Written by Mattie Rametta

As many of our lives have been put on hold as Illinois extends the “stay-in-place” order until May 30 and with only a couple weeks left in classes, you might be looking for something to fill your time. Here is a complied list of binge worthy shows and where to steam them to bridge the gap.

“Grey’s Anatomy,” Netflix and Hulu – This medical drama can be binged or watched out of order. While there is a storyline that continues throughout focusing on the main cast, there are substory lines relating to patients and how their lives play out within each episode. If you are looking for something that will keep you constantly on your toes and a flare of major drama, check it out. The show has a current total of 16 seasons, so it’s sure to keep you busy for sometime.

“Gilmore Girls,” Netflix- If you are looking for a heart warming sitcom with eccentric characters, love, growing up, and constant family drama, this might be the show for you. “Gilmore Girls” follows the lives of Loralai and Rory Gilmore, a fast talking, coffee-loving, mother-daughter duo as they navigate the world. This show has seven seasons plus a Netflix Original reboot, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.”

“Degrassi,” Youtube and Netflix- This Canadian teen soap opera melodrama has been airing since the early 80s, it has had many incarnations. This includes “The Kids of Degrassi Street,” “Degrassi Junior High,” “Degrassi High,” “Degrassi: The Next Generation” and “Degrassi: Next Class” as well as a couple made for TV movies. The show offers up a realistic portrayal of teen characters as the navigate issues spanning from teen pregnancy, drugs, school shooting, racial profiling, etc. This show offers up a sense of nostalgia, relating us back to a similar time but not letting your forget that just because you aren’t an adult doesn’t mean you will not face harsh and cruel realities in the world. The show features stars like Aubrey Graham AKA Drake and Nina Dobrev from Vampire Diaries. “The Kids of Degrassi Street” has one season, “Degrassi Junior High” has three seasons, “Degrassi High” has two seasons, “Degrassi: The Next Generation” has 14 seasons, and “Degrassi: Next Class” has four season. Full length episodes can be found on Youtube for free and “Next Class” episodes can be streamed on Netflix.

“Flea Bag,” Amazon Prime- A funny but sad story of an anti-heroine takes us through the messed up life of Fleabag as she navigates her life post tragedy. If you are looking for show that makes you laugh and cry and doesn’t try to hide the fact that the main character is an awful person, but you want too root for her anyways, then indulge in the quick watch with only two seasons and a total of 12 episodes in all.

“Workaholics,” Hulu and Amazon Prime- This comedy follows the lives of three slacker friends, who after college, got jobs as telemarketers. The show tells the story of how they do their best to do nothing at all, spending their days doing the most to do the least while holding out for wild shenanigans in the evening. The show has seven seasons and it guaranteed to me make you laugh especially tight now, when many of us could use one.

“On My Block,” Netflix- This Netflix Original is a coming of age comedy set in a predominantly Hispanic and black neighborhood fictional town in South Central Los Angeles that perfectly balances important issues with normal day to day kid stuff. “On My Block” follows the lives of four 14 year old friends as the transition to high school and deal with realities of life such as gang violence, loss, love, puberty, and school dances. This show balances tragedy and comedy perfectly, making you laugh but never failing to make you cry.

Stay inside and stay safe. Pop a bowl of popcorn, get you favorite chips, order a pizza, and try to stay sane.