The Big Screen, Small Screen, and Everything in Between: A Totally Serious Investigation into NYC T.V. Shows
Ah, New York City. The city that never sleeps, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of... and also where, apparently, a whole lot of TV shows take place. But with so many options, how's a pop-culture addict to choose? Fear not, fellow couch potatoes, for I, your intrepid guide to the fictional boroughs, am here to break it all down.
Classics with Class (and Sometimes Questionable Fashion Choices)
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Friends: Six pals, a rent-controlled apartment (how?), and enough coffee to fuel a small nation. This sitcom is pure comfort food for the 90s nostalgia crowd, even if Monica's decorating choices would make any interior designer weep. Warning: May cause uncontrollable cravings for Central Perk milkshakes.
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Sex and the City: Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte: four women navigating love, life, and fabulous shoes in the glamorous (and fictional) world of Manhattan. Just remember, their apartments were probably bigger on TV than your entire shoe closet.
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Seinfeld: A show about... nothing? Actually, it's about the minutiae of everyday life, but in the neurotic and hilarious world of Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer. Bonus points: For accurately portraying the sheer number of pigeons you encounter on a daily basis in NYC.
Gritty Streets and Steely Detectives (Because NYC Isn't All Cosmos and Cupcakes)
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Law & Order: SVU: Ripped from the headlines (well, kind of), this long-running drama follows the detectives of the Special Victims Unit as they tackle the city's toughest crimes. Olivia Benson: a total boss we can all aspire to be.
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The Sopranos: Wiseguys, therapy sessions, and enough gabagool to feed a small army. This dark and complex drama isn't for the faint of heart, but it's a must-watch for anyone who wants to see a different side of the city.
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Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Who says police work can't be funny? This hilarious sitcom follows the antics of a wacky precinct in Brooklyn, with Jake Peralta (aka the ultimate competitive cop) leading the charge.
Shows That Prove There's More to NYC Than Just Manhattan (Gasp!)
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Girls: Lena Dunham's unflinching look at a group of twenty-something women trying to make it in Brooklyn. Warning: May cause secondhand embarrassment, but also a newfound appreciation for your own (relatively) sane friend group.
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Broad City: Abbi and Ilana are BFFs navigating life (and bad jobs) in New York City with outrageous adventures and even more outrageous outfits. This show is pure comedic gold, and proof that friendship can conquer all, even a sketchy apartment with a roommate you never see.
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Orange is the New Black: Life behind bars in a women's prison. Not exactly your typical NYC show, but a critically acclaimed drama that tackles important issues and features a diverse cast of characters.
This, my friends, is but a taste of the vast and wonderful world of NYC television. So grab some takeout, settle in on your couch, and get ready to be transported to the city that never sleeps (or runs out of great shows to watch).
