Imagine yourself in the Hufflepuff common room. The Hufflepuff common room is the only Hogwarts common room not to make an appearance in the Harry Potter books or movies, so imagining is key. Everything is a sunny shade of yellow. Think about being in the basement, near the kitchens, on the poofiest couches and some yellow beanbag chairs. There are definitely plants scattered around, and a rung, and a lot of snacks.
Now, imagine that some muggle electronics do work on the Hogwarts’ grounds and a bunch of your housemates have gathered around to watch some excellent television together. What is it that they might enjoy?
Encore
The Mandalorian has been getting most of the attention where Disney+ original programming is concerned, but there are other options on the streaming platform. For some feel-good reality fun Encore, hosted by Frozen’s Kristen Bell is where it’s at.
The show reunites high school classes decades after they’ve left high school far behind and helps them to stage an “encore” performance of their senior year musical. The groups are given less than a week to bond and reprise their roles in hit musicals including Beauty and the Beast and Fiddler on the Roof. Music and emotions? What’s not to enjoy.
The Good Place
Kristen Bell must be a Hufflepuff because she makes our recommendation list twice. NBC’s The Good Place is a perfect Hufflepuff series. The show is hysterical, but also focuses on doing good and being good and helping one another and, in the end, the human race as a whole.
The show also includes its own brand of magic as many different things are possible in the afterlife. If even demons can be redeemed, maybe Hufflepuffs and Slytherins should start spending more time together. Viewing party anyone?
Making It
Reality television can be a rough ride for those who are Hufflepuffs at heart. Most shows try to entertain with chaos and conflict between contestants. NBC’s Making It hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman is the balm to that reality television burn.
The competition show follows “makers” from across the country as they compete in different craft related competitions to win patches (like in the Girl Scouts) and the grand prize of $100,000. The greatest part of Making It is watching contestants not judge one another but rather come together to encourage and help one another as the clock counts down.
Parks and Recreation
Let’s say hi again to Amy Poehler whose Leslie Knope is a Hufflepuff if there ever was one. In Parks and Recreation, she’s optimistic, kind, funny, and loyal to all of her officemates and friends.
What Hufflepuff wouldn’t like to watch one of their own overcome to challenges of a close working environment and the struggles of local government? Always peppy and with a plan, Leslie Knope also embraces all the best of Hufflepuff leadership skills. She plays to the strengths of those working around her, and she’s also quite the comedian.
The Great British Baking Show
While the books never show fans the Hufflepuff common room, later details provided online do put the common room on the same floor as the Hogwarts kitchen. If any house has access to snacks on a regular basis, it’s Hufflepuff.
They may even be friends with the house elves that work there. The Great British Baking Show, another fun reality television competition, follows a dozen amateur bakers on their quest to be named the best baker in Great Britain. It’s the perfect program for Hufflepuffs and house elves to enjoy together.
Queer Eye
Hufflepuffs are patient and true, and the same can be said of the Netflix cast of Queer Eye. Each member of the fab five uses their own special skills to enhance the lives of those around them. A change in the style of pants you wear can make you more confident.
Small changes lead to big rewards, and the fab five is all about helping other people get there. With inspiring stories and dependable happy endings, the show is a perfect program for the happy Hufflepuff house.
Broad City
It’s easy to imagine Hufflepuffs laughing with one another and enjoying their time together, and nothing could make them laugh more than Broad City. Not only is the show hysterical, as it follows Abbi and Ilana as they try to make their way in New York City, it also highlights what real loyal friendships can look like.
Together until the end, Abbi and Ilana would have made fine Hufflepuffs as well.
Anne with an E
Anne with an E is the Netflix series based somewhat on the book Anne of Green Gables. Like the book, the series follows the trials of Anne Shirley as she tries to be good and make her way up in rural Canada.
The great thing about Anne is how she tries to be good but doesn’t always succeed, and what Hufflepuff can’t relate to that? It can be hard sometimes being seen as the “good” house. Just like every other house, Hufflepuffs are allowed to make mistakes and, watching good-intentioned Anne fall and pick herself up again is excellent television.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Hufflepuffs will be spending a lot of time on Netflix as we add Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to the list. Another comedy will keep house members laughing as Kimmy, after spending years being kidnapped and kept in an underground bunker, learns to live again in New York City.
Her high spirits and “unbreakable” optimism would certainly put Kimmy into Hufflepuff house were she to attend Hogwarts.
Pick of the Litter
Here we return to Disney+ to watch a show all about puppies. These aren’t just any puppies though, these are do-good puppies, preparing for a life as certified seeing-eye dogs. The animals are adorable, and their goal is just as admirable as their efforts.
It’s a new show too, so there’s time to jump on board. And, as far as animals go, who is more loyal than a dog? If Hufflepuff wasn’t already represented by the badger, a golden retriever would not be such a horrible substitute.
