Sick of hearing about struggling hospitality workers and pandemics and death and need inspiration to get your mind distracted from the end of the world?
Here are 10 binge-worthy tv shows that will lift you up and make you forget your worries. They’re also long enough to give you something to do for a long period of time when you’re bored at home.
1. The Office
Michael Scarne faces off with his nemesis Goldenface in the showdown of the century…at some point during the 204 episodes and 9 seasons show. I won’t say when this happens, so you’ll just have to watch all of it to find out.
2. IT Crowd
The Brits are doing really well at social distancing right now, and no one knows how to do this better than Moss and Roy, the IT specialists in the basement of Reynholm Industries. What on earth can they get up to every day in their mundane work life? Quite a lot actually.
Sit down and have a sensible British laugh. There might even be an appearance by Richmond… “Who’s that?” you ask. Answer: A goth. Nuff said.
3. 30 Rock
Tina Fey, a struggling yet talented writer, and Alec Baldwin, a rich man who’s rich, work together at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City to keep television running. If you think that’s a hoot, wait till you see what shenanigans Tracy Jordan gets up to. He surely keeps them on their toes.
4. This Is Us
Grab some tea and a blanket because your feet will feel like they’re freezing compared to the temperature of your heart.
This Is Us is about the challenges 3 triplets face growing up together. One of which was an African American baby adopted into the family who later in life struggles with his identity and his place in society yet becomes successful and is the smartest character on the show.
This is not a comedy. If you don’t want your heart warmed to the point where you’re sobbing uncontrollably in front of your housemates who think you’re crazy, then either invite them to your ‘tear party’ or turn it off.
5. Community
Created by Dan Harmon, a genius writer and expert storyteller. This smart, witty show about 7 friends in a community college will keep you engaged for the entire first 3 seasons – you might need to persist through season 4 but then it gets a bit better again.
It’s the sort of show full of easter eggs and subtext that no matter how many times you watch it you’ll notice something new every viewing. Also, if you’re a fan of Childish Gambino then this is an extra reason why you should turn it on right now.
6. Seinfeld
There’s absolutely no way you’ve never seen Seinfeld, the show about nothing that lasted 9 seasons that made Jerry Seinfeld a multi-millionaire.
However, if you’re Amish or grew up on a desert island and you haven’t seen even one episode yet then it’s probably not the show for you anymore because it stopped airing 22 years ago and is unsurprisingly outdated in almost all of its references which means it’s doubtful you’ll even care.
But for those of you who are already fans, I think you’ll agree with me that watching the entire series again is NOT a waste of time.
7. Friends
Remember what I said about Seinfeld being old and if you haven’t seen it already then you probably won’t care? Yeah, pretty much the same thing with Friends. Although one of the best sitcoms to come out of the ’90s / early 2000s, it’s stories aren’t exactly timeless.
So, if you never really existed in society during that era then you probably won’t relate to Friends, but for the 99.99999% of you who did: watch it again. It’s so fun.
Joey, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Ross are friends who all live in the same apartment building that clearly none of them can afford with low to no income jobs and it’s hilarious.
8. Schitt$ Creek
Now we’re relevant. Catherine O’Hara alone is a reason this show is worth watching.
The wealthy owner of a video store chain goes broke and must move his wife and two adult children to the only place still in their possession, a town they bought as a joke, Schitt’s Creek.
Adapting to hick life in this hick town they learn what life’s really about. What is life about? I’m not telling. Watch Schitt’s Creek starring famously comedic duo Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.
9. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Emerging from 15 years in self-isolation, Kimmy Schmidt learns how to adapt to modern life in New York City with her flamboyantly wacky roommate, Titus, and even wackier Landlord Lillian.
10. Brooklyn 99
Jake Peralta, genius detective, and part-time Die Hard fan works day in and day out solving mysteries and being a damn good detective. If only he can impress Captain Raymond Holt. The show also features Terry Crews’ dancing pectorals.
11. Bonus: The Good Place. This is actually about the end of the world happening thousands of times over.
12. Double Bonus: Fireplace for your home: Birchwood Edition. You won’t believe how it ends.
And here are 7 TV shows that remind you the world is dark and bleak.
- Lost. You’ll love the ending.
- Black Mirror. You’ll hate the ending.
- Daybreak. I haven’t seen it, my bad.
- Forever… is a long time.
- End of the F***ing World. Literally in the title.
- Dark. Your typical German soap opera.
- Buzzfeed Unsolved. Reminding us that at the end of the day, many of our questions will never be answered.
When you’re in isolation and you’re out of creative ideas to keep busy, the best remedy is laughter, and you can achieve that by watching every single one of the first 10 shows in this list.
