Streaming Recommendations For Social Distancing

Amazon Prime

We’re bored at home. You’re bored at home. Thank god for Netflix. Let’s stream some stuff!

We’re sharing our favorite television shows and movies that you can stream right now while social distancing. There’s a little something here for every mood and genre, so take a look and discover your next binge-watching project!

What Lindsey is currently working her way through: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

I’m almost through the first season and kicking myself for not starting sooner! The period settings, the sharp dialogue from the Sherman-Palladino team, and of course the costumes. Oh, the costumes! They’re candy colored confections of dresses so gorgeous I’ve been inspired to draw again, that’s how marvelous (ugh, no pun intended) they are.

But enough about the costumes. I’ve quite enjoyed watching this show that’s centered in bygone days that are far removed from our current troubles that it’s a nice escape.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

What Steph is currently working her way through: The Wire and Succession plus shoutout to Devs

So technically, I’ve seen the first two seasons of The Wire as well as the first season of Succession. But now that I have all this time, I definitely should finish the deed. The first season of The Wire really did blow me away, plus one will have such a fun time recognizing some very big stars of today in some early roles! I also enjoy Succession because I love my sadboi Kendall Roy.

The one thing I am actually watching week to week right now is Devs on FX on Hulu, yes one must always say the full FX on Hulu. I really love it, I really do. Atmospheric sci-fi from Alex Garland set in San Francisco? I’m hooked. It’s a disservice to tell you more so just watch it.

The Wire and Succession are available to stream on HBO. Devs is on FX on Hulu.

Lindsey’s go-to comfort TV: Veep and 30 Rock

Yeah, a comedy about the incompetent people that run our highest levels of government may not sound comforting given…*gestures to everything* this, but Veep is so goddamn hilarious and surprisingly removed from real politics given the setting.

30 Rock, on the other hand, is surprisingly political given its setting (that would be 30 Rockefeller Plaza, aka NBC’s headquarters) but it is so far removed from the present day (the first season takes place in the Bush administration, if you want to feel old) that it’s largely harmless.

What really makes these shows constant go-tos for me is that they are deeply hilarious and wonderfully absurd. I find new things to laugh at every time.

Veep is available to stream on HBO. 30 Rock is on Hulu.

Steph’s go-to comfort TV: New Girl

I’m not even going to be shy here, Nick Miller is my dream man. If you want to fall in love with another fictional character, this is the one. This show is very lighthearted and the first two seasons has such a great flirtationship, truly clutching my heart as I think about it. After you watch this, and when we’re allowed to hang out again, let’s play True American!

Also as an overall note, while I hate to admit I am a big Disney fan, I am and Disney+ has brought me such joy. If only they would put on Enchanted, but otherwise, love that I have access to all the movies I grew up watching. Recent personal favorites from the Disney and Pixar library include Inside Out, Wreck-It Ralph, Coco, Frozen, and Zootopia.

New Girl is available to stream on Netflix.

If you’re questioning the current state of our tech-reliant society: Westworld and Devs

One thing that we’ve no doubt become acutely aware of in recent days is both the benefits and the limits of technology. We also, as a society, are probably asking a lot of Big Questions about what is going on in the world, what does it all mean, that type of thing. If you’re feeling extra philosophical and love a good sci fi series, Westworld and Devs are two series that grapple with all sorts of deep questions. What does it mean to be real? Are our actions our own, or are they predetermined by the universe? What are the limits of technology?

These shows may not leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, but sometimes a thoughtful show with a complex mythology helps take the mind off of things, which is its own kind of comfort.

Westworld is available to stream on HBO. Devs is on FX on Hulu.

If you’re already missing your 9 to 5 crew: The Office

The Office is already a go-to for our generation in times of stress, and there has never been a better show that exemplifies the relationship people have to their office jobs, the mundanity and the beauty in the office life. If you are already longing for the days that you’ll be able to return to your cubicle, why not give this classic a try.

P.S. If you’re like me and have already watched The Office a thousand times, try starting a rewatch along with the Office Ladies podcast! It’s hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (aka Pam and Angela) and they share behind-the-scenes secrets and favorite memories from each episode.

The Office is available to stream on Netflix.

If you’re a hopeless romantic: You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally

Sleepless in Seattle? I don’t know her.

But seriously, Meg Ryan and Nora Ephron are a special duo, and these two movies never fail to bring the warm feelings. Plus, let the email relationship in You’ve Got Mail inspire your new quarantine romance! We kid...or do we?

Steph here, I just want to say that my dear roommate said my comfort movie is You’ve Got Mail and I could truly watch it every night. Do it.

When Harry Met Sally is available to stream on Hulu. You’ve Got Mail is available on Amazon Prime.

Other Rom-Com Picks Because Team White Rice Are Saps: Sleeping With Other People, What If, The Big Sick, Crazy Rich Asians, About Time, and Bridesmaids

Okay, there’s a lot going on here, and quite a range of setups in each. Some feature friends becoming more than friends, some are about finding out your boyfriend has an ultra rich family, and some are about time travel?! Rom coms often forget that likable people should be cast, because then why would we care about their relationships? So celebrate the people you love, romantically and platonically, with some of these films! Also grab tissues, these films may make you cry.

Sleeping With Other People and About Time are available to stream on Netflix. What If and The Big Sick are available to stream on Amazon Prime. Crazy Rich Asians and Bridesmaids are available to stream on HBO. 

If you’re on your work-from-home lunch break: YouTube time with Steph!

Dennis Quaid/Ellen Prank
DENNIS QUAID IS HERE! Wow, I cannot believe this video is about to be a decade old. The “in-ear” prank can be annoying at times, but this is just too wholesome and hilarious of a video.

F***ing Ben Affleck
Okay, I just love the weird Jimmy Kimmel/Matt Damon feud a lot. Kimmel responds to a video Damon made with then Kimmel’s girlfriend, Sarah Silverman. Check out all the celebs that make an appearance!

Michael Shannon’s Back To Back Chef for Bon Appétit
I love Michael Shannon so so much. He might be one of the scariest looking actors, but I don’t care. Every performance he’s given, he’s absolutely magnetic, even in this fried chicken cooking demonstration! And honestly now I want all my favorite actors to participate in this. If you aren’t a fan of Michael Shannon, in which shame on you, check the channel for the other stars and personalities that have been featured on Back to Back Chef!

If you’re anxiously watching the stock market: Succession

There is something so wonderful about rich miserable assholes being rich and miserable and being assholes to one another. Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and all that, but boy, does The Roy family take the cake on that one. The show is billed as an intense family drama, and it does have some immensely depressing King Lear stuff going on, but it really transcends to another level when you start looking at it as a comedy. This family has everything and they’re still miserable, and frankly that whole concept is hilarious.

Succession is available to stream on HBO.

If you want a show you can binge in a weekend: Enlightened, Fleabag, Russian Doll, Shrill, and High Fidelity

Not only are all these shows amazing (seriously, if you haven’t watched Fleabag by now what have you been doing?) but you can watch them all in under 10 hours, making them super easy views! These series may all feature a 30(ish) minute runtime that tricks you into thinking they’re lighthearted comedies, but they are full of some of my favorite, most cathartic moments on television, maybe ever. And you cannot consider yourself part of the Laura Dern Hive if you slept on Enlightened, so get on that!

Enlightened is available to stream on HBO, Fleabag is on Amazon Prime, Russian Doll is on Netflix, and Shrill and High Fidelity are on Hulu.