Shows to Watch While Social Distancing

By: Antonia Le ‘22

It goes without saying that social distancing is lonely and boring. In the absence of other people, I’ve started catching up on a lot of the media I’ve missed over the past few months, and even though it’s no replacement for interacting with real people, there are some shows that I’ve found really help ease the suffering. If you need something new to fill up the void you feel, then I’ve got the list for you!

The Good Place

The Good Place is one of the most critically acclaimed shows in most recent years, and for good reason. The show is well-written, funny, and thought-provoking. Revolving around a woman who finds herself in heaven on a mistake, The Good Place has a lot to teach us about being kind to each other and being good people, and honestly, isn’t that what we need in the world? If you’re sick of being stuck at home, turn on The Good Place and indulge in a fantasy where being stuck in one place for what feels like an eternity can actually make you a better, kinder, person. 

Halt and Catch Fire 

Disclaimer: I haven’t fully watched Halt and Catch Fire, but I have so many friends obsessed with it that it would be a crime and a betrayal not to put it on the list. Halt and Catch Fire is a drama revolving around the beginnings of computer technology in the 1980s and 1990s, and it’s often been hailed as one of the besttv showsin recent history. That’s because though Halt and Catch Fire revolves around the technological revolution, it’s actually about the people behind the technology and the connections we make to each other. It’s about friends, family, and what we do both to and for the people we care about. As one character says, “Computers aren’t the thing. They’re the thing that gets you to the thing”–the thing being human connection. While this might hit just a little too close to comfort for some people right now, I know just as many people who like to watch sad movies when they’re already sad, happy films when they’re happy, and shows that are just a little too relevant to their personal lives. In an age where we’re dependent on computers for our connection, a period drama that’s not that far removed but just far removed enough might be just the thing to make us feel like we’re a little less alone. 

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series 

Maybe some people don’t want to watch prestige TV, and that’s fine! In that case, might I recommend High School Musical: The Musical: The Series? It’s exactly what it sounds like: a group of teens at a fictionalized version of the real-life East High from the High School Musical series try to put on a version of High School Musical. It’s lighthearted, fun, and sweet, and you’ll love all of the friendship moments between the kids! The original songs are much better than they have any right to be, and you’ll find yourself singing along to "Wondering" or “Born To Be Brave”. Overall, HSMTMTS is the kind of show that will leave you feeling happy without taking up too much space in your brain. Isn’t that all we need sometimes? 

Legends of Tomorrow

Maybe you’re more of a superhero fan than a kids’ show fan, and that’s why I’d also recommend Legends of Tomorrow. Revolving around a dysfunctional found family of time-traveling superheroes, this show is even more insane than it sounds, and that’s part of its charm. You might never know exactly what is going on, but there’s such a large ensemble of characters you’ll definitely find yourself vibing with someone, and everyone I know who watches this show is obsessed with the team dynamic. Legends of Tomorrow is perfect for anyone who wants something light and action-packed to fill out their days. 

Buzzfeed Unsolved

Now, we’re entering my favorite section of the article, the section that I wrote for me and for me only, the section for people who don’t have their own Netflix or Disney+ accounts, but they need some entertainment too. Thus, the last few entries on this list will be things that you can find for free on the list. And first up is one of my ultimate loves, BuzzFeed Unsolved. 

Though it’s ostensibly an informational show about weird mysteries and creepy haunted locations, the charm of BuzzFeed Unsolved is the friendship between its two hosts, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej. The cases the pair cover are often horrifying, but I usually find myself laughing too much at their banter to care. BuzzFeed Unsolved is funny, smart, and most importantly, easy to watch; every single episode is free on YouTube, and considering there are currently 100 episodes with each episode averaging around 20-30 minutes, you’ll definitely be having fun for a long time with the Ghoul Boys. 

Polygon Overboard

I don’t know about you, but the one thing I miss most in lockdown is playing board games with my friends. As a result, I’ve found myself obsessed with Polygon’s Overboard series, in which several employees of the game journalism website Polygon come together and play a different board game each episode. Sure, you may be asking, “What’s so interesting about watching people play a game when it’s so much more interesting playing a game by myself?” To this, I answer, if people enjoy watching sports when they cannot play it, then people can enjoy watching a bunch of charming and hilarious individuals play a board game. It’s the same thing. In fact, I’d even consider it more fun that sports, just because you get to see a sense of friendship and camaraderie that reminds you of your own friendships. Moreover, the great thing about this show is that you can don’t have to watch every single episode to get the full experience. There’s no continuity, and you don’t even have to understand the games they’re playing to watch. You just have to put a video on, sit back, and enjoy. 

Dimension 20 

Last but definitely not least is likely my favorite show of all time, Dimension 20. Everyone and their mother is probably tired of me recommending Dimension 20 to them at this point, but I can’t help it. It’s a really good show. What do you get when you take a group of seven improv comedians, put them in a room, and make them play D&D together? Absolute magic. Though the narrative is at the mercy of dice rolls and improvisation, Dimension 20 contains some of the most beautiful, deep stories that I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. You start watching Dimension 20 for a simple source of entertainment, and you finish it having learned more about yourself and the world, while also falling in love with the friendships between the cast and the characters. 

Though part of Dimension 20 is tucked away behind a paywall, there is so much content free online that I’m perfectly okay putting it at the end of my list. The entire first and second seasons (and half of the third season) are free on YouTube, and episodes are often around two-hours long, sometimes even more. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about running out of content to watch. Moreover, each season is a different story, so you also don’t have to worry about a cliffhanger. I could go on and on about how much I love this show, but since I can’t, I’ll just say this: watching Dimension 20 sincerely changed my life for the better, and I know that there’s something in it for everyone.

Despite the plethora of shows out there, it can sometimes feel like there’s nothing to watch. I hope this list helped you in some way. Remember to stay sane, stay healthy, and stay six feet apart! 

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