Sometimes at university, the last thing you want to think about is…university. Between the social, domestic and academic stresses of student life, it is important to ensure that you look after your mental health, and relaxing with a good television show is often the best way to do this. Here are some of my personal favourites from my time as a student.
Modern Family
A fantastic and hysterical show about a large family living in California. This show focuses on the lives of various family members of the Pritchett family, both old and young. It has a great cast, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Sofia Vegara and Ed O’Neill to name a few. There is also a brilliant line-up of reoccurring guest stars, such as Nathan Lane and Benjamin Bratt. It also has a very inclusive cast, featuring a gay couple and Latino members of the family.
The programme can be enjoyed so easily, with effortless story lines that will make you feel super content while watching. It rarely drifts away from its comedic nature, although it does deal with some serious issues too. It could be enjoyed by almost anybody. The humour is subtle but effective, and the line deliveries are what makes the show. It shows conflicts within family in a light hearted and relatable way. There are 11 seasons for you to binge on, nine of which are currently streaming on Disney+.
But watching from season one episode one is the best way to get the most out of this hilarious and clever take on a ‘modern family’.
Malcolm in the Middle
Another look at the lives of a family living in America (their location is always kept secret within the show!). This hilarious programme focuses on Malcolm, an incredibly gifted boy who is moved away from his friends in high school to join a gifted class, to which then he becomes an outcast. The family home is a small bungalow, shared between another four people, Malcolm’s two brothers, Reece and Dewey, and his parents, Lois and Hal. The boys are always getting into trouble, and do some fantastically wicked things to each other and unsuspecting members of the public, with amazing results and punishments. Malcolm also has an eldest brother, Francis, who is living at military school, thanks to his behaviour.
The show has two storylines in each episode, a look at Francis’s life, and one at Malcolm’s. This programme looks at life in a more realistic way, with both parents working 40+ hours a week to provide for their children, yet still struggling to pay bills and take care of themselves. It gives an insightful and down-to-earth look into the life of a lower-class family.
One of the things I like most about Malcolm in the Middle is how it doesn’t show family life as perfect. Despite all being completely dysfunctional, they are so entertaining to watch and are very relatable. There are seven seasons of this show, which sees the family grow in brilliant ways. Despite first airing over 20 years ago, the show has aged fantastically well, and Disney+ is currently streaming all seven seasons.
People Just Do Nothing
Another comedic masterpiece, this mockumentary follows the lives of pirate radio station owners, collectively known as Kurupt FM. The series focuses on best friends and main MC’s, Grindah and Beats, who believe they are destined to be grime superstars. The characters are so well written that it almost feels like a real documentary, and you can’t help but laugh at their stupidity. Watching the boys struggle to get famous almost makes you feel sorry for them, as they are completely clueless, but strangely lovable.
There are many recurring jokes throughout the show, which will confuse you and make you cringe (in a good way!). Another effortlessly entertaining programme, it can be enjoyed by almost anybody, particularly people who love listening to grime. I feel that this show is written for students. All five seasons are available to watch on both Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Read next: How to look after yourself in exam season