FRIENDS
By Eva Clarke
Staff Writer
Set in Manhattan, New York, “Friends” is an American sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004 and generated 10 seasons that were released on NBC. The sitcom depicts the life of 6 friends: Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Ross, as they endure both comedic and romantic adventures, along with issues in finding careers. Throughout the seasons, Joey and Phoebe act as the comic relief. Phoebe writes humorous songs such as “Smelly Cat” and recounts strange stories from her childhood, and Joey’s obliviousness and constant jokes provoke laughter throughout the series. Monica is constantly haunted by her overweight past and her heavy case of obsessive-compulsive disorder always keeps her busy, along with her secretive dating experience with Chandler. Ross, Monica’s older brother, is a paleontologist and the nerd of the group, and much of the show revolves around his on-again, off-again relationship with Rachel. Rachel acts as the lynch-pin for the friends in the first season. Rachel, who is forced to live on her own after her wealthy father cuts her off, struggles to live independently and find both a job and romance. This sitcom serves as a hilarious addition to anyone’s watchlist and can quickly turn to an all time favorite. “Friends is a great show that shows how having such good friends is really important in life, and they can help you through all your hard times,” said sophomore Nina Sacco.
Freaks and Geeks
By Eva Clarke
Staff Writer
Set in the 1980s, “Freaks and Geeks” focuses on the perspectives of two siblings in high school. Lindsay Weir, the older sister in her junior year, hangs out with the burnouts (or “freaks”), and the younger brother Sam Weir navigates his way through freshman year with his nerdy friends (the “geeks”). This show kickstarted the careers of a number of now-famous actors, such as James Franco as Daniel Desario, Seth Rogen as Ken Miller, and Jason Segel as Nick Andopolis. Despite its premature cancellation, this NBC sitcom has become a cult classic because it deals with the realistic struggles of high school—both then and now. Sophomore Katerina Konstas said, “Freaks and Geeks accurately shows the life of different kids in high school and how their experiences as well as friends shape who they become, and I think that is still very similar to what happens today.”
The Office
By Rachel Tetreault
Staff Writer
“The Office” takes place in modern day (2005-2013) Scranton, Pennsylvania, following employees and their daily lives at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. This mockumentary’s main characters are Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly, and Dwight Schrute. Michael Scott, played by the notorious Steve Carell, is the charismatic, strange, and childlike manager of the Scranton branch. The cameramen uncover manager Michael Scott’s strange life as well as his interference in the lives of his employees in the office—from relationships, to office pranks, and even to field trips out of the office. The Office is a hysterical, lighthearted show that teaches the world’s life lessons in a very fun and unusual way, and is a must see for all ages. JMS seventh grader Jess Olson said that The Office was “hilarious and brightened my day every time I watched it.”
10 Things I Hate About You
By Rachel Tetreault
Staff Writer
“10 Things I Hate About You” is a 90’s classic centered around two teens: Kat Stratford & Patrick Verona and their relationship statuses in high school. Uninterested in most boys, Kat Stratford is a smart, prideful, feminist teen who struggles to fit into with any part of the high school. Unlike her sister, Bianca Stratford is a flirt in the high school and wants to go to prom, but here’s the twist: Bianca can only go to prom if Kat goes to prom. Patrick Verona is the only willing boy in school who is sent on a mission by two nerds to “tame the beast,” Kat Stratford, and get her to go to prom with him. This is a great movie with hysterical scenes and strong side characters that will make a perfect addition to your watchlist. “I feel like a lot of people assume that teenage girls are boy crazy and always want a boyfriend but the movie just relates to how high school really is because not everyone wants a boyfriend or wants to be in a relationship. So that isn’t really what high school is about, people have lives and have thoughts just like character (Kat Stratford),” said sophomore Katy Langenhorst.
Good Burger
By Eva Clarke and Maryjane Timilty
Staff Writer
After accidentally wrecking his high school teacher’s car, Dexter Reed (played by Kenan Thompson) has to get a summer job at the local fast food chain, Good Burger, in order to earn the massive amount of money he owes the teacher. While working there, Dexter meets Ed (played by Kel Mitchell), another naive worker who helps Dexter in his first weeks of work. Dexter and Ed struggle to save Good Burger from going out of business when a new burger franchise, Mondo Burger, moves into town. Ed creates a “secret sauce” that becomes a huge success and vastly improves their business; however, it draws the attention of Kurt Bozwell, who attempts to obtain the sauce for Mondo Burger. Ed and Dexter are soon entrapped in a hilarious conflict with the villainous big-business Mondo Burger. Seventh grader Jess Olson said, “Good Burger takes a comical approach to a struggle a lot of teenagers can relate to, having to work over the summer, and the struggle of fighting for what you believe in even if you don’t have many supporters that is still relevant today.”
The Fundamentals of Caring
By Rachel Tetreault
Staff Writer
“The Fundamentals of Caring” is a heartwarming Netflix original that was released in 2016, starring Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts and Selena Gomez. This movie revolves around a heartbroken retired writer, Ben Benjamin, who decides to go into the caregiving profession to cope with a heartbreaking mistake he made in the past. He begins his first job of caregiving with Trevor, a sarcastic, anxious, and downcast 18 year old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare disorder that requires the use of a motorized wheelchair and assistance with simple everyday things, such as going to the bathroom. Although Trevor refutes, Ben is determined to get him off of his strict schedule of waking up, watching TV, and eating exactly two waffles and one sausage. Ben and Trevor decide, with the consent of Trevor’s mother, to go on a road trip and visit all of Trevor’s favorite American roadside attractions. One of Trevor’s main goals on the trip is to pee standing up and have his first kiss. Dot is a rowdy, fun girl who adventures by herself in order to get away from her troubled home life. This new Netflix release is a great way to mix in a good comedy, as well as an indie romance movie. “‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ is a great movie that kind of shows that you can enjoy life and make friends no matter what struggle you’re going through,” said freshman Emily Tomasetti.
