Summer for me means excessive and non-stop television consumption. Here is every show I’ve watched so far, and why you should watch them too.

Breaking Bad

Courtesy of Netflix

“Breaking Bad” follows overqualified chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) trying to provide for his family after a stage-three lung cancer diagnosis. Partnering with his former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), the two become methamphetamine producers and distributors, building a reputation and growing increasingly entangled in the criminal world. 

If you are on the fence about watching, here’s a cautionary tale: I held off on watching “Breaking Bad” as a point of pride. I thought I was different for not wanting to watch, because how good could a show about drugs actually be? But, I was wrong. Don’t be different. “Breaking Bad” is a masterpiece, combining incredible storytelling with top-notch performances. Considered to be one of the greatest shows of all time, “Breaking Bad” is a must-watch.

Available to stream on Netflix. 

How I Met Your Mother

Courtesy of Plugged In

The iconic sitcom centers around Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) telling his children the story of how he (you guessed it) met their mother. The simple premise opens a gateway to hilarious and poignant storylines following Mosby and his friends navigating their late twenties and thirties in New York, as Mosby searches for his future wife. 

“How I Met Your Mother” is a fun watch. The clever use of timelines, attention to continuity and unreliable narration provide an immersive and complex viewing experience. But it is the ongoing storylines, hilarious characters and touching life lessons that make it a staple in sitcom history (and is enough to make you ignore the unfortunate laugh track).

Available to stream on Hulu.

The Bear

Courtesy of Vanity Fair

Yes, Chef! Following the death of his brother, world-class chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) returns home to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop, The Beef. Carmy struggles with the drastic shift from Michelin-star menus to messy family drama, along with the emotional baggage associated with the place he ran away from. 

“The Bear” is packed with fast-paced kitchen montages, seasoned with snide jabs and brutal remarks between chefs. Quick-witted and fast-paced, it masterfully crafts a delicious story of loss, worth and family. It is also simultaneously stress- and hunger-inducing, perfectly capturing the intense dynamic of a restaurant kitchen. Every single episode had my heart racing and my stomach growling. Don’t watch while hungry.

Available to stream on Hulu.

Liv and Maddie

Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter

Sisters by chance, friends by choice. When Liv (Dove Cameron), a Hollywood television star, comes home to Wisconsin, her twin and high school basketball powerhouse, Maddie (Dove Cameron), is suddenly tasked with sharing the spotlight. They could not be more different (minus their identical faces). The two of them, along with the rest of the Rooney family, learn to adjust to Liv’s return and the zany adventures associated with stardom.  

Don’t be fooled by the Disney Channel logo as “Liv and Maddie” is a powerhouse. The documentary-style format with cutaway commentary acts as both a perspective provider and comedic relief. And, Cameron’s Emmy-award-winning performance as polar opposite twins is so convincing, I did not realize it was the same actress upon first watch. 

Available to stream on Disney+.

Santa Clarita Diet

Courtesy of Vanity Fair

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as Sheila and Joel, respectively, a married realtor couple who live a peaceful life in the suburbs. That is until Sheila mysteriously becomes undead and begins to crave humans. From there, the two are tasked with keeping their family and life intact, while simultaneously adjusting to Sheila’s murderous, new diet.

Incredibly grotesque and morbid, “Santa Clarita Diet” puts the “original” in Netflix original. The writing is stellar, with the unique concept keeping the plot unpredictable. Yet, it is the strong performances, witty humor and heartfelt moments that make it worth watching (if you can sit through the surplus of blood and gore). Despite receiving critical acclaim, the show was abruptly canceled after season three due to low ratings. 

Available to stream on Netflix.

Big Little Lies

Courtesy of IMDb

Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, the hit HBO show centers around a murder in the wealthy, coastal town of Monterey, California. Filled with beautiful families, seemingly perfect parents and luxurious homes, the social scene of Monterey is fractured below the surface. And, as the mystery untangles, it becomes obvious that nothing is really as it appears to be.

Widely regarded as one of the best book-to-TV adaptations, “Big Little Lies” is a powerhouse. The writing is dangerously witty and devastating, the soundtrack is phenomenal and the cast is, for lack of a better word, loaded. “Big Little Lies” stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zöe Kravitz. And that’s just the moms. The show also features Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott and the incomparable Meryl Streep in season two. It’s engaging, jaw-dropping and best enjoyed with a glass of white wine. 

Available to stream on HBO Max.

If you have any show recommendations, please let us know @dailynexusartsweek on Instagram.