ICYMI: Get your pillow fort ready because it's time to binge watch these three shows

Australian winter - believe it or not - is seriously cold. Well, not -20 degrees cold, but cold enough for us beach-loving Aussies to want to stay inside for three months in front of the heater!

Thanks to COVID-19 and self-isolation, we have been given the perfect excuse to stay inside this winter, and what better way to do so than using all our free time to binge watch some incredible shows.

These three shows have been favourites of mine for a long time, and I have probably watched them more times than I can count. Thanks to isolation, I've somehow found myself re-watching all three yet again, and at the same time.

To an older audience, these shows are classics. However, to Gen Z, these are seriously underrated and something I believe every adolescent must watch.

These shows reign from the late 90's to early 00's and are must-watch shows for pretty much anyone and everyone who just wants to sit back, relax and enjoy the comedic and feel-good nature of these classics.

So, without further ado, here are my top three most underrated shows on Netflix that you simply cannot miss out on this winter isolation season.

1. That '70s Show

Age Recommendation: 18 - 30

Themes: Adolescence, Drug Humour, Comedy, 1970's Politics

Favourite Episode: Garage Sale (Season 2, Episode 1)

Favourite Character: Hyde and Leo (couldn't choose!)

Imagine; it's 1977 and you're a teenager living in Wisconsin. In the years prior, the Equal Rights Amendment had worked its way into American lives and the working class were living through a major oil crisis. But hey, you're a teenager so none of that matters yet! The first ever Star Wars movie has just come out, and cannabis was floating around everywhere.

Here we have an unlikely group of friends that somehow fit together so perfectly. Seventeen-year-old Star Wars-loving nerd Eric and his next-door neighbour Donna, along with their view-opposing parents are the main focus of the show. Then you have the best-looking couple (on screen and IRL!) Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie (Mila Kunis) who although ditsy, mean well and bring much needed entertainment to the group. Finally, the outsiders; foreign exchange student Fez and too-cool-for-school paranoid rebel Hyde who is my personal favourite character.

In today's world, these six characters would probably never be seen socialising; and that's what makes this show so good. From relationship drama to the beginning of the feminism movement, That '70s Show is a classic example of teenage life in the '70s and now, and serves up some seriously classic moments you'll want to relive over and over.

One of my favourite elements of the show is how close the group are, and how some of the time they'll be hanging out in Eric's basement without him even being there. And Eric's parents? Totally fine with it! In fact, throughout the show they basically adopt Hyde into their own home, and accept Fez for who he is despite Red's conservative ways and hate for everything foreign.

Strap yourself in for a wild ride through the late '70s and get ready to see the birth of six brilliant young actors who went on to achieve greatness in each of their careers.

2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Age Recommendation: All Ages!

Themes: Adolescence, Black Politics, Comedy, Class Humour

Favourite Episode: Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse (Season 4, Episode 24) - Be careful, you'll be crying at the end.

Favourite Character: Jackie Ames (played by Tyra Banks)

Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down. I'd like to take a minute just sit right there, I'll tell you why you HAVE to watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

For all you '90s loving sitcom fans, you'll know I played around with the beginning of the theme song a bit there. For those who haven't seen this show yet, get ready because your life is about to get a whole lot fresher.

The theme song written by the show's star Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff basically explains the premise of the show: a boy from West Philadelphia is sent to live with his wealthy Bel-Air cousins because of a fight he got into with some trouble-makers back home. Over time, Will Smith (which is also his name in the show!) gets to know his cousins; shopaholic Hilary, Tom Jones- loving geek Carlton and young, fun Ashley alongside his Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian.

The show is filled with the humour of Will's working-class background clashing with the upper-class life of the Banks family, as well as colourful characters such as Jazz - Will's best friend from Philadelphia. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and show creator Quincy Jones even appear on the show from time to time!

Watching this '90s classic is also a great peek into studio audience shot productions; the whole show was filmed in front of a live audience and at times, Will breaks the fourth wall and even captures behind the scenes elements! One episode towards the show's end is completely behind the scenes and runs through bloopers of the previous seasons.

Although comedic, the show also delves into the ever-so serious issue of Black Rights and violence in the USA. This is what makes the show so good, especially right now with the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

The show is as authentic as any show could be, and is a must watch for literally everyone - young or old.

3. Gilmore Girls

Age Recommendation: 16+

Themes: Adolescence, Small Town Humour, Mother-Daughter Relationship, Teen Romance, Social Class Differences

Favourite Episode: They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They? (Season 3, Episode 7) AND Raincoats and Recipes (Season 4, Episode 22) - I can't choose!

Favourite Character: Jess Mariano - forever Team Jess! (Milo Ventimiglia) and Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy)

I promised myself I wouldn't binge watch this again, but yesterday I found myself clicking on Season 1, Episode 1 for the ump-teenth time.

Focus in on single mother Lorelai and her daughter Rory who live in the small fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Rory is the brightest kid in school and having always dreamed of attending Harvard University, she moves to a private school thanks to the assistance of her upper-class grandparents, who her mother cannot stand, especially after their reaction to her becoming pregnant at 16.

I first watched this show as a young teenager myself, and although it romanticises the idea of having a single mother due to their extremely close relationship, it showed me that a mother-daughter relationship can be a good one. In fact, it was probably one of the reasons my own relationship with my mother improved; I became more aware of the struggles of motherhood and more grateful for everything she did.

The series focuses on Rory's ambition to become a journalist and Lorelai's goal of opening her own inn with her best friend and chef Sookie St. James. While doing so, the two also weave their way through a series of romantic relationships, including Lorelai's "will-they-won't-they" dynamic with local diner owner Luke Danes, her unresolved feelings for Rory's father Christopher, and fleeting moments with Rory's high school English teacher, Max Medina. Rory's boyfriends included her first love Dean, mysterious yet literate bad boy Jess - who is also Luke's nephew, and wealthy upper-class Logan who fits in well with the life of her grandparents that her mother tried so hard to keep her from.

For the record, I'm team Jess. Although troublesome at times, he has always cared for Rory the most. He isn't too overprotective like Dean or too unreliable like Logan.

Gilmore Girls is such an easy show to watch and will leave you wanting more. Luckily for the show's fans, the 2016 revival Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life treated us to just that, following Rory's life as a freelance journalist. It does, however, leave you with the biggest cliff-hanger of all time, so prepare yourself for that.

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So, there it is. The three most classic yet underrated shows to binge watch right now. All three are socially relevant yet not too heavy at the same time, and each one will resemble reading an incredibly good book you just couldn't put down.

Enjoy the rest of winter and isolation the right way! My winter blankets, hot chocolate and pillow fort is ready; is yours?