Professional Fangirl- Katelyn Benschoter

Life as we all know has its fair share of ups and downs, and sometimes amidst the chaos the last thing we want is more drama. I love watching a compelling drama as much as the next person, since nothing will quite beat the feeling of the final reveal of how a crime was done or when someone finds out a secret that has been hidden from them. But, I think a modern television watching audience can forget the joy and comfort of a good ol’ sitcom. As a busy college student I have recently reconnected with the comfort of a 30 minute episode, characters I know, and an ending that will satisfy me. I am petitioning that we bring sitcoms, and I mean good sitcoms, because haven’t we all had enough drama?

I love keeping up with all things media related, and I love seeing what the hottest new shows are and trying to understand why they are popular. Doing this, however, can become quite difficult when it seems every show has stopped having normal length episodes and instead puts out 5 movie length episodes. Even with the most compelling dramas, it can be hard to find time to commit to watching something for that long. Especially as a student with classes and extracurriculars, I just do not have multiple hours of my day to devote to tv watching. While I can’t say that these shows are not worth watching, I think sitcoms also deserve their moment in the sun. During award season, shows that sweep are always these long form dramas, but there was a time when shows like Frasier, Cheer, and Friends were the ones sweeping awards. I think sitcoms need to be recognized again. 

Sitcoms are easy to watch, comforting, and funny. I think everyone ought to give sitcoms a chance when they are sitting back and unwinding after a long day. I know this has been one of my favorite things to do with roommates this year when we just need to shut our brains off. Now there are a lot of bad sitcoms out there, but this can be said about any kind of media. So please, do not let this stop you. Also, try not to let your preconceived ideas about sitcoms stop you either. Sitcoms are frequently known for fostering many stereotypes and insulting jokes. This is not a false statement, but it is not true all the time. And as a modern viewer, you all have the critical thinking skills to recognize this, and still enjoy the overall idea of a show. That being said, here are a few of my favorite sitcoms I would recommend for when you are quick on time and want a break from all of the drama in both the real world and other formats of media.

First and foremost, this article about sitcoms would not be written by me if I did not mention the 1994 sitcom Friends. The show has a simple plot, it follows six friends in their 20’s and early 30’s who live in New York as they navigate finding career, relationships and just the struggles of everyday life. I think the simplicity of the plot is what I find so comforting about this show. Despite living a very different life from many of the show’s characters I can still see myself and my friends in many of the characters. In my own life I have my own Phoebe and Rachel, and I think many fans of the show can relate to this. The show in its time was wildly popular and had a total of ten seasons, and unlike many shows that go for this long, the show maintained relevance and the original plot. This show has maintained quite a bit of relevance even 19 years after the final season aired, so if you have somehow still never seen it, this is your sign.

My next sitcom that I am recommending to all of you is a bit more recent, and one that I am currently experiencing for the first time. This is the 2011 sitcom New Girl. The show follows Jessica Day as she moves in with three men who need a roommate after getting cheated on. Jesscia is upbeat and quirky which creates for many very humorous conflicts between her and the male roommates. The show, similar to Friends, explores the struggles of dating, finding meaningful career and personal growth. Let me just say this show hooked me in immediately, all of the characters are so distinct and funny, and did I mention a slow burn situationship between two of the main characters? The show is just so good, it has actually made me want to be more productive on my homework as I want to ensure having time to watch New Girl before I go to bed. So if you are needing some good motivation, perhaps give this one a try.

My last sitcom recommendation is very timely with the recent news of this show getting a reboot. As you may have guessed, it’s the 2009 show Glee. Now Glee has quite a bit of drama, but it has the same comforting sitcom feel because the show’s plots are just larger than life. It is easy to get sucked in and be able to turn your brain off. The show follows students of McKinley High School, in particular the Glee Club, a ragtag group of students who come together through music. The show is both lighthearted and funny while also tackling parts of the teenage experience such as mental health, sexuality, disability, and finding meaningful relationships. If you grew up doing anything in the arts and have somehow not watched this show, you must. Every episode features so much music and the cast is very talented at what they do. So if you have not, what better time to start watching Glee than before the reboot comes out. 

There are some great television dramas out there, but there are also some great sitcoms and it is time we start appreciating them as well. So find some thirty minutes in your day and try out one of these shows, you will not regret it.