WHAT I’VE WATCHED IN 2022 SO FAR
Strap yourselves in for a mammoth post. I used to write my watchlist monthly last year but put it on the shelf for 2022. Before I bring the series back from the end of July, I thought I’d share what I’ve watched in 2022 so far.
DVD
Before you start at me, I’m old-school and still own many DVDs. My current collection is TV box sets of my fave shows, lots of musicals and tonnes of rom-coms/girly films from the 90s/00s/10s (you know the ones). Not forgetting my Harry Potter collection either! Here’s a list of what I’ve watched in 2022 so far on DVD.
Pretty Little Liars s3-7
I started watching it in December 2021 and finished it by the beginning of February. When I get into a box set, I tend to watch four episodes a weeknight and a handful more at the weekend! PLL has many, many questionable storylines but I still love most of it. I’d also forgotten about how bad the last season was. Thank god the outfits were amazing because that’s all it had going for it.
Chicago Fire s1-5
As most of you know, the Chicago franchise is my favourite ever (apart from Harry Potter) and I watch it most years. Now I just need to finish it this year at some point. My only negative about the show is that they always get rid of my favourite characters. I swear, if they touch Mouch and Herrmann, I will riot.
Grey’s Anatomy s1-7
My other favourite drama is Grey’s Anatomy. However, I can’t watch it back-to-back. I watched the first seven series and have recently been having a break from it because it’s too emotional. Now I have to start at season 8 and it’s one of the most emotional seasons!
Gossip Girl s1
I wanted a nostalgia kick and chose to rewatch Gossip Girl. However, I only watched the first season for some reason! It could be that it’s so perfect that the second series isn’t as good but then it picks up for season 3. I think I was rewatching so I could start the new version but just haven’t got round to it yet.
The OC s1
This show is my favourite show of all time but I only watch it every couple of years. It feels a little dated now but Seth Cohen, without a doubt, is the funniest character ever written (and my dream man). He and Summer are the perfect pair and I finally get the whole Ryan thing now I’m older. However, Marissa isn’t all that, sorry!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
It’s unusual that I watch just one Harry Potter movie! I must have been getting ready to watch one a week and it completely passed me by. I’ll probably do it in the summer or just leave it until the lead-up to Christmas!
The Last Five Years
One of the most underrated musicals in my humble opinion. Many people didn’t rate the film but I find Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick perfect in it! It’s such an easy watch but the songs are evil to sing. You need VERY good vocal control/breathing and range to sing those songs. Trust me, I’ve tried and failed on many occasions.
Jersey Boys
I watched this before seeing the UK tour stop in Hull to refresh my memory. I’d only seen it a month earlier in London but just adore the show so much! However, the film isn’t as good. It has some star performers in it but Clint Eastwood should work on a musical ever again (I mean, Paint Your Wagon anyone?).
Center Stage
This is the best film of all time, fact. It’s my go-to film when I need a pick-me-up. Seriously, if you’ve never seen this film, you need to watch it. It’s a little dated but it’s the only film that shows an accurate representation of the ballet world from my experience!
High School Musical 1-3
I know musical ‘purists’ hate Disney Channel musicals but I’m not one of them. I spent a Friday night watching the trilogy and had the best time. However, my HSM2 DVD kept skipping in the middle so looks like I need to replace it soon.
TV/SKY+
If you thought that list was extensive, wait until you see this one. I don’t watch a great deal of live TV but I do record my favourite shows because I don’t stream a lot of TV. Still old-school, I know! Here’s a look at what I’ve watched in 2022 so far on TV/on the Sky+ planner.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team s13
I hate that one of the only reality shows that I watch is barely on UK TV. ITVBe show it on occasion so I make sure to record it every time. I’ve seen season 13 tonnes of times but it’s the best rookie class of cheerleaders in my opinion!
100 Greatest Musicals
Every year, I watch 100 Greatest Musicals and every year, I say they need an updated version. It was produced in 2003 so over 20 years later, there’s been a tonne of newer musicals to add: Hamilton, Six, Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away. I always get annoyed because the rankings are a mess.
The Long Call
Since I watched in January, I can’t remember a great deal about it. I remember thinking it was awesome that the lead actor was a gay man playing a gay man and a DI in the police force no less! More representation is needed, especially on many of these crime dramas that I love so much.
SVU s6-16 + 22
It wouldn’t be a watchlist without SVU featuring! It’s such a shame that it’s not on any streaming platform anywhere so thank tgoodness for late night runs of 5USA and Sky Witness. I record asw many episodes as I can and pretty much fill up the Sky+ box. Currently, I have seasons 17-21 sat on there unwatched as well as season 4.
The Bay s3
Another crime drama, quelle surprise! I loved the first two series so was unsure about getting a new lead actor. I’d never heard of Marsha Thomason before and it turns out she’s done a lot of US telly before! I really liked her family dynamic explored and the case covered was gripping from start to finish. The entire cast did such a great job.
The Rookie s1-2
I’d forgotten how much I loved this show. I think I’d class it as a crime drama but it’s hilarious in many parts. If you like any of the Chicago shows, I’d give The Rookie a watch. Whilst you will laugh out loud, it’s quite distressing and sad in places too. I’m so glad I decided to rewatch it all again and get up-to-date with the show.
Chicago Med s7/Chicago Fire s10/Chicago PD s9
I’ve bulked these altogether as I caught up with the latest series of all the Chicago shows. I am finding that I don’t love them as much as I used to but I still never miss an episode! It’s probably because most of my favourite characters aren’t in the franchise anymore!
Return to Hogwarts: 20th Anniversary Show
Despite the author’s abhorrent views, I still adore the magical world of Harry Potter. I’m trying to seperate the art from the artist because the books and films mean so much to me. The 20th anniversary show was so full of nostalgia, humour and sadness. I’ve watched it a couple of times now. I was mostly sad because there wasn’t enough Tom Felton or Matthew Lewis features in it!
Big Night of Musicals
If musicals are on TV, chances are I’l lbe watching. They’re such a great way to showcase the West End and tours to the wider audience on primetime TV. I particularly enjoyed Dreamgirls, The Wiz and Waitress but every performance was spectacular! I’m all in favour of more musicals being featured on live TV!
Coyote Ugly
It’s been years since I’ve seen this film and I forgot how good it is! I ended up bored during my last London trip with no Sunday evening show to see. ITV2 always has the best 90s/00s selection of movies so I planned on putting it on as background noise. However, Adam Garcia is too handsome to not pay attention to.
Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known
This documentary was superb and I’d love them to do one as many shows as possible. It was incredibly creepy in places. Lea Michele and Jonanthan Groff’s friendship is now ruined for me. As problematic as Lea is, she is a powerhouse vocallist. I’d have loved to have seen more of a feature on the other cast members though. Skylar Astin is just as successful and is much less annoying.
Alex Scott: The Future of Women’s Football
It’s no secret that I love sport and in the past couple of years, I’ve become an avid fan of watching women’s football now it’s finally getting more coverage. This documentary not only touches on the misogny surrounding the game but also looks into racism, opportunities, grassroots, financial and hierarchical problems. I genuinely think it would’ve made an even better series than just one documentary.
NETFLIX
I promise you, we’re nearly done! Whilst I don’t watch a lot on Netflix, I watched a handful of stuff. I’m usually that person who gets into a show pretty late when they’re like three seasons in! Here’s a look at what I’ve watched in 2022 so far on Netflix.
Drive to Survive s1-4
It took me a while to pluck up the courage to watch the very last episode because I’m still angry. I love how we get a behind the scenes look at the sport and I’m all for getting more people into the sport. However, I’m not crazy for the direction F1 is heading in and the Liberty Media ownership is a big part of that. I’d like season 5 of Drive to Survive to purely be about Guenther Steiner and nobody else. The man is a treasure.
Bridgerton s2
The only show I actually watched on its release day! I’m in the ‘the second series is better than the first’ camp because I adore Jonny Bailey. His and Simone Ashley’s chemistry was so strong without being in your face and overly sexual, like Daphne and the Duke’s relationship was. I know people wanted more sex but I love the build-up that Anthony and Kate got. Bring on season 3!
Get Organized with the Home Edit s2
The Home Edit as a brand is one of my favourites. They are very liberal and definitely know how to market themselves. I do love the show but I would love to see more real-life people features, instead of celebrities. My favourite episode was Kelsea Ballerini’s tour bus because I’m obsessed with how much space they seemed to make in somewhere with very little space!
And that’s a wrap on what I’ve watched in 2022 so far ! Well done if you’re still here, I’m barely here myself! I’ll go back to producing these monthly because I watch more than enough TV to have one a month. I might even start doing a weekly wrap-up on my Instagram so stay tuned for that. I hope you enjoyed what I’ve watched in 2022 so far, it was so much fun to write!
