Continued from an article published Aug. 17, 2015.
Almost everyone loves TV, and in 2015, there are more amazing television shows — both critically better and more entertaining — than ever before. Watching TV is America's pastime (sorry, baseball), and whether you're watching as a family from the couch or on your laptop in your dorm room, TV has remained popular since its arrival into our living rooms. Now, all the TV I watch is, ironically, not on a television at all, but on a computer or laptop.
Sometimes, however, there are so many good shows on that you might not know what to watch. Or worse, you just finished watching "Game of Thrones" and don't know what to do with your life now. As someone who has fallen into both of these situations, I often resort to binge-watching my favorites over and over again, and though I love having "30 Rock" on repeat, there's nothing like starting a new show and being able to watch multiple episodes and seasons back-to-back.
This relatively new phenomenon, called binge-watching, is "the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television program in rapid succession, usually by means of DVDs or digital streaming" (Wikipedia, emphasis mine). Binge-watching is the result of streaming media's accessibility and has been taken full advantage of by our generation. We now have HBOGo/HBONow, Netflix, Hulu, FXNOW and Showtime Anytime, along with the many streaming channels that Apple TV offers like Fox Now, USA Now and even a TED channel. With so many options, it's hard to narrow the choices down to start watching, but if you're in a TV rut, check out the following streaming shows in the Comedy category to turn on before school starts, during a study break, or when you just need to watch some TV.
Side note: I am also happy to say that one half of these comedies feature women in lead roles! Women ARE funny!
1. "Parks and Recreation" (Netflix, seasons 1-6/Hulu, all seasons)
"Parks and Recreation," often endearingly referred to simply as "Parks and Rec," aired its last episode in February of this year, finishing up its seventh season. I have probably now watched and rewatched the entire show about 10 times, putting it on as I get ready in the morning and eat breakfast or when I go to bed (as I also do with my other two favorites, "The Office" and "30 Rock").
I pretty much guarantee you will love this show if you like Amy Poehler or Aziz Ansari and you like to laugh.
(Stand-up recommendation: Aziz Ansari's "Live at Madison Square Garden," "Buried Alive," "Dangerously Delicious" and "Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening" are also all available on Netflix.)
2. "Louie" (Netflix/FXNOW, seasons 1-4)
Louis C.K., who also appeared in "Parks and Rec" for six episodes, writes, directs, edits and produces this comedy in which he plays a version of himself. You will laugh out loud and also feel bad for Louie. His stand-ups "Live at the Beacon Theater" and "Chewed Up" are also available on Netflix if you are captured by his dry and blunt humor.
3. "The Office" (Netflix, all seasons)
"The Office" is my favorite comedy of all time, followed closely by "30 Rock" and "Parks and Recreation." If you haven't watched the full series, you've probably watched an episode or two or at least seen clips. I'm here to convince you to watch the entire series, which declined somewhat in quality after Steve Carrell left the show, but which also redeemed itself in its last season. I don't think I will ever grow tired of this show and its characters.
4. "New Girl" (Netflix/Hulu, seasons 1-3)
While only the first three seasons of "New Girl" are available on Netflix, you will quickly become addicted to this show and want to click 'next episode' again and again if you haven't already. The show was renewed for a fifth season in 2015 (season four should be coming to Netflix soon...) and has a bright future!
5. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBONow/Go, all seasons)
Larry David, a co-creator of "Seinfeld," plays a fictionalized version of himself in this HBO comedy. If you like "Seinfeld" or Michael Scott from "The Office," you will probably like Larry and his cringeworthy social interactions and the show's depictions of everyday life and quotidian events.
6. "30 Rock" (Netflix, all seasons)
Tina Fey plays the head writer for an SNL-like TV show called TGS in New York as she navigates her personal life, deals with the cast of her show, and becomes mentee to an NBC executive played by Alec Baldwin. As I watch the episodes over and over, I still notice small jokes carefully crafted that may go unobserved the first time around.
7. "Silicon Valley" (HBONow/Go, seasons 1-2)
"Silicon Valley" is a new and still somewhat unheard of HBO comedy that finished its second season in 2015. As the title implies, it revolves around a group of friends who create a start-up in Silicon Valley. It's a quirky show that's very fun to watch.
8. "Arrested Development" (Netflix, seasons 1-4)
"Arrested Development" was cancelled in 2006 due to low ratings after its third season but was actually resurrected when Netflix started streaming the show. Netflix then produced and released a fourth season and is set to release a fifth season in 2016. The show is considered by many to be the "funniest of all time."
9. "Veep" (HBONow/Go, seasons 1-4)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus from Seinfeld plays a fictional Vice President and (spoiler alert) eventual President of the United States in this HBO comedy. In all of its four (so far) seasons, it has garnered critical acclaim and popularity.
10. "Broad City" (Comedy Central; cc.com, seasons 1-2)
My favorite current TV comedy, "Broad City" follows two young women living in New York and is SO funny. It's more laugh-out-loud funny (to me) than "Girls" and somehow a little more outrageous. Add this to your list of must-watch shows.