Ah, Netflix, the great time-waster. While your study and homework habits may disagree, Netflix is probably the greatest invention for college students because it allows us to watch our favorite shows and movies whenever we want. In this new weekly series the Scene Desk, as well as some other Emerald staffers, will recommend to you our picks for the best stuff on Netflix. This week we’re suggesting our favorite TV shows, all of which are available on instant streaming. So put off that paper, study for your midterm tomorrow before class starts and subscribe to that faithful website for the procrastinator in all of us.
“Party Down,” recommended by Rebecca Sedlak @@http://www.starz.com/originals/partydown@@
This original Starz show follows a small mishmash of aspiring actors, writers and dreamers as they work at a catering company and hope for their big break — all while navigating the absurd and colorful world of the Los Angeles parties they are hired to run. Although “Party Down” only aired for two short seasons, in 2009 and 2010, the show features a fairly star-studded cast. Adam Scott, who plays Ben on “Parks and Recreation,” is main character Henry Pollard@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004395/@@, a failed actor who gets involved with co-worker and aspiring comedian Casey Klein, played by Lizzy Caplan (or Janis, as you might know her from “Mean Girls”)@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0135221/@@. Jane Lynch appeared in the first season before leaving to start “Glee,”@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0528331/@@ and Megan Mullally of “Will and Grace”@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157246/@@ is in the entirety of the second season. Episodes were written by Rob Thomas — the creator of “Veronica Mars” — and Paul Rudd,@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1073507/@@ so expect lots of cursing, hilariously awkward situations and the sexy self-reflective world of Hollywood.@@Season two… or Season Two?@@

“Firefly,” recommended by Kaitie Todd
Drama. Humor. Space cowboys. @@nonsense@@What more could you ask for out of a show? Created by Joss Whedon@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923736/@@ (better known as the mastermind behind “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the upcoming movie “The Avengers”), “Firefly” plays like a futuristic Western, full of shootouts, space chases, and most importantly, great adventure. Taking place hundreds of years in the future when humans no longer dwell on Earth, “Firefly” follows a renegade crew aboard a spaceship as they travel to different planets, taking on a number of quirky jobs as they try to avoid danger and the attention of government officials. It seamlessly combines serious themes like war and imperialism with frequent moments of sarcasm, action and romance. The dialogue flows in and out of old-fashioned Western dialogue, Chinese swear words (long story) and witty one-liners. It’s always engaging, entertaining and investing viewers even further into characters that are varied and relatable. The great thing about it is that it never takes itself too seriously, and it features a truly excellent cast — most notably Nathan Fillion (“Castle”) as the main character, Captain Mal Reynolds@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0277213/#Actor@@, and Alan Tudyk as Wash.@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0876138/@@

“Doctor Who,” recommended by Kelly Ardis @@Americans… lol@@

This show has been around since the ’60s,@@http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/index_first.shtml@@ and opinions vary on where to start with this legendary British sci-fi show about a Timelord called “The Doctor” who travels through time and space in his TARDIS (that’s Time and Relative Dimension in Space)@@I just know this is right@@ saving planets and people — humans and aliens alike. With Netflix, you can start watching from the 2005 revival of the show with the Ninth Doctor (played by Christopher Eccleston@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001172/@@) and proceed to have your heart ripped out of your chest over the seasons each time the Doctor regenerates until you finally catch up with the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)@@this is right@@. Once the obsession has set in, Netflix also offers many of the older episodes. This show is a “Who’s Who” of British TV and film with greats like David Tennant (who plays the 10th Doctor@@this is right@@), Michael Gambon (aka Dumbledore #2@@aka SUCKS@@)@@http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Michael_Gambon@@, Simon Pegg and many more@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0670408/@@. At times funny or scary but always full of heart, this show is a must-see for any self-proclaimed nerd who has somehow gone through life without seeing it. Best of all, non-sci-fi fans can relate to and enjoy “Doctor Who” as well.

“Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” recommended by Alando Ballantyne @@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047708/@@
Most recently, I’ve been digging on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic TV series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” I’m not sure why, but I always forget that black and white television programs can still be awesome. The discovery came a couple of weekends back as I was being particularly lazy one Saturday afternoon. I was lying in my bed with my computer on my belly, watching Netflix. I love “Breaking Bad,” but I can’t watch shows that are going to keep me glued to the screen for six hours straight during the school year. I also really like “South Park,” but I’ve seen every episode at least once at this point (between the ages of 19 and 21 I spent every moment of free time that I had drinking High Life@@http://www.millerhighlife.com/ageVerify.aspx@@ and feeding my “South Park” addiction). As I wiped the greasy bits of potato chips off my second chin, I spotted the “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” show on Netflix. An old roommate of mine used to rave about Hitchcock. It was 3:45 p.m. and sunny outside, but the blinds were closed. I hit play and soon learned how awesome the original master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, is.

“Trailer Park Boys,” recommended by Ben Kendall @@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290988/@@
Roll through Sunnyvale Trailer Park@@http://www.freewebs.com/sunnyvale_trailer_park/@@ with the hilarious mockumentary “Trailer Park Boys,” a comedy tour de force and one of the funniest television shows ever to come out of Canada@@you mean the only?@@. Ricky, Julian and Bubbles@@http://htexas.com/events/trailer-park-boys-live-starring-ricky-julian-and-bubbles@@ are some hard-knocks fellas always looking out for the next payday, all while evading the evil machinations of drunken trailer park supervisor Mr. Lahey @@http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Lahey-Trailer-Park-Boys/153765718023226@@and his always-shirtless, pot-bellied assistant Randy (“Randy only fights with his pants off, because he’s worried that he’ll ruin his tight pants. So when the pants come off … look the fuck out.”)@@http://www.facebook.com/pages/Randy-Trailer-Park-Boys/262859180404229?sk=wall@@ Never before has gun play, kitties, booze, chicken fingers and “playin’ space” on your driveway made out of hash been put together so well (or ever). The seasons continually build on to each other, upping the comedic ante to dizzying heights of craziness. With short episodes, you can easily end a season in a night if you wanted. The first two seasons are okay, but the third season is where it really takes off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCZOfmEYJ8s
“Downton Abbey,” recommended by McKenna Brown @@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/@@
Money. Sex. Intrigue. Servants. Evil. War. Beautiful women. Gorgeous men. Also, some ugly people. What more could you possibly want from a television show? PBS’s “Downton Abbey” follows the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants as they maneuver the social maze of prewar Britain. The episode opens with Lord Grantham’s heir — his three daughters are unable to inherit his title or his fortune — drowning on the Titanic. The resultant drama over who shall inherit the estate occupies much of season one, until, of course, World War I breaks out and the characters are thrown into a completely different sort of mayhem.@@http://open.salon.com/blog/walter_tull/2012/01/18/prompted_by_downton_abbeys_portrayal_of_the_impact_wwi@@ @@So far, this is the only show option I’d look at.@@

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M3moEeErr8
“The United States of Tara,” recommended by Franklin Bains @@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001482/@@
Interestingly, I came across this Netflix gem because of my daylong train back from the Rose Bowl, where a conversation with my carmate brought up “The United States of Tara.” Curious, I checked it out when I made it back and was pleasantly surprised. In a nutshell, Tara has dissociative identity disorder which gives her four different personalities. These include a rowdy 15-year-old ne’er-do-well, a boisterous male Vietnam vet and a Hollywood-style ’50s housewife. Tara also happens to be married with two children. I have heard she has a fourth personality but haven’t gotten there yet.@@spoiler alert: she develops an animal-like personality and a psychiatrist personality@@ I can’t personally vouch for episodes after the first half of the first season, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s an interesting take on a complicated disorder.

What are your favorite TV shows to watch on Netflix? Tell us what and why by commenting on this article at www.dailyemerald.com/section/scene or tweet us @dailyemerald.