Sophie (Chanko) Dare

Netflix has become a faithful friend for people everywhere during these many weeks of quarantine. So if any of y'all are burned out by the overwhelming amount of choices of things to watch, here are some ideas for your next favorite TV show!

Arrested Development

Available on Netflix & Hulu

This quickly took the top spot for me as one of my all-time favorite comedic shows. From its start in 2003, AD is absolutely wacky, brilliantly written, and never fails to deliver a great laugh. The way the writers weave so many different characters and storylines together in the funniest way possible is just amazing- I only watched this series through a couple of months ago, and I'm already missing it and want to re-watch!

Stars: Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Portia DeRossi

Sue Thomas, FB-Eye

Available on Amazon Prime Video

This show is nostalgic for me; me and my family watched it through many years ago when I was a kid, and it was the first time I really fell in love with a show. It follows a woman who is deaf and communicates by reading lips, and, with the help of her service dog and her friends, becomes a successful and useful FBI agent. It's got heart and you really grow to love the characters and their journeys throughout the show.

Person of Interest

Available on Netflix

This show will get you on the edge of your seat and keep you there! It takes place in a world where a machine exists that can predict when someone will be the victim of a violent crime. A small group of highly trained vigilantes then must track those people down and save them. It has many twists and unexpected turns, and blurs the lines of the real world and the mysterious powers of the machine.

Stars: Jim Caviezel, Taraji P. Henson

Blue Bloods

Available on Netflix & CBS All Access

Okay, okay, I know this is a show that everyone's grandma likes, but it's GOOD, OKAY?? It centers around a whole family who works in public justice: police officers, attorneys, and homicide detectives, all headed up by their father, the police commissioner. It's a great show that combines the suspenseful business of solving crime with social issues and navigating a tight-knit family.

Stars: Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck

Bojack Horseman

Available on Netflix

A disclaimer: I'm only on Season 3 of this show currently (out of six), so I can't give a completely fleshed out opinion yet. However, I can't deny there's something really special about this show. It's sometimes funny and ridiculous, with punny jokes, visual gags, pop culture references, and of course, the fact that it takes place in a universe where animals and humans interact on the same level.

But it also deals with serious, heavy, and important themes that aren't usually addressed in funny, animated TV shows, like alcohol and drug addiction, the pressures of fame, taking responsibility for your own (big) mistakes, the difficulties of marriage, pregnancy, asexuality, and depression, I could go on. It strikes an incredible balance between weird comedy and real-life issues, and that in itself is quite impressive.

Stars: Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris

Parks & Rec

Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, & Hulu

This one is just plain funny- it's very lighthearted, well-written, and pretty ridiculous at times. Amy Poehler plays a super-duper-over-achieving woman who is passionate about her job in the Pawnee, Indiana Parks Department. All of the characters are so hilarious in their own way, and their interactions are the highlight of the show.

Stars: Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza

The Office

Available on Netflix

I shouldn't have to explain this one much; it's one of the most popular comedy shows out there, and I've seen it many times and still never get sick of it.

Stars: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson

Stranger Things

Available on Netflix

Now THIS is a show that is 100% worth the hype. If you're a fan of sci-fi or thriller shows and haven't seen this yet, I recommend it unequivocally. I don't think any other show has ever gotten me hooked and got my adrenaline pumping like this one did. The second season is my personal favorite, but each one has a distinct storyline and the characters go through a lot of development and dynamic changes. It's funny, it's scary, it's interesting, and I just love it.

Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery, Winona Rider

Thanks for reading!