Imagine this scenario: you want nothing more than to cuddle up in your bed and watch your favorite TV show, but before you can sign in to everyone’s favorite and probably bookmarked streaming site, Netflix, you realize you are extremely hungry. Looking at the clock, you realize it is late and that Benson is most likely closed. You scroll through Netflix and decide on a show, then drag yourself up from your bed to see if there is anything in your refrigerator. You stand there for a while deciding what to eat. And that’s where I come in. You’ve heard of food and wine pairings; prepare yourself for the pairings of the next generation.
1. "Gilmore Girls" and chocolate and vanilla ice cream
"Gilmore Girls" is a sweet and heartfelt show, and like Rory and Lorelai, chocolate and vanilla are distinct yet complementary. In many ways, they are soul mates.
2. "Sherlock" and tea with biscuits
Not only does this British show nearly require tea, but it goes best with something you can sip daintily as you marvel at Benedict Cumberbatch's beautiful accent and the incredible cinematography and editing of "Sherlock."
3. "New Girl" and apples dipped in peanut butter and honey
One of my favorite snacks--partially because I can feel somewhat healthy while eating it--is apples dipped in a peanut butter and honey blend. The simultaneously goofy and serious tone of "New Girl" will go well with the sweet and salty flavors of this snack.
4. "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and popcorn (try with nutritional yeast and salt)
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is one of my absolute favorite shows, and one you can appreciate even if you are not a Marvel fan. Basically, it's about a team of agents that works on various cases together, usually involving some sort of complicated technological malfunction or an evil alien parasite. Also, there are love stories. This quirky, action-packed, and often overlooked show fits well with one of my favorite weird and esoteric snacks: popcorn sprinkled with nutritional yeast and salt. And before you freak out, it's actually delicious! (As a side note: if you get plain and unbuttered popcorn, this one is actually also pretty healthy.)
5. "House of Cards" and tortilla chips and spicy salsa
Full disclaimer: I have never watched this show, but I have heard great things about it and know how popular it is, so I figured I should include it on the list. Pull some tortilla chips out of the pantry, and remember that the spiciest salsa will go well with political intrigue.
6. "Friends" and chocolate chip cookies
"Friends," like chocolate chip cookies, is in instant classic. Also, it will remind you of that one episode where Phoebe and Monica try to recreate Phoebe's grandmother's cookie recipe, before realizing that it is simply the recipe on the back of the Tollhouse chocolate chip bag.
7. "The Office" and milkshakes
"The Office" is a sweet, heartfelt show, one that when watched is familiar and as comfort food. In its documentary style, it mirrors everyday life while still retaining just enough eclectic differences to retain its weirdness and idiosyncrasy. Milkshakes, essentially just blended ice cream, have a similar quality of simultaneous familiarity and novelty.
8. "The X-Files" and no food
Let me start out by saying that I love this show. If you're not familiar with it, it is 90's and early 00's era sci-fi crime show, which follows the careers of two FBI agents who work together on paranormal and extraterrestrial cases called the X-Files. However, I would not recommend ever eating anything while watching this show. Drink water, maybe. But considering the number of kind of disgusting things that happen, not eating is probably advisable. It just feels weird to be munching on carrots or something as a mutated parasitic leech is pulled out of a cadaver.
9. Netflix Stand-up Comedy and potato chips, eaten with a fork or with chopsticks
Netflix has a fairly extensive collection of stand-up shows by some of our favorite comedians. They usually last about an hour. My favorites include Aziz Ansari, Anjelah Johnson, and John Mulaney, among others. Stand-up is often offbeat, quirky, and weird. Your best bet? Eat something normal with a utensil you usually wouldn't just to make things fun. For example, eat potato chips with a fork or chopsticks.
10. "Mad Men" and cheese and crackers
I just started watching "Mad Men" (finally), and am already loving it. Relax and feel sophisticated by making yourself a cheese and cracker plate and contemplating the exploits of Don Draper.
Warning: Trying out all of these pairings in one day is not reccommended.
