5 Sitcoms Besides “Friends” To Binge This Summer

THE OFFICE- Slowly gaining popularity in India, The show started off in 2005 spanning for 9 seasons. It follows the professional life of people working in a paper company. It is interesting to see how such a dull subject is approached and made funny. The main characters namely Michael Scott, portrayed by the ever so talented Steve Carell, Jim Halpert, a paper salesman, Dwight Schrute , a kiss-ass salesman; Pam , the assistant form the basis of the punchlines and storyline. But it is astonishing how the other side characters are given so much gravitas and humor that they come at par. The accountants, the customer sales rep etc helped in getting it the cult following it truly deserves. No wonder it won multiple Emmys for ensemble cast.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: Considered by many to be a rip off of friends, for sure it is the closest to it. 5 friends wandering through life in Manhattan. So if you are in for an easy detox , I suggest you start with this. It follows the life of Ted Mosby as he tells his kids how he met their mother. (duh!). His best friends from college , Marshall and Lily, a couple, form a part of the group. Others include Robin, a Canadian girl who wants to make it big as a journalist and Barney Stinson, played by Neil Patrick Harris. There is a perpetual love triangle between the three of them which ends surprisingly. NPH is the crowd favourite as the ace womanizer. The ending wasa bit controversial with the fans divided. You gotta watch it to know which side you belong.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Another sit com from Michael Schur , the producer of The Office also boasts of a cult following and names like Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman , Rashida Jones and Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt . Parks and Recreationfocuses on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), the deputy director of theParks and RecreationDepartment in the fictional Indiana town of Pawnee.Throughout its run,Parks and Recreationreceived several awards and nominations, fourteenEmmy Awardnominations, including two forOutstanding Comedy Series, a Golden Globe Award win for Poehler's performance. The Storyline is one of the widest I’ve seen in any Sit com. All we can say is watch is for the engaging performances and rib- tickling subtle humour.

30 ROCK- Boasting of a cast like Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and my favourite female comedian Tina Fey, The story is a satire on the popular network NBC itself. Tina Fey plays Liz Lemon the line producer for an NBC sketch comedy show where she deals with the whole circus of show business. Her boss played by Alec Baldwin is the erratic CEO of the parent company under which NBC falls. It has some really great acting from all the lead especially Jack McBrayer. This is one of those which which you watch without using your brains. A great show for blowing off steam during exams.

THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR: One of my favorite shows growing The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I always crack up watching Carlton’s dance or Jazz literally getting thrown out of Uncle Phil’s house. If you ever heard the theme song it pretty much sums up the series’ plot. Will Smith, played by Will Smith, is a street-smart teen from West Philadelphia. After he gets into a street fight, his mother sends him to live with her sister and brother in law in the community of Bel Air, California. His lifestyle often clashes with the lifestyle of his relatives in Bel Air. The Banks’ family is affluent black family composed of Philip Banks (father), Vivian Banks (mother), Hillary Banks (oldest child), Carlton Banks (brother) and Ashley Banks (youngest child). It has some cultural jokes which may go over Indian audience. But all in all, its entertaining.