6 Ways To Find Your Next Bingeworthy Tv Show!

There’s a certain amount of commitment required when finding your next bingeworthy tv-show or movie. It makes it a little tedious when scrolling through endless titles, not being quite sure what you’ll be investing your time into. There’s nothing worse than having a meal waiting, only to become stuck in an endless search for a visual aid to accompany it.

But what if there was a way to eliminate that guess work completely?

I’ve cultivated a pretty spot on formula for choosing the perfect tv show. All you’ll need is access to a streaming platform (Neflix and Hulu should do) and a general idea of what you’re in the mood for at the time.

1. Feeling Bored and Zoned Out

This is the state I find myself in the most often. It’s when you’re browsing on your phone, chatting, or doing busy work around the house. This step can also be used when you’re trying to fall asleep, but you need the calming white noise of the tv in the background.

Great options for this category are tv shows that generally lack structure. Each episode tends to have it's own plot and they don’t need to be watched consecutively to have an idea of what's going on. It allows you to zone out, and when you do occasionally look up you can still actively enjoy the content.

• Family Guy

My favorite show of choice for this category is Family Guy, because of it's light comedic quality and general plot format. It’s a hilarious choice for all demographics and a guaranteed laugh.

Each episode centers on a brand new adventure so you can just throw it on and let it play in the background. If you’re already familiar with Family Guy other great suggestions similar to this show structure are The Simpsons, American Dad, and Paradise PD.

This is a great option because it’s a food competition show. On top of following all the criteria in this category, the editing is super fast-paced and interesting.

The mouthwatering visuals of the food alone should be enough to keep you entertained. It makes for a great background show! If you’re already familiar with Chopped, you’ll definitely enjoy Cutthroat Kitchen, Supermarket Stakeout, and Beat Bobby Flay.

• Shark Tank

Shark Tank is a really unique find. It features 5 business moguls listening to investment opportunities from small businesses owners. Although it sounds pretty heavy, it’s actually super light and fun.

Another pro is that it teaches you about investing and provides great tips for running a business, making it educational as well. If you end up enjoying Shark Tank, you’d definitely enjoy The People’s Court, Undercover Boss, and House Hunters.

2. Feeling Bored and Slightly Intrigued

This state of being is a slight step up from being totally zoned out. Here, you’re bored but you’re also somewhat interested in what’s on the tv. This is the perfect time for lightweight content that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and won't require much backstory to understand what’s going on. The ideal place for reality tv to shine!

• Catfish

Catfish introduces you to hopeful romantics who have found love on the internet, and shows their journey of finding out whether or not the person behind the screen is real or not.

It’s a great show to binge watch because the process of seeking out the "catfish" is so entertaining that you can’t help but get drawn in each episode. If you find yourself enjoying Catfish, make sure you check out Seven Year Switch, My 600 Pound Life, and Hoarders.

• Modern Family

Modern Family is such a classic! It gives a glimpse into the hilariously chaotic life of the Dunphy’s and what their daily life is like as a mixed family.

With a runtime of only 30 minutes, it’s not too much of a time investment. It’s also great to watch while you’re on your lunch break for a bit of escapism. After you binge Modern Family, I would suggest you check out 2 Broke Girls, The Good Place, and Young & Hungry.

• Survivor

Survivor is the perfect candidate for this category as well. This show has perfected the art of captivating its audience with fast-paced editing, action packed game play, and drama amongst the "survivors". On top of that, the contestants on the show are living on an secluded island, with minimal food, fighting to win a million dollar prize.

Each minute is well spent, and you’re guaranteed to find yourself rooting for your favorite person to win. If you already love Survivor, you’ll love Naked & Afraid, 60 Days In, and River Monsters.

3. Working Out At The Gym

This warranted it’s own section because I’ve found that having the perfect visual distraction while working out, makes the experience infinitely more enjoyable. The best shows to binge at the gym are comedy, because how can you be miserable when you’re too busy laughing.

These selections also work in moments when you're trying to make the time pass by a little faster.

• The Office (U.S.)

My hands down favorite show to binge at the gym! The Office (U.S.) details the experience of the staff working at Dunder Mifflin, a paper company. Each character on the show is perfectly unique and funny in their own way, and find themselves in random workplace mischief every episode.

Each time I watch this at the gym I find myself laughing out loud, and speeding through my cardio routines without even noticing. After you fall in love with The Office (U.S.) I suggest you check out 30 Rock, Schitt's Creek, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

• Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is also a great comedy to binge at the gym. Another show featuring uniquely quirky characters, it revolves around their experience working in a police precinct.

It fully immerses you into their world and distracts you from your workout. Again, if you want to be the crazy person in the gym uncontrollably chuckling to yourself, this is a great place to start. Other goofy workplace comedies like this one are Superstore, Workaholics, and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

• Everybody Hates Chris

Everybody Hates Chris is a comedic retelling of the childhood of the famous comedian, Chris Rock. The show details his life with his crazy family, school life, and the generally chaotic community of Brooklyn in the 80’s.

Following the format of the other suggestions in this category, this show is a guaranteed laugh riot and I beg you to give it a chance. After you finish all 4 seasons, make sure to head over and watch Fresh Off The Boat, Raising Hope, and My Name Is Earl.

4. Completely Interested In Something New

Now, is where I would say, is the best time to invest into a heavy hitter. The other catergories are better suited for lightly comedic television. However, when you're in the mindframe to watch something completely new, that's when you can truly appreciate dramas, documentaries and crime tv.

Make sure you're willing to pay full attention when you dive into these shows because you won't want to miss a second.

• Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds takes you deep into the psyche of serial killers, as it illustrates the multitude of cases solved by the F.B.I. Behavioral Analysis Unit. The character development of the F.B.I. agents, the victims, and the serial killers gives you, as the viewer, such a unique view into the otherwise obscure realm of "homicide".

It also indirectly educates you on different mental health terminology that usually requires a degree in psychology to fully understand. Overall, a riviting show to watch and it currently has 15 seasons so there's tons of material to binge on. If you find yourself enjoying Criminal Minds, make sure to check out Law and Order SVU, Good Girls, and The Blacklist.

• Shameless (U.S)

Shameless is a heavy hitter because it highlights alot of serious topics tv shows usually do not choose to touch on. Located in Chicago, the show follows the life of the Gallagher's and their experiences with alcoholism, poverty, relationships, childhood traumas, and so much more.

You'll fall in love with the Gallagher's, even if you do find their actions a bit extreme. But I wont spoil it for you, make sure to check it out! After you've indulged on Shameless, I'm sure you'll also enjoy Better Call Saul, Bojack Horseman, and The Ozarks.

• Unorthodox

Unorthodox is a limited series on the Netflix streaming platform. It’s a peek into the Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The main character, Esty, is finding it hard to adjust to the rigid life of a married woman in the tightknit community. The series details her journey of self love, and following her dreams.

It’s an amazing watch, especially for non-Jewish watchers to enter a world they are usually uninformed about. Other unique shows like Unorthodox are Selena: The Series, The Get Down, and Ginny & Georgia.

5. Feeling Nostalgic AF

Sometimes starting something new can be a bit stressful. I actually find it therapeutic to snuggle on the couch and escape into tv shows I used to watch when I was younger.

Both Netflix and Hulu have been really awesome with reintroducing tv shows from the 90’s and early 2000’s, making these nostalgia binges much easier. Here are a few shows definitely worth a rewatch, and are sure to stir up some past memories for you.

• Sister, Sister

Sister, Sister shaped a whole generation of kid’s lives in the early 2000’s. A wholesome family comedy, that upon rewatching it as an adult, I realized they were giving out really insightful advice that is still useful today.

The premise of the show is two twins that were separated at birth, find each other later in life and navigate their teenage years together. I’d definitely advise you rewatch it, along with these other nostalgic gems: Girlfriends, Full House, and Malcolm in The Middle.

• Jersey Shore

"THE CABS ARE HEA!" Jersey Shore almost feels like a fever dream that, had I not watched the entire season on Hulu, I wouldn’t have believed it actually existed. As one of the first successful reality tv shows, it candidly depicts the life of 8 roommates, and their adventures each summer on the shores of New Jersey.

It’s a wild journey to (re)experience, and you can’t help but fall in love with each of them. If you remember Jersey Shore, you’ll definitely enjoy America’s Next Top Model, The Hills, and Ru Paul's Drag Race.

• The Vampire Diaries

Nothing screams nostalgia like revisiting an old teen drama, whose characters were heartthrobs to a generation of tweens. The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural drama, where a teenager named Elena falls in love with a vampire. From there, her and her friends are brought on a never ending journey discovering century old secrets about their town, Mystic Falls.

It’s my tv show of choice when I'm laying on the couch armed with snacks in one arm and my dog in the other. Some other teen dramas you should revisit are Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, and The Secret Life of The American Teenager.

6. Feeling Spooky 👻

Everyone loves the feeling of being scared! The recommendations in this section deserve their own time to shine. You have to be in a certain vibe to specifically enjoy sci-fi content.

When you’re in the mood for a good scare, similar to section 4, you need to be fully focused on what you’re watching to appreciate the message.

• Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a dystopian sci-fi anthology series that explores the "consequences" of technological advancements in modern society. Each episode is unique, and written in a way that forces you to view the “normal" occurrences of the world in a new light.

If you do end up watching Black Mirror, I suggest you start with the first episode of season 3, titled "Nosedive". Some other great anthology series to check out are The Twilight Zone, American Horror Story, and Love, Death, & Robots.

• The Mist

The Mist is a series adapted from the popular Stephen King novel. Set in the small town of Bridgeville, Maine, the series details a supernatural event that befalls the town after a horrible crime is committed.

Stephen is a "king" of horror, so the story is well-paced and extremely eerie. There's only one season, so take your time with it because you'll be begging for more when it's over. Other chilling tv shows similar to The Mist are Slasher, The 100, and Colony.

• Stranger Things

In Stranger Things, the disappearance of a young boy sets off a chain of events that force a mother, a police chief, and several adolescents to battle supernatural beings.The characters are so adorably well developed, that you can't help but be drawn in by them as you root for their success.

The story is set in the 80's, so the funky aesthetics and music choices alone will make this one of your favorite shows. Other creepy, yet wholesome, television series similar to Stranger Things are Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Fate: The Winx Saga, and Supernatural.

Your'e All Set!

Well there you have it, the perfect formula to find your next favorite tv show. When you end up finding your perfect fit, be sure to comment and let me know! I'd love to hear your experiences with some of my favorite shows.