Sometimes when I watch shows, and specifically sitcoms I have to remember someone wrote that character. I get so much second-hand embarrassment from Michael Scott and The Modern Family that I feel I’m living in the situation. In the moment, I have to remind myself it’s not real and I can relax. But when I’m embarrassed about something I did, I’ll think “Worse has happened to Jessica Day, it’s fine.” The irony is interesting.
I think that exact mindset has led me to feel less and less embarrassed when I make a mistake. I try to mimic characters who seem to have unwavering confidence despite the dumb stuff they say or do. This doesn’t always work. Mostly because I don’t have an unwavering confidence and I do have anxiety. For the most part though, it’s keeps me from dwelling. It helps me laugh off situations and just continue to move on after I do stupid things. You can’t change the past, just like you can’t change the outcome of “Scotts Tots,” no matter how much you watch it.
My Why
The Office forever is and always will be my comfort show. I know that show like the back of my hand. I don’t even have a favorite character because I love them all so much (except final seasons Andy).
Parks and Rec is always for motivation. I look up to most of the women in that show, they always make me want to work harder, Leslie Knope is a big role model for me.
Modern Family is a show that I’ve seen so many times that I use it mostly to fall asleep because my dreams are always better when it’s playing. I also love it for whenever I have any sort of family issues because it’s so relatable and cushy.
Abbott Elementary is on it’s way to my constant rewatch list.
It’s clear mockumentary style sitcoms mean a lot to me, they’re always my go to with the exception of New Girl. It’s what I went for when I feel awkward and out of place because everyone in that show is awkward and out of place.
The Impact
I’ve seen around 25 sitcoms, my dad has seen 50, give or take a few (we have a list). But the reason I always tend to go back to the same ones is the influence the characters have on me. I can see myself in a lot of those characters and it keeps me coming back when I don’t feel like myself. Traits I don’t like in myself, I love on Claire Dunphy and Schmidt.
These shows are also very nostalgic to me. I remember my dad watching every single one of these shows when I was younger. I also remember when he finally told me I was allowed to start The Office. That day definitely changed my life. They are my upbringing and my childhood comfort. I get to grow with them too.
We watch Pam and Jim get married and have a family, we get to watch all the kids in Modern Family go through all our same life stages. Finally being older than first season Haley Dunphy is a flex in my eyes. We watch New Girl characters go through a cartoonish adulthood. It makes the life we live now, not seem so rough. When you can see it always ends up okay or with another dumb joke, things feel less stressful. Especially when some of the characters end up in way worse situations than tripping on a sidewalk while running to your next class before you’re late.
That’s when it’s best to forget that those characters are not real and remember they’re inspired by very real people.