The Best Shows to Make You Forget About the Darkest Timeline
By: Holly Howard
Tags: Coronavirus, Netflix, TV Series, TV Shows, Humor

The Best Shows to Make You Forget About the Darkest Timeline

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally checking-out of the pandemic status. You can only live in the mental dumpster for so long before your head explodes.

I repeat. You can definitely ignore the world sometimes. Or all the time. I’m not going to tell you how to live your life.

But I will tell you that there are some not-so-known and forgotten about shows that will make it way easier to forget that the world is burning and we’re all going to die someday.

So let’s get on with the forgetting…

I’ll start by letting you know that Netflix’s The Tiger King is not on this list. I’m not sorry. If you haven’t watched it yet, you don’t need me to tell you to watch it. I guarantee you’ve had at least 3 friends tell you that you have to see it, or you’re someone who still hasn’t seen Breaking Bad and still threaten your friends of “spoilers” when they bring it up. You’ve had 10 years!

If that’s the case, this is probably not the collection for you. You still have golden television to watch. The rest of us are busy scraping the bottom of the barrel.

I have to say, though, the bottom is where it’s at.

Snuggle up to your cat, dog, pillow, or spouse (if you haven’t grown to hate them yet) and embrace the world of questionable television.

This is not a numbered list because rules don’t exist anymore.

Tiny House Nation

I’ve never been one for real estate shows. Seeing people with infinite pools of money complaining about paint colors and light fixtures in an obviously staged scenario just hasn’t been my jam, (well, at least since housing has become basically unattainable) but Tiny House Nation will scratch an itch you didn’t know you had.

In each episode, the two hosts of the show, John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin, meet a family wanting “to go tiny” and discuss their priorities and must-haves. With the help of a construction crew, they build one tailored to the family.

It’s the hosts and their dynamic that make this show a fun watch. Not to mention, most of the soon-to-be homeowners appear to have never set foot in a tiny house, yet are all-in to buy one. They also seem to expect the same lifestyle they’ve gotten out of their 2,000 square-foot home.

No, Sheryl, tiny houses do not have pools and gyms.

Zack, the engineer of the outfit, creates solutions to fulfill the dreams of these families, as crazy as they may be. Many of his builds are incredibly innovative. Almost everything he creates has several uses and its satisfying to see him reveal the possibilities at the end of each episode. This probably wouldn’t be possible if his co-host, John, didn’t push him to his full potential. But John always does, and the jaded, realist host plus imaginative engineer sidekick seems to work.

In a time with insane home prices, and a need to be reminded of the outside world in uplifting ways, this is a good watch. Four stars.

Wait. These aren’t reviews. Purely recommendations. Thumbs up!

Where to watch: Netflix, SlingTV, fuboTV, Philo

Win the Wilderness

This one is a wild ride. Is there a way to emphasize with more italics? Double italics?

Shit. Is. Wild.

And not just wild in the bears and trees kind of way. The entire premise of the show sounds more like a comedy movie plot starring Will Ferrell than a reality series, but here we are.

I wish I could have been in the room when this was pitched.

To summarize, this couple — Duane and Rena Ose — owns a beautiful cabin in the middle of nowhere. When I say nowhere, I mean 100 miles from anything (a plane is required to get to and from there). Duane Ose, started this venture when he hiked into the Alaskan woods for 15 days. After finding the perfect remote spot on a mountain with a view, he staked his claim, taking advantage of a United State’s homestead act that was still in place at the time. He had hoped to be the last one to do so, and he was.

He met his wife a bit later, and they built a homestead dubbed “Ose Mountain,” embracing an off-grid lifestyle in it’s truest form. Fast-forward to now, they’re now old (both in their 70s), have health problems and are in need to give up their off-grid life. It’s no surprise that their children have zero interest in the property or the lifestyle, so how will they pass down their beloved home and property?

A reality contest of course!

I don’t know what is more entertaining, seeing several British couples compete for a property in Alaska or seeing an elderly couple frequently judge the persistence and teamwork of their relationships.

The Oses pitched their idea of the show after being unable to sell their cabin. After several rejections, the BBC finally took it.

The filming and narration have a relaxed feel, like most British television, but the stakes are high, and you really find yourself rooting for different couples, but also wondering if they’re realizing what a huge mistake they’ve made along the way. Alaska seems to be bewildering to them on its own.

This is just the kind of show we need right now, given there are no real set rules in determining a winner, just some random feedback from a survivalist friend reported over a terrible internet connection.

Like I said, it’s great at the bottom.

Where to watch: Netflix

Travel Man

I’m now realizing that the key to getting through the pandemic truly is British television.

In Travel Man we follow Richard Ayoade on a very short adventure — 48 hours to be exact. He narrates the show himself and seems to really downplay the cities he takes his guest to, sometimes even to a fault where you find yourself grateful to be at home on your couch instead of tasting over-hyped wine or visiting a snowglobe museum.

It’s relatable, subtle, and strays from the typical hype and amazement of travel shows. You’re either reminded of the small frustrations of travel or feeling sorry for the guest who has to endure a trip with a guy who seems to hate the very idea of traveling.

The plucky cutaways and cringy moments will take you out of the pandemic in a snap.

Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

The Repair Shop

No relaxing and mildly uplifting collection can omit The Repair Shop.

A great finale for our short trip to UK TV.

You’ve probably seen it cycle around on Netflix, as if you’re being gently nudged into watching. In case you haven’t caved yet, here’s an idea of what to expect:

I would describe The Repair Shop as The Great British Bake Off meets Antiques Roadshow.

I am aware that I’m not yet selling this, but if you want chill, there is not much more laid-back than this. (On a side note, if you haven’t watched The Great British Baking Show: Masterclass, it should also be on your watch list. Paul can help you get your newfound bread-baking passion on point.)

Each episode of The Repair Shop has a set of lovely Brits whose passed-down belongings have endured some damage — sometimes through meer existence, others come with a story a fun story as to how the damage came about. They bring their belongings to the shop, and one of the restoration experts promises to restore it as best they can. Most objects have some sentimental value that gets touched on, but it’s just enough story to make you feel something and not enough to have you bawling your eyes out and wallowing in sorrow.

The restorers are wonderful to watch, not only for their immaculate work, but their calm demeanor makes for a calming watch.

After watching a few episodes, I found myself with a new appreciation for old things and a bit more of an urge to call my family.

Where to watch: Netflix

Storage Wars

Okay, so we’re now leaving the subtle, uplifting world of British television, and are going to forget the pandemic the American way — through meaningless competition, money, excessive branding, and people you love to like or love to hate.

If you’re like me, you’ve caught this show before. Maybe it was on in a hotel room (the best place for trash television) or got recommended to you on your streaming app after watching hoarders a few too many times.

It’s the best way to make me clean the kitchen, alright?

I’ll admit, in glimpses, this was not my cup of tea, but rules don’t exist anymore.

Season 12 has been released on Hulu, and, to be completely honest, it grows on you. If you haven’t caught pieces or are unaware of the premise, it’s easy:

People bid on storage lockers without really knowing what’s in them — they can see inside but can’t walk in. The show centers around people out-bidding each other, and digging through their purchases, either to be disappointed or excited about their finds. Occasionally they have to take an item to an “expert” to get a real value. Some believe it’s staged — and it very well could be (The early episodes with Barry sure make you think so), but it is great regardless.

Most of the people on this show are not consistent through seasons. I found more recent seasons to be my favorite, mostly for Kenny who is the most optimistic locker-buyer. He frequently likes to “talk to America” which consists of him addressing the camera as if you were there with him.

The consistent players are Jarrod and Brandi (whose questionable relationship and constant riffing make for easy entertainment), Darrell (who makes deals with everyone and somehow ends up playing a part when he doesn’t by anything), and Dave Hester, the buyer who seems to have the most money — or at least says he does and is fun to hate. If you watch a few in order, you see him become the villain of the show — if it’s even possible to have a villain on a show about storage units.

Get your American coping-skills on and watch people get ripped off or luck out.

If you really want to forget about what’s happening in the world, this show makes a great drinking game. You can drink every time Kenny addresses America, Brandi or Jarrod insult each other (or really anyone insults anyone) or every time you see a dirty mattress. Just don’t drink for all of Hester’s “yup”s. You’ll end up in the very place you’re trying to avoid — the hospital.

Where to watch: Hulu, Tubi, SlingTV, fuboTV, Philo

Nailed It

Here’s another one you’ve probably contemplated but possibly haven’t committed to. This is another show where seasons really do matter, and the recent ones are perfection.

If Travel Man doesn’t scratch that fourth-wall itch enough for you, or there’s not enough yelling in storage wars, this is the one. Nicole Byer absolutely makes this show, and if you find an episode with a second comedic judge, you’re in luck.

Nailed It takes 3 very very non-bakers and gives them impossible baking tasks. As someone who used to make cakes for a living I cannot stress impossible enough. Thankfully we’re not watching to see the contestants succeed, we’re watching to see them fail in their own unique ways. Every time I think I’ve seen it all on this show, someone ends up rolling fondant on the floor and I question everything.

Jacque, the renowned French pastry expert (and only one who seems to know anything about baking, or even what things should taste like), is the perfect grounding to the show. He genuinely likes to help, gives honest advice, but seems unphased by the chaos around him. He and Nicole are the perfect team, with her being loud, flamboyant, hilarious, and bringing the craziness the show thrives on — like leaving her shoes behind because she is tired of them or aggressively summoning her stagehand, Wes.

This show developed itself later on. In early seasons it seems to take itself a bit more seriously and hasn’t developed the confidence of owning what it is like more recent seasons have. Jump in on season 3 or 4 and, in the words of Nicole Byer, you’re in for “a real treat!”

Where to watch: Netflix

Joe Pera Talks With You

There is a soft spot deep in my heart for this show. It’s placed at the bottom, because even in a world of no rules, I have apparently internalized list structure, and this one is by far my favorite.

For those of us nostalgic for a certain feeling Napoleon Dynamite gave us, this is similar, but by no means identical. Napoleon Dynamite was exciting compared to Joe Pera, but Joe Pera is more relatable, particularly if you’re from Michigan, know anyone from Michigan, or are even just aware of its existence.

The show is somewhat serial, so it’s worth it to watch from the beginning. If you’re wondering what it’s about, well…

There’s an entire episode about beans.

Another about going to the grocery store.

Again, this isn’t the show for excitement, but if you’re looking for comfort or you’ve ever struggled to make a choice in what to eat for breakfast, Joe Pera has got your back.

The comfort of this show comes from not only the very mundane and completely relatable topics but also the tone. Joe talks to the camera, as if he is talking to you (I suppose you could deduce that from the title), and shows you his world with pride, like a caring grandpa — a grandpa in his… thirties?

The occasional absurdity keeps your interest, like when Joe begins to believe creating a jack-o-lantern takes some of his soul, so it is entitled to a proper memorial.

Every character is likable and weird in their own way. It’s as if someone bottled a visit to see your grandma in a small midwestern town and put it in a show.

If you want maximum relaxation, surpassing anything British television can provide, this is the one. This one got me through a day-long hangover, so hopefully it can help you through quarantine.

Where to watch: Free on Adultswim app

There you have it! You made it to the end of the non-list!

If there was ever a time to open the door to questionable television, the time is now.