It’s hard to complain too much about Netflix’s selection of streaming TV shows (I mean, it has both Friday Night Lights AND Mystery Science Theater 3000). But complaining is what we do best here on the Internet, so with all due respect to Dustin’s “The 25 Best Series On Netflix Streaming, Ranked,” here are 10 classic TV shows that should be added to Instant IMMEDIATELY. Remember when we could watch any episode of NewsRadio, whenever we wanted (not including red-envelope DVDs and illegal streaming websites, which of course we never look at)? Those are the days I miss the most.
1. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Start with: “Chuckles Bites the Dust”
Recommended for fans of: 30 Rock; strong, independent women; spunk; perfect series finales.
2. The Honeymooners
Start with: “The $99,000 Answer”
Recommended for fans of: saying things like “HONEYMOONERS DID IT” because every sitcom premise since The Honeymooners can be traced back to The Honeymooners; working-class comedies; spousal abuse.
3. NewsRadio
Start with: “Super Karate Monkey Death Car”
Recommended for fans of: Community; the brilliant Phil Hartman; spotting before-they-were-famous guest stars; Dave Foley at his most straight man; fast-paced gags and pop culture references; Stephen Root.
4. Frisky Dingo
Start with: “Meet Killface”
Recommended for fans of: Archer; Archer; Archer; Archer; Archer.
5. Taxi
Start with: “Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey”
Recommended for fans of: Frank Reynolds at his most despicable; realistically ugly sets; strong ensembles where even the eighth-billed cast member gets choice lines; Doc Brown as an acid casualty.
6. Andy Richter Controls the Universe
Start with: “Pilot”
Recommended for fans of: Scrubs; Better Off Ted; goofy workplace comedies; voice overs; PUPPY COATS.
7. Fishing with John
Start with: “Tom Waits”
Recommended for fans of: people who hate fishing but love David Lynch movies; surreal fake documentaries; the idea of Tom Waits, Dennis Hopper, Jim Jarmusch, Matt Dillon, and Willem Dafoe huntin’ for red snapper.
8. Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Start with: “Whither Canada?”
Recommended for fans of: fantastical sketch comedy; finally getting nerd references; silly walks.
9. The Shield
Start with: “Pilot”
Recommended for fans of: underrated golden-era dramas; cops playing by their own rules; Terriers.
10. The Simpsons
I don’t need to add a “start with” or “recommended for fans of,” because c’mon. The Simpsons is coming to FXNOW, but think about all the years we haven’t been to (legally) stream “A Milhouse Divided.”
