Fancy a quickie? 7+ shows with episodes that are short but sweet

After 18 long months of lockdown with all the time on our hands to binge-watch entire seasons in one sitting – then claiming to have “finished” Netflix, which is absolute nonsense and next to impossible – we’ve been released from our cages to frolic and socialise.

Buthat doesn’t mean we can’t squeeze in a short and sweet 30 minutes’ screen time now and then. Here are seven of our favourite quickies with a two handfuls of bonus picks.

Hugh Laurie can do no wrong, in my opinion, even when he’s doing his best to be wrong. The HBO sci-fi (only because it’s set in outer space) comedy is utterly ridiculous and frequently completely silly, but it’s got often-subtle black, dry, sardonic, distinctly adult and sometimes blatantly sarcastic humour going for it.

The shining moments are enough to forgive the face-palming turd jokes. Does anyone other than small boys find poo funny? Renewed for a second season.

This is the quickest of the quickies, with episodes at just under 20 minutes, closer to 15 in fact, perfect for busy people, and there are only two seasons (the first is better).

It’s about a cash-strapped student who moonlights as a dominatrix, with the gay study buddy she’s known since they were kids. Mashable calls it the “ideal transitional show” for when you’re between others.

Bill Hader stars as Barry, a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest. Lonely and dissatisfied in his life, he reluctantly travels to Los Angeles to execute a hit on an aspiring actor.

Clearly into the “method” school of thought, Barry follows his mark to his acting class and begins to see a whole new life for himself. Hader won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for both seasons.https://theplumlist.com/grace-frankie-has-won-multiple-awards-and-it-will-win-your-heart-too/

From the co-creator of Friends, Marta Kauffman, this virtually faultless comedy series stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who are complete opposites in style and personality, who form an unlikely bond after their husbands (Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen) reveal late in life they are gay and leave them for each other.

There are seven seasons comprising 82 episodes, so this should keep you going for a while.

There’s “The Guy”. He rides a bicycle around New York City and delivers weed in all its shapes and forms to various clients. He’s super-chilled despite often finding himself in extremely odd situations. The episodes are a bit of this, and a bit of the clients’ back stories generating situational comedy.

GQ said “With its extensive cast and attention to character, the show has become a top-notch talent incubator.”

HBO describes the show thus: “A fearless, frank and provocative half-hour series exploring the question of sexual consent and where, in the new landscape of dating and relationships, the distinction between liberation and exploitation lies.”

Nine Emmy nominations and critics’ praise make this a top show that takes the half-hour format from its predominantly comedy territory into thought-provoking drama.

There’s a phrase for everything; this is “cringe comedy” that gets its humour from socially awkward situations. The Office is another prime example. Creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle (along with Sam Zvibleman) took their 30-something selves back to versions of themselves as 13-year-old social outcasts in the year 2000, surrounded by actual 13-year-olds.

“Erskine emphasized that the concept of the show is not to distract from the middle school setting or from the rest of the cast (who are all played by teenaged actors), but to actually help tone down the discomfort for viewers who might cringe away from watching actual middle schoolers suffer through, well, the cringey things that middle schoolers suffer through,” says Pop Sugar.

Add these to your quickie watch list too

After Life (Netflix)

Ricky Gervais stars as a man who is grieving the death of his wife from cancer. It doesn’t sound funny at all, but Gervais is just great at this kind of stuff. Season 3 coming soon.

Betty (Showmax)

Super-cool skater chicks in New York City, in a nutshell. Two seasons of urban skateboard action against the backdrop of personal stories.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (Showmax)

The ultimate grumpy old man who is impossible to impress, Larry David plays a fictionalised version of himself, as do many big Hollywood names. There are 10 seasons, ideal for snacking, and Season 11 is on the way.

Hacks (Showmax from 1 November, DStv online until November 26)

In Season 1 (for which Jean Smart won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series 2021) legendary Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) is in danger of losing her residency. Meanwhile in LA, young, entitled writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is desperate for a job. Put the two together, et voila.

The Kominsky Method (Netflix)

Acting coach Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas) and best friend Norman Newlander (Alan Arkin) keep each other laughing  (cynically and wryly) as they navigate the ups and downs of getting old.

Tali’s Wedding Diary (Showmax)

Julia Anastasopoulos aka Suzelle the DIY chick, wrote and stars in this hilarious comedy about the documentation of her marriage for social media. It’s got to be Facebook official, right? Pics or it didn’t happen. The sequel is Tali’s Baby Diary.

The Goldbergs (DStv online)

Based on a real-life family, these tales from the 80s are hilarious, told from the POV of young Adam Goldberg. Season 8 is currently available to stream with weekly episodes, and it’s been renewed for a ninth.

Workin’ Moms (Netflix)

It’s Canadian but don’t hold it against them. Not every mom is perfect, and if you’re juggling a baby in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, this is for you. You are not alone.

Younger (Showmax)

Forty-year-old divorcee Liza, who used to have a successful career before she gave it up for marriage and motherhood, lies about her age to get back into the publishing industry.

Want more must-see series? We have lists! Click here for the best action series, click here for the sexiest series, click here for the best HBO shows, ranked, and click here for the shows we’re most excited about for the last three months of 2021.

Quick pick: our current favourite series