It's finally Winter Break, a time to relax and destress after taking a boatload of finals. Throughout the semester, we all kept up with our favorite shows -- "Grey's," "Scandal," "American Horror Story," and the list goes on. Though you may already have a few shows lined up in your Netflix queue, here are 10 of my recommendations for shows to binge watch over Winter Break. You deserve it!
1. "30 Rock"
This show is my number one favorite show to binge watch. If this show doesn't leave you in stitches, something's wrong. With an all-star cast headlined by Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan, pulling off insane antics as they try to put on their SNL-style sketch comedy inside the famous 30 Rockefeller Plaza, "30 Rock" is sure to please. Its simple plot lines and brilliant jokes will have you stuck to the laptop or television for hours.
2. "How to Get Away With Murder"
Shonda Rhimes has done it again! Despite only being in its second season, Rhimes' legal/crime drama depicting both the public and personal lives of Philadelphia defense lawyer and law professor Annalise Keating (portrayed by our queen Viola Davis) and her seven assistants will leave you on the edge of your seat. The show is chock full of surprises and plot twists, and will have your adrenaline rushing right away. Make sure to have the popcorn popped before sitting down to watch HTGAWM, because you'll be hooked from the moment you start!
3. "Parks and Recreation"
"Parks" was an instant classic from its inception. The comedy, boasting a vibrant cast including Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones and Chris Pratt, as well as stellar guest stars, depicts the life inside the dysfunctional parks and recreation department in the even more dysfunctional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Each unique character has its lovable characteristics, and will leave you wishing Pawnee was a real place where we could all live and work. "Parks" is a feel-good comedy that will leave you with lots of laughs.
4. "House of Cards"
Another hard-hitting show, political drama "HoC" will leave you with mouths agape after you watch South Carolina Congressman Frank Underwood's term unfold. In the not-so-glamourous life of politics, Underwood, played by the ultra-talented Kevin Spacey, sure does cause quite a few stirs on Capitol Hill. Personally, this show usually leaves me rolling around on the floor, yelling "OH MY GODDDDDDD WHYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?" It's sure to have to glued to the screen for hours.
5. "The Office"
As probably one of the most, if not the most quotable series of our time, you'll probably find yourself wanting to restart "The Office" as soon as you finish it. It follows Michael Scott, the boss of a just as dysfunctional paper company called Dunder-Mifflin, and his bosses and employees. Something is never not going wrong at Dunder-Mifflin, and with an all-star cast including Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling and Ed Helms, it's a must-see for any comedy lover. The endless stream of antics will pressing rewind often.
6. "Bob's Burgers"
Stuffed with dry and dumb humor,"Bob's Burgers" definitely requires a different type of crowd but is still a hit nonetheless. This unique cartoon comedy depicts the Belcher Family, Bob, Lynn, Tina, Gene and Louise, and their burger restaurant, Bob's Burgers. The characters are memorable if you can stand their sometimes truly outrageous and silly nature.
7. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
A sharp divergence away from the six shows mentioned before, "Parts Unknown" is an intense look at a myriad cultures worldwide through food. It follows Anthony Bourdain, renowned American chef and personality. Every episode highlights a new corner of the world, from Europe to Australia to South America to Asia and everywhere in between. Bourdain eats and drinks with and like the locals, connecting with them over meals, capturing a snapshot of their life in countries that may be struggling for independence, in the middle of a war, or suffering from various forms of social injustice. It's a great, educational experience and a nice break from the silliness of the other shows.
8. "Friday Night Lights"
With some of the greatest storylines in TV history (in my humble opinion), FNL might be the easiest show to binge watch on this list. It follows a Texas high school football team, the Dillon Panthers, as well as their coach's and fans' lives. It's conceptualized by the quintessential small Texas town, where high school football rules all and the quarterback dates the cheerleading captain. However, the show is high drama, chock full of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, so keep the Kleenex handy. You'll be falling in and out with characters straight from the start, so make sure you leave some time to deal with the emotions this show will give you.
