In this insane world of hundreds of network and cable channels, dozens of streaming platforms, and thousands of shows for you to chose from, it's hard to know what shows are worth your time. So the next time you want to push a paper aside until the last minute and ignore all your responsibilities, refer to this list to help you make your decision. Each show is only five seasons long or less and relatively new, so don't worry about being too far behind to catch up.
"Superstore"
Superstore is an ensemble comedy following a team of employees at Cloud 9, a Target-esque superstore. The characters are as zany as the plotlines. Good for any fans of workplace comedies.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 4
Where to stream it: Full series on Hulu
"The Good Place"
While on the outside it's a simple comedy, The Good Place is an extremely intelligent and hilarious take on the afterlife. 15/10 recommend. And besides, what's not to love about Kristen Bell?
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 3
Where to find it: Old seasons on Netflix, newer episodes on Hulu & the NBC app
"The Good Doctor"
The Good Doctor is a show I just began watching, and I'm already hooked. The show follows an autistic surgeon and is perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming and meaningful show.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 2
Where to stream it: Hulu
"This Is Us"
Not enough can be said for this tearjerker of a show. Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia head up an incredibly talented cast who never fail to tug on your heartstrings. Their use of nonlinear storytelling and the multi-generational storylines will have you hooked from the first episode on.
Genre: Dramedy
Seasons: 3
Where to stream it: Full series on Hulu
"A Million Little Things"
This show comes from the creators of This Is Us, with a whole new set of characters and all the emotions of its sister show.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 1
Where to stream: Full series on Hulu
"Single Parents"
Single Parents is a new sitcom in its rookie season, from the creators that brought us New Girl. This show is charming, funny, and grows on you with every single episode. And as a plus: it starts Leighton Meester from our old favorite, Gossip Girl.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 1
Where to stream: Full series on Hulu
"Jane the Virgin"
Heading into its last season this January, Jane the Virgin is a whirlwind of emotions and plot twists from start to finish. The show follows the journey of Jane Villanueva after she is accidentally artificially inseminated. Just when you think the show couldn't get any crazier, it always does. An even greater plus is its celebration of Latina women. A must-see before its series finale this year.
Genre: American telenovela
Seasons: 4
Where to stream: Full series on Netflix, new episodes for free on the CW app
"Reign"
Get your fix of dreamy accents and royal families with Reign. The show takes many liberties with its depiction of Mary, Queen of Scots, but is exciting from the first episode to the last episode. Amazing show for anyone with a soft spot for period pieces.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 4
Where to stream it: Netflix
"The Fosters"
The Fosters is another warm blanket of a show, depicting the lives of a modern family. Stef and Lena are mothers to five children, and the show explores important issues such as foster care, adoption, LGBTQI+ issues, and immigration. While the show may have just ended this season, catch the spin-off series Good Trouble premiering on FreeForm on January 9th.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 5
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Hart of Dixie"
Hart of Dixie is 76 episodes of Southern charm, and depicts a young doctor named Zoe Hart as she moves across the country to accept a job from a stranger at his family practice. While it's slated as a comedy, Hart of Dixie is grounded in just enough emotion to get you emotionally invested.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 4
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Grace and Frankie"
An Emmy-nominated Netflix original, this show follows two rivals whose husbands turn out to be having an affair with each other as they explore what life is like when a lifelong marriage ends.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 4
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Atypical"
Another Netflix original, this show shows the story of Sam as he fights for more independence and navigates life, friendship, and dating when you're on the autistic spectrum. The two seasons currently streaming are delightfully funny and wonderfully heartfelt.
Genre: Coming-of-age
Seasons: 2
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Quantico"
For any mystery-thriller or procedural show lovers, Quantico is a perfect match. Reminiscent of 24, Quantico follows an FBI training class back and forth in time. The show is constantly changing, keeping you on your toes for the entire series.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 3
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Dynasty"
Dynasty is a relatively new show, having just premiered its mid-season finale of the second season. Dynasty is the quintessential CW drama: exciting stories and opulent characters. The show is a modernized reboot of the 1980s soap opera of the same name, with all the same intrigue as the predecessor.
Genre: Soap opera
Seasons: 2
Where to stream: First season on Netflix, second season on demand
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
The show follows Kimmy as she tries to rebuild her life in the big city of New York after she is rescued from a cult which brainwashed her into thinking the world had ended.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 4
Where to stream it: Netflix
"Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
From the creator of the show Gilmore Girls, my personal favorite, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a great representation of what we all love about Amy Sherman-Palladino shows: lovably quirky characters, fast dialogue, and charming worlds. The story follows a woman in the 1950s with a dream for stand-up comedy.
Genre: Dramedy
Seasons: 2
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
"The Man In The High Castle"
The second Amazon Prime original, The Man In The High Castle is another interesting period piece showing what would have happened if World War II had ended differently. A perfect show for fans of dystopian worlds.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 3
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Hilarious in every way with an amazing ensemble cast, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a comedic take on police procedurals.
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 5
Where to stream: Full series on Hulu
"The Handmaid's Tale"
The Handmaid's Tale is another dystopian story, based on the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood. The show depicts a future where women's rights have been eliminated and America has been taken over by religious fundamentalists. The show is intensely dramatic, exciting to the point of being stressful. With beautiful cinematography and amazing music choices, The Handmaid's Tale will not disappoint.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 2
Where to stream it: Hulu
"Atlanta"
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) shows his talent yet again with Atalnta. He writes, produces, and stars in the FX show which gets a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90% on Metacritic. It follows Alfred Miles, an up-and-coming rapper in Atlanta, Georgia.
Genre: Dramedy
Seasons: 2
Where to stream it: Season 1 on Hulu, new episodes on FX on demand
"The Resident"
Another medical drama, The Resident follows physicians as they go through residency and are faced with the good and bad about working as doctors. Great show for fans of ER, Scrubs, or Grey's Anatomy.
Genre: Drama
Seasons: 2
Where to stream it: Full series on Hulu
"Absentia"
Yet another Amazon original, Absentia shows an FBI agent struggling to reclaim her life after being missing for several years.
Genre: Thriller
Seasons: 1
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video
"You"
You is a new thriller on Lifetime following how far woman's obsessive new boyfriend will go to be closer to her. The show stars a cast full of alums from our old favorite shows: Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl, Shay Mitchel from Pretty Little Liars, and Elizabeth Lail from Once Upon a Time.
Genre: Thriller
Seasons: 1
Where to stream: Lifetime app
"Hannibal"
Again we have an Amazon original. Hannibal is based on the 1999 novel by Thomas Harris. The show follows criminal profiler, Will Graham, as he chases after a serial killer. Fans of the movie, Silence of the Lambs, featuring the titular character Hannibal Lecter, will enjoy the show immensely.
Genre: Thriller
Seasons: 3
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video
Happy binging!
