When you’re a kid, summer is the best. When you’re in college, that might not be true. Some kids go from playing outside everyday as a kid to having to work everyday and save money for the upcoming school year. But there is always time to binge watch some TV shows. This summer when you aren’t working, taking classes or doing whatever you do, check out some of this awesome shows. Here are my top TV shows to watch.
First, the Honorable Mentions:
- “House of Cards”: Frank and Claire Underwood are legends, what more do you need?
- “Cheers”: “The Office” of the 80s except in a bar.
- “Big Little Lies”: Amazing cast, interesting story. Think moms of kids at private schools.
- “11.22.63”: James Franco’s character goes back in time to stop JFK’s Assassination.
- “This Is Us”: You will cry, a lot.
- “Twin Peaks”: Small town’s prom queen is found murdered. Who, or what, did it? 1990’s thriller that just returned after 25 years.
10. “Regular Show” – Hulu
This show is perfect for a summer binge. That’s why it’s leading off my list. “Regular Show” just had its series finale last year. It ran for eight seasons on Cartoon Network. Episodes are only 11 minutes and there was one movie that ran over an hour. The show is about two guys in their early 20’s who work at a park. They slack off and mess around, a lot. Mordecai and Rigby are lifelong best friends who are just trying to find their way and have fun. Their boss yells at them all the time but they always manage to learn a good lesson each episode. This show is goofy, funny and witty. It looks like a kids show but I can assure you it isn’t. Check it out.
9. “Seinfeld” – Hulu
There’s always been the argument, “Friends” or “Seinfeld?” The shows are similar and different in a way. If you liked “Friends,” you might like “Seinfeld” too. “Seinfeld” is about absolutely nothing. Think I’m kidding? Search it, it was called the show about nothing. It’s four friends who live in New York City and hang out all the time. They talk, judge and do things that are viewed as unethical. It’s a great show and it tackles real life conversations and actions. Definitely worth watching.
8. “BoJack Horseman” – Netflix
Here is a tough one. The philosophy of this show is rather dark and depressing but this show is very real at times. BoJack Horseman is a horse that was a huge TV star in a show that was much like “Full House.” Now, years later, he lives in “Hollywood” doing nothing but drinking and watching reruns of his old show. He deals with a lot of things like his upbringing by his parents, his rise to fame, his downfall and more. If you want a show that truly shows the ugly side of life, this is the show for you.
7. “Big Mouth” – Netflix
Feeling nostalgic? “Big Mouth” is the perfect show if you miss middle school. Warning, this show is vulgar, and I mean it’s pretty messed up. But it’s real. It’s a cartoon about some kids going through puberty and life as a teen. I won’t say too much about this one but it is hilarious and spot on.
6. “Westworld” – HBO
If you read the Setonian last month you would have seen my article about this show. Season 2 just started. “Westworld” takes place in the future where people don’t just go to the beach for vacation. They go to Westworld! There, a human enters a western theme park full of Artificial Intelligence robots that look and act human but don’t know that they aren’t. The cast is great. And one of the robots, known as hosts, is on a journey to reach consciousness. It’s different and very interesting.
5. “Wet Hot American Summer” (Movie and TV Shows) – Netflix
Ready for some more nostalgia? This is full of it. Not only will it send you back to summer camp but back to some of your favorite actors’ and actresses’ first big roles.
First, watch the movie from 2001. I’d name the cast but it would take way too long. There are at least 10-12 recognizable and well-known actors and actresses in this film. It’s pretty crazy. It’s dry humor but it’s seriously hilarious.
Then watch the first show, “First Day of Camp,” from 2015. Here is the prequel TV to the movie. Almost all of the cast returned.
Lastly, watch the final show, “Ten Years Later” from 2017. The sequel to the original. The movie ended with a “let’s meet here ten years from now” and they did.
This can be hit or miss but, if anything, watch the movie. It’s pretty cool to see how all these famous actors and actresses got their big break.
4. “Stranger Things” – Netflix
If you haven’t heard of this show, you live under a rock. Do I even need to talk about this one? Okay… It’s the 1980s, four nerdy friends are hanging out and then one goes missing. But he isn’t missing on this world. Somewhere else? While looking for their friend they find a new one named Eleven. She has powers and the government is searching for her. This is the ultimate modern day adventure show to binge. I watched Season 1 in one sitting. I think I got up once just to eat. It is addicting. The “just one more episode” won’t stop coming out of your mouth until you finish.
3. “Gravity Falls” – Hulu
I’d put this first but… It would be way too biased because it is probably my favorite show that not many people have watched. “Gravity Falls” was on Disney XD for two seasons. The show is a complete story. It didn’t run too long because the creator wanted the show to end the way he wanted. “Gravity Falls” takes place in Oregon in a small town called, yeah, you guessed it! Gravity Falls. Twins Dipper and Mabel go to live with their Great Uncle Stan for the summer. The town of Gravity Falls is full of anomalies. Dipper finds a journal that has a hand with six fingers on it and the number three in the middle. The journal contains facts about the anomalies of Gravity Falls. The rest of summer Dipper and his twin sister Mabel search for the author, go on adventures and deal with many weird creatures along the way. I promise you, this show is a must watch.
Oh and “Gravity Falls” has a connection with the “Rick and Morty” Universe! Which leads to the next show.
2. “Rick and Morty” – Hulu
“Rick and Morty.” This is the show. It’s ranked No. 8 on best TV shows of all-time on IMDb. “Rick and Morty” started off as a joke. Creator Justin Roiland wanted to make a spoof of “Back to the Future.” It was vulgar and dirty. But it led to “Rick and Morty.”
Grandpa Rick returns to his family and moves in with his daughter, her husband and two kids. Rick takes his grandson Morty on adventures through the universe. Well, universes. “Rick and Morty” has its own philosophy and theories on space and how the universe works. Roiland voices both Rick and Morty and it is hilarious. Watch one episode and I promise you will want to watch more. The relationships in the show are very in depth, especially the marriage of Morty’s parents. Oh and I forgot to tell you, there are an infinite amount of Rick and Morty’s as their theory is there are infinite realities. But, this Rick is the “Rickest Rick” and “smartest” to say the least.
Season 3 just ended and everyone is waiting for Adult Swim to renew it for the fourth.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Morty as he talks to his sister who is trying to run away:
“Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s gonna die. Come watch TV.”
Watch the show! Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!
1. “The Office” – Netflix
This is an obvious one. If you haven’t seen “The Office” from start to finish, then what are you waiting for? I’d honestly say that about 9/10 people love this show. “The Office” was big when it was on TV and once it got put on Netflix, it exploded to the high school and college students as an audience. “The Office” has it all: a crazy boss, a hopeless love story, a kiss-up, a prankster and so much more. The first season may be a little tough to get through, but Season 2 picks up and does not stop. Even the later seasons that are criticized as not as funny are still good. Lastly, the final six episodes are some of the most beautiful pieces of television I have ever watched. You will laugh a lot at this show and maybe even shed a tear or two.
Published By: Paige Parise