Today will be a little different, friends. For the past few weeks, my sister, Bean, has been recovering from an extensive stay in the ICU. She would like me to tell you all that she did not have a “fun time” and to remember to get your flu shot.

On the bright side, as she’s now taking a break from work to recover from pneumonia (and a recent Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, because life has thrown a few curveballs at her), we’ve been spending more time hanging out together. This means I’ve had to watch her garbage TV shows, as she and I have very different tastes. My favorite shows include the works of Gene Roddenberry and animated comedies probably better suited for frat boys. Bean loves TV but she prefers reality shows, sitcoms, and the occasional trashy limited drama on Netflix.

As it’s a new week and I’ve had no time to work on a curated list for you lovely readers, I thought I would take advantage of my time with Bean and share a few of her favorites.

One: 90-Day Fiance, streaming on Discovery+

This TLC reality show documents people going through the K-1 visa process. The show’s producers really enjoy finding odd people and mismatched couples and then exploiting them. I watched this show when it first debuted but now I despise it, mostly because I genuinely hoped it would be a thoughtful exploration of moving to a new country for love. Bean did not share my hopes and thus has been able to thoroughly enjoy the franchise.

Two: House Hunters International on HGTV

An eclectic mix of people try to find their dream lodgings in new countries while sticking to their budgets. It’s actually pretty interesting, especially when you learn more about the countries they’re moving to and why. It has over 180 seasons, so clearly Bean isn’t the only person who likes it.

Three: The Amazing Race, streaming on Pluto TV

Paired people compete in a thrilling competition that sends them around the world. While literally racing across the globe, these pairs will also compete in a series of games and physical challenges that test their physical and mental limits. I distinctly remember Bean and her best friend rooting for the “Candy Scientists,” Amy and Maya, two Ph.D. students who won the 25th season. This show gives me massive anxiety, but everyone in my family loves it.

Four: Broad City, streaming on Hulu

Two irresponsible women in their 20s spend the day wandering around New York City and getting into shenanigans. This is one of the few shows Bean and I will watch together, although I don’t think she truly appreciates the hilarity of Abbi punting a Costco Rotisserie Chicken.

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Five: Friends, streaming on HBO Max

If you haven’t heard of this show then I would like to welcome you to your first day on planet Earth. I sincerely hope you have a nice time here! “Friends” is a sitcom about six friends living in New York City who also get into shenanigans, although unlike the Broad City gals, these characters mature and some even become parents. Most of the people I know like to rag on it for its outdated humor, especially that involving gender and sexuality. While I’ll admit that some of the humor hasn’t aged well, most of the cast give impressive comedic performances, and it’s a great show to put on in the background when you’re supposed to be doing something else.

Six: Project Runway, streaming on Tubi

A group of designers compete in a series of challenges to be the winning fashion designer. I used to watch this show with Bean when we were kids, before I became discouraged because I always felt like the ugliest designs always won. The show is still running 20+ seasons later, so I guess that’s nice, although I wonder if winning “Project Runway” is about as prestigious as winning “American Idol.”

Seven: The Hills, streaming on Pluto TV

I honestly have no idea what this show is about, and Bean is sleeping so I can’t ask her. All I know is Lauren Conrad and some other people are in it and I’m pretty sure it was a spin-off of “Laguna Beach.” I think “The Hills” refers to “Beverly Hills” but don’t quote me on that. To this day I don’t know if this was a scripted drama or a reality show.

Bean has watched every episode.

Eight: New Girl, streaming on Hulu

Zoey Deschanel stars as Jessica Day, a young woman in LA who moves into an apartment full of dudes and befriends them. This show, like Friends, is also very good for watching in the background at your remote job when you should be trying to finish the assignment your supervisor gave you. In all honesty, recommending this show to people feels about as original as suggesting you make s’mores on a camping trip.

Nine: Love Island, streaming on Hulu

Yeah I don’t really know what this show is about either, so I’m going to guess based on what I’ve gleaned from five-second clips. A group of young, vaguely hot people from the UK hang out together at a house and hook up with each other. Once, the popstar, Mabel made an appearance, and Bean told me that a good portion of the show involves watching the girls put on make-up and getting ready to meet celebrities. Normally I’d make fun of something like this but I actually really like Mabel.

I have no clue what the object of this show is or how it ends, so this is how I hope it ends: the final episode of each season features a battle royale in which the winner gains ownership of Love Island.

Ten: Sex and the City, streaming on HBO Max

Carrie Bradshaw is an aspiring writer and shoe enthusiast living in Manhattan with her three best friends. I notice that a lot of people like to make fun of this show, the characters, and the lousy movies, but honestly, if you watch the early seasons you’ll see why this show was so popular. Although some of the content is outdated, the writing is sharp and insightful and the four main characters are certainly worthy of academic discussion.

Special Mention: The Biggest Loser, streaming in Hell

Bean found this show to be entertaining and inspiring, whereas I think it’s mean-spirited and dehumanizing. I feel like I should clarify that the show has been canceled because of the cruel ways it physically and emotionally tortured its contestants. I occasionally like to remind myself that this show existed whenever I think I’m too harsh in my criticisms of early 2000’s media and diet culture. Bean is now firmly on team “That Show Was messed Up,” and no longer likes it.

Readers, I hope you enjoyed reviewing this list, and are maybe considering expanding your horizons a bit. I may not be obsessed with “The Hils,” but maybe you’ll watch it, and it will lead you on a journey of self-discovery!