'Friends', 'The Simpsons', 'The Office' and 6 other series that we have seen hundreds of times and of which we never tire ourselves

There is a generation of Spaniards who grew up with certain American series, thanks to the explosion of national private channels. Those were times in which the episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Simpsons or Friends were repeated ad nauseam in their broadcast schedule, without their audience dropping. Some time later the streaming platforms arrived and with them the possibility of seeing all those fictions that marked us in adolescence in a loop, or repeating and repeating episodes of more recent ones, but no less addictive for this. The writing of SensaCine has decided to get down to work and compile all those formats that we know by heart, but whose viewing we never get tired of.'Friends', 'The Simpsons', 'The Office' and 6 other shows we've watched hundreds of times and never get tired of 'Friends', 'The Simpsons', 'The Office' and 6 other shows we've watched hundreds of times and never get tired of

'The Simpsons' (1989 - On Air)
The Simpsons - season 32 Trailer VO

If there is a series that has burned into the retina of several generations, that is The Simpsons. Matt Groening's fiction -which began broadcasting in the early 90s on TVE's La 2, to later move to the Atresmedia channels and now on Disney+- is full of memorable moments, which many Spanish viewers know by heart. And it is that, despite all the repetitions that it has suffered in the national chains, it is always a good moment to sit down and watch the adventures of this irreverent American family.

The series, which premiered its 32nd season in September 2020, is marked -without a doubt- by the leading role of a character as silly -but at the same time endearing- as Homer Simpson, but who has a secondary cast of the funnier and 'scene stealer'. In everyone's mind we have the good Lenny and Carl, the useless Wiggum, or the unstable Krusty the Clown. In addition to others who are no longer there, and that the public will always remember, such as the actor Troy McClure or the lawyer Lionel Hutz (both with the voice of the late Phil Hartman). Their importance in the plot is so important, to such an extent that the writers (with great success) have made them the center of attention in multiple episodes throughout their long run.

The series have also become an online icon thanks to their 'involuntary predictions', when a curious event occurs and their fans come out with the now classic memes: "The Simpsons already predicted it." For my part, I would be unable to stay with a single chapter of FOX TV fiction -I would not even be capable of making a 'top 5'- since there are too many memorable episodes that I remember and keep with great affection. I will never get tired of seeing these yellow characters. Long live Matt Groening and his creation!

Where to see it streaming: Disney+.

Comedy series to watch on Disney+.

The Simpsons
Release date December 17, 1989|22 min.
Series :The Simpsons
WithHarry Shearer,Dan Castellaneta,Harry Shearer,Dan Castellaneta,Harry Shearer
Users
4.5
Watch on Disney+
'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' (1990 - 1996)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Trailer VO

For many years The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was "Spain's young series." Much of the blame for this statement lies with its broadcast schedule on the private channel Antena 3: at noon. And there was a time when you weren't cool if you didn't get home when you left school, institute or university and you connected to see the comic adventures of Will Smith and his rich family from Los Angeles. Although it is true that the writer of this at first was reluctant to follow this fiction, I finally ended up hooked and consuming repeated episodes over and over again.

In addition to launching its protagonist to total stardom, the series produced by the legendary musician Quincy Jones left us other memorable characters such as Carlton (the protagonist's superb posh cousin, played by Alfonso Ribeiro) or Jeffrey (the irreverent English butler of The Family, played by Joseph Marcell). Not to mention other mythical moments, which became recurring throughout its broadcast: the dance of the aforementioned Carlton to the rhythm of Tom Jones or when Will's best friend (played by his musical partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff) was expelled from the house, being thrown into the garden by the paterfamilias Philip Banks.

All fans of the series will remember the moment Will and Carlton dance to the rhythm of the Sugar Hill Gang in Las Vegas -in the episode 'Viva Lost Wages' (6x08)- or when the Uncle Phil gives a master billiards lesson (and incidentally saves his nephew from some criminals) in the episode 'Banks Shot' (1x22). Shortly the fiction will return to the small screen, as a meeting of the characters.

Where to stream it: Netflix.

Comedy series to watch on Netflix.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Release dateSeptember 10, 1990|21 min.
Series :The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
WithWill Smith,Alfonso Ribeiro,James Avery,Karyn Parsons,Tatyana Ali
Users
4.2
Streaming
'Things from home' (1989 - 1988)
Family Things Clip

Curious is the case of this series, which began as a 'spin-off' of Distant Cousins ​​(Harriet Winslow, the elevator operator, was one of the most popular characters in it), to -later- focus on the figure of a character that appeared as a recurring character back in the first seasons (the extremely heavy and clumsy neighbor of the family: Steve Urkell). House Things is, without a doubt, another of those 'sitcoms' that have marked a whole generation of young nationals who sat in front of the television in search of some fun.

Starting out as a family comedy with a bit of a morality undertone, the series evolved into something of a mess series that took the forms of classic 'buddie movies': focusing on how the clumsiness of family neighbor Steve Urkell ( Jaleel White), got on the nerves of good-natured family man Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson). In this way, the changes in the cast -one of the daughters of the Judy family disappeared overnight and the actress who gave life to the one who was the protagonist of the series (Harriet Winslow, played by Jo Marie Payton) left the series in 1997 to leave his position to Judyann Elder (due to the character's absolute weight loss) - little mattered to the viewers who, being very faithful, catapulted Household Matters to become one of the biggest hits on television in the ABC chain and, also, one of the longest running with 215 episodes broadcast.

'Friends', 'The Simpsons' , 'The Office' and 6 other series we've seen hundreds of times and never get tired of

The absurdity -but also hilarious- of the series led Steve to create an alter ego of himself, thanks to a machine that turns him into a seducer (Stephan), or even into an African-American version of Bruce Lee . The Halloween episodes in which a ventriloquist doll (Stevil, a mixture of Steve and the Anglo-Saxon word 'evil': evil) terrorizes Carl and his clumsy neighbor will also go down in television history. I could see it, today, in one go without any problem and I would laugh like the first day.

Not available on platforms.

Tomas Andres

Family Things
Release DateSeptember 1, 1989|22 min.
Series: House Things
WithReginald VelJohnson,Jo Marie Payton,Darius McCrary,Darius McCrary,Kellie Shanygne Williams
Users
3.5
'Friends' (1994 - 2004)
Friends Trailer

Over the last few years -well, actually I think that since I started consuming series consciously-, there have been several fictions that have managed to generate in me that need, or uncontrollable desire, to want to see the next episode as soon as possible. From The family grows, When leaving class or Family doctor, to my favorites from my pre and university days, like Lost, Prison Break, Grey's Anatomy and Sex in New York, or my latest discoveries, see Ozark, Succession, Dark , Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory.

But none of them -or the ones I haven't named for not going further- have managed to get me excited and hooked like the mythical Friends. I still remember the first time I saw her, at my cousins' house. I was 13 years old and, although it may seem an exaggeration, it was like one of those loves at first sight, a crush, which more than two decades later continues to give me those butterflies in my stomach. I adore Friends, I adore each and every one of its characters -played by Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and Courteney Cox-, and I adore those plots, which to this day manage to make me smile, even on those days when everything seems to be uphill.

The same thing happens to me with Friends as with other similar comedies like Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory. Every time I turn on the television and come across one of its chapters, I leave it without hesitation. But the fiction created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane is the only one I've seen, from start to finish, about ten times. I think it's the only pack on DVD/Blu-ray, not only that I've released, but that I have in duplicate -I left the first one at home with my brothers when I became independent because if I had taken it with me they would still not speak to me. For many years that pass, and many series that come with the promise of being the new Friends. I'm sorry. Friends is incomparable, unrepeatable and unique. And after this, do you know what I feel like now?

Where to see it streaming: HBO Spain.

Lorena Vialás

Friends
Release date September 22, 1994|22 min.
Series :Friends
WithJennifer Aniston,Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow,Matt LeBlanc,Matthew Perry
Users
4.4
Streaming
'Castle' (2009 - 2016)
Castle - season 5 Teaser (2)

My rule of thumb when determining if I never get tired of watching a series is Russian roulette. What the hell is that? You will be wondering. Easy: the one that, by choosing an episode at random -almost playing "whistle, whistle, gurgle"-, I am able to enjoy it regardless of the order or the context. Fictions that fulfill the task? Friends, The Simpsons, Chuck and, of course, the one that happens to us: Castle.

The fiction created by Andrew W. Marlowe is a procedural and follows Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a successful novel writer, who joins an NYPD team led by Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) to solve crimes. Throughout eight seasons, the story of its protagonists has been marked by several comings and goings, a lot of sexual tension, a beautiful romance and funny and emotional moments.

Going back to my rule of Russian roulette, it doesn't matter which episode of Castle I watch again - any will do! What does not mean that I have my favorites. To name a few: 'The Mistress Always Spanks Twice' (02x16), 'Still' (5x22), 'Undead again' (4x22), 'Murder, He Wrote' (5x04), 'After the Storm' (5x01), ' Once Upon a Time in the West' (7x07), 'The Wild Rover' (5x18) and 'The Final Frontier' (5x06). Castle's relationship with his mother Martha (Susan Sullivan) and daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn), the funny comments from police officers Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas), the retaliation of Captain Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) to Castle, the geekiest moments of its protagonist and, of course, the romance between Kate and Castle... If I were forced to stick with just one series for the rest of my life, this is one of my candidates.

Where to watch it streaming: Amazon Prime Video.

Original series to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Andrea Zamora

Castle
Release dateMarch 9, 2009|42 min.
Series :Castle
WithNathan Fillion,Stana Katic,Stana Katic,Molly C. Quinn,Susan Sullivan
Users
4.3
Watch on Disney+
'The Office' (2005 - 2013)

I'm not one to go back to watching series or even movies. There's so much on offer these days that I feel like I'm wasting my time when I see something I've already seen, but there are always exceptions and weaknesses and, in my case, it's comedies. I don't know how many times I've seen repeat episodes of The Simpsons or Friends and I admit that I revisited How I Met Your Mother from start to finish to find out if that bittersweet aftertaste that left me the first time was a matter of expectations -no, it wasn't. -, but if I had to stay with a single series to watch for life that would be, without a doubt, The Office.

Based on a British series of the same name -which, curiously, I don't find funny at all-, the American The Office, the good one, is created by Greg Daniels, of whom I declare myself an absolute fan, even in his most creative creations. mediocre. Daniels once again demonstrated his good work in office humor with Parks and Recreation, another comedy 'must', and in 2020 he released two fictions created by him, Upload (Amazon) and Space Force (Netflix), which, Despite slacking off a bit, they are great productions to pass the time.

After enjoying the 9 seasons of The Office up to three times I have completely lost my objectivity. I see Dwight (Rainn Wilson) as that weird cousin you're fond of for no reason, Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) as that couple of friends who are always there, and Michael Scott (Steve Carell) as the boss. that you would never want to have but somehow makes you a better person. I bet what it takes that once you start the series - and get past the first season - you won't be able to get it off your back. "She said the same thing."

Where to watch it streaming: Amazon Prime Video.

Original series to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Sarah Heredia

The Office (US)
Release date24 March 2005|22 min.
Series :The Office (US)
WithRainn Wilson,John Krasinski,Jenna Fischer,B.J. Novak, John Krasinski
Users
4.2
Streaming
'The Big Bang Theory' (2007 - 2019)
Big Bang - season 11 Trailer

The long-running 'sitcom' starring Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki between 2007 and 2019 has the honor, in addition to having been one of the most successful comedies of recent times, one of those that its followers have no problem with to see again and again. Maybe not for a complete revision, like so many times with Friends, but more in the style of The Simpsons: that's when you find an episode 'zapping' -because some people still do- and simply let it be. The pleasant and entertaining moment is guaranteed and, also, if you find the right episode, you can have a few laughs.

We're not going to say that The Big Bang Theory is one of the best comedies on television. The level is high and even more so now, that television productions number several hundred each year and leave us true gems in all genres. However, no one will deny that, in its day, the sitcom was a true revelation and that word-of-mouth gave it great publicity. Thus, in those years in which we still enjoyed Lost and the passion for television fiction began to spread, The Big Bang Theory established itself as the series that made people laugh the most; like the comedy that, if you liked to watch series, you had to be watching. In addition, in its early years, the CBS title was also always among the list of nominees -and even winners- in the comedy categories of prestigious awards.

Why tell all this? Because The Big Bang Theory is a series that in its day we considered genuine, funny and quickly captivated us with its unforgettable characters, starting with the masterful Sheldon (Jim Parsons). And because when we see it again, regardless of whether we look for it or find it , continues to make us smile, laugh and make us enjoy entertaining moments full of wit and fun adventures that awaken our freakishness at the hands of Sheldon, Penny, Leonard, Raj, Howard, Amy and Bernadette.

Where to see it streaming: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Spain and AtresPlayer.

Original series to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Alicia P. Ferreirós

Big Bang
Release dateSeptember 24, 2007|22 min.
Series :Big Bang
WithJohnny Galecki,Jim Parsons,Jim Parsons,Johnny Galecki,Kaley Cuoco
Users
4.4
Streaming
'Gilmore Girls' (2000 - 2007)
Gilmore Girls Clip

The other day I was watching Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist on HBO and, in addition to its star Jane Levy, I noticed Lauren Graham, the unforgettable Lorelai Gilmore from Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls. Before good Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) arrived to win us over with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Lorelai (Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), mother and daughter, already did it in a series that I personally loved. I found it perfect in its first six seasons, until Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino left it and David S. Rosenthal took over for the seventh and final installment. Luckily years later, in 2016, the 'revival' The 4 Seasons of Gilmore Girls would arrive, with only four chapters and with a huge 'cliffhanger' at its end. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm saying.

Awaiting a new miniseries -which may never be produced- that will close the stories of Lorelai and Rory forever, Gilmore Girls continues to be one of those titles that you can watch a thousand times without fear of getting tired. Because who doesn't want to live in Stars Hollow. Who doesn't dream of trying to drink all the coffee Lorelai consumes in a single day or staying at the Dragonfly Inn to ride her two horses, Cletus and Desdemona. The breakfasts of Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), the dishes prepared by Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy), the hobbies of Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale), the strict Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), the endless jobs of Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn)...

Whoever your favorite boyfriend of Rory's is - Dean (Jared Padalecki), Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) or Logan (Matt Czuchry) - it's never too late to rewatch the series and listen to that 'Where You Lead' performed by Carole King and Louise Goffin. I do it from time to time when I miss episodes like 'They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?' (3x07), 'A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving' (3x09), 'The Festival of Living Art' (4x07) or 'You Jump, I Jump, Jack' (5x07). Although my favorites are still the pilot (1x01) and 'The Long Morrow' (7x01), already out of the Sherman-Palladino stage, because of that reference -the rocket that Logan gives Rory- to the homonymous episode of The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling.

Oh! I don't know about you, but I still haven't been able to read the more than 300 books that appear in the series, either because Rory reads them or because they are mentioned. Anna Karenina, Atonement, A Brave New World, Crime and Punishment, David Copperfield… That, among many others, is one of the reasons to enter Netflix, press play and travel (again) to Stars Hollow.

Where to stream it: Netflix.

Comedy series to watch on Netflix.

Santiago Gimeno

Gilmore Girls
Release dateOctober 5, 2000|42 min.
Series: Gilmore Girls
WithLauren Graham,Alexis Bledel,Melissa McCarthy,Keiko Agena,Scott Patterson
Users
4.1
Streaming
'Vampire Chronicles' (2009 - 2017)
The Vampire Chronicles - Season 1 Trailer

It's true that I love going back to review movies over and over again, but with the series it costs a little more. Watching five, six or even eight seasons again, as is the case with The Vampire Chronicles, can be incredibly lazy. However, with this series it never happens to me. The fiction starring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley lived the vampiric fever to which the True Blood serial was added, and they went hand in hand with the famous Twilight saga. Although 12 years have passed since the first season premiered, it still has that certain charm of teen series with somewhat eccentric demons and vampires taken from a B-movie.

It must be recognized that despite the passing of the years, the series has aged much better than others and it is not as horrible as if you see one of this theme again. But, without a doubt, what helps to make countless times that I have been able to see some of its episodes is the love triangle formed by Elena and the salvatore brothers, Damon and Stefan. The key to the series is the chemistry between these actors, since Dobrev left the series in season six, nothing has ever been the same. Despite this significant drop in the cast, fiction, created by Julie Plec, has given great characters and stories; some as important as that of The Originals, characters who would later star in their own 'spin-off'. Original vampires, ancient demons, the afterlife, mermaids, vampire hunters... Just by watching some of the episodes like 'Remnants of You' (4x19), 'Eclipsed Heart' (5x13), 'Downhill Spiral' (6x16), ' Requiem for a dream' (7x21) or the tremendous 'I felt like it' (8x16), it is worth watching The Vampire Chronicles over and over again.

Where to stream it: HBO.

Anna Lasso

The Vampire Chronicles
Release dateSeptember 10, 2009|42 min.
Series: Vampire Chronicles
WithNina Dobrev,Paul Wesley,Ian Somerhalder,Paul Wesley,Ian Somerhalder
Users
4.4
Streaming