For Lovers of Raw Emotion

While many of us love thinking about genres when it comes to TV shows, I like to consider that sometimes people just want to watch what they are feeling. Don't get me wrong, I love watching the next Fantasy/Sci-Fi show just as much as the next person, but sometimes I'm searching for something that fits my mood rather than my interests.

Being human, we are constantly flooded with ranges of emotions that can sometimes be overwhelming. Or perhaps they are welcomed. Every person is different on how they like to deal with their emotions. For me, if I'm feeling drawn to a certain emotion I like to seek out a TV show that elicits that same feeling; when I want a good cry, I'll seek out a sad show or if I want to watch a love story, I'll turn on something happy.

I personally love when I’m watching something and the show makes me feel what the characters are portraying on the screen. Not only do I know the writers have done their job, but the acting is authentic enough to make me feel something. Whether I can relate it to a personal matter in my life or simply just feel for the characters, I love expressing that raw emotion.

Isn’t that what we all love? To connect with characters that resemble something in our own lives and make us explore the many emotions that encompass being human.

For this article I am going to compare popular films that evoke different kinds of emotions and compare them to TV shows that are similar, giving you the chance to decide which emotions you're feeling while reading this article and which shows you might be interested in.

First Emotion: For those who seek passion and love

" Time is very slow for those who wait. Very fast for those who are scared. Very long for those who lament. Very short for those who celebrate. But for those who love, time is eternal." -William Shakespeare

I know most people love a good love story—as do I—and one of the best ones I can think of is the classic 80's film, The Princess Bride. This story has all the makings of a great film, but ultimately it’s a beautiful love story between two people who overcome many obstacles in order to be together. If you haven't seen the film, I highly reccomend it and if you have, then you know where I'm coming from.

Fans of this film or just love in general might give Dash and Lily a try.

"Sometimes words aren't enough." -Lily

This show centers on Dash, a cynic, and lily, a girl with a sunny disposition, as they trade messages and dares in a red notebook across New York City.

While this shows premise greatly differs from that of The Princess Bride, the love story remains. In both The Princess Bride and Dash & Lily, we see the couples go through many hurdles in order to finally end up getting their happily ever after.

What I love about this show is one, it's based off a book, and two, it's for all the booklovers out there. Who wouldn’t want to find a notebook full of dares in a bookstore? Sounds like heaven to me.

Along with involving every writers dream, this show, down to its core is just a cute story about two people falling in love while overcoming their deepest insecurities. We see them find their passions and explore their personalities, finding comfort in each other as they push one another to be the best versions of themselves.

This show has one season currently available on Netflix.

Second Emotion: For those who want to feel empowered

" A girl should be two things: who and what she wants." -Coco Chanel

If you’re someone who loves to watch films/TV shows where you feel like you can conquer the world, then I have to say I agree with you. I love watching something where we, as an audience, are shocked by what’s happening to the main character. I love sitting on the edge of my seat, rooted in my anger, but knowing soon this character is going to prove everyone wrong by doing something bold.

There are many films that showcase strong and powerful women, but none more so than Erin Brockovich. This film follows a lawyer who stumbles upon some misplaced documents. Upon further investigation, she discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water, causing the residents living in the town to become devistantingly ill.

When I first watched this film years ago, I was stunned. I felt angry at how people treated her, soon replaced with a sense of pride when I watched her verbally destroy the people who continuously tried to put her down- and eventually win the case.

If you’re a fan of this film or love watching women empowerment, try out the show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“ Comedy is fueled by oppression, by the lack of power, by sadness and disappointment, by abandonment and humiliation. Now, who the hell does that describe more than women? Judging by those standards, only women should be funny.” -Midge Maisel

Taking place in the 50’s this show follows Midge Maisel who thinks she has the perfect life—a loving husband with two kids, living in the Upper West Side of New York City. Her life takes a turn when she discovers she has an unexpected talent for stand-up comedy. The revelation changes her life as she takes the journey of fulfilling her dream trying to make it as a comedian during a time where men predominantly ran the industry.

This show is fantastic and produces all the great things about a TV show: the funny/bitter friend, love drama, comedy, and a woman standing up for what she wants out of life during a time where women’s job was to stay at home.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will make you laugh out loud and fall in love with Midge, constantly hoping for her to succeed and stick it to all the men who try to tear her down.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is avalable on Amazon Prime and is currently sitting at three seasons with the fourth on its way.

Third Emotion: For those seeking that feel good joy

" Resolve to be happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." -Helen Keller

I love a good family friendly movie, something that makes you feel all warm inside, knowing that there might be some hardships for the characters, but ultimately the ending will be a happy one. Sometimes I just crave a movie or TV show that will lift me up and make me smile in a way that's different than a love story.

A movie that usually incites all those feel good emotions in me is a Disney one. And a childhood favorite of mine is none other than High School Musical.

Anything that has music in it brings me an unspeakable joy. It’s that uplifting feeling I get in my chest, bringing forth that emotion that makes me feel like I’m a chocolate cake with a gooey center. A TV show that gives me all these bright, yellow feels is Julie and The Phantoms.

“ There are no bad ideas. Only great ideas that go horribly wrong.”

Julie and The Phantoms follows Julie, who re-ignites her passion in music with the help of a band of boys (The Phantoms) who have been dead for twenty-five years. With Julie at their side, she helps them become the band they never got to be. Together, the four of them attempt to navigate the strange world they've come into while trying to be the best band in the world.

If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted show with GREAT music, this is the show for you. Not only does this show have all the lovable qualities of a Disney production, but also the music truly is fantastic, as is the singing. This show is funny, relatable, and heartbreaking at times, and overall, showcases that the bond of friendship is sometimes even more powerful than death.

You can find season 1 of Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix.

Fourth Emotion: For thrill seekers with a sexy twist

" Mystery creates wonder and wonder is man's desire to understand." -Neil Armstrong

When I think of mystery, my mind immediately goes to Sherlock Holmes, as I'm sure many other's do. The tales of Sherlock Holmes are well known across the world for their fun, inquizzical mysteries. The films made back in 2009 and 2011 were what sparked my interest in the infamous character and opened my eyes to the mystery genre.

If you’re someone who is a fan of the Sherlock Holmes films or a lover of elusive detectives in general, I’d advise giving the TV show Carnival Row a try!

“ Chaos is the great hope of those in the shadows.” –Sophie

This series takes place in a Victorian fantasy world, following a human detective (Rycroft) and a fairy (Vignette) who rekindle a dangerous affair during a time where peace between their people is collapsing and a string a murders is slowly revealing the hatred in their world along with unimaginable monsters.

This show has all the best qualities of a murder-mystery. There is forbidden love, murder, action, and a slew of other things, all within an exciting, new, fantasy world.

If you're someone who is a sucker for that nervous feeling you get in your stomach while watching a mystery or thriller, then this might be the show for you. Along with the promise of mystery, there is also a sexy undertone for those of you who like a little more to your mystery. After all, on top of the mystery, this is also a love story. I mean, how could you not be intrigued by this show?

I love figuring out a whodunit and this show definitely leads you down many paths before reaching the end.

Season 1 is currently on Amazon Prime with season 2 coming out later this year.

Fifth Emotion: For those seeking to relive those angst-y teen emotions

" It's my duty as a human being to be pissed off." -Eric Bogosian

There are many films in the world of entertainment that highlight the angst that comes with being a teenager. I can’t even count on my hands how many films and TV shows have this as their main plot and yet, sometimes I can’t help but love it. Occasionally, I just want to relive those, not-so-great times in my life, and watch a film about the struggles of being a teenager.

A film that always comes to mind when I think of this emotion is the 80’s classic, The Breakfast Club. I can’t think of a better movie that encompasses all the different emotions and personalities that involve being in high school.

If you’re a fan of The Breakfast Club or just want to relive all those terrible emotions of being a teenager again I would suggest watching the TV show Never Have I Ever.

“ I don’t negotiate with terrorists, Ben. And honestly, I’m mature enough to be on my own. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna Google how to buy a credit card.” –Devi

This show follows the complicated life of Devi, an Indian-American teenager, as she struggles to get through the never-ending drama that is high school.

Never Have I Ever has everything you could ever want in a coming of age story. Not only is it hilarious (written by Mindy Kaling), but it also has a lot of heart to it as well. This show was very shocking to me when I first watched it and surprised me in ways I didn’t expect. While watching this coming of age story, you will laugh, cry, relive heartbreak and find yourself rooting for Devi to make it through her crazy life in one piece.

Never Have I Ever season 1 is available on Netflix with a season 2 coming out soon.

Sixth Emotion: For those who seek out laughter to block out the world

" A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around." -Carolyn Brimingham

People say laughter is the best medicine and I can't help but agree with that. When the world is feeling like it’s weighing too heavily on my shoulders, I turn to watching something that makes me laugh until I forget all about my troubles.

A film that I find to be hilarious is Booksmart. This film came out a few years ago, directed by Olivia Wild, and follows two high school girls trying to live out a wild night before going off to college. The film has so many funny parts to it and while watching it, I just found myself enjoying every moment of it.

Comparing this to a TV show can be tricky. There are so many comedy shows out there, most of which I know many people have seen. But the comedy show that never fails to make me laugh is New Girl.

“ I’m not convinced I know how to read, I’ve just memorized a lot of words.” –Nick

“ Get rid of it Jess. Pine has no place in this loft. It’s the wood of poor people and outhouses.” –Schmidt

“ If I were off my rocker, would I take a weekly selfie with my cat?” –Winston

“ I hate when Schmidt cries. He sounds like a ghost singing ‘Hey Ya’”. –Coach

“ The fact that socks exist is proof shoes don’t work.” – Cece.

After a bad break-up, Jess, moves into a loft with three single men. The show follows the relationships of these people as they try to navigate love, work, and their social lives.

New Girl is hands down one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. The quotes I gave above don’t even begin to cover the hilarious lines the writers came up with for the show. Each character has their own personality, filled with hilarious quotes that will leave you laughing for days after you hear them.

I know many of us have been struggling during these difficult COVID times. While in quarantine, I re-watched New Girl, having forgotten how funny it was—since it had been a few years since I’d seen it—and I was so happy when it provided me hours away from the world we live in. Watching this comedy show, I was able to block out everything around me and just have a good laugh.

And isn’t that what so many of us want at the end of the day?

New Girl is available on Netflix with 7 seasons under its belt, so you have many laughs to look forward to!

Whether you’re someone looking to watch a love story, a comedy, seeking a thrilling mystery, or looking to relive your teen years, there are dozens of possibilities for you to choose from. I hope that my suggestions offered you some good content or even helped you consider which emotions you’re feeling while currently reading this, driving the urge to seek out a show that will match it.

At the end of the day, we are only human and being human means having a constant, ever changing, mix of emotions. But being able to find a TV show that can help us through that offers us some comfort, or at least it does for me.

Happy Feelings!

If you liked the article, feel free to leave a heart! Or not, either way, your emotions will help you decide what you do.