It’s cold grey and rainy in Vancouver, and knowing my city it’ll probably stay that way until May. The beauty of our city doesn’t suit the overcast weather. Like, I’m not about to bike around the seawall being pelted by rain and gusts of wind.
Instead, stay in my pj’s, get warm and toasty, turn on the ‘flix and binge away the day.
Nothing’s worse than aimlessly scrolling through Netflix desperately trying to find a show to distract you from your crippling seasonal depression. Here’s where I come in, as a film and television connoisseur, I’ve weeded through the options, had my mishaps and mistrials, but ultimately have come out alive (with dark circles and stress acne) to bring you a personally curated list of shows to binge-watch to numb the pain.
CHEER
I know I’m late on the CHEER train, but with the recent release of season 2, it was now or never if I wanted to avoid major spoilers. I kind of knew what I was getting into with CHEER because I’d watched Greg Whiteley’s other popular Netflix docu-series, Last Chance U. I loved Last Chance U, however, as a girly, I connected with the CHEER cast and storylines so much more, so much so that I cried during the season 2 premiere.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CI8a_AgBI/
The show doesn’t force you to like or dislike anyone, compared to other reality shows/docu-series there’s very little bias in the editing. They show things like they are. For example, Navarro coach Monica goes into a rant about how no matter how conservative/right-wing she is, she doesn’t believe in homophobia, and that she adores her gay cheerleaders. The show isn’t going to sugarcoat Monica and portray her as this politically correct figure. I like Monica, she has her values, some I’ll agree with, and some I really don’t, but that’s like real life. It’s rare to see that kind of honesty on television.
Arrested Development
I know this will be controversial, but classics like Friends and How I met your mother didn’t age well for me. Arrested Development is my all-time favourite sitcom series and it has aged like fine wine. The cast is comedic gold, Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett, David Cross, Portia de Rossi, Tony Hale, Liza freaking Minelli, even cute little teenage Michael Cera, the list goes on.
How can this show be slept on? You’re telling me Jeniffer Aniston and David Schwimmer are funnier than literally anyone on that cast?
One episode of Arrested Development is better than the whole series of Friends, I said it.
I’ve rewatched Arrested Development at least 4 times now, and it never gets old. It’s the kind of show you laugh-out-loud watching, the perfect way to cheer yourself up after a long crappy day.
@arrestedoutofcontext s2 e18 #fyp #arresteddevelopment #michaelbluth #jasonbateman #willarnett #gobbluth #davidcross #tobiasfunke
Disclaimer though, the final season reboot thing isn’t very good. That’s the only negative thing I have to say about the show. Oh, and Jeffrey Tambor is a creep.
Schitt’s Creek
Probably the best thing to ever come out of Canada, excluding moi of course. Schitt’s Creek is a feel-good, hilarious show that literally anyone can enjoy. If you’re living under a rock and haven’t watched it yet, I’ll give you a brief synopsis:
A very wealthy family suddenly finds themselves completely broke, and they’re forced to leave their lavish lifestyle and move to a motel in a small town by the name of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ which the family had bought years earlier as a joke. The family consists of the successful businessman Johnny Rose, (Eugene Levy) his eccentric wife Moira Rose, (Catherine O’Hara, the queen herself) and their spoiled children David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy)
Literally, everyone in the show is pee-your-pants hilarious. But Catherine O’Hara really brings it with this crazy voice she puts on, a strange physicality and the wigs of course.
@schittsandstyles
I finished Schitt’s Creek in its entirety in under a month, but I’d suggest pacing yourself because trust me, you’ll miss it.
QUEER EYE
This Netflix reboot has a chokehold on me. If you don’t know what Queer Eye is, basically each episode the fab 5 (five gay men) are called to action. The style experts set out across the US to help some of the city’s people refine their wardrobes, grooming, diet, cultural pursuits, and home décor.
The new Fab 5, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, Tan France and Bobby Berk are just as amazing (if not more) than the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy cast, Carson Kressley, Kyan Douglas, Ted Allen, Thom Filicia, and Jai Rodriguez
The show sounds light and fluffy, but the overarching theme throughout the episodes is quite deep. The Fab 5, exemplify perseverance through adversity. Being openly gay isn’t easy, it requires courage and confidence that most of us never achieve. The fab 5 are shining examples of hope and self-love. They bring that to every episode and they truly help people who’re struggling with the task of life. Yeah, they give them a new wardrobe, furniture and a new haircut, but more than anything they preach positive change within.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZHtcvoDxFj/
An amazing quote from Jonathan that I connected with and take with me every day,
“You can’t selectively numb feeling, so if you try to numb the vulnerability, you also numb joy, happiness, connection.
you can’t have joy, happiness, connection without vulnerability”
– Jonathan Van Ness
Better Call Saul
I assume everyone’s already watched Breaking Bad, but have you watched the spin-off series Better Call Saul about Walter White’s lawyer, Saul Goodman?
Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) is arguably the best character in the Breaking Bad series, so why the hell wouldn’t you watch a TV show fully dedicated to the fascinating character of Saul.
Prior to Heisenberg and what follows, Saul Goodman was actually Jimmy McGill, a struggling attorney in the shadow of his older brother Chuck. Jimmy has an underdog story like no other. The follows similar themes of family drama, cartels, and sticky situations all set in the Southwest. Familiar favourites like Mike Ehrmantraut, Gus Fring and even Hank Schrader make a return for the spin-off, prequel series.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVsuiV0L0t3/
Season 6 is expected to release “sometime in early 2022” so you have time to catch up. In my opinion, Better Call Saul is on par with Breaking Bad, which is one of the best TV shows of all time so you know it must be good.