ITV recently aired a show called Tiktok: Top 100 2024. I probably don’t need to explain what the programme was about, the title leaves very little to the imagination. It was hosted by comedian Joel Dommett, who did a lot of the heavy listing, as he counted down the top 100 videos, alongside sharing facts and figures about what else is successful on the video sharing app, and how rich some of the content creators may actually be.

I started watching this just to see what it was like, surely watching social media on TV isn’t really going to work. Five minutes, I’ll give it, I thought. Two hours later, I watched the number one video roll by with mixed emotions. Aside from the guilt of wasted time (it’s Christmas!), I only knew a couple of the videos, a hideous strike rate out of 100.

I’m not a big Tiktok user, to be fair. I dabble occasionally, and have even posted one video, but it’s not something I spend a lot of time on. But this did open my eyes to being out of touch with the so-called zeitgest. In fact, it made me think we could do with a show like this that just does a quick update every week… here’s what’s trending on the internet. A bit like Top of the Pops but for the socials instead. (Also bring back Top of the Pops!)

I’m aware how old this makes me sound but I’m leaning in to it.