By Mira Nayak
Modern Family
A classic. Like clockwork, I find myself turning Hulu back on to blindly pick out an episode of Modern Family—they’re all perfect. The show remains consistent from the first episode to the last, with its diverse cast of characters portraying various phases in different human experiences, and ultimately returning home to the dinner table. Modern Family is easily my most recommendable show: it’s reliable, it’s relatable, and it’s real. The first few seasons run like fables, ending with morals as if instructed to you. In contrast to my love for the show, I’ll admit I have never seen the last episode. It’s hard to leave such a good show behind, but maybe someday I will.
The Office
The Office baffles me with every watch. I just can’t wrap my head around the genius behind the show. Never would I think that watching 9 seasons of people “working” at a paper company would be so endlessly entertaining, and above all, comforting. My friend Penny Nunes hates when I talk about this show, describing it as “crazy and psychotic,” but clearly she doesn’t understand the magic of the paper business.
Community
Community is true genius. The funky bunch of characters run through so many insane plotlines in the form of parodies that leave you wondering how the writers even thought of them. My favorite are the show’s paintball episodes, which are parodies for action movies, and consequently ended in the writers (the Russo brothers) writing for the Avengers and Captain America movies. As the show goes further into its parodies though, it loses a bit of the emotional touch between characters. The show definitely values its comedy and social commentary over relationships between characters, however, making it fitting for the show.
Parks and Recreation
And now, ending the year, with good ol’ Parks and Rec. Parks and Recreation follows Leslie Knope, a very dedicated government employee, through her most whimsical struggles with her accommodating yet loving companions. Out of all of the sitcoms I’ve watched this year, this one is closest to my beloved The Office, if not sisters. Parks and Rec is like The Office, Brooklyn 99, and Arrested Development had a secret love child. It’s full of awkward silence, recurring jokes, and what I love most, these bizarrely positive characters. Chris Traeger, played by Rob Lowe, comes into the second season with an insanely positive leadership mindset as City Manager. It’s understandable to have the highest position be the most positive, influencing others and creating a welcoming environment. To me, I think back on this:if it makes sense in this fictional show, it makes sense in real life. As a leader, every time I’m having a down day, I think about Chris Traeger and his leadership style.