The Best HGTV Shows To Gleefully Hate-Watch
As viewers, we often find ourselves drawn to the allure of home makeover shows, not just for inspiration, but sometimes for the sheer entertainment of what can only be termed as “hate-watching.” HGTV, in particular, has a talent for producing shows that are perfect for this guilty pleasure.
One such show is “House Hunters.” On the surface, it’s a show about finding the perfect home. However, audiences often find themselves yelling at the screen as couples with champagne tastes and beer budgets make unrealistic demands. The infamous phrase “but where will my guests stay?” in homes that are clearly leagues above what they need is a common trigger for viewers.
Next on our list is “Flip or Flop,” where Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead flip homes for profit. While their renovating skills are impressive, there’s a morbid curiosity about what will go wrong next. Will it be budget issues, unforeseen structural problems, or maybe even their personal drama? It’s hard not to watch without being critical of their decisions.
“Love It or List It” presents another love-hate relationship for the audience. Hilary Farr and David Visentin compete to sway homeowners between renovating their current home or buying a new one. The tension and bickering between the co-hosts, combined with the sometimes-questionable design choices and homeowner indecisiveness, make the show both frustrating and unmissable.
Lastly, “Property Brothers” draws in audiences with the charm of twins Drew and Jonathan Scott but often leaves them groaning at the predictable formula of every show: find a run-down property, face a construction issue mid-renovation, then miraculously pull everything together just in time for the final reveal.
In conclusion, while HGTV shows may aim to provide ideas and inspiration for home improvements, they also serve up a perfect recipe for hate-watching. The mix of drama, high stakes, and often questionable decisions make these shows an enjoyable watch—for all the wrong reasons. Whether we love to hate them or hate that we love them, these HGTV staples have secured their place in our watchlists.