This year, the top-trending TV shows on Google ranged from the most controversial TV shows, to the worst TV shows, to the best TV shows.
Google has released its "year in search" for 2017, and the top-trending TV show in the US was a controversial teen drama from Netflix.
This year, the top TV shows included ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise," which had a scandalous shut down over the summer; The CW's teen drama and mystery series "Riverdale;" and ABC's new ratings hit "The Good Doctor."
Topping the list was Netflix's "13 Reasons Why," a drama about a teenager who kills herself and leaves notes for those she's left behind, and those who have wronged her. The series sparked controversy for allegedly glorifying suicide, especially given its vulnerable teenage audience. But Netflix maintained that it helped promote an honest dialogue between parents and children.
According to Google, here are the TV shows that had the highest spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2017 as compared to 2016:
10. "American Gods"
With a huge budget and big names including Ian McShane, Crispin Glover, Kristin Chenoweth, Pablo Schreiber, and Gillian Anderson, "American Gods" had a lot of hype, especially since it's based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name. It was well-received, but unfortunately showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green won't be returning for season two.
9. "Big Little Lies"
"Big Little Lies" featured strong, supportive female friendships, a non-linear storytelling structure, and a storyline about a victim of domestic abuse, played by Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, in what is probably her best performance ever. The originally one-season limited series was so popular that HBO picked it up for season two, with Kidman and Reese Witherspoon returning.
8. "Santa Clarita Diet"
Netflix's "Santa Clarita Diet" is about a woman named Sheila, played Drew Barrymore, who becomes a zombie. The show had an interesting marketing campaign that matched the fun but grossly violent comedy. Sheila's teenage daughter and husband adjust to life with a zombie, and go to great lengths to cover it up.
7. "The Good Doctor"
ABC's "The Good Doctor" premiered in the fall and quickly rose up to top CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" in the ratings. The show is about an autistic surgeon played by Freddie Highmore. Highmore was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role.
6. "Bachelor in Paradise"
Even if you've never seen "Bachelor in Paradise," you probably know why people were searching it in 2017. In July, production on the ABC reality show that is a spin-off of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" was abruptly shut down amid allegations of sexual misconduct on set. The alleged incident involved contestants Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson. Eventually the show returned, without Olympios and Jackson.
5. "Riverdale"
The CW teen soap — which also manages to be a murder mystery — generated a lot of buzz when it premiered in January, which continued to build when it became available on Netflix.
4. "Marvel's Iron Fist"
"Iron Fist" stirred up a lot of debate this year. While many viewers liked it, the show was critically panned for cheesy storytelling, laughable dialogue, and frustrating protagonist.
3. "This Is Us"
Loved by critics and audiences, "This Is Us" is a tear jerker. A main character's fate was a major cliffhanger at the end of season one. It was nominated for multiple Emmys in 2017, and its star Sterling K. Brown won in the best actor drama category.
2. "Game of Thrones"
Season seven of the epic fantasy series had confusing time jumps, incest, and epic war battles that involved dragons and inspired thousands of fan theories, so we're not surprised it's the runner-up. Actually, we're surprised it's not number one.
1. "13 Reasons Why"
The Netflix teen drama topped the list of top-trending TV shows in 2017 on Google, likely as a result of the controversy it sparked. The show follows the aftermath of a teenage girl after she commits suicide. She has left notes to people she blames for her suicide, and while initially the show was acclaimed for its approach to mental illness, it was subsequently critiqued for glorifying suicide.