The world is dealing with a lot right now. With the quickly developing Coronavirus pandemic, news coverage of its effects virtually everywhere you look, and all the unknowns surrounding its termination, I know I’ve been craving some escapism. I’ve compiled a list of 10 of my favorite TV shows to get you out of your head and escape from the real world for awhile.
- Greek (Hulu)
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This mid-2000s ABC Family show is severely underappreciated. Based at the fictional Cypress-Rhodes University, the show follows dorky freshman Rusty Cartwright and his popular sister Casey as they experience greek life. Although it was cancelled after 4 seasons, it has the best, most cathartic, and well-executed finale of any teen show I’ve ever seen. Greek also does an excellent job of fleshing out all of its characters.You’re sure to fall in love with the super-cute, carefree–albeit irresponsible–frat president, and Casey’s ex ,Cappie, who will grow on you as he grows up throughout the show.
- The Hills (Hulu)
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If you need something mindlessly entertaining to distract you from all the terrible news in the world right now, look no further than this “reality” show focused on rich, white Hollywood kids with dating drama who visit basically every restaurant in Los Angeles. This show gave us the Lauren Conrad mascara tear gif and YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID, along with Spiedi–either the most toxic or most-brilliantly constructed TVcouple to ever grace our screens. It’s easy to get caught up in who’s dating who, who pretends to work where, and who will feud next. Drama, combined with picturesque LA B-roll, and an awesome soundtrack (Paramore,The Maine, BoysLikeGirls, etc.) is bound to keep you entertained for all 6 seasons.
- Stargate SG 1 (Hulu)
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The 1994 movie Stargate birthed 4 spin-offs, but in my humble opinion, SG 1 is the best of them. A military team gets to use a wormhole, or stargate, to travel to other planets in the universe and interact with various alien species. The universal threat of a parasitic species that is enslaving planet after planet is the main antagonist. SG 1 travels to cool places and meets interesting species like The Nox and The Asgard. The series is an interesting combination of science fiction, futuristic technology, history, and ancient culture that compels the narrative for 10 seasons.
- Omniscient (Netflix)
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In a futuristic world where everyone is under 24/7 drone surveillance by an AI (artificial intelligence) system, a young woman is shocked when her father seems to have been murdered. Creepy, thought-provoking, and a more modern take on the dystopia of Orwell’s 1984, this Brazilian show only has 1 season so far, but is so worth watching!
- Nailed It! (Netflix)
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You know how most cooking shows feature world class cooks making things you can’t even imagine making in real life? Well, this show is so not that! Hosted by comedian Nicole Byer, Nailed It! takes amateur, average, at-home bakers and challenges them to recreate Pinterest worthy desserts. It’s so wholesome and funny that you’ll definitely feel better watching all 3 seasons (plus 2 extra holiday-themed seasons!)
- Spinning Out (Netflix)
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If you’ve been looking for a show similar to Ice Princess (2005) or The Cutting Edge (1992) you need to watch the new Netflix original Spinning Out. A solo skater has to learn to skate with a partner in order to reach her Olympic dreams. With family drama, the competitive and volatile mindset of ice skating, and bipolar disorder are all at play in the show’s first season. I hope season 2 is coming as there’s so much left to explore.
- Community (Hulu, coming to Netflix April 1st)
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Based at Greendale Community college, a group of misfits start a Spanish study group that turns into so much more. Six seasons of playing off tropes, satire, and exploring the darkest timeline, Community is both funny and comfortingly familiar. With a stop motion episode, an 8-bit episode, multiple paintball episodes,episodes titled as courses, and so much meta-humor, Community never disappoints. It’s hard to put into words just how innovative, funny, and well-written Community is. Fans everywhere are still hoping for #sixseasonsandamovie.
- Cutthroat Kitchen (Hulu)
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Alton Brown hosts Cutthroat Kitchen, the cooking show full of sabotage. Professional chefs get their prize money up front, but must use it to outbid their competitors to avoid being sabotaged. What happens when the challenge is to make grilled cheese but someone has paid to steal your cheese? As the seasons go on (it’s currently on it’s 13th season) the sabotages get more and more extreme! The food always looks delicious, and watching competitors use a flashlight as their only heat source to cook is absolutely hilarious.
- The Path (Hulu)
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Who doesn’t enjoy a good cult series? Starring Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad , The Path tells the story of a man who has a vision that leads him to question his faith in his religious group and…well, becomes a cult leader? The Path has 3 seasons and will engage you in a story that keeps you guessing what happens next.
- Vampire Diaries (Netflix)
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Vampires, witches, werewolves, doppelgangers, oh my! Always a binge-watch staple, The Vampire Diaries is 8 seasons of the angsty and sexy Salvatore brothers facing supernatural threats to the town of Mystic Falls. With not 1, but 2 spin-offs, TVD should keep you occupied all the way through your quarantine!