Are you someone like me when you spend your days off from work and school watching Netflix instead of partying. Well if you are that is ok. Wipe those tears and chip crumbs from your face. Television is amazing and with Netflix allowing you to stream great T.V shows is the best thing since the dog face filter on snapchat. There are a few television shows that will make you laugh, cry, and LEARN. Yes that lovely word. People always say that TV is useless and melts your brains…no lasers actually melt your brains, TV is GOOD! I have learned so much from television and here are five great TV shows you can binge watch and learn. The only time you get to learn and don’t have to take any tests for it.

1. The Office

This beautiful show captivated my heart with the variety of amazing characters that taught me something during their 9 season run. Pam taught me stand up for yourself and it is ok to change as long as it is the better good for you. Jim taught me to never give up. Kelly taught me to be flawless and just be an amazing individual while having fun. Dwight taught me that sometimes being a butt to someone really means they care for you a lot. Meredith taught me how to be a fun alcoholic. Angela taught me that having pets as children is the best thing ever. Finally, Michael Scott taught me to have a heart of gold in everything you do in life. He might have been an ignorant person, but there were numerous times where his heart of gold has shined and I really enjoyed it. He is like the Uncle you just want to see once a year. This show has also taught me that whatever you are a part of, you are family. These people worked together for the past 9 years from 9-5 and they became a family. They saw families form, changes be made, heartbreaks, and more. Whenever someone was doing something like an art show, wedding, party, and etc they were always there together. That really warms my heart and makes the future in my career as an educator much more rewarding when those moments come to life.

2. Grace and Frankie

This show is one of the Netflix’s originals that has graced the interwebs. It is about these two 70-year-old women whose life does a complete uturn. Their husbands leave each other so they can finally be the lovers of this 20 year hidden affair. This brings two complete polar opposites together to handle the after effect of this switch of their family. What I learn from this show is that it is never too late to date again. The characters enter the dating field at 70 and are still getting freaky action (which leads to some funny plots in the two seasons). It also teaches you that age is just a number. These women are at an age where most people consider old and doing nothing. These ladies are doing EVERYTHING and it is really cool to see that especially where getting old is my biggest fear. I just have to live an enjoyable life and treat my body well to ensure that when I’m 70 I will still be having fun even when I was 20. Overall this show taught me that it is never too late for adventure, don’t let your age be a factor in doing the things you want to do in life, and life might throw a nasty curve ball at you at any time in your life, but you can still bounce back from it and hit a grand slam. Which this leads to another amazing show that you can learn from.

3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a show about a girl who was abducted by this creepy cult man at the age of 15 and 15 years later she finally gets to start back life. This show has amazing one liners that can boost positivity all around which was brilliant writing from the amazing Tina Fey (who is amazing in this show as well in her guest appearances). One thing I learned from this show is that always stay positive. Kimmy has been dealt with a horrible hand of cards for her life, but she has played them the best that she can and is always putting a smile on it. You can make a drinking game with how many times she has smiled so hard and said positive things. Great experience…not for your liver. Besides Kimmy, the other ensemble of amazing characters just warms my heart and makes me chuckle every second. Jacqueline and her rich attire makes me strive to be like her one day. A strong independent person who lives the world she wants to live in and not what others want. Titus who taught me that it is ok to let the past go and live the life you want. Finally, we have Lillian who taught me that…well she is just amazing. She taught me that I want to be like her one day. Free spirited and just so dam funny. Overall this show, just like Grace and Frankie taught me that it is never too late to live your life. Kimmy spent 15 years in a bunker away from the world. Now she is 30 and instead of moping and being a wino, she is having the time of her life. So if you ever get kidnap or decide to just be in a bed coma for a long time…it is all good. You can get up and keep on living the amazing life you live.

4. Saturday Night Live

This sketch comedy show that has been on the air for 41 seasons is just pure gold. Yes there are some hit or miss moments, but this show has taught me that I can learn from comedy. Pop culture and politics can get confusing, but SNL has taught me to get a better understanding of them. Some of their jokes I have no clue, but I did my research and now I’m dying laughing. This show has also brought my love for Sarah Palin…the character to an all-time high. Tina Fey played her beautifully. I do admit sometimes their jokes might be a tad biased (I am reading their book so maybe I can get more info on that) so when watching just be open minded and such. Plus also I do enjoy how they make fun/call out important issues that the media keeps on covering and it is such a shame on them (the media). There are far worse things going on in our world, but it is ok I need to know what Kim Kardashian is doing since that is the staple of the American Media. Overall this show has showed me that you can make a point across on an issue while being funny instead of boring…which is why no one pays attention to those. An example of this, youtube the video Your Second Wife. Watch, Life, and then feel bad about our society.

5. Parks and Recreation

Saving the best for last. This show has taught me to be the person I am today. Someone who is driven hard in the things I am passionate about. Leslie Knope is a beautiful character who I wished was real. I strive to be like her every day and yes that does sound crazy, but if you see the things she has done, you would do the same as well. It is hard finding people who can enjoy what they do and make it fun for everyone. Season 1 everyone hated their jobs besides Leslie, but by the end of the series every single person who she worked with appreciated their work and that was amazing. I could spend numerous days talking about what you can learn from this amazing show, but I rather you (yes you the reader) watch it and get that amazing feeling that I get when I watch this show all the time. DO NOTE! Season 1 is dry, but Season 2 gets nice a juicy with amazing things.

Television is all about entertainment. Writers, producers, and directors want to make things that can entertain people and let them enjoy their 30 mins or 1 hour on the couch or bed. Now good writers, producers, and directors work hard to make their shows both enjoyable and learnable. With so many hidden messages and life skills, it makes beautiful work on our screens and these shows have captivated my heart and mind with things I will take and cherish through the rest of my life and I can’t wait to see what is ahead in the amazing world of television.