School can be stressful and tiring, especially right at the beginning of the year. But don’t worry! If you’ve got a computer and a Netflix subscription (or know somebeody else who does), you have instant access to the best medicine for combating the coursework blues. Laughter is the best medicine, after all!
1. Bob’s Burgers
Bob’s Burgers is centered on the Belcher family and their experiences with running a hamburger restaurant and navigating awkward situations while teaching each other lessons along the way. You never know what you’re going to get out of an episode – whether it is a parody of Jaw, a talking toilet or a high school reunion, you’re sure to have lots of laughs.
Average episode running time: 21 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Channel Aired on: Fox
Series status: Season 5 premiered October 5th on Fox and, and it will feature guest voice appearances from Nick Offerman, Molly Shannon and Zach Galifianakis among many others.
2. Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation focuses on Leslie Knope and the parks department of Pawnee, Indiana. Leslie encounters many obstacles in her local government, and in her quest to make her town a better place to live she also finds unfailing support in her friends and coworkers. She travels to London, runs for office, organizes numerous events and makes a change in her community all with a smile on her face and countless jokes at the ready.
Average episode running time: 21 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 6
Channel Aired on: NBC
Series Status: It has been confirmed by NBC that there will be a seventh and final season consisting of 13 episodes, but the premiere date has still yet to be announced.
3. Bojack Horseman
This new, dark comedy centers on Bojack Horseman. Bojack is voiced by Will Arnett – who coincidentally used to star on a 90’s sitcom called Horsin’ Around. This season centers on Bojack giving a tell-all biography about the relationships in his life (positive and negative) as he tries to figure out what he wants to do going forward. And if you didn’t know, in this universe animals and humans coexist and interact, which just adds to the hilarity of this show and makes for some interesting dynamics.
Average episode running time: 24 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Channel Aired on: Netflix Original
Series Status: The series has been renewed by Netflix for a second season, which is set to start production in 2015.
4. Arrested Development
In this thrilling comedy, Michael Bluth hopes to rise to the top in his family’s company to make a better life for he and his son. However, when his previously wealthy family experiences financial and legal troubles he is forced to move in with siblings. Arrested Development follows this dysfunctional family’s relationships, misdeeds and secrets all while incorporating physical comedy, inappropriate but delightful miswordings, and circumstantial humor.
Average episode running time: 21 minutes (Seasons 1-3) and 30 minutes (Season 4)
Number of seasons on Netflix: 4
Channel Aired on: Fox for three seasons from 2003-2006; renewed by Netflix in 2013 for a fourth and fifth season.
Series Status: Netflix recently confirmed that Arrested Development will be coming back for a 5th season, but premiere dates have not been released yet.
5. Melissa and Joey
Melissa and Joey starts off with Mel Burke pitying Joe Longo, a man who has been left broke after his sister and her husband are jailed for a Ponzi scheme and insider trading at the company he also worked at. She hires him as a nanny for the niece and nephew she is now unexpectedly taking care of, and though at first they seem to hate each other they soon grow to enjoy each other’s company. The show follows their experiences acting as stand-in parents to Mel’s nephew Ryder and niece Lennox and the comedic antics that ensue when they meddle in each other’s lives – for better or for worst.
Average episode running time: 21 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Channel Aired on: ABC family
Series Status: ABC Family has renewed Melissa and Joey for a fourth season. An official season 4 premiere date has not yet been announced, but a special Halloween episode is slated to air on October 22nd at 8 pm.
6. How I met your Mother
How I met your Mother starts out with Ted Mosby simply recounting events that led up to meeting his son and daughter’s mother. However, it quickly evolves into a story about his group of friends in Manhattan and their experiences navigating adulthood. The show focuses on Ted’s four best friends; Marshall and Lily, the longstanding and always loyal married couple; Barney, the playboy and adventurous friend; Robin, the ambitious news anchor and native Canadian; and Ted’s ex-girlfriend and how they interact with each other and those who surround them in their relationships and careers.
Average episode running time: 21 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 9
Channel Aired on: CBS
Series Status: The ninth and final season ended on March 31st, 2014 with a finale episode that has left fans, casual watchers and critics divided.
7. That 70’s show
That 70’s Show centers on a group of six friends – Eric Forman, the nerdy guy; Jackie, the bossy, rich, and opinionated girl; Michael, the dopey pretty boy; Hyde, the sarcastic and rebellious stand-in brother to Eric; Donna, the smart, pretty feminist and girlfriend to Eric; and Fez, the wannabe playboy and foreign exchange student and their experiences with their families, relationships and personal issues as they grow up and navigate high school, college and careers in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin during the late 1970’s. True to its name, the show incorporates events that actually occurred in the 1970’s, such as Star Wars, the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, the use of drugs, and the Equal Rights Movement.
Average episode running time: 22 minutes
Number of seasons on Netflix: 8
Channel Aired on: Fox
Series Status: The show aired on Fox from August 23rd, 1998 until May 18th, 2006 for a total of eight successful seasons. Old episodes are currently being re-aired through syndication on Nickelodeon and ABC Family. Many of the show’s stars have gone on to have great success as adult actors as well, and Mila Kunis (Jackie) and Ashton Kutcher (Michael) (who were an on and off couple on the show) are now married and have a daughter together.
These aren’t the only great shows airing on Netflix right now, but if you’re at a loss of where to start on that magical site then this is a good place to start! Take your time enjoying Netflix nights whenever you get a chance, but be warned – Netflix can be very addictive.