Guys, I get it. We are in the middle of an unprecedented time....we are the ones telling our parents they can't go out. But seriously, for the first time in our lifetime, there is a nationwide quarantine and you probably have too much time on your hands and you already have run out of TV Shows to binge watch, we’ve all been there. I’m there now. But don’t worry there are plenty of other shows across other streaming services that you can try when you get bored of scrolling through thousands of options. And since we don’t know how long we will all be on lock-down, here are some suggestions to help you pass the time.
If you like SCHITT’S CREEK…..Try THE MINDY PROJECT (Hulu).
Written, produced and starring Mindy Kaling, “The Mindy Project” follows Mindy Lahiri, an OB/GYN in Manhattan. Mindy is an obsessive pop culture enthusiast that is constantly looking for new ways her life can turn into a romantic comedy. Surrounded by her hilarious staff and other pessimistic doctors, the show is hilarious and meme / gif worthy.
Where: Hulu
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 117
If you like PARKS AND RECREATION….Try VEEP (HBO).
Remember when “House of Cards” was around, and everyone tried to convince other people that “House of Cards” was exactly what Washington DC was like – they were wrong. Washington DC is like VEEP, which is essentially self-centered, arrogant politicians running around Washington surrounded by their committee of morons, whose sole job is to convince them that they are the greatest thing to ever happen to American politics. The comedy is sharp and quick-witted and the insults are cringeworthy and mostly un-repeatable. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Vice President of the United States (VEEP) whose job is to make the President look good no matter the cost. Honestly, everyone should be watching this show.
Where: HBO
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 65
If you like THE OC…..Try LOOKING FOR ALASKA (Hulu).
Produced by the same team that created “The OC”, “Looking For Alaska” is a television series adaptation of John Green’s 2005 novel. This book has been optioned multiple times by different movie studios, all of which fell through. It wasn’t until Josh Schwartz grabbed the option and pitched to release it on Hulu that things finally started to fall into place. The series features Miles, a new student to boarding school in Alabama, who meets a new group of misfit friends at Culver Creek. Forming friendships through a series of pranks at their school, he begins to fall in love with the mysterious Alaska Young. The series is fun and light-hearted, but also crippling, as their lives come to a devastating halt at the end of their semester together. It's dark and angsty, like any good teenage drama. You'll love it.
Where: Hulu
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
If you like MAKING A MURDERER….Try KILLER INSIDE: THE MIND OF AARON HERNANDEZ (Netflix)
“Making a Murderer” firmly cemented Netflix’s position in the crime-drama documentary space. Since then, there have been countless additions in this category popping up, available for audiences to binge. One of the most recent crime documentaries to appear on the site is, “The Killer Inside,” the Aaron Hernandez Documentary. The Crime Series focuses on the Rise and Fall of the NFL Player Aaron Hernandez, following his football career through high school, college and his professional life as he becomes the main suspect in not one, but two murder investigations. The Documentary not only focuses on the murder trials, but the stereotypes of gay men in professional sports. It also bring to light the rarely discussed health ramifications athletes suffer from football including CTE caused by massive repeated blunt force head trauma.
Where: Netflix
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 3
If you like TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE…Try AFTER (Netflix)
If you love cheesy, rom-coms, then you will love “After”. Released in 2019, “After” follows Tessa, a sheltered, college freshman who falls in love with college "bad-boy", Hardin Scott, during their first semester. The movie is full of montages, drama and teenage angst - what else do you need in a Teenage Rom-Dram? (romantic-drama - yes, I coined that phrase). Also starring mini-Voldemort (the actor who played young Voldemort in the Harry Potter Series) and the sister of Katherine Langford (Hannah in "13 Reasons Why").
Where: Netflix
Type: Movie
If you like BIG LITTLE LIES….Try LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE (Hulu)
It’s easy to find similarities between these two series - both television dramas were based on novels, produced with Hello Sunshine Production Company and both feature Reese Witherspoon. Little Fires Everywhere is also a part of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club and she quickly snatched up the show rights to produce on Hulu. The Series just released its first three episodes on Tuesday, ahead of its premiere due to higher television streaming demand. The following episodes should be released one episode / week. The series focuses on the dynamics between mother’s living in the same neighborhood, with drastically different parenting styles. Elena (Reese Witherspoon), a wealthy housewife obsessed with perfection is turned off by the new woman she has rented her spare house to, Mia (Kerry Washington). Mia is an artist with a free spirit who leads a nomadic life. Rarely agreeing on anything, Mia and Elena are constantly at odds with each other. Throughout the series their daughters start identifying with the lifestyles that they have never had but always wanted, with the other's mother.
Where: Hulu
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 3 (so far) episodes released weekly after
If you like BREAKING BAD….Try SONS OF ANARCHY (Hulu)
“Breaking Bad” ended a while ago, but if you are like me, you just finished watching the entire series in the past year, so you might be looking for something similar. If you are looking for more thrill, violence and crime, why not turn to “Sons of Anarchy?” The series officially ended in 2014, but has just become available on Hulu as part of FCX on Hulu’s Promotional Package. “Sons” features a motorcycle gang in Charming, California selling and distributing guns between the borders. The show gave Charlie Hunnam his start and it is produced/written by Kurt Sutter.
Where: Hulu
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 92
If you like GOSSIP GIRL….Try ELITE (Netflix)
I would describe “Elite” as the Spanish Version of “Gossip Girl”…plus murder? Not sure if that sounds right, but the highly successful television show premiered on Netflix back in 2017 with critical acclaim and popularity, especially in Spain. The first season of the show focuses on 3 Scholarship Students are accepted into the prestigious, private school in Spain. The clash between the working class family students and the privileged eventually leads to murder. Everyone starts wondering…who is the suspect? The show dubs over in English and comes with sub-titles, so it is easy to follow along. Elite Season 3 just premiered which means you have over twenty episodes to binge!
Where: Netflix
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 24
So check them out and share your preferences, we are in this together...and by this, I mean streaming wars.
Also, if you are looking to update and fuel your Work From Home Playlist, check out some of these artists you might like!
If you like Hozier...Try Dermot Kennedy.
This Irish Singer/Songwriter newcomer hit the scene this year with his debut album released this fall, "Without Fear." If you like strong voices with sweet guitar playing, you will love Dermot Kennedy. Make sure to check out:
- After Rain
- Outnumbered
- Rome
If you like James Bay....Try Sam Fender.
Sam Fender quickly climbed charts in 2018 after he won the most prestigious Critics Choice Awards at the Brits. With his debut album out, "Hypersonic Missiles", Fender has already earned his first #1 Record in the UK within one week of its release. Make sure to check out:
- Will We Talk
- Two People
- The Borders
If you like Mumford & Sons...Try Kaleo
Another European Break-Out (are you sensing a pattern here), Kaleo debuted their Album "A/B" in 2016 and since then has been on many tours, opening for bands like The Lumineers and others. The have finally announced their second album release this Summer called "Alter Ego" and will be hitting the states again on another world tour. Make sure to check out:
- Way Down We Go
- Hot Blood
- I Want More
So Happy Quarantine Everyone, stay safe out there and keep streaming!
And that's the sitch.
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