There are teen shows that try too hard to sound like teenagers, and then there’s Awkward., a series so casually quotable it feels like it was written by the group chat you wish you were in. From Jenna Hamilton’s dry voiceovers to the deliciously absurd guidance counsellor Valerie, almost every scene lands a line that demands to be repeated.

MTV’s hidden gem understands that high school is less about the big moments and more about the cringe-inducing in-between ones: the misread texts, the accidental hallway eye contact, the elaborate lies that spiral in real time. It balances the comedy with genuine emotional beats, so when friendships fracture or romances collapse, the sting feels real.

The love triangle is one of the better ones in the genre because Jenna actually has agency and the show doesn’t treat her like a prize to be won. The supporting cast is equally strong — Matty McKibben’s slow-burn charm, Jake Rosati’s puppy-dog energy, and Sadie Saxton’s brutal mean girl persona give the show real texture.

It does drift a little in its later seasons as the premise stretches, but the early run is razor-sharp and endlessly rewatchable. If you need a comfort binge that will make you snort-laugh and occasionally yell at the screen, this is it.

They don’t make them like this anymore.