Since I started this personal blog, technology has shifted the way we view television. The rise of streaming (and the platforms that facilitate it) has led media companies to tell longer, more complete stories through TV series. As a result, binging permits us to immerse ourselves into stories over a few days or weeks. Just in case you’re curious, these are the shows I’d suggest. Presented in no particular order.
SNL. Obviously Saturday Night Live isn’t bingeable but it is an institution. It first aired the year I was born. Since my junior high days, I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every episode. There’s a lot of comedy shows in my list that trace their origins back to SNL. It’s been the biggest influencer of American comedy in my lifetime.
Community. Just finished another rewatch. Still holds up.
Chernobyl. More of a miniseries, it is gripping television about a horrible tragedy.
ScrubsThe Office. It was a game changer. I slogged through the British version years ago, but the American expression was far more inpactful.
The Crown. The idea of recasting characters every few seasons allowed for broad storytelling.
Ted Lasso. Did this series make Apple TV?
Freaks and Geeks. Judd Apatow’s commentary on high school life is awkward but honest.The Wire. It’s a tough watch, but it’s absolutely brilliant.
I Think You Should Leave. A sketch comedy masterpiece. It’s not for everyone.
The Good Place. A comedic view of our eternal destinies.
Daredevil. Even the new Marvel seasons are strong.
The Righteous Gemstones. A thoughtful critique of evangelical Christianity but it’s definitely not Sunday School appropriate.
V. This mid-80’s television series about an alien invasion was the coolest thing from my childhood.
Succession. A look at an affluent family who you despise but want to root for?
Atlanta. From his work in Community, Donald Glover honed his skills to create a show that follows in the awkward-comedy genre.
Breaking Bad. I don’t have to describe how good it is.
Better Call Saul. See above.
New Girl. Zooey Daschanel was outshone by the ensemble.
30 Rock. Tiny Fey hit on all cylinders with this one.
Loki. There are some tremendous Marvel TV series, but this one was able to redefine an entire character.
Happy Endings. My favorite obscure comedy series. It’s special.
The West Wing. Aaron Sorken was understood the assignment.
Seinfeld. The show about nothing was/is comedy genius.
Barry. Bill Hader took his SNL skills and went dark.
Mad Men. A period piece that speaks to modern sensibilities.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. A maligned Sorken offering inspired by SNL.
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Another Tina Fey gem.
Andor. It’s brilliance surpasses the Star Wars universe. it’s just great TV.
Schitts Creek. It can be slow, but it’s a relaxing binge.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It’s such a comedy outlier, but it works.
John Adams. Made a lesser known founding father more fascinating.
The Pitt. It’s bold to call this after two seasons, but it’s one of the greats.
Veep. Unfortunately, it’s more believable now than it should be.
The Amazing Race. Of all the reality TV shows created in the early 2000’s, this is the only one I continue to watch.
Sherlock. It was well conceived and casted.
Severance. Since it’s still in production, it could drop off but it’s so good.
Scrubs. Bill Lawrence created the best bingeable comedy.
Key & Peele. MADTV was an SNL rival created by Fox. It was solid sketch comedy but more importantly it gave us this show.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Never could’ve imagined Andy Samberg could carry a show.
Last Week Tonight. John Oliver built on the Daily Show and the Colbert Report to give us a humorous but thoughtful view of news events.
Abbott Elementary. Takes the Office/Parks&Rec genre and keeps it lively.
The Chappelle Show. Dave unfiltered was ahead of its time.
Last Man of Earth. Will Forte is my favorite. Incredibly conceived.
Friends. I don’t enjoy it as much as I used to, but it’s part of my vernacular.
Shrinking. Another Bill Lawrence show that combines comedy and heart.
How I Met Your Mother. So good for so long. Just don’t watch the last episode.
The Simpsons. I haven’t stayed up-to-date in recent years, but this show created a genre that continues to go strong today.
Stranger Things. Also missed on the ending but you can’t deny that early seasons were fantastic.
Arrested Development. Comedy gold but the delayed later seasons were lacking.
Flight of the Concords. Added if only for the music.
The Cosby Show. Obviously this is a tough addition, but it was perhaps the most influential show of my childhood. If you’re somehow able to separate it from the misdeeds of the showrunner, and it’s such a wholesome offering. It was so good but now makes me sad.