The most wonderful time of the year deserves some of the most wonderful television shows.
If you’re looking for some warm, cozy watches on Netflix in December, Watch With Us is here to help. We’ve got a list of some of our favorite shows that will make you feel great, even if the holidays get crazy.
First on our list is Detroiters, an unfairly cancelled sitcom from the creators of I Think You Should Leave (which just happens to also be on this list).
We’ve also got the feel-good classic Gilmore Girls and the documentary parody show Documentary Now!.
‘Detroiters’ (2017-2018)
Best friends Tim Cramblin (Tim Robinson) and Sam Duvet (Sam Richardson) run a low-budget local ad company in Detroit, Michigan. Despite lacking the finesse and corporate savvy of Tim’s ad exec father, the duo nevertheless manages to land clients through their unwavering drive while simultaneously dealing with problems in their personal and professional lives.
Detroiters predated Robinson and co-creator Zach Kanin’s success with I Think You Should Leave, but was cancelled after only two seasons by Comedy Central. However, since ITYSL took off, people have come to better appreciate the unfairly axed show. If you love ITYSL, you’ll find plenty to love in Detroiters. The absurd humor and goofy sitcom format make way for strange scenarios and eccentric characters.
‘Arrested Development’ (2003-2019)
Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) feels like he’s the only normal one in his crazy family, which includes his egocentric twin sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi), magician brother GOB (Will Arnett), delusional brother-in-law Tobias (David Cross) and narcissistic mother Lucille (Jessica Walter). When his father (Jeffrey Tambor) plunges the family into the middle of a corruption scandal, Michael has no choice but to try keeping them all together.
With its sharp, layered humor and legendary comedic performances across the board, Arrested Development is often hailed as one of the greatest comedies of the 2000s. The series was prematurely cancelled after only three seasons, but was brought back for two additional seasons by Netflix in the 2010s. Arrested Development is supremely rewatchable for just how many jokes are nested in every scene.
‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000-2007)
In the town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) together run the Dragonfly Inn, the town’s local bed and breakfast. Star’s Hollow is a tight-knit community full of strange and unique characters with whom Rory and Lorelai frequently interact with, and the series follows them as they navigate their own mother-daughter relationship with their careers, ambitions and romances.
Watching this warm and widely popular comedy-drama is like drinking a mug of hot tea under a blanket. Gilmore Girls has been widely praised for its character-writing, humor, emotional depth, performances and exploration of themes such as social class and community. The show received a limited series revival in 2016, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
‘Documentary Now!’ (2015-2022)
Created by Saturday Night Live alums John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Rhys Thomas, Documentary Now! spoofs some of the great documentary films of our time, including Grey Gardens, Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present. Hosted by Helen Mirren, each episode parodies a specific documentary, mimicking the style and tackling a similar but fabricated subject.
You don’t actually have to know the movies being referenced to find Documentary Now! funny, but it certainly helps. The performances from Mulaney, Armisen, Hader and many more of their comedy friends are hilarious enough to keep even the most documentary-averse viewer hooked. Their season 3 parody of Original Cast Album: Company — singing songs about living in NYC’s drama-filled co-op housing — will have you rolling with laughter.
‘I Think You Should Leave’ (2019-Present)
This sketch comedy show that blends the surreal and the cringe sees SNL alum Tim Robinson starring in several sketches that play off of our fear of embarrassing, awkward situations. Whether it’s snapping an Instagrammable photo of your friends at lunch, getting stuck with movie props for a failed film shoot or talking about your kids at a party, Robinson and co-creator Zach Kanin want you to see each scenario pushed to its ultimate extremes.
This Netflix original series premiered back in 2019 and became an instant hit on social media and with critics, for its memorable lines, bizarre scenarios, unique performances and effortlessly memeable moments. No matter how awkward or excessive the sketches may be, you won’t be able to stop watching I Think You Should Leave. Guest performers include Andy Samberg, Jason Schwartzman, Steven Yeun and Bob Odenkirk.
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