Best Comedy Series on Netflix

Well I might as well keep it going with my most popular blog series to date: The Best of Netflix. It's also my only "blog series" to date... but whatever.

As we all know by now, I love the Netflix. I haven't paid for cable in over a year despite the fact that I've worked on a handful of shows that appear on it. For some reason, I feel more motivated to watch the hidden gems that are picked by some sort of higher power for $7.99 a month.

And within these hidden gems are plenty of TV comedies that will tickle your funny bone. And yes, I apologize for using "tickle your funny bone". But let's just cut to the chase...

First a disclaimer: This list will be biased towards my weird sense of humor. So sorry in advance:


The Top 10 Comedy Shows on Netflix:

10. The Whitest Kids U' Know  - Season 5
An acquired taste, but once it's acquired, you can't turn away. Some of the sketches miss their mark, but most are hilarious and can really draw the viewer in with the ridiculousness of the material. Exhibit A:

9. Reno 911! - Season 1-6
Speaking of acquired tastes, this one is another. I never fell in love with the show, but its got that drawing power that sucks you in without you even knowing. The characters are great but some could have used a little more work. Still worth watching.

8. That 70's Show - Season 1-8
The seasons have their ups and downs, and whenever a character leaves, we're left with a giant hole in the comedy, but the show still holds up. How That 70's Show not be special when just about every main character has gone on to have very successful careers?

7. How I Met Your Mother - Season 1-6
This is the type of show where you have to pick your poison. Some characters are awesome and over-the-top (Barney), while others are lame yet awkwardly familiar (Ted). Plus you can learn a lot from watching HIMYM:

6. Blue Mountain State - Season 1-3
You know what sucks? When you get really invested into a show right after it gets canned. That's what happened here for me. The show is hilarious and so over-the-top that its hard not to like. Plus the main cast really brings it. Especially "Thad".

5. Trailer Park Boys - Season 1-7
Most Americans have their own interesting opinions on our Canadian friends up north, but this show will completely reverse any stereotype your mind has adapted. The story is so simple: Sell weed and figure out a way to get rich in a trailer park.Yet it's way more than that. Plus, there's Ricky:

4. Workaholics - Season 1
Oooh I LIKE thaat! After just the first episode, I fell in love with every individual who had a role with producing this show. My one problem is that only the 1st season is available while the 3rd season is playing on Comedy Central right now. I had to walk to my local Bull Moose and pick up the 2nd season before I fell too far behind. Still totally worth it.

3. Louie - Season 1-2
The best written show of the bunch. Louis CK is the George Carlin of this age, and I say that as a huge fan of Carlin's work. Smart humor with plenty of stupidity to keep people like me happy. Plus, this show actually makes you think every once in a while... but who wants to think?

2. The League - Season 1-2
FX is killing it. 2 of my top 3 shows are on the network, and if I had my way, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Wilfred would be on Netflix as well. But to explain this selection, let me say one thing... Shiva Kamini Soma Kandarkram!

1. Chappelle's Show - Season 1-3
Did you expect any other show to be in this spot? There has never been a man that has spit more annoyingly quotable lines from his mouth in a 3 year span than Dave Chappelle. Hell, I could have made this list just about my personal favorite quotes (which actually might have to happen). I think everyone would agree with me when I say this show was legendary.

And there you have it. Another reason for TV fanatics to hate me. But hey, I'm only human and can't watch everything Netflix has to offer. So here's another 10 shows that I tried but didn't watch enough to really get into:

Parks and Recreation
Arrested Development
Peep Show
The IT Crowd
Spaced
30 Rock
The Office
My Name is Earl
Malcolm in the Middle
The Hard Times of RJ Berger

Happy watching people.

9/13/12 UPDATE
Immediately after writing this post, I became hardcore invested into Arrested Development, which makes me think this list needs an update. Whitest Kids U Know should be dropped and I'd place Arrested Development up at number 2 just because it's the best written comedy series on Netflix PERIOD. I seriously can't wait for the upcoming renewal as well as a future movie.
- Eddie


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK
 
Zion I & The Grouch
"Leader"
They say there's too many
cooks in the kitchen.
Well I rather be one of
them than some of chicken.

The Way We Get By

Let me summarize freelance filmmaking in one word...

Unpredictable.

Yup, that will do it. Because it feels as if every time I start putting my fingers to the keyboard for another rant about how work has become dryer than a cat's tongue (yeah I went there), things pick up faster than ever before.

Alright, so let's bring everyone up to speed. It all started with a downer. I got a recommendation for that George H.W. Bush HBO documentary being shot in Kennebunkport but we couldn't make it happen. That was a big letdown because that sounded like such a great experience. Who wouldn't want to kick it with Barbara and the gang? Even though I'm sure it was nothing like I expected.

Would have been a grand ol' time.

Then while I'm kicking rocks around in personal anguish, I get a call from a production company coming to Portland for a Food Network show. I spend 75% of my day thinking about what I'm going to eat... so of course I said yes. By the way, the other 25% is spent actually eating.

Then like 2 days after that, I get an even more exciting call. Turns out A&E's Hoarders is coming to Manchester, NH and could use some help the following weekend. That was a big HELL yes.

A dream come true?

I would have been completely content right there. But then today I get an e-mail from a production company coming to Portland for the Cooking Channel. And the best part is that everything actually fits into my schedule. Does that ever happen???

Oh, and remember that blog post about the Best Documentaries on Netflix? I actually received an e-mail from the producer of an award winning documentary called The Way We Get By. It was shot in Bangor, ME and focuses on a group of senior citizens who greet U.S. troops going through the Bangor International Airport. She recommended her movie after reviewing the list. So I clicked on the Netflix and gave it a watch... and of course she was COMPLETELY right. Such a touching documentary that without a doubt deserves a spot on that list. She told me about her next project and how she could use some help but it's way up near the Canadian border so the logistics aren't looking good. But either way I wish her crew the best of luck.

So yeah, looks like I'm about to get real busy again. I love it.

Despite the hectic schedule, I'm definitely going to have to make some time for a Fourth of July celebraish. And by "celebraish" I mean call up a bunch of hooligans, fill a cooler with the first stereotypical 30 rack of beer I see that has the colors red, white, & blue on it, grab a chair (preferably a recliner with optional footrest), find a body of water to place said chair and/or optional footrest, and watch things explode into magical pixie dust. Perfect way to recoup during a period like this. If I don't accomplish this plan, then the "terrorists" have won.

Not on my watch.


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK
 
Spoon
"The Way We Get By"
We go out in stormy weather
We rarely practice discern
We make love to some weird sin
We seek out the taciturn
And that's the way we get by

WORDS & JUNK FOOD

Remember that short period of time when I wanted to move to Florida? Well, then someone in Miami had to go and get their face eaten off by a drugged up lunatic (bath as-salt?). And of course I had to make the mistake of looking at the picture... uggggggh. There's a day ruiner right there. By the way, according to auto-correct, "ruiner" isn't a word. Well I'm a certified Ruiner of Words so that can't hold me back.

Anyways, I thought it would be nice to throw down a little rant on the blog since I've basically vanished from it. I feel as if every month I've tried to set a goal for blog posts but I never reach it due to the fact I'd rather be doing... well... anything else. Living close to Downtown Portland in the summer really increases my motivation to step outside. But lucky (or unlucky) for you, it's currently raining so I'm actually stuck at a desk editing video and in need of gaining my mind back. So let's begin:

The topic on my mind right now is restraints. And no, I'm not just talking about the Webster Dictionary restraints that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I'm talking about some of the ridiculous laws that our politicians are lobbying for. And the worst part is, they're SUCCEEDING.

OH NO! It's going to be one of those blogs...

Yeah my apologies but I'm going there. This rant slowly manifested itself when I found out yesterday that residents in Middleborough, MA have voted to create a $20 fine for swearing in public.

Fucking really?

My apologies, because I wrote before that I'm personally trying to swear less in this blog, but the town of Middleborough should realize what makes a word bad in the first place. A word becomes a "bad" word when we place restraints on it. By restricting a curse word, we are only increasing the imaginary power behind it. Words aren't created to be bad. Words are man-made and are dictated by the way we choose to use them.

When something is restricted, it's aura grows. When people can't have something, the power behind that something skyrockets.

Skyrockets in flight. Afternoon delight!

Whether it's something physical or mental.

Exhibit A: Drugs. Exhibit B: Porn for Minors. Exhibit C: Underage drinking. Exhibit D: Hot cheerleaders.

It's just human nature people. We want what we can't have. It's why you're currently working instead of rolling around in the mud. Because you want money to buy things you can't have right now. You can have a good ol' mud roll whenever you want (terrible example, I know).

Alright let's recap the travel we've completed before we move forward. So far we've already gone from Miami, Florida to Middleborough, Massachusetts. Now we head a bit south to New York City. If you haven't heard, Mayor Bloomberg is on the verge of banning large sugar-filled drinks at restaurants and other locations.

I personally don't drink a lot of the drinks that will be affected, but dammit, if people want a soda that's contents are equivalent to 50 packages of sugar then let them get a soda that's contents are equivalent to 50 packages of sugar. The individuals making these rules for us are basically saying "Hey, you're not smart enough to make your own decisions so I'm going to make them for you. Plus, I'm sick of looking at your tummy jiggles every time I see you at the local Starbucks." Ridiculous. By the way, my apologies if I've offended anyone that has to deal with "tummy jiggles" on a daily basis. It's a serious disorder, people.

But Bloomberg's health panel isn't done yet. They're also looking to limit the size of that delicious, buttery popcorn you pick-up every time you return to the theater for the latest Twilight midnight premiere. And milk could be the next target.

I hate to sound like a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon, but what happened to freedom? What happened to doing things because they made us happy in the moment? Sure, it's going to hurt us in the long run, but some politicians are acting like we're so stupid we don't realize that. Plus, how come I can still go into the local NY bodega and pick up 40 oz. of St. Ide's non-high gravity malt liquor heaven with a side of Twinkie's wrapped in Slim Jims but I can't have a 20 oz. Slurpee?

Let's get our priorities straight people. Amurikah.

TODAY'S TASTY TRACK


Jack White
"Sixteen Saltines"
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat,
Driftin' away when I'm talking and laughing as we float,
I hear a whistle, that's how I know she's home,
Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home,