Watch Parks and Recreation in quarantine

The argument

Parks and Recreation is the best show to watch on Netflix during quarantine for multiple reasons. It’s a relatable comedic sitcom with a talented cast that keeps their audience laughing. The series also made the most out of this COVID-19 pandemic and aired a reunion special filmed via Zoom that doubled as a charitable fundraiser for Feeding America. The show is available on more platforms than just Netflix, too (also available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and others). Additionally, Parks and Recreation consistently lands at the top of polls that ask what the best show is to watch during quarantine.

Premises

Counter-arguments

Any claim that there is a best show to watch during quarantine is subjective. The best show depends on the viewer's preference. Some people may prefer dramas or thrillers over comedic sitcoms. Additionally, while Netflix is a popular streaming site, not everyone has a subscription to the platform, and therefore the show is not accessible to all.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] "Relatable" and "keeps audiences laughing" are statements of taste offered as evidence, and comedy travels less reliably between viewers than most genres. Nothing here distinguishes the show from many others that would satisfy the position equally well. [Rejecting P2] The reunion special is a fact about a broadcast and a fundraiser, not about whether the show is good to watch. A charitable event is a reason to think well of the people who made it rather than a reason to watch seven seasons of it. [Rejecting P3] Availability on other platforms is an argument against the position as framed, which is about what to watch on Netflix, and "consistently tops polls" arrives without a single one being named. The counter states the underlying problem: a best-show claim is a matter of preference, and none of these premises give a reason that would apply to someone who does not care for sitcoms.