Unless you’ve been living under a rock since it first premiered on Netflix in 2020, then I’m sure you’ll be familiar with this one. As someone who watched the first season mid-pandemic, it was the perfect binge-watch to stick my teeth into when I had ample time on my hands. Undoubtedly though, the episodes are long and often slow-paced, meaning that if you’re only just starting it now, with university deadlines getting in the way of a good binge, you’re probably going to find it difficult to get into. For both seasons one and two, most of the action doesn’t start until episode three or four, so my suggestion would be to start the show at a time when you can binge a couple of episodes to really get into it. With the first half of season three set to premiere in May, now is the perfect time to trust the process and stick with it. I would also argue it has a spring-time aesthetic, making it the perfect show to watch as we look forward to the longer days ahead.
If you’re an avid sitcom fan like me, you’ve probably seen this show in your Netflix recommendations. In the first season, I often wondered if it was worth persevering with, due to the peculiar, and sometimes unlikeable characters. However, the good news is, it gets better! I can officially declare that once you get to know the characters and their unusual backstory, you will love it. With six juicy seasons to get stuck into, the show is nothing short of hilarious, and the ending will have you in tears. Patrick and David’s love story is one of the greatest, and even if the rest of the show were dull, I would still recommend the show.
As difficult as it is to admit, New Girl’s first episode left me unimpressed. The protagonist, Jess, is a bit of an oddball and somewhat unlikeable before you get to know her. But it’s Schmidt, Nick and Winston’s characters that will make you wonder why you ever bothered watching another show. The show is currently available on Disney+, and if you haven’t watched it (seriously, what are you doing?), I strongly suggest you go do that right now. Like, right now. Stop reading this article and go and watch it.
Surprise, surprise, another sitcom (sorry). Now, I won’t lie, the first season of this show comes across as very dated when you watch it in 2024, and it’s often criticised for trying to replicate the UK original too much. But once you get to know the unique characters, and Jim and Pam’s romance blossoms, it will quickly become a comfort show.
You might recognise this one from the beloved classic, Anne of Green Gables. Well, Netflix’s adaptation is just as beloved to me and many others. The first episode is nearly 90 minutes long, and by the end, you’ll probably still not be entirely sold, but this series is a gem and one you should not give up on. Its final and third season is arguably its best, and you will be wholeheartedly satisfied with its ending.
With its concerning episode titles and truly awful characters, this show is not exactly for the faint-hearted. But, once you realise the show is made for you to laugh at the characters, and not with them, it will quickly become the funniest show you’ve ever watched. Sure, it’s often gross, offensive, and downright weird, but considering it has sixteen seasons, it must be worth a watch, right? If you decide to watch it from the start, I recommend at least getting to season two, when Danny DeVito joins the cast, before deciding if it’s your cup of tea. Alternatively, if the thought of sixteen seasons is too daunting for you, the best thing about this show is that you can watch any episode with zero context, and it will still be hilarious.