The BEST episodes of How TV Ruined Your Life

Every episode of How TV Ruined Your Life ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of How TV Ruined Your Life!

Charlie Brooker attempts to explain where it all went wrong and just how wildly the TV and movie ideal differs from life's grim reality.

Last Updated: 2/1/2024Network: BBC TwoStatus: Ended
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Aspiration
star
8.97
134 votes

#1 - Aspiration

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/8/2011

From Dallas to Grand Designs, TV continually rubs desirable lifestyles in your face, making you feel inadequate in the process. Warning: contains Sophie Dahl and coffins.

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Love
star
8.75
102 votes

#2 - Love

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/15/2011

Charlie Brooker argues that TV has warped our expectations of romance with a toxic combination of Blind Date and rom-coms. Do 'soulmates' even exist? Warning: this episode contains traces of Dirty Den and suggestive swimwear.

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The Lifecycle
star
8.57
113 votes

#3 - The Lifecycle

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/1/2011

From kids shows to Countdown, TV has something to infuriate anyone of any age. Warning: this episode contains creepy dolls and the 1980s Oxo dad.

Progress
star
8.13
104 votes

#4 - Progress

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/1/2011

From the moon landings to Blake's 7 to CSI: Miami, Charlie Brooker argues that television has warped our relationship with technology. Warning: this episode contains a computerised Simon Cowell and a lady in a silver catsuit.

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Fear
star
8.08
150 votes

#5 - Fear

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/25/2011

From hysterical public information films to grisly crime dramas, terror spills out of almost every channel. As Charlie explores TV's approach to fear, you won't know whether to laugh or scream. Warning: contains traces of Michael Buerk and a semi-naked lady.

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Knowledge
star
8.06
48 votes

#6 - Knowledge

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/8/2011

Charlie Brooker traces how TV's notion of knowledge has changed from bespectacled experts to celebrity presenter drivel.

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