Lunch is one of my favorite times of the day. Who doesn’t love a break with some delicious food? For me, lunch is a reset—a bridge between my work in the morning and the projects in the afternoon. During lunch, I try to focus on something else besides work for at least 30 minutes. Sometimes, that involves streaming a TV show.
On Paramount+, there is a wide selection of shows—with episodes under 30 minutes—to stream during a lunch break. Think of them as “bite-sized” programs that are easy to consume while eating lunch. Most of the shows are comedies, the ideal genre to take your mind off work. All five of these shows can be streamed in the U.S.
The King of Queens
Kevin James’ crowning achievement
As someone who still has a cable subscription, I have seen my fair share of The King of Queens because the reruns are always on TBS. The King of Queens is the perfect show to pass the time, especially over a lunch break. When I don’t know what to watch, throw on an episode of The King of Queens for some feel-good TV.
Quiz
8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge
Name that sitcom on Paramount+
Trivia challenge
From Cheers to Everybody Loves Raymond — how well do you know these
Paramount+ classics?
CheersI Love LucyKing of QueensRaymondNew Shows
Begin
What is Doug Heffernan’s job in The King of Queens?
ATaxi driverBUPS delivery driverCIPS delivery driverDPostal worker
That’s right! Doug works as a delivery driver for IPS, which stands for
International Parcel Service — a fictional stand-in clearly inspired by real-world delivery giants. His
blue-collar job is central to many of the show’s comedic situations.
Not quite! Doug works for IPS, the International Parcel Service — a
fictional company that serves as the show’s stand-in for real delivery companies. Many fans assume it’s
UPS, but the show cleverly used its own fictional brand.
Continue
What is Lucy Ricardo’s husband Ricky’s profession in I Love Lucy?
AJazz pianistBBroadway actorCNightclub singer and bandleaderDRadio DJ
Exactly right! Ricky Ricardo is a Cuban-born nightclub singer and
bandleader, performing at the Tropicana Club in New York City. His thick accent and catchphrase ‘Lucy,
you got some ‘splaining to do!’ became iconic pieces of television history.
That’s not it! Ricky Ricardo is a nightclub singer and bandleader,
performing at the Tropicana Club. His Cuban heritage and musical career were inspired by real-life
connections to Desi Arnaz, who played him and was himself a famous musician.
Continue
In Cheers, what is the full name of the bar where the series is set?
ACheers Boston Bar & GrilleBCheersCSam’s PlaceDThe Bull & Finch
Correct! The bar is simply called Cheers — no subtitle needed. The
show’s iconic setting was inspired by a real Boston bar called the Bull & Finch Pub, which later renamed
itself ‘Cheers’ to capitalize on the show’s massive popularity.
Not quite! The bar is simply named Cheers. While the real-life
inspiration for the bar was Boston’s Bull & Finch Pub, the fictional establishment in the show goes by
the one-word name that became one of the most recognizable in sitcom history.
Continue
Where does Raymond Barone live in relation to his parents in Everybody Loves
Raymond?
ANext doorBAcross the streetCTwo blocks awayDIn the same house
You got it! Raymond’s parents, Frank and Marie, live directly across the
street — a constant source of comedy as they drop by unannounced and interfere in Ray and Debra’s
marriage. Creator Phil Rosenthal based the show heavily on his own family experiences.
That’s not right! Raymond’s parents live across the street, not next
door or down the road. This deceptively short distance is the engine of the show’s comedy, as Frank and
Marie can pop over at any moment — and frequently do, much to Debra’s frustration.
Continue
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is a spin-off of which popular CBS sitcom?
AThe Big Bang TheoryBTwo and a Half MenCYoung SheldonDMom
That’s correct! Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage spun off from Young
Sheldon, focusing on Sheldon Cooper’s older brother Georgie and his wife Mandy as they navigate early
married life. It premiered in 2024 and continues the Young Sheldon universe.
Not quite! The show is a spin-off of Young Sheldon, not The Big Bang
Theory directly — though the characters ultimately originate from that universe. Georgie and Mandy were
introduced in Young Sheldon and got their own series in 2024 on CBS and Paramount+.
Continue
Which actress played the witty, sarcastic waitress Carla Tortelli throughout all 11
seasons of Cheers?
AShelley LongBKirstie AlleyCRhea PerlmanDBebe Neuwirth
Right on! Rhea Perlman played Carla Tortelli for all 11 seasons of
Cheers, earning four Primetime Emmy Awards for the role. Her sharp tongue and quick wit made Carla one
of the most beloved supporting characters in sitcom history.
That’s not right! Rhea Perlman played the sharp-tongued Carla Tortelli
across all 11 seasons and won four Emmy Awards for the role. Shelley Long and Kirstie Alley both played
the female lead bartender Diane and Rebecca respectively, while Bebe Neuwirth played psychiatrist
Lilith.
Continue
In the famous ‘Job Switching’ episode of I Love Lucy, where do Lucy and Ethel get
jobs?
AA clothing factoryBA candy factoryCA bread bakeryDA canning plant
Delicious answer! Lucy and Ethel famously take jobs at Kramer’s Kandy
Kitchen, a candy factory, in what is widely considered one of the greatest episodes in television
history. The conveyor belt scene where they desperately stuff chocolates in their mouths and hats has
become an enduring cultural touchstone.
Not quite! Lucy and Ethel end up working at a candy factory called
Kramer’s Kandy Kitchen. The episode, titled ‘Job Switching,’ first aired in 1952 and is consistently
ranked among the greatest sitcom episodes ever made, largely because of the chaotic conveyor belt candy
scene.
Continue
Which veteran comedian played Arthur Spooner, Doug’s live-in father-in-law in The
King of Queens?
AJerry StillerBCarl ReinerCDon RicklesDBob Newhart
Spot on! Jerry Stiller played the eccentric and cantankerous Arthur
Spooner, becoming arguably the most beloved part of the show. Stiller was already famous as part of the
comedy duo Stiller and Meara with his wife Anne Meara, and later gained a new generation of fans as
Frank Costanza on Seinfeld.
That’s not right! Jerry Stiller played the lovably difficult Arthur
Spooner, Carrie’s father who moves in with Doug and Carrie. Stiller was a comedy legend long before the
show, known for his work with wife Anne Meara and his role as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld.
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Delivery driver Doug (Kevin James) and secretary Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini) are a married couple living in Queens. The sitcom loves to poke fun at their home life, which can be chaotic due to the presence of Carrie’s outspoken father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller). You’re guaranteed to have a few laughs every episode.
The King of Queens episodes run between 21 and 22 minutes.
Workaholics
Ridiculous storylines created by some buddies
The tagline “Let’s get weird” perfectly describes the mission of Workaholics. It is a weird show made by friends who love making fun of each other. To me, that’s the sign of a healthy friendship, one where you can make fun of each other and not get offended. The main trio at the center of Workaholics is actors Adam DeVine, Blake Anderson, and Anders “Ders” Holm.
Fresh out of college, the group enters the workforce, and they are so not ready for adulthood. The boys spend more time planning pranks in their cubicle than doing their jobs as telemarketers. From camping out at work to drinking on the roof, Workaholics is a silly, nonsensical show that you should be able to enjoy guilt-free.
Workaholics episodes run between 21 and 25 minutes.
Workaholics
Release Date
2011 – 2017-00-00
Network
Comedy Central
Showrunner
Adam Devine
UFC Embedded
An all-access look at the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Behind-the-scenes documentaries are the new normal. Nearly every major sport has some type of all-access series. For the NFL, it’s Hard Knocks. In the NHL, it’s Quest for the Stanley Cup. In the UFC, it’s UFC Embedded on Paramount. In the lead-up to the company’s numbered cards (UFC 320, UFC 321, etc.), the UFC takes its cameras outside the octagon and follows the fighters as they prepare for their main event fights.
As a fan of the UFC, I’m always fascinated when the fighters talk about cutting weight. What these fighters put their bodies through beforehand might be more impressive than what happens inside the octagon. The next UFC Embedded will cover UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.
UFC Embedded episodes run around 6 to 10 minutes.
Subscription with ads
Yes, $8/month
Simultaneous streams
3
South Park
The adult animation show with attitude
South Park is a show made by two comedic geniuses: Trey Parker and Matt Stone. I would make the argument that Parker and Stone are the best at satirizing real-world stories. No show should be this funny 28 seasons into its run, but South Park is a one-of-one show.
The animated sitcom is set in the fictional town of South Park, Colorado, and follows the lives of four boys—Kyle Broflovski, Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman. You know a show is great when you could ask five people for their 10 favorite episodes, and you might get 50 different answers. For me, I’ll always have a soft spot for the senior citizens wreaking havoc on the road in Grey Dawn. Get off the street!
South Park episodes run for 22 minutes.
South Park
Release Date
August 13, 1997
Network
Comedy Central
Showrunner
Trey Parker
Key & Peele
Sketch comedy at its finest
In the 2010s, Mad TV alums Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele created Key & Peele for Comedy Central. Each episode featured several sketches from the duo that tackle racial stereotypes, pop culture moments, and social awkwardness. Key & Peele is a show made for the YouTube generation because each sketch works as a standalone short.
If you’ve seen the show, then you probably have a variety of answers for the best sketches. For me, I’ll name three: Obama Meet & Greet, Substitute Teacher, and East/West College Bowl. If you’re looking for an escape during a lunch break, throw on a few Key & Peele sketches and your mood should change.
Key & Peele episodes run between 21 and 24 minutes.
More shows to watch on streaming
It’s still early in the month, and the streamers are putting out new and returning shows this month. On Netflix, the fifth and final season of Outer Banks will likely be one of the more popular shows on the streamer in August. As for new shows on Hulu, the crime thriller Furious has a chance to become one of the month’s biggest hits.