Desperate times call for desperate measures, and right now, we are absolutely desperate for a laugh. The internet, whilst a source of info to keep you up to date with the happenings of the world, is also a kind of stressful, anxious place right now. Definitely not the tea if you’re at home self-isolating. So we think you need a laugh, and our first port of call is head to the part of the internet which is a safe haven from current affairs, Netflix. Enjoy a moment of hilarious bliss with these shows and specials which are guaranteed to crack you up at a time where we could use it most.
Michelle Wolf: Joke Show
It's funny, as the title suggests. If you haven’t heard of Michelle Wolf, boy oh boy are you in for a treat. With a pretty solid comedy CV under her belt, Michelle and her self-described ‘shrill voice’ have made appearances on Late Night With Seth Meyers, hosted her own talk show and was the comic relief for the 2018 White House Correspondent’s Dinner. So for her latest gig, expect to laugh so hard you just might wet yourself. One of the best comedy specials we’ve seen of late, Michelle Wolf is tackling topics such as otters, massages, birth, natural disasters and feminism in her own brand of comedy which'll leave you in stitches. For 59 minutes of non-stop laughs, it’ll only take you one second to click here to be on your way to happiness.
Great News S1-2
When a TV show is produced by Tina Fey, you’re guaranteed a laugh, and if you don’t, you get your money back. Mum isn’t gonna like this statement, but mum, even though we love you, we’ve left the nest and we need our space. Please respect our boundaries. Work-obsessed and climbing the ranks, news producer Katie has a high-pressure job—produce the news and do it well so your colleagues will take you seriously. So how is she supposed to do that, when her mother who still treats her like a little kid ends up as the show’s latest intern? For Katie, it’s not so great news, but her overbearing mother is also chasing her dreams, the two of them will have to figure out their dynamic in order to make the show, and take the show. Team work makes the dream work, and a dream of ours is for you to watch the show here.
Leslie Jones: Time Machine
Fans of Saturday Night Live cherished the few years Leslie Jones was a cast member, and rightly so. She was a breath of fresh air who brought so much realness to every segment, telling it how it is to the soundtrack of our laughter. It’s no surprise that fans were devastated when she announced she’d be moving on. But never fear, because you can get your Leslie fix with her latest comedy special, Leslie Jones: Time Machine, which also happens to be directed by the folks behind Game of Thrones. Leslie takes a hilarious look back at her life, taking us on a decade by decade journey through her trials and tribulations of growing up, leaving us in stitches and with a message to live in the moment, and not take life too seriously. The journey begins here.
Derry Girls S1-2
There’s the luck of the Irish, and then there’s the situations Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and her cousin James get themselves into. Set in 1990s Northern Ireland during a time of civil unrest, Derry Girls follows a squad of sixteen year olds laughing along whilst navigating life as Catholic teens in their small hometown of Derry. Life consists of trying (and by and large, failing) to pull the wool over their strict parents' eyes, getting in and out of with trouble with the townspeople, and making a mess of their time at Our Lady Immaculate—much to the displeasure of their teenage-loathing Sister Michael. With two seasons and episodes running around 23 minutes a piece, lighten up your day here with a binge-watch that will leave you smiling.
Crashing
Before every man and his dog knew Phoebe Waller-Bridge, she created and starred in another show, one which is as equally funny and clever as Fleabag. Crashing follows a group of people living as property guardians—making home in an empty, rundown hospital so as to protect it from developers who want to, well, turn it into some liveable, habitable space. Whilst some would see these guys as squatters, the crew that live here see it for what it is—cheap rent. And in a renters' climate like this, who could blame them. Things are going well for resident Anthony until his oldest and dearest friend Lulu arrives and is in need of a place to crash. Trademark Waller-Bridge hilarity ensues. A short watch with only six episodes, think of it more as a two hour movie cos you’ll probably watch this in one go, and you can do so here.
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis
If you’re in your 20’s, everyone older than you will tell you the same thing. Enjoy them. And to that, millennial Taylor Tomlinson is telling those people to shove it. Five years into her second decade on the planet, and Taylor is well and truly, over it. Times are tough, and in-between getting work experience in places which are only hiring experienced people and angry boomers telling us to stop eating avocados, Taylor’s had enough and wants you to stop telling her to enjoy herself. Because she’s not, damn it. Taking a tough look at her life thus far, if a quarter life crisis is as crappy as she reckons, we can’t imagine what her mid-life crisis is going to look like. Empathise with us millennials here.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt S1-4
Remember playing snake on your Nokia brick? Or blasting tinny sounds from our Motorola Razors? It certainly doesn’t feel that long ago, but boy how things have changed. Many kids these days don’t even know what a landline is! Kimmy Schmidt embodies the saying, ‘were you born yesterday’ and has a lot of catching up to do after being trapped in a bunker for 15 years. Seeing the world with brand new eyes, it's 2015 and she’s taking back her life by moving to the Big Apple, making questionable decisions and questionable friends in Lillian, Jacqueline and Titus Andromedon (stand out moments include his music videos of ‘Pinot Noir’ and a Beyonce ‘Hold Up’ parody). Just as Kimmy is unbreakable in a time of change, so are we. Watch it here.
For more comedic inspiration, check out this hilariously helpful Instagram account @netflixisajoke
Need to stretch your legs in between shows? Check out these great indoor workouts.
Image credit: Netflix