If you’re anything like me, the onset of winter weather means one thing: hibernation. For those days and nights when you can’t even fathom opening the door to get the mail, Netflix is your salvation. Forget the stinging of the midwinter wind on your cheeks – instead, go for the stinging of your eyes as your brain melts from too much screen time.
One of the wonderful things about Netflix is that there is literally something for everyone. You want an animated kids show? Sure. You want a documentary about violent drug wars? You can have that too. All in the same place.
My family has long since marveled at my eclectic taste in TV and film. My media-critic brother, Matt, laughs at the fact that my favorite movies range from How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and Grease to Blow, American Gangster and Munich.
With that in mind, I think I’m pretty capable of giving Netflix recommendations to a wide range of personalities.
Without further ado, here are my top binge-worthy Netflix TV shows for every mood.
Shows to fall asleep to:
New Girl
It took me a long time to get on the New Girl train, but boy, am I glad I did. I watched the first four seasons this past summer, and I’ve been waiting impatiently for the current season to debut on Netflix ever since. Jess will have you embracing your own quirkiness, while roommate Nick will leave you wanting to embrace him.
Baby Daddy
This show is so awful that it’s great. It makes you feel like you can do anything you set your mind to if these people are getting paid to act. But the corny jokes and loud laugh track make this the perfect show for those mindless nights when you just want to veg out. Plus, one of the lead actors is a Type 1 diabetic in real life, just like me! Doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous, either.
Friends
I know. Obviously, right? But, I will admit that I never used to see the appeal. I would catch a few minutes of the reruns on TV late at night, but I never really got why it was so popular. I finally decided to watch from start to finish and realized that it’s pretty darn great. That, and that I need some “friends” of my own.
Shows to stay up late to:
Mad Men
I love immersing myself in decades gone by. The outfits, the slang, the social scene. Mad Men gives you a glimpse into the late fifties and the sixties – the good, the bad and the ugly. There are so many characters you’ll love to hate and hate to love. I’m lookin’ at you, Don Draper.
Chasing Life
I’ve dedicated an entire post to this one before. It has since been cancelled, which makes steam come out of my ears. As I tell anyone who will listen, this was one of the last good shows with a lesson. We have enough reality TV and all that crap. Why does every show with morals and a storyline get canceled?!
Friday Night Lights
Let’s pretend that the last 1.5 seasons don’t exist. Once you get rid of those monstrosities, you can truly enjoy the goodness that is FNL. High school in Texas – football, relationships, bad decisions, Tim Riggins… what more could you ask for in a show? The answer is nothing.
Shows to have nightmares from:
Narcos
As I revealed above, I love a good drug show. I’ll just blame it on growing up with two older brothers, even though in reality I appreciate a drug drama more than they do. Narcos is dark, violent, and based on the true story of Pablo Escobar and the Colombian drug cartel. Grab the popcorn.
Breaking Bad
Oh. Em. Gee. I just finished binging this one. I finished all five seasons in less than a month. Let’s just say I didn’t get a lot of sleep. I’ll admit that the beginning didn’t totally grip me, but as the show went on I felt myself bursting with emotion. This show isn’t for the faint of heart – or the anxiety-ridden, but I broke that rule. By the end of the last season I was feeling pretty unstable. Get ready to combust.
Orange is the New Black
If you haven’t started OITNB by now, you’ve got some serious issues. Throw on your orange onesie and get ready to serve some time. I promise your time behind bars (uh, the screen?) will fly by, though. Relish it.
Have any must-binge recommendations for me? Let me know! And as my brother always reminds me when I get too wrapped up in TV, don’t forget to go outside and get some air.
Colorfully Yours,
Haley
