I’m sure we have all had our fair share of days when all we want to do is binge-watch Netflix.
I want to preface this list by explaining the qualifications these shows had to make them the most “binge-worthy”. First of all, they all have at least 6 seasons, which can keep you busy for a minute. However, if those shows each have hour-long episodes, it can be easy for your interest to fizzle. This comes to my second point-they each have 22-minute-long episodes. My final qualification is that each of these shows has at least one character that every person watching can relate to.
1. The Office
The Office is one of those shows that I could watch on repeat forever, and still, notice new things-whether it’s new facial expressions or new actions happening in the background. Whether you’re interested in comedy-something found with the general manager Michael Scott, or you’re looking for a little romance-which can be found following Jim and Pam’s love story, the Office has something for everyone. I watched this show for the first time at the beginning of my senior year of high school and finished it just before I graduated. I came to love these characters as if they were my friends, and saying goodbye to them was almost as hard as leaving my real friends for college-so of course I had to bring them back for quarantine.
2. Friends
Friends is a show that my mom watched in her 20s and that I’ve watched practically my entire life. It is very wholesome and makes you feel like each of the characters is your friend-something we need in this time of loneliness having to distance ourselves from our loved ones. This 8-season-long show that started with a girl running out on her wedding grows into an amazing journey among 6 friends-including humour, heartbreak, children, love, and overall, just growing up. This show made me crave the bond all of these friends shared with each other and taught me how to be a true friend to others.
3. Parks and Rec
In contrast with the 2 previous shows, Parks and Rec is a show that I actually didn’t start until quarantine. I was looking for something that would provide me with that same feeling of comfort that I got from watching The Office and Friends-believe me when I say I got that and so much more. I will admit, it took me a little bit to get into, but once I was committed, I couldn’t stop watching it.
Between Ron Swanson finding his heart, April growing up and getting married, and Leslie getting what she always wanted, this show is perfect for any setting and for any audience. There are 3 or 4 episodes, that whenever I’m feeling down or am in need of a pick me up, I know will instantly brighten my mood. And I think a simple TV show that can do that is something pretty special.
4. Schitt’s Creek
Similar to Parks and Rec, I didn’t start watching Schitt’s Creek until about a month ago during quarantine. It had been on my Netflix suggested for about a month and I finally caved in and decided to watch it and boy, am I glad I did. The show follows a family who has fallen from extreme wealth to practically nothing. At first, I will admit, I could not stand the main characters. However, the character development in 6 short seasons is something that definitely needs to be applauded.
Each character had their own journey in developing compassion and transforming into the person they were always meant to be. As soon as I finished it, I immediately found a documentary about their final season of shooting-which let me tell you, after following this show consistently and then watching the behind-the-scenes, I was VERY emotional.
Overall, this list of shows can be watched at any time, but I felt that quarantine was very fitting. I hope you all take my advice and fall in love with these shows just as much as I have.