L.D do a lot more than manage Superheroes and Gods. Loving the little cameos from the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders. Very funny show and a lot to like about it, looks expensive to make so I hope the studios don't lose confidence in it and cancel it.

Super Fun Night

If you know me then you know I have mad love for Rebel Wilson. So I was definitely going to tune in to a TV show she created and stars in. I wasn't disappointed at all. It was funny and heartfelt - with a little Ugly Betty about it. Rebel stars as a lawyer who is sick of not doing anything, so her and her two best friends decided to go out and have some fun, the first episodes see them enter a singing competition at a piano bar, Rebel kills it of course. If I could be a Debbie Downer for a second - I can't stand Rebel's american accent, it isn't necessary. It would not affect the story at all if she kept her aussie accent.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

A half an hour cop show starring Andy Samberg. If I had to compare it to anything it would be like a police version of Scrubs (just without the the inner dialogue). It has its weird characters and far fetched storylines. It also has a heart and some very funny moments. It is also nice to see Terry Crews on TV, my only issue with that is that I get 'A Thousand Miles' stuck in my head after every episode. I can see this show possibly lasting a while and I would be happy to watch it.

Masterchef Junior

You know I will watch anything with Gordon Ramsey in it. God I love the man. However, if there is one thing that freaks me out it is overly confident children. I don't understand it, when I was a child I would run away from attention and hide under my duvet with my Scooby Doo plush toy. They are crazy talented and can say words that even I, a 25 year old man, struggle to say. This may come from a place of jealousy as I can't even cook a microwave meal with very clear and simple instructions (I have actually acquired a taste for burnt food).

Food Glorious Food

I hate cooking. Can't stand it. I find it annoying and takes way too long. My main issue is I love food so much that I don't want to wait for it. If Sainsburys could build their deli counter in my kitchen I would be living the dream. However my hatred for cooking is surpassed by my addiction to cookery shows.

Watching other people cook is a passion of mine. Gordon Ramsey is my food God. I could watch him for hours, and I do; Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, Masterchef US .... I watch them all (I even watched Gordon's Hotel Nightmares because I love him so much).

I enjoy watching the shows that show cooking but the most amazing ones are competition ones. THEY ARE THE BEST. Food Network Challenge is the King of all competitions. Basically 4 different speciality chefs compete to win $10,000 and amazing bragging rights. My favourite ones are the huge cakes or sugar sculptures and I don't know if its the evil twin side of me coming out, but I pray they fall. The tension watching them transfer their creation from the kitchen to the show table has me holding my breath on the edge of my seat. Its more tense than any horror movie could wish for. Watching the cakes that have taken 8 hours to create smash on the floor, it makes me happy. I can't help it.

If I could be anyone from the food world (I would pick Gordon, but he is perfect and I would screw everything up) I would be Adam Richman from Man Vs. Food. He has the best job in the world. He gets paid to travel the world and attempt food challenges HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE. I know envy is a sin, but Jesus forgive me I am jealous.