Summer is a time to make a little extra cash, catch up on well-earned sleep and get a headstart on next semester’s reading. But, it’s an even better time to binge a few TV shows. The best kind of TV show is one that has multiple seasons ready to go on Netflix or Hulu — one that you can spend a whole week getting to know.
Catch up on or begin these shows to bring even more relaxation to your summer.
GETTY IMAGES: Ellie Kemper plays Kimmy Schmidt
“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
After growing up in an underground bunker for 15 years of her life, Kimmy Schmidt is finally rescued and ready to see the world. Attempting to live a normal life, Kimmy moves to New York and finds her happy-go-lucky demeanor might not cut it in the big city.
Ellie Kemper’s character along with Titus Burgess, who plays her roommate, brings a brightness to the small screen.
The first season aired in 2015. Three years and 4 seasons of the Netflix original later, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is still going strong. It hasn’t strayed too far from its original message: “Feminism is important, especially when you’ve been trapped in a bunker.”
Part one of season four just ended and the air date of part two has yet to be announced. But creators say “Kimmy Schmidt” will end with a bang after season four.
With witty commentary and a strong cast of hilarious characters — thanks to creator Tina Fey — “Kimmy Schmidt” is a TV show worth binging.
“Portlandia”
After seven years of hilariously weird creations, “Portlandia” ended its run with eight seasons in March.
This sketch comedy series pokes fun at and has fun with its setting in Portland, taking the “keep Portland weird” mantra to a whole new level.
Starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the show centers on Fred and Carrie, two friends living together in Portland. However, thanks to the weirdness of the show and its comedy sketch qualities, the two often become different characters representing what it means to keep it “weird” in Portland.
A full 77 episodes on Netflix makes this show one just weird enough and just bingeable for summer.
GETTY IMAGES: The cast of “New Girl”
“New Girl”
After a full seven seasons, “New Girl” — the “Friends” for millennials — finally found a note to end on.
The sitcom, which features five main characters and a plethora of lovable recurring characters, is quippy, fast and perfectly quirky. Who’s to praise for that sort of vibe? Zooey Deschanel, who plays Jess, is the string that ties the whole show together.
In season one, we find Jess down on her luck and needing to move in with four men. Throughout the following seasons, each episode features on-again-off-again relationships between the roommates and a whole lot of funny pranking.
Netflix and Hulu combined have 146 episodes of “New Girl,” perfect for binging this summer.
“Bates Motel”
If you’re looking for something both dramatic and eerily creepy, a full five seasons of “Bates Motel” on Netflix is perfect for this summer.
This TV show, which aired from 2011 to 2017, follows the mother-son duo of Norma and Norman Bates as they settle into a small, coastal town in Oregon and open a motel.
This show begins with Norma and Norman, played by Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, hitting the restart button on their lives after the death of Norma’s husband. From there, a few of the creepy twists and turns of the original 1960s classic and newer storylines take place.
A full 50 episodes is sure to appease your horror needs for the summer.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97