I often feel like the big movies and TV shows get all the love, and these interesting non-fiction bits that are off on the fringe are ignored. So with that in mind, here are three awesome, and slightly offbeat, shows that you may have missed watching on Netflix:
Category: Fascinating and Mind Bending
Title: Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed
Okay, so apparently this was a big deal when it first came out on TV a while back, but I completely missed it when it first aired. Each episode a masked magician shows the secrets behind the popular stage magic tricks. Secrets no magician is supposed to share with the public. First they show the trick being performed, and then they walk you through step by step and show how it was actually pulled off. You can see the tricks behind how a magician can saw a woman in half, make an elephant disappear, and transform a lady into a tiger — and that’s just the first episode.
My hubby was watching this series without me. No big deal right? Then one night he called me into the room to show me a trick that he thought was particularly neat and I couldn’t tear myself away. I would tell myself I am only going to watch and see how they do just one trick… okay make that two.. okay make that entire episode… well maybe just one more. I seriously can’t stop watching this show. It is totally riveting. It also has given me a new respect for the woman who perform as the magician’s stage hands. Those ladies do some seriously crazy stuff, much of which isn’t readily obvious to the audience.
There are 2 seasons on Breaking the Magician’s Code streaming right now on Netflix, for a total of 18 fascinating episodes.
Category: Relaxing and Educational
Title: Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere
I mentioned this one once before but I feel it bears repeating — Bob Ross is on Netflix! There is something entrancing about watching this guy paint happy little trees. I have fond memories of watching Bob Ross on PBS when I was a kid, and now my own kids are enjoying watching him on Netflix. My children find him fascinating and my husband finds him soothing. While technically you could be watching this to learn to paint, the reality is this currently ranks as my husband’s favourite: “put it on after work so I can doze off on the couch” show.
There are 26 episodes of Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere currently available on Netflix. It’s listed as “Collection 1” so I’ve got my fingers crossed that there are more episodes to come.
Category: Interesting and Almost Edible (also Available Only on Netflix)
Title: Chef’s Table
Did you guys watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi? It’s not on Netflix right now, but I watched it maybe a year back. For those of you that missed it, this was a phenomenal documentary about an 85-year old sushi master. My husband and I both enjoyed it so much that we watched it twice. Seriously fascinating stuff. Anyroad, I’m mentioning it because what first drove me to want to watch Chef’s Table was the fact that it was created by David Gelb, the man behind Jiro Dreams of Sushi. I figured another food based documentary from the same creator was bound to be good (and heck yeah, I was right).
In this Netflix exclusive series of documentaries each episode tells the story of one chef. These are world-class chefs, who run restaurants around the globe. The chefs tend to have quirky and passionate personalities, and very interesting stories behind how they got to be where they are today. It provides a unique glimpse into the kitchens, the cuisines, and the minds, of top chefs around the world. The pacing on these documentaries can be a bit slow at times, but overall it’s interesting stuff and well worth the watch.
There are currently three seasons available to watch, Chef’s Table Seasons 1 & 2, and then Chef’s Table France (a.k.a Season 3, which just premiered on Sept.2nd), and I believe there’s a fourth season in the works.
If you’re looking for a few more suggestions from the Documentaries section check out this list of “gamer” themed Netflix shows that I published over on And She Games.
What about you folks? What oddball things do you watch on Netflix?
 | Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam, and as such I will be providing thoughts and suggestions about what’s currently showing on Netflix. As always my words and opinions are my own. |
Other than news, I use television to escape – everything I watch is fiction…but I need to change that!
I like to watch news shows like 60 minutes and 20/20 and enjoy The Doctors and Dr. Oz. I also enjoy watching the Presidential Debates, but wait, is that non-fiction? LOL
thats a tough one as the only tv I watch right now is the young and restless
Survivor is my favourite non fiction show, then amazing race, then big brother. I love these shows.
I love watching Survivor.
My favorite nonfiction tv show is Amazing Race.
My faves are Chopped Canada,Border Security and Big Brother.
My favourite non-fiction TV show is Hockey Night in Canada!
I like watching Amazing Race!
I love documentaries and non-fiction shows. We LOVED Jiro Dreams of Sushi as well! My favorite is probably Grey Gardens, but I love crime shows like the First 48, too.
I love Mob Wives.
I watch Big Brother
I have to say I really enjoy watching Survivor!!
I love watching documentaries! Making a Murderer was really well done
Love Chef’s Table! 🙂 I also love MythBusters.
Most of the nonfiction shows I’ve seen on TV contain a healthy dose of fiction. We do enjoy Forged in Fire and Faceoff.
My favourite non-fiction show is Cutthroat Kitchen
My favourite non-fiction show is always news and sports, but for a TV show I would say The Social.
Wow, had to think here. LOL. Good thing for my coffee. 🙂 I would say the homemaker overs….. like Flip that house. or American Pickers. I really love the stuff they find.
We enjoy a lot of Top Gear on Netflix at our house!
My fav non-fiction show is the Great British Bake-Off- I love, love, love that show. I’d watch it all the time but it is hard to find as I love in Canada not Britain.
M
I love Project Runway and Big Brother.
My favorite NON fiction show is Hell’s Kitchen.
I love documentaries, especially ones about the tudor era, or animals. I also enjoy crime analysis shows, like the fbi files, first 48, etc
I like watching documentaries of various titles.
I like Mythbusters. I love watching Non-Fictional Shows – like Forensic Files, Dead Files, Amazing Race, Dating Naked
There are 2 that I just love: The Great British Bake Off, and The Great British Sewing Bee. Love that they are drama-free, and the contestants all get along (or seem to). No cat fights, no nastiness. Refreshing to watch.
My favourite non fiction show is Amazing Race, or Dragons Den
We are not a big tv watching family. We’ve not had cable or a dish in about 12 or more years (I think my kids were grade 2?, which is ironic as my youngest just finished 2 years of film school) They kids did stream stuff on their computers…. I have tons of dvds movies from series I like. I don’t care for reality tv unless its like a home remodeling thing (you can keep your trash movie star tv stuff folks) I do like a good sci fi show, though. YEP didn’t answer the question but I can’t see the point in lying about something (oh and on a plus note, after seeing others post, my daughter in her first year did work on the cnd race in saskatoon!!)
I love Survivor,,been watching it since it started coming on 17 years ago!
I love watching home reno shows and dreaming…anything with mike holmes
I love all the reality TV shows like the Bachelor 🙂
My favorite nonfiction tv show is Weird or What! I also like America’s Got Talent.
I love The Real Housewives of the OC
Expedition Unknown although for some reason it’s not on Netflix here! 🙁
My daughter and I love watching Iron Chef and Masterchef!
Making of a Murderer is a non-fiction crime I enjoy watching on Netflix.
I like the Amazing Race.
My favourite non-fiction show is Big Brother.
Amazing Race
The favorite here *was* American Idol, haha.. probably Top Gear now 🙂
Making a Murderer.
The walking dead is by far my favorite show! I also enjoy watching alot of non fiction on Netflix late at night.
Documentaries are always a favourite of mine.
Amazing Race is a family favorite!
I love to watch Iron Chef
Just love Narcos.
Does hockey count? I love watching hockey lol
otherwise, I really like watching biographies
I like shows like Marketplace, Fifth Estate, and W5.
I like the Amazing Race.
If Reality TV counts as non-fiction, Bog Brother is my favorite but other than reality, we love the Planet Earth series.
I like to watch Big Brother
My favourite non fiction show is Amazing Race.
My 2 girls love watching NatGeoWild – Their favourite right now is Unlikely Animal Friends.
I really loved watching both seasons of Narcos
I love The Amazing Race.
my fave non fiction tv show is amazing race
I don’t watch non fiction on Netflix. My kids just watch cartoons on it.
I like watching Judge Judy. She’s one sharp cookie.
Would have to say The Amazing Race, the rest of what I watch is fiction.
I like to watch documentaries on Netflix.
I love the Amazing Race Canada! I really wanted Jillian and Emmett to win season 4.
One of my favourite non-fiction shows is Planet Earth.
I watch Dr. Phil everyday and like 20/20!!
I watch a few non fiction shows..Survivor, Judge Judy,
One of my favourite non-fiction shows is Cutthroat Kitchen. Just hilarious!
I like 60 days in and Survivor.
I love watching The Amazing Race!
I love watching true crime shows like Dateline
I really just watch news for non-fiction shows.
I love to watch food shows like MasterChef. I’m currently enjoying the Halloween Baking Championship.
I like Shark’s Tank. It makes me think of all the possibilities of getting out of your comfort zone and pursuing your passions
I don’t watch any shows but I love documentaries especially about health.
I don’t really watch non fiction shows on netflix. I guess the only one might be Planet Earth. I could give you a list a mile long for fiction shows though.
I like the Amazing Race Canada!
i like to watch “how its made’ and ‘Canadian Pickers’
Nova, Star Talk, How It’s Made and all of the netflix stand up comedy specials
Nova, How It’s Made, Star Talk
I enjoy the amazing race.
Fast n’ Loud and Gold Rush
I’m a huge Big Brother and Amazing Race fan.
My favourite non-fiction show is The Amazing Race. Every time my husband and I watch the Canadian version we talk about applying for the next one! We probably never would, but it’s fun to dream! 🙂
I like watching BT Toronto that is about as far as non fiction goes for me.
I love watching the 100