Everybody has that one show that always boosts their spirits whenever they watch the series. For many of us, including myself, that show is “New Girl.” This beloved series has provided us with both the greatest laughs and entertainment. This has resulted in “New Girl” being the ultimate comfort show.
This series centers around Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel), a young woman who discovers her long-term boyfriend is cheating. Looking for a fresh start, Jess moves into a loft apartment with four male roommates — Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Winston (Lamorne Morris), who first appears in the second episode. This quirky set of individuals form an unlikely, and dysfunctional bond with Jess and her best friend Cece (Hannah Simone) as they navigate life in their 30s.
Going into this series, you would think that “New Girl” is just like other popular sitcoms like “Friends” and “How I Met Your Mother” as it tells a light-hearted story about a group of friends trying to navigate life in a big city. However, “New Girl” was able to capture the experience much more organically which made the series feel more relatable. From the group having their own loft traditions like playing “True American” to seeing their actual day-to-day lives together, the show truly gave viewers an accurate depiction of living with roommates. Those details made the audience feel like they too were living alongside the characters. In addition to the show’s realistic qualities, “New Girl’s” humor also makes this series shine. Although most sitcoms have funny elements, every “New Girl” episode has many unique and hilarious moments that just beat other sitcoms’ humor. From Schmitt pronouncing words wrong like “chut-en-ney” to the gang’s silly mess-arounds you can’t help but grow fond of the show.
But what truly distinguishes “New Girl” as the ultimate comfort series is its incredible ensemble. Whether it’s the character’s personality, career or aspirations, each member brings a different perspective into the group that makes the cast so comforting. Jess is the quirky, upbeat roommate who is optimistic about most things in life. Nick is the roommate with big ideas but little determination. Schmitt is the “ladies’ man” and is overly obsessed with his social status. Winston is the goofy, prankster who adores his cat Ferguson a little too much. Coach is the sporty roommate who struggles to get in touch with his feelings. Lastly, Cece is the tough and reasonable one in the group. Each member’s qualities allowed many viewers to relate to each character in some way, which made the audience instantly fall in love.
However, what truly sold the stellar ensemble was its relationship dynamics. Compared to other sitcoms, the entire cast seamlessly connected with one another making the characters’ relationships flourish. From the unexpected duo of Cece and Winston, the endearing romance between Nick and Jess and the warmhearted friendship between Nick and Schmitt, you couldn’t help but feel like you were watching a real-life friend group hang out together.
Overall, “New Girl” checks all the boxes for the ultimate comfort show. It has an amazing ensemble, a light-hearted storyline, and many hilarious moments that make this series the perfect show to watch after a long day of work and/or school. If you haven’t seen “New Girl” already or are looking to rewatch it again, the series is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock.