NETFLIX CAN BE a little bit overwhelming. When you’re sitting there mindlessly scrolling through the rows and rows of titles, it’s hard to feel you’re getting the best out of your subscription. But we’ve done the research, and we think we can help.
To start you off on your binge-watching journey, here are 7 of the best cult comedy shows streaming at the moment.
Black Books
What it’s about: Grumpy bookshop owner Bernard Black, who prefers smoking, drinking and reading to actually interacting with other people. His assistant Manny (Bill Bailey) and their friend Fran (Tamsin Greig) try to force him to be more sociable, to often-disastrous results.
Why you should watch it: Written by Irish comedian Dylan Moran (who also plays Bernard) and Father Ted’s Graham Linehan, the series won two BAFTAs during its 2000-2004 run. Indeed, The Guardian said the show could “make even a tax return funny”. Which it does, in the very first episode. Genius.
Archer
What it’s about: A self-centred, childish spy who’s more concerned with getting one up on his colleagues (and his overbearing mother) than solving global crises. Somehow he manages to save the world more than a few times. Somehow.
Why you should watch it: After watching a few episodes, you’ll realise THIS is what people are quoting all the time. It’s daft, rude and packed with memorable one-liners. If you’re an Arrested Development fan, you’ll recognise half the voices already, including the dulcet tones of Jessica Walter (Lucille Bluth) as yet another formidable matriarch.
Episodes
What it’s about: Matt LeBlanc stars as a fictionalised version of himself – an arrogant actor who takes a role in the US version of a popular British sitcom.
Why you should watch it: Episodes has been flying relatively low under the public radar, despite Matt LeBlanc winning a Golden Globe for it in 2012 and reviews calling it a sharp satire of the entertainment industry. You’ll recognise Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan (who play the British TV producers) from Channel 4′s sitcom Green Wing.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
What it’s about: A group of dishonest, lazy ‘friends’ attempting to run an unsuccessful Irish pub in Philadelphia using any means possible.
Why you should watch it: First things first, it stars Danny freakin’ DeVito. Secondly, it’s picked up a huge cult following over the years, with one reviewer writing “It’s like Seinfeld on crack.” Good enough for us.
Dead Like Me
What it’s about: Eighteen-year-old Georgia Lass is killed in a freak accident but instead of passing into the afterlife, she joins a group of ‘grim reapers’, collecting the souls of people who die in circumstances similar to hers.
Why you should watch it: The sweet yet dark comedy (starring Homeland’s Mandy Patinkin as the head of the group of grim reapers) was axed after only two seasons, and fans are still in mourning. It’s a different take on your typical coming-of-age tale, where Georgia finds herself learning about the true meaning of life after she dies.
BoJack Horseman
What it’s about: A washed-up actor from a 90s sitcom (who happens to be a horse) plans to relaunch his career with a tell-all biography.
Why you should watch it: The Netflix original animation was critically panned on release earlier this year, but BoJack has been a surprise hit with viewers - Vulture has called it ‘the funniest show about depression ever’. The voice cast is seriously impressive with Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Olivia Wilde and Stanley Tucci (amongst many more) on the roster.
Portlandia
What it’s about: Comedy sketches about the colourful characters of the city of Portland, hipster capital of the USA. There’s humourless feminist bookshop owners, DIY enthusiasts, unemployed millennials… Everyone takes a hit.
Why you should watch it: If you think the hipsters of the world aren’t getting lampooned enough, here’s a whole show devoted to that very theme. But the duo behind the show – SNL alum Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein (formerly of 90s rock band Sleater-Kinney) – manage to do it all with love in their hearts.
