Winter break often brings some much-needed free time for students and faculty at the University. But even after holiday activities, travel plans or hometown appointments, the excitement of that free time can fade into boredom. Here are six short TV shows, each of which are no more than 26 episodes and about 10 hours in length. Not only can they help viewers pass the holiday season, but they can all be successfully completed before returning to school for the spring semester.
“Normal People” (2020)
Adapted from Sally Rooney’s award-winning novel, “Normal People” follows Irish teenagers Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron as they begin a clandestine romance which lasts into their college years. Their relationship inspires deep conversations of wealth, love, mental health and more, balancing intense emotions with moments of levity. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal give incredible performances as Marianne and Connell, respectively, bringing Rooney’s writing to beautiful life.
“High Fidelity” (2020)
This 2020 remake of the film “High Fidelity” (2000) features Zoë Kravitz as Rob, a record store owner trying to cope after being broken up with by her long-term boyfriend. The show follows Rob as she explores new relationships while dealing with her romantic past, finding comfort through friendship and appreciating music. With unique needle drops and a strong ensemble cast — including Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph — “High Fidelity” is the ideal mix of comedy and drama, perfect for music lovers and film fanatics alike.
“Overcompensating” (2025)
The TV debut from online sensation Benito Skinner, “Overcompensating” follows the story of Benny Scanlon, a freshman in college, as he is caught between the urge to explore his closeted sexuality and the pressure to conform to heterosexual standards. Loosely based on Skinner’s own life, Benny’s college experience is chronicled through a series of significant events depicting extremes of human emotion that can make viewers both cringe and cry. With an unbelievably talented and deep cast, “Overcompensating” is an ideal watch for those ready to take a leap of comedic faith. Plus, catch up now and be prepared for the show’s confirmed Season 2.
“Cowboy Bebop” (1998)
“Cowboy Bebop” is an animated Japanese show about an eclectic spaceship crew and their adventures through an industrialized outer space. Career bounty hunters Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, flying the “Bebop” spaceship, meet genetically-modified corgi Ein, computer hacker Ed and femme fatale Faye Valentine along their route. They form a rag-tag team, pursuing intergalactic criminals while running away from their individual pasts. Poetic writing, artistic animation and an experimental jazz score from Seatbelts make “Cowboy Bebop” an intriguing and electrifying watch.
“Station Eleven” (2021)
Based on the original book by Emily St. John Mandel, “Station Eleven” follows the origin and aftermath of a deadly flu pandemic that decimates most of the global population. The unemployed Jeevan Chaudhary and child actor Kirsten Raymonde become unlikely companions as they try to survive the pandemic, and begin their individual futures in the post-apocalyptic world. Centered around the power of art and community, “Station Eleven” is a surprisingly relatable apocalypse narrative that masterfully blends science fiction with realistic drama.
“1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything” (2021)
Produced by Asif Kapadia, director of “Amy” (2015) and “Senna” (2010), this docuseries explores how music and the music industry changed throughout the year of 1971. Episodes explore the rise of stars in every genre and how they were affected by social movements and political events of the time, such as Joni Mitchell’s navigation of sexism in the music industry or Jim Morrison’s drug use as an influence on rock culture. Kapadia’s signature documentary style makes this show an engaging watch, as he pairs archival footage with relevant voiceovers to create a seamless narrative without any talking heads.
Whether looking to expand one’s cinematic palette or find comfort in familiar tropes, this selection of shows includes something for everyone. These short series are perfect for not only passing the holiday time efficiently, but engaging with new media that offer unique messages and fresh perspectives — just in time for the new year.
Read More
Sam Fender’s “People Watching (Deluxe Edition)” sets a complex new score
By Alena Touve | 3 days agoHis recent deluxe edition of the award-winning record “People Watching,” released Dec. 5, takes the singer into uncharted emotional territory
Cinema’s most iconic holiday sweaters to get cozy with this Christmas
By Amelia Lucien | 6 days agoFrom custom pullovers to striped turtlenecks and patterned festivewear, there is no shortage of inspiration for comfortable holiday attire in cinema across all genres
Hoo’s Watching: “Marty Supreme” and the power of marketing
By Caroline Lee | December 24, 2025What do blimps, Wheaties and Soulja Boy’s “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” have in common? They are all part of the deliberately unhinged marketing campaign behind A24’s upcoming “Marty Supreme.”
