Between labs, tutorials, early lectures, assignments, and a lot BEvERages it’s amazing how we can still make time for our favourite shows. Luckily watching a quick 30-60 minute episode of a show you love with friends is a great way to relieve stress. Besides who says you can’t multi-task when watching them? In fact, I am watching the newest episode of The Office as I write this. I’m currently following four shows and, based on many recommendations, will be increasing that number, if not now, then by the start of my next co-op term. Here are a few shows I follow and have had been recommended to me by friends.
How I Met Your Mother
Mondays at 8:00pm on CBS
This sitcom is the favourite of many mainly thanks to its iconic character, Barney Stinson, played by Neil Patrick Harris. It is currently on its 6th season and does not seem to be slowing down. The show, for those who have been stuck under a rock for the past several years, is of a father, Ted, played by Josh Radnor, telling his kids the story of how he met their mother. Six seasons later and he still has yet to reveal who the mother is or how he met her. Every episode is a flashback that follows the life of a group of five friends in their late 20s living in New York City. Barney is essentially the bro-code in human form; he is a womanizer who carries out many strategies to meet women, sleep with them, and then leave them the next day without having to hear from them again. Ted, the father telling the story to his children, is an architect always thinking about finding the one he will settle down with. Lilly and Marshall are soul mates who met during their first year of college and have been with one another since. Marshall is a Lawyer while Lilly is a kindergarten school teacher. Robin is a news reporter and has been in relationships with Ted and Barney. That is all I can say without spoiling anything.
The Big Bang Theory
Thursdays at 8:00pm on CBS
A sitcom which follows the lives of three geeky scientists, a horny engineer (fuck yeah), and a waitress living next door who aspires to become an actress. The show is focuses on an audience made up of science lovers, geeks, gamers, the tech-savvy, and individuals who waste too much time on Wikipedia. BBT seems to target a more general audience in later seasons as the number of geeky jokes and references have decreased. I personally prefer the first season above the rest but still watch the show for the few geek references in each episode which I have come to love. The show takes place in California, specifically in Sheldon and Leonard’s, a theoretical physicist with severe OCD and a experimental physicist, apartment next door to Penny’s, the not-so-smart love interest of Leonard, apartment for the majority of the time. Their friends, Howard, a horny engineer living with his mom who consistently fails at picking up women, and Raj, an Indian particle astrophysicist who lacks the ability to speak to women, visit often and are also co-workers to Sheldon and Leonard. Sheldon is the favourite character for most and after watching just one episode you’ll understand why.
Community
Thursdays at 8:00pm on NBC
This is my personal favourite comedy on television at the moment and, unlike the rest of the shows on this list, I watch on television instead of obtaining it legally on the computer at a later time. It is only on its second season and has already become quite popular due to great advertising but mainly due to its amazing first season that did not have a single disappointing episode. The show follows a group of students of all ages at a community college who form a study group for Spanish class and become a close group of friends. For those familiar with Derrickcomedy from YouTube, you will recognize Troy, one of the major characters of the show, and some of the other members of Derrickcomedy who make occasional appearances. The group works together to pass Spanish and survive college life in general. Each member of the study group carries their own and working together they offer a great comedic team put in hilarious situations throughout their first year. No one character is iconic to the series but three of them do stick out. Abed and Troy make for an amazing duo that never ceases to entertain whenever they are together. The third is Pierce whose stupidity and lack of common sense makes any moment in the series go from LOL funny to ROTFLMAO funny.
Modern Family
Wednesdays at 9:00pm on ABC
A sitcom mockumentary that follows the lives of three families connected together through events and other characters. The families must deal with antics, adventures, and mishaps during a day for each episode. I don’t know too much about the show but two of my roommates are hooked onto it and have recommended it on several occasions (not realizing they have already recommended it to me a dozen times). The show is only on its second season and has already won big awards including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. I hope to begin watching after exams are done and see what all the hype is about.
The Office
Thursdays at 9:00pm on NBC
Another mockumentary that is nearing its end as it is beginning to slow down. It was also announced that this is the final season we will see the main character Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell. The show is about the everyday lives of office employees working for a paper company and their ridiculous boss. The show is in its 7th season and seems to be slowing down now. Views on it vary but most claiming it peaked in its 3rd-4th seasons. It has not gone too far downhill from there but is not quite as thrilling and dramatic. I still follow the show but if they add another season I will surely quit because it will not be the same without Steve Carell.
GLEE
Tuesdays at 8:00pm on Fox
A musical comedy-drama that has captured the hearts of many and is even played at POETS every Tuesday for engineers to enjoy. It focuses on a high school show choir and drama in the lives of teenagers and teachers associated with the club. You will hear of those who dislike the show but yet watch it due to the great voices and songs covered in each episode. If you check YouTube the day after an episode airs you will notice that many of the top videos are song covers preformed by the GLEE cast members. I did watch several episodes but it was not quite my cup of tea (I’m picky about tea) but I still listen to song covers. Most people who like GLEE LOVE it and can’t get enough of it. Watch a few episodes and decide for yourself.
There are many more shows that you should look into as well, including 30 Rock, Madmen, and Two and a Half Men.
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