A Time Capsule of Quarantine Streaming
By: Chris Booth
Tags: Netflix, Quarantine, Streaming, Quarantine Diaries, Quarantinelife

The world went into lockdown, and we all turned on the same shows.

We were all stuck inside, most of us had access to one streaming service or another, but there were certain shows that everyone on your work zoom was talking about. I wrote this during the second month of lockdown, just to organize my thoughts on everything I was consuming. Now, it paints a lovely reminder of a very specific time of insanity.

1. You

What if Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl went a bit too far? Something new, exciting, and gripping, I finally started it last week after his dumb face had been staring at me for months on Netflix, and two days later I was finished. This show burns through plot faster than a wildfire so you never have any idea where it’s going next. Yeah, it’s kinda stressful, so if you’re already stressed out right now this might not be the best watch, but it gets to a point where it veers into the absurd, and then it’s just hilarious. (Available on Netflix)

2. Happy Endings

Speaking of burning through like a wildfire, I’ve blitzed through the first season of this show in no time. Nothing like a 22-minute comedy with rapid-fire jokes, relatable shit, and a group of people you love hanging out with. This was another in a long list of comedies whose misfire of a title (looking at you Cougartown) set it behind the eight ball off the bat, which is a real shame cause this show was fantastic. Some of the jokes are dated (there’s a Trump/Apprentice one in the first batch of episodes, unironically!) and they have a whole episode devoted to the oddness of hipsters, so it feels dated at times, but that adds to the charm. So go back to the simple days of 2011 to ease the insanity of 2020.

3. Tiger King

Cards on the table, I haven’t watched this yet, but I will! Because it’s fucking everywhere. Listen to a podcast? I bet they mention it at least 15 times. Check the news? Oh it’s on there, guaranteed, with some clickbait headline like The 15 Craziest Facts they Left Out of Tiger King (Number 7 Will Shock You!) Oh yeah? 7 will? Then why not put it first! Or last! Clickbait bullshit that I will readily click and eat. Anyway, if you want to be cool on your next Zoom chat, check this out.

4. Hot Ones (NOT the game show)

Sean Evans is the best interviewer in the world right now. His team’s incredible research catches most celebrities off guard, his insightful questions bring out honest reactions, and the batshit crazy hot wings break down the walls of these uber-famous people. I don’t trust my opinion of any celebrity until I’ve seen a) how far they make it b) how many bites they take of each wing and c) if they can keep up with the answers. Not to mention how generous they are with that last dab. I’ve had my opinion confirmed (Billie Eilish is weird!) and totally overturned (Gordon Ramsay is legit hilarious!) There are a million episodes on youtube so you won’t run out anytime soon, and if you’re like me, you’ll be scouting prices for Da Bomb and The Last Dab online to satisfy your dumb ego. Then they made a game show, went corporate, and fuck that noise. Youtube shows good tho.

5.Love is Blind

I was reluctant about this one. It sounded so fucking dumb, right? Cut to a Netflix executive in his best three-piece suit: “Remember that old saying Love is Blind? Well, let’s make it a reality! For money! Anybody that watches Bachelor will watch it immediately, then the rest of the sheep will follow, bahhhhh to show if Love truly is, Blind!” A month later, after every person in my life wouldn’t shut up about it (sensing a pattern?) I finally dove in. It starts predictably, and you’ll scoff a thousand times in the first two episodes. Then you’ll develop a hatred for one of the characters, that keeps ya going for awhile. Then, something weird happens. It goes from the dumbest premise for a dating show and transitions to real life. They fight about money, and sex, and have to interact with each other’s families which is a far cry from the dressed-up reality of a certain ABC show I referenced earlier. If you’re in a relationship, watching with your significant other can surprisingly spark good, honest conversations. If you’re in a relationship that’s struggling right now, it’ll force you to face some of the glaring issues between you. And if you’re single, you’ll feel fucking great to not have to deal with any of it!