Let me tell you something…I missed spring! The seasonal depression is out, and the pastel-colored Easter eggs are in. The end of February and the beginning of March are arguably the most stressful times of the year after Christmas. It’s probably because we’re working and schooling nonstop with no breaks. Regardless, let’s turn that frown upside down because I have some recommendations! Spring is the perfect time for comedies. That said, if you don’t have a subscription to HBO Max already, you should go ahead and get one. You’re sure to find your comedic niche there, and I promise that your spirits will be higher than a kite.
If you’re in the mood for a relatable, situational comedy, I highly recommend Sort Of. The Canadian series created by Bilal Baig follows the life of a non-binary Pakistani millennial who is currently unhappy with their life as a nanny for a well-to-do family. Sabi, our protagonist, is looking for meaning in their life but is scared of the consequences of letting everyone down. Once they accidentally come out as non-binary to their mom, their life changes for the better, and they start to live life to the fullest instead of living in shame and fear. Even though I’m not a non-binary nanny for a rich family, I relate. Looking for a job in the creative industry can be scary, and, honestly, I find myself comparing my achievements to the next person all the time. However, this show inspires me to do my own thing, and even though it’s a comedy, it’s filled with heart and can assure the average college student that everyone is still figuring life out
Another title I’d like to recommend is Rap Sh!t. This show comes from the minds of Issa Rae and the City Girls and follows two women from Miami who decide to “seduce and scheme” their way to money and fame by rapping. Shawna, a college dropout turned conscious rapper, reunites with her high school best friend, Mia–a single mom with at least three jobs–to try and create the next summer smash, but casual life seems to always make a big stink. I’ve watched the show twice, and I can safely say that it was funnier on the second watch. My top three episodes would definitely be “Something for the Hood,” “Something for the Clubs,” and “Something for the Weekend.” What stands out the most is the rappers’ true grit. You feel just as anxious as they do when they’re going through the ebbs of their burgeoning careers, but you also feel their excitement when they get the big wins, like making it on a Spotify playlist.
At any rate, spring is the season of renewal, and these shows will leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready for anything life may bring. Laugh the pain away with these shows and leave with some inspiration to do a bit more than the average.