8 TV Shows Couples Should Watch Together
We all love watching TV. Today, thanks to the internet and streaming services, we have a wide selection of programming to choose from. For many couples, watching TV together is one of the most common forms of entertainment that they experience.
I know what you’re thinking, “another night of watching TV — how boring.” Before you start pontificating about how there are more exciting ways for couples to spend time together, you should know this. Studies, such as one conducted by Aberdeen University, have discovered that watching TV as a couple— especially binge-watching a series — is healthy for a relationship. It can help to improve communication between partners and help promote long-lasting relationships.
Think of all of those years that you spent watching Dr. Who or Sex and the City — alone. You could’ve easily been racking up points fomenting a solid relationship of your own — being your own Amy and Rory or Carrie and Mr. Big. Fortunately, there is still time for you to leverage the power of TV to build a strong relationship. If you need some ideas about which shows you could binge watch with your significant other, here is a helpful list to get you started. (Just be sure to send me an invitation to your golden wedding anniversary, okay?)
— The Stuff that Will Make You Laugh —
1. Friends
I know, who hasn’t seen Friends? With it being available in reruns and streaming services in nearly every country on Earth and the rest of the inner planets of the solar system, why would this be a good show to binge watch?
First, the both of you are already familiar with the characters. Second, the show has a traditional sit-com format, meaning you can engage in conversation about the plot or characters without fear of missing too much. Third, believe it or not, by choosing one season of Friends to binge watch at a time, it will engage the both of you more into the show. It will remind you of tidbits you’ve forgotten or never noticed before. It creates the opportunity for mutual re-discovery. Yes, Rachel. Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey ARE that powerful.
2. The Office
The gang at Dunder Mifflin provide perfect material for couples to enjoy. Incredibly funny and with enough couple related sub-plots in the characters of Jim and Pam, Michael and Holly, and Kelly and Ryan (with Darryl as the in between “rebound guy”), it’s impossible not to have some quality TV couple time while watching The Office.
3. 30 Rock
30 Rock is one of those shows that was consistently funny, yet you probably never saw in chronological order — instead catching an episode here, an episode there. It makes for the perfect show to binge-watch with your partner, as they’ve likely only watched the show in the same haphazard way as you. If a couple that laughs together, stays together, then 30 Rock should definitely be on your watch list.
— Crime Dramas —
I have some vague childhood memories of my grandparents watching reruns of “Barnaby Jones” and “Murder She Wrote” together. I suppose this means that crime dramas have an established precedence for being ideal material for couples to watch together.
4. Twin Peaks
Whether you saw it back in the days when network television was still “a thing,” or if you’re younger and thought that “Twin Peaks” referred to some hideous piece of wardrobe that Madonna wore in the 90s, Twin Peaks holds up very well. One of those shows that lasted way less than you thought — only 30 episodes — it is perfect to binge watch over a long weekend.
5. Sherlock
This is a witty and truly well-written contemporary take on the character of Sherlock Holmes. I was hesitant to watch this series at first, but in the end, I was glad that my significant other insisted. It sparked plenty of interesting conversations regarding the characters, the actors and the comparisons to the original Holmes’ stories.
6. Columbo
I know what you are asking yourself right now, “why on Earth would this person include a network TV detective show from the 1970s?”
Columbo makes for an interesting addition to your couple’s watch list because it’s a great option when you can’t commit to several hours of binge watching. With episodes lasting approximately 90 minutes and each one having a stand-alone structure (there are no carryover plot lines in Columbo), they are perfect when you just want something for an afternoon or evening.
If you’re older, it will be like sharing a bit of nostalgia; if you’re younger, you’ll be impressed by the really good story lines, Peter Falk’s dedication to the portrayal of the character and — as a bonus — you will both get a kick out of the wardrobe choices people made in the 70s.
— Period Dramas and Fantasy Worlds —
7. Mad Men
Provocative as it is stylized, this drama about 1960s advertising men and women living and adjusting their lives to the changing norms of their era, really made for quality TV. It is the sort of series that can give a couple perspective on their own relationship, as well as how certain things have changed for the better and other things have just changed. Besides, hearing those Roger Sterling quips again, or for the first time, is always fun.
8. Game of Thrones
Perhaps the hottest fantasy drama ever, Game of Thrones provides couples with an ideal mix of a fantasy paradigm, a huge cast of characters, daring storytelling, ambition, violence and a wide range of steamy scenes — what else do you need?
Game of Thrones provides couples plenty of material to discuss — sort of a surrogate reality in which you are free to talk about the power struggle, the deaths and the different sexual goings on. It sure makes for far more interesting conversation than, “how were things at work today?”
— Additional Options —
In the Endorphin Releasing Department:
Modern Family, Seinfeld, The Big bang Theory and Arrested Development
In the Drama Section:
Friday Night Lights, Black Mirror and House of Cards
Remember, these are just suggestions. Each couple will have their own list of ideal shows to watch together. The important thing is to enjoy the programming, enjoy the moment and enjoy each others company.
The difference between watching a stand alone movie versus watching a TV series together is that the continuous nature of the TV show engages you more as a couple. It creates a shared experience — even if it revolves around a fictitious world — and as a result fosters intimacy and closeness between partners. It can even result in shared projections of dreams, fantasies, and aspirations. So, choose a show, make some popcorn and get ready to do some serious bonding. (Now those monthly streaming subscriptions must seem more worthwhile, right?)
