The news of the world is constantly depressing, the weather outside is crummy and to top it all off, it's tax season. Is it summer yet?
Unfortunately, no, it's only early March, but that's kind of a good thing too. Netflix's newest original series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt premieres March 6, and it's sure to perk you up. The comedy, created by Tina Fey and her 30 Rock co-creator Robert Carlock, chronicles the title character's transition from being forced into a cult to trying to make it in New York City.
And yes, this show will make you miss 30 Rock. But lucky for you, once you finish The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, you can re-watch 30 Rock for the eighth time on Netflix too. In case you're still in dire need of some levity after that, here are the best TV comedies on Netflix Instant Streaming that will do the trick.
1. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1967)
Do all of the modern advancements of Twitter, smartphones and a 24/7 news cycle got you down? Why not escape to a simpler time and place to the small town of Mayberry by watching The Andy Griffith Show? Sometimes a little good, clean fun hits the spot.
2. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1965)
Just try not to smile as you watch the feel-good comedy stylings of OGs Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. Also, there are more than 30 episodes in each of the five seasons of The Dick Van Dyke Show, so you're really getting a lot of bang for your buck.
3. MASH (1972-1976)
Making the harsh realities of war funny is no small feat, so you should totally check out MASH. That's an order, private.
4. Cheers (1982-1992)
With so many amazing comedic actors on one show together, you're bound to get comedy gold. Cheers is one of the best sitcoms of all time, so if you haven't seen it yet, pour a cold one and do so pronto.
5. Family Ties (1982-1988)
Ex-hippie parents with an ultra-conservative teenage son? What could possibly go wrong? See for yourself by watching Family Ties.
6. Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1990)
Netflix recently announced that the Judd Apatow-produced film Pee-Wee's Big Holiday will premiere exclusively on the platform. A premiere date hasn't been announced yet, so you have plenty of time to see where it all began by watching all five seasons of Pee-Wee's Playhouse plus its Christmas special on Netflix Instant Streaming.
7. The Wonder Years (1988-1992)
I am oddly nostalgic for The Wonder Years, a show that originally aired in the late '80s and early '90s that was about nostalgia for the '60s and that I watched in syndication as a kid in the late '90s and early 2000s. Check out The Wonder Years, and get your own twisted nostalgia trip.
8. Dinosaurs (1991-1994)
From the mind of Jim Henson, Dinosaurs was a sitcom that both kids and their parents could enjoy watching together. Awww, isn't that nice?
9. Frasier (1993-2003)
Most TV spin-offs don't work, but Frasier is one of the exceptions. After starting as a character on Cheers, Frasier Crane finally got his own spotlight — along with his kooky family.
10. Friends (1994-2003)
This show really needs no introduction. The excitement that the announcement of its arrival on Netflix generated in October is evidence of that. I know you've watched so many re-runs of Friends already, but come on. You know you're always up for an episode or 22 on a lazy Sunday.
11. Arrested Development (2003-2013)
Yes, Netflix famously brought back Arrested Development from the dead for a fourth season in 2013, but let's not talk about that. Just enjoy the first three seasons, and watch the newest one if you absolutely have to (which you don't).
12. Peep Show (2003-2012)
Don't let the title of this British comedy favorite about two roommates fool you. It's not NSFW, but it is weird and wonderful.
13. The Office (2005-2012)
Of course, most of us want to unwind from a long day of work when we curl up with our laptops to watch something on Netflix. Though The Office is about the workplace, you probably don't work somewhere like this, and if you do, it must be the best job ever.
14. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2013)
It took nine seasons to find out who the woman in the title wound up being, but as we all know, it's not about the end destination but the journey.
15. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-2013)
Four friends run a bar in Philadelphia in this comedy, and they get into some pretty serious shenanigans in each episode. But of course.
16. 30 Rock (2006-2012)
Who knew that the behind-the-scenes of a sketch comedy show could be just as funny as the actual show if not more? We still miss you, 30 Rock.
17. Parks and Recreation (2009-2013)
We just said goodbye to Parks and Recreation after seven seasons on NBC. But in case you're not ready to let go yet, you can watch it all from the beginning on Netflix, with the exception of the final season.
18. Louie (2010-2012)
This critically acclaimed series from Louis C.K. is real funny, but it also gets really real sometimes.
19. Bob's Burgers (2011-2012)
If you're looking for a good-and-fashioned family sitcom, Bob's Burgers isn't it. But it is one of the most heartwarming shows you'll see on TV today.
20. Saturday Night Live: The 2010s (2011-2012)
It's no secret that some of the biggest comedy stars get their start on SNL. You can catch the likes of Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Jason Sudeikis in Seasons 37 and 38 of SNL on Netflix now.
21. New Girl (2011-2013)
It may seem like New Girl is all about Zoey Deschanel, but it's really about how her character Jess Day navigates 30-something-dom with her lovable roomies.
22. Portlandia (2011-2014)
The organic-granola-hipster metropolis that is Portland, Ore. (at least that's what the Internet tells us), is pretty easy to poke fun at. So it's no surprise that Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein do an amazing job of doing that on IFC's sketch comedy show Portlandia.
23. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012)
This ABC comedy only had two short seasons, but it is vastly underrated, IMHO. It's a modern take on The Odd Couple, (no not the current one), the actual modern take on The Odd Couple, where Dreama Walker's kind-hearted midwesterner June has to survive living with Krysten Ritter's party girl Chloe in the Big Apple. Oh, and James Van Der Beek plays himself.
24. Derek (2012-2014)
Derek was created by Ricky Gervais, so you would think the show would be a little too crass for your taste. Well, it is, but the titular character has so much heart that you'll walk away from watching Derek still feeling good.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page
