It’s Sunday night, all your work is done and Netflix is calling your name. It’s the perfect night to start a new show, but the vast expanse of Netflix’s data makes this process much more difficult and lengthy. One minute turns into five and the next thing you know it has been an hour and you are no closer to finding the perfect show. Well, here’s a genre by genre guide to fix your problem.
1. The Best Drama's
Picking the best drama is like picking your favorite child; it’s practically impossible. So with careful deliberation, I have selected the two most equally frustrating and “have you sitting on the edge of your seat” shows. The first is the Netflix Original Series "House of Cards." This is a drama unlike any other, with actor Kevin Spacey who continually “breaks the fourth wall” by turning and talking to the audience directly. If you like politics and all the corruption that comes with it, then you will most definitely enjoy this one. There are currently three seasons available on Netflix, the fourth releasing on March 4, 2016.
If you enjoy “who dun it” murder mysteries, then "How to Get Away with Murder" is your next binge. Unfortunately, there is only one season available on Netflix at the moment, but you can watch the second season on ABC Family. The constant twists and turns provide for an extremely entertaining binge. "How to Get Away with Murder" is a show that will have you stuffing your face full of popcorn because you can’t handle the amount of plot twists.
2. The Edgiest Suspense
If you’re a fan of scaring yourself just a little bit, then you’ll love these next two shows. "Bates Motel" and "American Horror Story" are the kinds of shows you do not want to watch alone, but that’s exactly what you do anyways. The awesome thing about "American Horror Story" is you don’t have to watch every season! Each season has a different storyline and different characters, so repetitiveness will never be a problem. The first four seasons are available on Netflix and the fifth will be up soon.
"Bates Motel" is a show about the early life of Norman Bates, Alfred Hitchcock’s famous antagonist in his 1960 film, "Psycho." It’s the perfect amount of creepy, nail-biting and vindictiveness without getting too scary. The first three seasons are up now.
3. The Trippiest Sci-Fi
If you enjoyed "The Matrix," then you’ll love the Netflix Original Series "Sense8." The Wachowski’s know how to create a masterpiece that will have you questioning your sanity the entire time. "Sense8" is about a group of people around the world who are suddenly linked mentally and are trying to survive being hunted by those who seem them as a threat. The show is no doubt incredibly unique, being shot all over the world. The racial diversity of the main cast and their supporting actors definitely puts the show on unparalleled ground. The first season is available now on Netflix and the second is to premiere in 2017.The next show was made for teen audiences but has gathered a fair amount of adult supporters also. "The 100" is a Sci-Fi series made by the CW based on a book series written by author Kass Morgan. The show begins in space after the world has been bombed into oblivion hundreds of years before. The Arc, the ship in which all of the Earth’s surviving ancestors escaped in, has begun to hit maximum capacity and its rulers send down 100 criminal teenagers to investigate Earth’s unknown terrain or to die trying. The first two seasons are available now on Netflix.
4. The Funniest Comedy
If you need a pick me up or just enjoy comedy TV shows the most, Chelsea Handler’s "Chelsea Does" and Tina Fey’s, "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" are the shows to watch. "Chelsea Does" is a documentary series following American comedian Chelsea Handler as she explores four topics that fascinate her: marriage, racism, Silicone Valley and drugs. The first season is available on Netflix right now.
The Netflix Original Series "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" is a quirky and fun comedy that is unlike any other TV show out now. The protagonist is a young woman who has after fifteen years escaped her life in a cult and decides to take back her life by living in New York City. Even though she is a woman in her thirties, her education and knowledge of the world has not surpassed the grade school level which makes for a lot of interesting situations. It’s hilarious and a whole lot of eccentric, but it’s most definitely worth a try. The first season is available now and the second season premieres on Netflix on April 15, 2016.
5. The Most Interesting Documentaries
For those times when you have the urge to expand your knowledge and probably show it off the next day, documentaries are the best. There are so many topics to pick from on Netflix, it can be a little intimidating. First, I would suggest watching documentaries that appeal to your specific areas of interest, but if that’s failing you then I would suggest Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn’s "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret." "Cowspiracy" is a documentary following the environmental impact that animal agriculture has on the world. It’s just as tragic and eye-opening as the widely popular "Blackfish" and overall a very educating experience.
If you’re looking for lighter material, I would suggest giving "Iris" a try. "Iris" is a biography about style guru, Iris Apfel. It’s an honest and amusing depiction of the older woman and her mammoth collection of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Her collection has been featured in museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and her eclectic taste has been featured on many magazines throughout the world. Apfel’s quirky and dry sense of humor will definitely brighten your day in this fun documentary.
