My Favorite Things 2018: TV
In 2018 I watched A LOT of TV! Even though I’ve had many binge watching sessions throughout the year, I’m still playing catch up with a lot of newer releases as well as older shows. Here’s a list of shows I watched in 2018 that topped my favorites list.
Superstore: Seasons One & Two
Synopsis: An oddball family of employees at supersized megastore Cloud 9 tackles the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters, riot-causing sales and nap-worthy training sessions.
Being that I’ve worked in retail on and off for some years, I could really relate to a lot of the people who work at Cloud 9 and some of the customer interactions that they have on a daily basis. This show is so funny not only because of the amazing writing, but the cast of characters (and the actors that play them). It’s one of my favorite comedies on TV at the moment.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Synopsis: A freakishly strong, but totally sweet girl is caught between the love for her arrogant, yet gorgeous boss, and her handsome but disinterested childhood crush.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is being added to my top favorites list. The genre is an interesting fusion of murder mystery, fantasy, and slapstick comedy. The love triangle I felt was a bit lop-sided (we know who Bong Soon will end up with), but I liked how she and the CEO fall in love. Their constant witty banter was too funny. My favorite part of the drama was Bong Soon’s family; they had me laughing through the whole show! Definitely a must watch if you like action comedy shows!
The Good Place: Season 3
Synopsis: When Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself in the afterlife, she’s both relieved and surprised that she’s made it into the Good Place. But it doesn’t take long for Eleanor to realize she’s there by mistake. With the help of her new friends — and a few enemies — Eleanor becomes determined to shed her old way of life in hopes of discovering a new one in the afterlife.
This show keeps getting better with each Season. The writers are doing an excellent job of keeping the viewers on their toes with all of the twists and turns. The characters and plot are well written and the comedic factor is great too. It’s also kind of philosophical in theme as the show is always asking the question, “What makes a good person?”
Nailed It!
Synopsis: Home bakers who have a poor track record in the kitchen seek redemption — and cash — on this series. In each episode, three contestants try their hand at re-creating edible masterpieces. The projects don’t always turn out great, but whichever amateur baker comes closest to a successful dessert by the end of the episode takes home the $10,000 prize.
I love watching any shows that have to do with baking and Nailed It is one of my newer favorites. Instead of taking seasoned bakers, every contestant are regular people who just love to cook for fun. It’s entertaining to watch and see what crazy difficult desert they’ll have to recreate and who will win the challenge. Most of all, the bakers don’t take themselves too seriously and just have fun with it.
Aggretsuko
Synopsis: Frustrated with her thankless office job, Retsuko the Red Panda copes with her daily struggles by belting out death metal karaoke after work.
This show is humorous and filled with many events which usually takes place within an office space. It accurately portrays workplace stereotypes/situations which makes it so relatable to a wide audience. I loved watching Retsuko take on obstacles and express her frustrations through metal karaoke. I can’t wait for Season Two!
One Day At a Time
Synopsis: This Netflix-original comedy-drama is inspired by Norman Lear’s 1975 series of the same name. This time around, the series follows the life of Penelope, a newly single Army veteran, and her Cuban-American family, as they navigate the ups and downs of life.
Love love love this show! It’s comedic, light-hearted, and tackles some serious issues such as immigration and mental illness. The cast is absolutely superb and Rita Moreno as the grandma cracks me up in every episode. Each episode has me laughing and the story line is very laid back as it follows a sitcom format. It’s diverse and inclusive, which I appreciate. On top of that the message of family is strong and despite their arguments they always stick together.
Yuri On Ice
Synopsis: Yuri Katsuki carried the hope of all Japan on his shoulders in the Figure Skating Grand Prix, but suffered a crushing defeat in the finals. He returned to his hometown in Kyushu and hid away in his family’s home, half wanting to continue skating and half wanting to retire. That was when the five-time consecutive world champion, Victor Nikiforov, suddenly showed up with his teammate, Yuri Plisetsky, a young skater starting to surpass his seniors. And so the two Yuris and the Russian champion Viktor set out to compete in a Grand Prix like none the world has ever seen!
This anime is truly a delight! I love the art of figure skating which is what originally drew me to the show (that and it’s ever rising popularity in the US). The animation is beautiful and striking! I loved how smooth the skate sequences are (they filmed Olympic skaters in order to create these scenes) and I can see how hard the team worked to bring this show to life. If you’re looking for a sports anime with heart, this is the show to watch!
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Synopsis: A coming-of-age story about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.
Even though it’s listed in the romance genre, it feels like more of a slice of life drama set in college with very relatable themes. I think viewers can resonate with the characters and some of the situations they face. It also tackles some serious themes like divorce, eating disorders, bullying, cheating in sports, mental health and more. I appreciate the realness of it, even though some scenes are a bit over the top (because it’s a drama). These college athletes are trying to make their way to the top while dealing with life’s obstacles.
And that concludes the list My Favorite TV Shows of 2018! What are some of your favorite TV shows (new & old) that you loved in 2018? Comment below! 
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I’m also a huge fan of The Good Place. You’re right, it has gotten better and better with each season. (And it started out wonderfully!).