6 Hilarious Web Series You Should Be Watching
As more and more people eschew cable and television for Netflix and Hulu, a new crop of quality web series has taken advantage of the perks of being online. Low budget works get the chance to demonstrate their high quality and celebrity stars/producers get their celebrity friends to goof around in these non-televised romps. Even better, you don't have to wrestle the remote away from your roommate to watch them, because they're all available online right now!
1. "Web Therapy"
Cast: Lisa Kudrow, various guest stars.
Plot: In a meta twist, this web series itself takes place over the web, with therapist Fiona Wallice (Kudrow) giving remote advice to her clients via video chat.
Why you should be watching: How many shows can boast Meryl Streep as a guest star? Zero in the last decade — that is, until her five-episode arc on "Web Therapy." If it’s good enough for Meryl Streep, it should be good enough for you.
Where to watch: Here on its website, or on Showtime or Hulu.
2. "Neil's Puppet Dreams"
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka.
Plot: Neil Patrick Harris plays himself in a series where, whenever he dreams, he dreams with puppets. It’s just as adorable as it sounds.
Why you should be watching: If the title doesn’t automatically entice you, I don’t know what will. It’s Neil Patrick Harris plus puppets! C’mon! A pairing as good as peanut butter and jelly or Ian Somerhalder and puppies.
Where to watch: Here, on the Nerdist Channel.
3. "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl"
Cast: Issa Rae, Sujata Day, Tracy Oliver
Plot: This web series follows the day-to-day life of a “black Liz Lemon”-type character and the awkward and hilarious situations she encounters.
Why you should be watching: Producer/creator/star Issa Rae created this web series because she wanted to see people like her on television and in films. Plus, she used Kickstarter for the exact reason it should be used and raised over $44,000 from devoted fans to continue the show.
Where to watch: Here, on its website.
4. "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee"
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, various comedian guests
Plot: It is pretty much self-explanatory; Seinfeld casually interviews a celebrity guest while driving and eating at a restaurant.
Why you should be watching: If you’ve ever dreamt of getting to meet your favorite comedian for a chat about nothing and everything, this series is for you. Viewers get to feel like the non-awkward third wheel in a conversation between peers and friends.
Where to watch: Here, on its website.
5. "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries"
Cast: Ashley Clements, Julia Cho, Laura Spencer, Mary Kate Wiles
Plot: Described as “a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice,” this web series, like Web Therapy, utilizes its online format by having each episode be a vlog uploaded to YouTube by the titular heroine.
Why you should be watching: Pride and Prejudice was pretty much everyone’s favorite required book in high school, wasn’t it? If it wasn’t yours, what better way to give it a second chance than with an updated version?
Where to watch: YouTube, of course.
6. "Burning Love"
Cast: Kristen Bell, Adam Scott, Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd — basically everyone you love.
Plot: It’s a scripted spoof of The Bachelor.
Why you should be watching: If none of the above convinces you, how about the fact that it won a “Special Achievement” Webby Award this year? Or that Ben Stiller is a producer? Or that its title is both an E!-esque pun based on the bachelor’s job (firefighter) and a not-so-subtle STD joke?
Where to watch: On Yahoo! Screen, believe it or not.
