Okay, so you've officially hit the bottom of the streaming barrel. You've seen every episode of The Office (for the tenth time), memorized all the lines from Friends, and even considered watching that nature documentary about snails – desperate times indeed!
Fear not, friend! Finding a new show to binge is totally achievable. Let's dive into some strategies that are guaranteed to work (or at least, highly likely to keep you entertained for a few hours).
Level 1: The "Obvious" Route
Ask Your Friends (But Maybe Not Your *Most* Obsessed Friend)
Your friends are a goldmine of recommendations. Just proceed with caution if you have that one friend who considers themselves a TV guru and will quiz you on plot details later.
Stick to asking a few trusted pals whose tastes you generally align with. If they loved The Good Place, and you did too, their next suggestion is probably a winner!
Dive into Streaming Service Recommendations
Streaming services aren't just black holes sucking away your free time; they're also… recommendation engines! Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video - they all try to suggest new shows based on what you’ve already watched.
Don't just dismiss these suggestions! Sometimes they get it surprisingly right. It's like they’re reading your mind… or maybe just analyzing your viewing history very carefully.
Check Out the Trending Lists
Every streaming platform has a "trending now" or "popular this week" section. This is where all the cool kids (and let's be honest, sometimes not-so-cool kids) are hanging out.
Give it a peek! You might discover the next big thing, or at least a fun show that everyone's talking about at the water cooler (or, you know, on Zoom calls).
Level 2: Getting a Little More Creative
Explore Related Genres
Okay, so you love crime dramas? Great! But maybe try a crime comedy, or a historical mystery, or even a sci-fi thriller with a detective element.
Branching out just a little bit can open up a whole new world of viewing possibilities. It's like discovering a secret passage in your house that leads to a room full of snacks and puppies!
Read Reviews (But Don't Spoil Yourself!)
Reviews can be helpful, but be careful! You don't want to accidentally stumble upon a major plot twist.
Focus on reviews that give you a general sense of the show's tone, characters, and overall quality. Think of it like reading the back of a cereal box before you commit to buying the whole thing.
Go Old School: Ask a Librarian!
Yes, libraries still exist, and librarians are still awesome. They're basically human search engines who can help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Don't be shy! Tell them what kind of shows you like, and they'll likely have some fantastic suggestions you haven't even considered. Who knows, maybe you discover some hidden gems.
Level 3: The Desperate Measures (Use with Caution!)
Watch the First Episode of *Everything*
This is for the truly desperate. Just pick a bunch of shows at random and watch the first episode of each.
It's a time commitment, sure, but you might stumble upon a diamond in the rough! Just be prepared to power through some serious stinkers along the way.
Embrace the Guilty Pleasure
We all have shows that we secretly love but would never admit to in public. Maybe it's a cheesy reality show, a predictable soap opera, or a cartoon aimed at toddlers.
Embrace it! Sometimes, you just need a little bit of mindless entertainment. Don't let anyone judge you for your guilty pleasures; they're yours and yours alone!
Re-Watch Something You Already Love (But Wait, I thought you said not to do that?)
Okay, okay, I know I said you were at the bottom of the barrel, but sometimes, comfort is key. Put on Parks and Recreation again!
There is nothing wrong with re-watching a classic! Maybe you will even notice something new this time!
So, there you have it! With a little bit of effort and a willingness to experiment, you'll be swimming in new shows in no time. Happy Binging!
