Distractions For Every Taste on Election Day
No matter how you feel when it comes to politics - whether you think it’s important to vote or not (but it is and please do so), whether you watch the news or not, whoever you support, it’s pretty safe to say that this year has exhausted us. You can’t escape the constant concern and stress surrounding the presidential campaigns, even if you cut yourself off from current events and social media as much as possible. It’s just….there.
But we’re here! We made it! It’s election day (I hope you’re voting or already have!)! But, we’ve been told all over that the odds are it’ll be a bit before we get the results. So I wanted to offer up some media recommendations. I went through the main streaming services and was in search of two things on each site: something political that will distract you from the current race and something far from politics to fully immerse yourself in a different world. Obviously, I could have said anything as a distraction (and this is coming from someone who watched every single episode - more than 250 I believe - of Love Island in the earlier part of isolation) but I wanted to seek out movies and shows that can cover every taste. I hope these help in whatever small way they can. Stay sane out there!
Netflix
The West Wing
This is the obvious, right? No matter your political leaning, it’s easy to yearn for a time where Martin Sheen is an intelligent, compassionate, quietly hilarious president and is supported by some of the best actors of our lives. (Here’s to you, Allison Janney!) And this show is long enough to get you through an entire election month. There’s a slight dip in quality in the middle of The West Wing when Sorkin leaves, but it’s worth it all.
Great British Baking Show
I couldn’t not recommend the most soothing show to ever exist. You can binge an entire season in one day (I recommend one of the first three or four so you get the full joy of Mary Berry + Mel and Sue as hosts) or you can just fall down the wonderful rabbit hole that is watching every single episode we have access to. If you want a shorter ‘season,’ and it isn’t too early for you to get in the holiday spirit, check those episodes out too.
Hulu
RBG
In case you want some political inspiration and are more of a documentary, real-life kind of person, this doc about the late Notorious RBG will be right up your alley. It’s a glimpse into her life and shows just how much this tiny, brilliant woman was able to accomplish. She’s insanely inspirational and right about now it seems that we could always use a bit more of that.
Firefly
This is another recommendation that seems obvious, but it is also true escapism. You can binge this show in a day, but it’ll only take about an episode or two before you are invested and have to see how it all plays out. This series is a cult classic for a reason, and it’s some of the best writing I’ve seen in an action/adventure kind of show. And, I mean, come on. It’s a sci-fi cowboy series. How often do those come around?
Prime
What the Constitution Means to Me
This is a new property that just got added to Prime and it’s a live cast production filmed and put on streaming. It’s based off an essay that creator Heidi Schreck wrote and goes through the constitution with historical facts and perspective, her own experiences with different aspects of it and reviews all point to this being something everyone should be watching.
Knives Out
If you want something for the whole family or house to enjoy (one note: there is some explicit language for people who have children), it doesn’t get much more universal than Knives Out, there’s a mystery, there’s a ton of comedy and it’s a beautiful film. Even if you’ve seen it already, watch it again and start making note of certain things that you didn’t catch the first time that point towards the ending.
Disney+
Hamilton
Sure, this is an obvious, easy one. it’s an older political story that takes a lot of liberty, but it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the songs in this taped version of the Broadway musical. It’s hard to be nervous about the world when all you can focus on is belting out “Wait for It” alongside Leslie Odom Jr’s Aaron Burr (sir). And once you finish watching, just go ahead and stream that soundtrack and dance around the house.
Tangled
This is a bit of a selfish recommendation. Tangled, in my opinion is one of the best modern Disney cartoons, but a lot of people slept on it. It’s bright, colorful, optimistic and a true delight. If you don’t have time to binge a whole television show but you need some immediate joy, you can’t go wrong here. The humor is a bit more intelligent so no matter your age, whether you have a kid or not, it’s still such a fun movie to spend time with.
Apple TV+
Boys State
I wasn’t sure about putting this one on the list, but I think it’s a lesser known documentary that really provides a unique perspective. It follows the story of some young men who are taking part in this conference-kind-of-thing in which they learn about politics and run mock-races. Sometimes it gets a bit dark when you realize just how young these guys are while they understand politics, but it’s still fascinating.
Ted Lasso
Behold: one of the most wholesome shows I’ve seen since Parks & Recreation (scroll down - of course this one is on here). Ted Lasso is an American football coach who comes to the UK to help coach and manage a soccer (or football to the rest of the world) team. Jason Sudeikis plays the titular character and is so endearing, it’s almost impossible not to root for him.
HBO Max
Veep
Veep may hit a little too close to home for some people, but this is one I’m actually hoping to binge later this month (once I escape this Insecure wormhole I’m currently in). Some storylines and characters may mirror a lot of today’s politics, but this time, it’s harmless and we get to laugh at it. It’s both critically acclaimed and audience recommended, so how can it really go wrong?
The Hobbit trilogy
And now for some true escapism. HBO has recently added the entire trilogy for this adaptation, so it can easily occupy your mind and the rest of your day. It’s worth watching just for seeing Benedict Cumberbatch living his best life while voicing Smaug the dragon. Anything fantasy is a good way to bury your head in the sand, so it doesn’t get much more fantastical than these, or the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Peacock
Parks and Recreation
I literally am only putting Peacock on this list because I can’t make a list about politics and not include the perfect political show: Parks & Rec. It’s low stakes, it’s optimistic, it’s one of the most insanely talented casts in television history and it’s irrationally funny. If you don’t know how you feel about this election, I recommend diving in (or back in) to this series because you’re going to want to root for Leslie Knope.
Fast & Furious films
As one final recommendation, I wanted something a bit mindless. These movies are stupidly fun, even if you think you’ll roll your eyes at them. They are exactly what they intend to be: insane action films. Sure, you can start from the beginning and just start going, but you can also just pick one at random and, somewhat literally, just go along for the ride. No politics can catch these ridiculous cars in their races.
What is your favorite form of escapism? Do you like to watch the optimistic version of real events or do you like to immerse yourself in sci-fi or fantasy? I’m always curious to see just what media helps people get through life.