5 Best Series to Watch Before Turning 30
Hitting the "big 3-0" can be a big deal -- it's a chance to celebrate the end of your 20s, and also the age where you have to admit that you're finally an honest-to-goodness grown-up. Thankfully, there are some great TV shows to get you through the transition and give you some previews of the chaos and joy ahead.
1. 'Parenthood' (2010 - 2015)
"Parenthood" provides one of the more realistic TV portrayals of what it means to become an adult in your own family. An updated version of the classic 1980s movie of the same name, "Parenthood" is the story of the Bravermans -- four adult siblings, their spouses, their six kids, and their aging parents -- and how they all manage to support each other through various crises. Each character grows into new phases of adulthood over the course of six seasons, and the ensuing joy and heartache creates a compelling emotional journey for viewers.
2. 'You're the Worst' (2014 - )
A hidden gem on FX, "You're the Worst" is the adorable and deplorable love story of two toxic narcissists, set in modern-day Los Angeles. Jimmy (Chris Geere) is an arrogant writer struggling to make it, and Gretchen (Aya Cash) manages a fledgling rap group. While it's definitely not family-friendly -- the sex scenes and drug use are at near-HBO levels -- watching Jimmy and Gretchen migrate from selfishness to caring is funny, romantic, and delightfully crass. "You're the Worst" manages to be endearing, as its interweaving plots and biting humor showcase how difficult it is to find your identity as middle age approaches.
3. 'Hindsight' (2015)
"Hindsight," a one-season wonder from VH1, follows Becca Brady (Laura Ramsey) from the eve of her second wedding in 2015 as she time travels back 20 years to the morning of her first wedding in 1995. Over the course of 10 episodes, Becca is faced with the opportunity to relive her 20s, making different choices along the way. "Hindsight" serves as a refreshing reminder that older doesn't always mean wiser, while also reminding us of how much fun the '90s were.
4. 'How I Met Your Mother' (2005 - 2014)
"How I Met Your Mother" chronicles how Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) got through his late 20s and eventually met the love of his life. Despite the title, the show is really about a group of friends growing up together, learning how to stay close while dealing with the chaos of careers, dating, and family. Throughout nine seasons -- and an ending that was very controversial with HIMYM fans -- "How I Met Your Mother" delivered the warm reliability of a witty sitcom while each of the characters grew into realistic, if occasionally zany, adults.
5. 'Thirtysomething' (1987 - 1991)
The granddaddy of TV shows about aging gracefully, "Thirtysomething" is both pure '80s TV and a timeless look at becoming middle-aged. The show confronts the universal insecurities that come with aging in a way that's both sweet and scary -- where Michael invests in his own career, his wife Hope struggles with feeling like a sellout for being a stay-at-home mother. Despite the ongoing drama in "Thirtysomething," the overall theme is actually quite comforting: Life doesn't get any easier in your 30s, but there's plenty of joy and excitement ahead.