When you think about a guilty pleasure, what comes to mind? Is it a type of candy you can’t live without or a fantastic collection of designer shoes? For me, it all comes down to television. While it’s no secret that I am beyond obsessed with movies and TV, there is something about the over-the-top shows filled with sexy melodrama and unbelievable plot twists that I can’t deny.
Whether the female leads are getting into scandalous dilemmas or weaving a dangerous web of deception, there is something about these particular shows that make me want to grab the popcorn and binge-watch all through the weekend in my pajamas.
My top 5 guilty pleasures on television are:
5
The Client List
Although this show only lasted for two seasons on the Lifetime network, this show screams guilty pleasure. Jennifer Love Hewitt was cast perfectly, playing Riley Parks, a mother of two living in Texas who is just left by her husband. Riley is left with a mortgage to pay and bills that seem never-ending, which causes her to find employment at “The Rub of Sugarland.”
While Riley starts out seeking a legitimate masseuse job, she realizes that this is not going to cut it if she wants to make ends meet for her family. Riley quickly discovers that there is a client list which involves special customers who comes in looking more than a traditional massage. Riley fully understands that this is illegal, but the opportunity is just too tempting for her to turn down. Riley begins to compromise her moral compass and lies to her family, but she is ultimately trying to be the best mother she can under the circumstances.
The clients are intriguing enough with their “special” requests and fans wonder if Riley’s world will be shattered with each new plot twist, leaving viewers with an action-packed series finale that still have us asking lots of questions.
4
Secret Diary of a Call Girl
This popular series aired for 4 seasons on Showtime and is a British comedy starring the fantastic and beautiful Billie Piper as Hannah Baxter aka Belle (her escort alias). While the show initially seemed like it may be a little bit too gratuitous, it’s easy to quickly fall in love with with Hannah or Belle and root for her with each episode.
The episodes are short (about 24 minutes each) so it makes this series extremely easy to binge-watch. Belle allows the viewers the opportunity to get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to be a call girl. While it may seem glamorous and have its perks on the outside, Belle reveals a lot of the complicated aspects as well, including how extremely difficult it is to actually maintain a normal relationship when you are a prostitute.
3
Mistresses
This series aired for 4 seasons and used to be part of the summer lineup on ABC. When one was in desperate need of some serious binge-watching when all of our other favorite shows were on break, Mistresses did an excellent job of capturing viewers with its fun and fancy-free attitude.
The ladies on this show were not shy of diving head first into drama, including extravagant affairs, secret relationships, and husbands faking their own deaths. While many of the plot twists were clearly over-the-top, the fantastic women on this show did a great job of being believable and their close-knit friendships brought us back to the days of Sex and the City.
This series also ended on a huge cliff-hanger, but was the perfect summer fling to have during the off-season of television.
2
Devious Maids
Lasting for 4 seasons, this show was jam-packed with the perfect blend of spiciness, comedy, and mystery. It’s no wonder that it came from the creators who brought us Desperate Housewives. However, this show took the sexiness a step further than Desperate Housewives, which made the mysteries going on that much more exciting to solve and be a part of.
Like Mistresses, the women on this show have an undeniable bond and support each other through all of the chaos and drama surrounding them, but they don’t forget to have some fun along the way. Like some of my favorite guilty pleasures, this show also ended on a huge cliff-hanger. While I didn’t want to turn the page on this show just yet, it still provided me with just the right amount of laughs and gasps to go with a lazy weekend.
1
The Affair
So my number one pick has to go to Showtime’s The Affair. While you may think you know what the show is about just from the title, you are seriously missing out if you don’t get caught up. As I am anxiously waiting for season 4 to premiere, I am getting ready to re-watch the entire series. It’s that good.
While the first season still remains my favorite and the most entertaining, each season allows us into the private thoughts of each character. The show focuses primarily on Noah and Allison, giving us a glimpse into their souls as their worlds start to unravel right before their eyes, drowning them further and further into a darkness that has a more powerful calling than the ocean right outside their doors.
There is something hypnotic about this show. It pulls you in right from the start and the decision to present the story from the different perspectives of each character makes you question everything, pulling the viewer in even deeper. Just when you think you know what’s about to happen or unravel, there is another unexpected twist that will haunt you and resonate with you even long after watching the series. The acting and writing is fantastic on this series, providing us with the perfect escape from the mundane.
I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite guilty pleasures on television. Happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl