1. Brooklyn Nine Nine

Arguably the best show OF ALL TIME (unpopular opinion but people who still like Friends need to get a move on already and get to better shows), it is a comedy about cops but at the same time, it's a show about everything else too.

Besides having a gay black man (in a position of power) to exist without his sexuality defining his entire character, Brooklyn Nine-Nine also does a great job handling other topics such as institutional racism, gender roles/feminism, and corruption in the system.

Although primarily a comedic show, the directors, writers, and producers take special care to tell these stories respectfully and correctly. They work with people who have actually experienced these situations (like Terry Crews in the racial profiling episode, or Stephanie Beatriz in the coming-out episode) to show an authentic and serious narrative.

What are you still doing here? Go watch it right now.

2. Black-ish

Unafraid to deal with hard topics, Black-ish is truly a show that is not just about a family that happens to be black but a black family and how that affects their day-to-day lives. Whether discussing the n-word or the differences between Black and White churches, the Johnsons are honest about who they are and keep us laughing and thinking time and again.

There is a spin-off from this show called Grown-ish that deals with college struggles that is on my list to watch, I presume it is of similar quality.

3. Sense8

This show broke so many barriers and gave us beauty in it's most raw form in terms of overcoming challenges to figure out who you are, who you want to be, and how to bridge that gap.

The character Nomi (played by trans actress Jamie Clayton in a show helmed by trans writers/directors, the Wachowskis) has a family who refuses to acknowledge her as the woman she is – a definite nod to the difficulty many trans people face when trying to be their authentic selves. Nomi is one of several characters in the sci-fi drama who identify as LGBT but whose stories and lives are built around so much more than sexuality and gender identity.

Honestly, Sense8 is one of the most beautifully made shows ever in terms of aesthetics, diversity (that is not token diversity filled with stereotypes), and fantastic plot. If you have to choose to watch one of the shows here, I'd start with Sense8.

4. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

With Homecoming King, his critically acclaimed 2017 stand-up comedy special (WATCH IT RIGHT NOW, you will not regret it), Minhaj made adept use of premade visuals to aid his jokes, stories, and talking points. Patriot Act does the same, though with bigger and brighter presentations contained within smaller, highly focused 23-minute chunks.

It is a highly addicting format and Minhaj keeps it fresh and woke by discussing topics that are important to discuss and aren't being given importance to. Educating the audience about topics that are crucial to know about and at the same time, keeping it entertaining by providing comedic commentary? What a niche he has captured and it is working out very well.

If you start watching, you can't stop.

5. One Day at a Time

I really don't know what to tell you if you haven't watched One Day At a Time. First of all, it is literally amazing so wow, you are missing out and second of all, you need to get with the times already.

ODAAT is a pitch-perfect family sitcom with heart and soul. And while some shows decline in quality as seasons progress, it only got better in delivering laughs and boundary-pushing conversations. There are few shows like it that make anxiety and alcoholism a recurring topic, instead of just a Very Special Episode. Plus, it's damn funny and that's a testament to the writers, showrunners, directors, as well as the actors.

While One Day at a Time is a perfect embodiment of this era of television — smart, boundary-pushing, inclusive and a necessary beacon of hope — how unfortunate it is there aren't more shows like it on air. By picking up on this present moment in culture in which inclusivity isn't just a buzzword but inching ever closer to a given, One Day at a Time is helping set the tone for that desired future.

Watch it right now, like RIGHT NOW.

6. Grace and Frankie

Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie is the story of two women in their '70s whose husbands come out as gay and have fallen in love with each other. We follow Grace and Frankie, who move in together and see their personalities clash but also get a glimpse into the lives of the two ex-husbands Robert and Sol and all their children.

The reason Grace and Frankie is so funny is because the creators aren't scared to try anything including seeing how many times they can use the word "vagina" in one episode. Frankie is a character who will say exactly what she's thinking without caring who's around to hear it. She's a liberal woman who keeps in constant touch with her feelings and thinks everyone else should too. Grace, on the other hand, is very conservative and has many walls that only intensify when her husband leaves her.

What makes the show so hilarious is how frank and honest it is about so many issues, but more specifically aging as a woman which is not something I have EVER seen on a TV show. It's a slice of life show which shows us how hard change is and how crucial it is to embrace it. After all, life doesn't end after 30 or 40—in many cases, it's just beginning—and it's clear that Grace, Frankie, Sol, and Robert have a lot more life (and hopefully several more seasons) left in them.

7. The Bold Type

Sure, not all of us work for a global women's magazine, but many of the issues the Scarlet ladies face are the same as any of us. Jane is struggling with her confidence, Kat is exploring her identity, and Sutton just wants to be taken seriously in an industry that can be tough to crack. They're not perfect, they make mistakes, and they have to work through them -- just like the rest of us.

This show also brings people of color at the forefront, giving them a personality and their own motives. Not only does it promote gender equality, but it also has unapologetic LGBTQ+ representation. The Bold Type addresses hard topics like immigration issues and sexual assault.

The show explores difficult topics with ease and depicts what struggles people face once they graduate into the "real world." This show has it all: drama, justice, issues, adulthood problems, friendship, trust, and everything else.

Trust me, you need to see it.