We are in the midst of a more contentious than ever election season amidst a global health crisis marked by social unrest and stay at home orders. If there was ever a time to shamelessly binge on entertainment, this is it, and with no end in sight.
However, sometimes the stories we see on screen, combined with our new uncertain realities, just push us closer to losing all faith in humanity. Just look at the biggest hit on Netflix during the pandemic: a murder for hire plot involving animal abuse, backstabbing, and drug fueled love affairs. I for one am extremely invested in the Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin storylines. In fact, the vast majority of my Netflix cue involve murder. But once in awhile I need to binge on some feel-good, silver-lining shows so I don’t completely give up on humans and decide to move to an isolated cabin with woodland creatures and my pets as my sole companions.
It’s like a Darkness Detox.
Here are four shows we’ve binged this year that helped me decide to put off my Snow White plan a little longer.
1. Queer Eye
Queer Eye is probably the most well known program on this list. This is a reboot of a 2003 Bravo show of the same name. I never watched the original but maybe I should since I love this one so much.
The Fab Five offers almost everything I love – food, interior design, makeovers, animals, inspirational characters. They also serve us things we didn’t know we needed- reminders for self-care and self-love, lessons about tolerance and diversity, difficult conversations about life and family and relationships.
I first heard about this show two years ago when I saw several Facebook statuses from friends talking about how this new show had them in tears during every episode. I never did Cry Out Loud (can we make COL a thing? Like LOL? But more relevant to 2020?) but that probably had more to do with my antidepressants AKA Tear Suppressants, as these episodes have no shortage of moving moments.
If you only watch one episode to see what I mean, watch Season 4, Episode 2, “Disabled But Not Really.”
2. The Kindness Diaries
Host Leon Logothetis travels the world with only a vintage motorbike and the kindness of strangers, which he pays back in unexpected, inspiring ways.
Netflix
The Netflix description for the show pretty much sums it up. Former U.K. stockbroker Leon Logothetis ditches his suit and tie life in search of more meaning and adventure – relying only on the kindness and generosity of strangers for food and shelter. Even if you find the series as cheesy as it sounds, Leon’s British accent makes the whole ordeal seem that much more genuine.
3. Love on the Spectrum
Love on the Spectrum follows a group of Australian young adults looking for love. Only, these hopeful romantics live in varying degrees on the autism spectrum. The exchanges on the show offer a welcome reprieve from the mind-numbing drama of mainstream reality TV dating shows. Don’t get me wrong, I am an avid follower the 90 Day Fiancé franchise and other addictive garbage, but this really opened my (mostly) “neurotypical” mind to a more straightforward approach to viewing the world and relationships.
My favorite example of this when one male cast member explains having tried a number of things to figure out what or who he’s interested in. He tried to watch some gay porn to see if that might tickle his fancy but, “I didn’t like it.” So that was that. Meanwhile, I’m on season three of Shameless where some men deny being gay even while balls deep in another dude. We should be free to like whoever we like, not deny our hearts’ desires because we’re worried about labels and opinions.
If you enjoy the humor in this show, I also recommend the show Atypical (Netflix, Fiction)
4. Down to Earth with Zac Efron
You might be thinking, “What’s this High School Musical child actor able to add to my life? Is he on this list because you want him to milk your titties?” No…that’s not the only reason. This former Disney heart throb is all grown up and has taken on a world view that appears rare among Hollywood elite. Zac teams up with superfood expert Darin Olien to explore ways we can be kinder to our bodies and our planet. It’s important to note that not all of the claims in this show are proven or to be taken as gospel. However, the show still gave me new reasons and ways to think about sustainable living and eating practices and serves as a reminder to be the best global citizens we can.
Now go eat some organic fruit and give somebody a (masked) hug.